ROOM 222: THE VALEDICTION (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas concerning the students and faculty of Walt Whitman High School. In this episode, Alice announces that the students with a 3.5 and above have been asked to submit valedictorian speeches for graduation, though several others object, pointing out that everyone should have the chance to be considered. Alice argues the point to Principal Kaufman and Pete supports her, pointing out that good grades are not the only sign of an "inventive mind," and Kaufman agrees that all of the students may submit speeches, though points out that they, the staff, will have to read all of them. Later, Alice tells the students that several winners have been selected, three from within their class: Donna, Murray and Stan. Murray complains that he is no longer "special" after four years of hard work, annoyed that perpetual underachiever Stan has been deemed equally deserving. Miss Tandy too declares that the change is "the first step towards anarchy," arguing that the troublemaking Stan is unworthy of speaking at graduation. Kaufman tells Alice that the three students have been invited Jackson Baker's local talk show, though Alice notes that he is "an awful square," and Kaufman wonders if it is wise to allow the unpredictable Stan to be on live television.
Stan later thanks Alice for her kindness, saying that he likely would have dropped out without her guidance, and ponders her comments about his college potential. On Jackson Baker's show, however, things go south when Baker ignores Donna's comments about the questionable relevance of their classes and Stan defends her and argues with the TV host as he criticizes the system, causing the program to experience "technical difficulties." The teachers discuss the disastrous interview and Pete maintains that Stan still has the right to speak at graduation, though Kaufman worries that Stan will divert from his original speech and questions the boy, who bristles at the idea of being "muzzled." Stan's friends ask him not to spoil the ceremony, but he ends up going off-book after all, critiquing the school's "old ideas" and the older generation's responsibility for their current troubled society. Though some audience members object to his words, others seem to feel that he has a point, and he boldly declares that "kids" will be the ones to change the word before accepting his diploma. Afterwards, Kaufman agrees that many people's attitudes need "shaking," and Alice happily accepts both credit and blame for her "Joan of Arc"-like part in the rebellion. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: December 2, 1970 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:54
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:64299
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Drama; Drama; High school
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1969-1974
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Gene Reynolds … Executive Producer
- Ronald Rubin … Producer
- Robert Mintz … Associate Producer
- John Erman … Director
- James L. Brooks … Created by
- Richard DeRoy … Writer
- Benny Golson … Music by
- Lloyd Haynes … Cast, Pete Dixon
- Denise Nicholas … Cast, Liz Mcintyre
- Michael Constantine … Cast, Seymour Kaufman
- Karen Valentine … Cast, Alice Johnson
- Richard Dreyfuss … Cast, Stan Siebert
- Heshimu … Cast, Jason
- Helen Kleeb … Cast, Miss Tandy
- Ivor Francis … Cast, Kenneth Dragen
- Dick Patterson … Cast, Jackson Baker
- Danny Goldman … Cast, Murray
- Dwan Smith … Cast, Donna
- Ed Begley Jr. … Cast, Willard
- Maxine Stuart … Cast, Parent
- Jason Wingreen … Cast, Parent
- James O'Reare … Cast, Parent