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to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Poll: Should we let Tony Danza "Teach"?
Thursday, August 13th, 2009 at 1:40 pm - by Alan Tu. Filed under: Community.
Actor Tony Danza wants to film a reality TV show in Philadelphia’s Northeast High School this fall. The idea got a boost yesterday when the city’s Education Secretary Lori Shorr told the School Reform Commission that Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter likes the idea. The SRC says it’ll make its final decision on Wednesday, August 19.
One person who doesn’t like this idea one bit is Philadelphia Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky who thinks the idea is nothing more than a stunt to help kick start the actor’s stalled career.
From where I’m standing, “Welcome Back, Danza,” or whatever this show will be called, looks to be a sure thing for Danza and A&E, and a total crapshoot for the kids who’ll make them both a lot of money. If Danza wants to teach, he oughta teach. Away from the cameras, like real teachers do.
To be fair to Danza, the idea of teaching is not a new one. In a 2003 interview, Danza was asked by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette what he wanted to be before his acting career took off.
Q. What were you planning to do with your life before you were discovered?
A. Well, I’d gone to school to teach. I was a history major. When I got out of school, I just felt like I was too young to teach anybody anything. In fact, one of the things I want to do — I have these long-range plans — is when my youngest daughter leaves for college to see if I can throw myself into the L.A. unified system and teach for a year. There is such a shortage of teachers that they’re willing to let you learn on the job. I’d really like to try that.
Of course, when he made that statement there was no mention of making it a reality show.
I’d like to know what you think of this idea.
Would you watch the show?
Do you think Tony would be exploiting kids if he does this?
Do you think this show will help create a better appreciation for how hard teachers work?
If you don’t like this idea, would you feel any different if it was a reality TV show featuring real teachers?
August 13th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
At first glance this may seem like some sort of publicity start to jump a “has-been’s” career, though I think Danza’s status may in fact jumpstart public interest in becoming educators. Who knows, perhaps he’ll maybe do an exemplary job.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Polaneczky makes a good point. What do the kids, the school, and the district get out of this? How will the teenagers be depicted? Will the show just play up stereotypes of urban teens?
Also teaching takes a lot of time and energy (I’ve been doing it for six years now). I doubt that Danza will be able to effectively educate and be in a show at the same time.
I think the celebrities will benefit and the real people will get the shaft on this one.
August 13th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
@Dan C. I’m glad you mention that “teaching takes a lot of time and energy.” That reminds me of something my co-worker Shai B said which was if Tony wants to teach why doesn’t he go out and teach for awhile. That made me think, that maybe he ought to be real school teacher for at least a year then do the show at the same school next fall. It would be more realistic and maybe more interesting. Although, if A&E tapes this, I’m going to season pass it.
August 14th, 2009 at 9:10 am
This is ridiculous that it’s even being considered. These cameras, microphones and crews will be a complete and total distraction to an already underperforming school system. If they want to do a show like this pick a private establishment that has the permission of each paying parent…not a public school that’s already struggling with teaching children. I don’t blame Danza here…it’s the creators of the show. I think Danza would be genuinely interested in the children but he really has no business in a teaching environment, I wouldn’t want him removing my tonsils, and I wouldn’t want him teaching or distracting my children either.
Let’s take this whole school thing a little more seriously and leave the Hollywood show business stuff to things that don’t really matter. Do a reality show on prison…throw Danza in a prison cell, that would make for some good TV!
August 14th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
This story made http://detentionslip.org ! Check it out for all the crazy headlines from our schools.
August 17th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Did anyone have the misfortune to watch Mr.Danza’s talk show? Well lets put it this way he made Liza Minelli look smart..This idea will only add to the problem with educating our youth today.showing that its not what you know its who you know..and how can you milk your 30 seconds of fame into alucrative career..Mr.danza would be better served to play soldier in some of the worlds trouble spots..whats next celebrity heart surgery?
August 21st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
So, Tony Danza thinks he can waltz into LAJUSD and get a job because he studied to be a teacher many years ago? Tell that to all the teachers who have been pink slipped and still don’t have jobs, or to the new college grads with certification looking for work! He must be very out of touch! As far as his reality show, that happens to be the high school I graduated from quite sometime ago. Glad I am not there anymore!
August 21st, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I’d like to know if Danza will be required to take a teacher certification class and be tested before standing in front of a class? Isn’t that usually a requirement for teaching in the public schools? I agree with other posters who think this idea is a giant stunt intended to boost Danza’s career and ego. What a waste of time for the students, especially since he speaks like an uneducated thug. The mayor should be ashamed of approving this. I suspect a large financial payout to the city is involved.
August 25th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
When I attended this school from 2000 to 2004, I had to use textbooks that were decades old. Many ceiling tiles were missing, with wires exposed and just hanging - and once, a tile fell on the head of a friend. The school spends money on the football field and LCD screens to hang outside (advertising sports, usually). This guy isn’t going to make things any worse or better. If anything, it would kinda make sense that it was happening. Whatever.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I THINK ITS GREAT AND SOMETHING DIFFERENT WE NEED A CHANGE GO FOR IT TONY WE LOVE YOU COME BACK WE ALL MISS YOU
October 28th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
YES YES YES YES AT LEAST HE WILL BE THE TRUE ONE