Tony Danza to teach in reality TV show
Monday, August 17th, 2009
By: Peter Crimmins
pcrimmins@whyy.org
Tony Danza may soon be the boss of a Philadelphia classroom. The School Reform Commission is considering allowing the TV actor famous for roles in Taxi and Who's The Boss to teach high school English. It would be taped for a new reality TV show.
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Mayor Michael Nutter is behind the idea of making the Philadelphia School District a subject of a reality TV show, saying it is a "unique opportunity" to highlight the city's teachers, administrators, and students. Others are concerned that students would become mere props for light entertainment.
Temple University psychology professor Frank Farley says the popularity of Danza could get more people talking about the conditions of inner-city schools.
Farley: The more light we can shine on education, the more airtime education can get the better. They need attention, they need resources, maybe something like this will help direct more attention to inner city school.
The TV production company has offered the School District a chance to respond to each episode during the editing process.
If the show is a success, Danza and his producer friends will make millions. Will they compensate the students, teachers and SDoP for the use of their image? i doubt it…and the $14k they have offered to the SDoP is not nearly enough.. Philadelphia is the FOURTH U.S. city where they are trying to shoot, without compensating the talent (the kids). Nutter, make Danza's team pay or tell them to go away.