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Teachers: Series 1
R2 - United Kingdom - VCI Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (25th September 2011). |
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The Film
 Channel Four have been well known for their comedy offerings since the mid-nineties ranging from the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost career starter Spaced through to Black Books and Phoenix Nights. In more recent years, the channel have found success in dramas with a large comedy element, the most famous and successful of which being Shameless (which has also spun a US remake starring William H. Macy). Channel Four first found success in this genre however with shows like Teachers and Green Wing. The case for Teachers states: The lives and lifestyles of a group of young comprehensive school teachers in Bristol forms the backdrop for the drama series Teachers. Starring Andrew Lincoln, Teachers is set in the fictional Summertown Comprehensive, where a mix of seasoned and young teachers and some raucous pupils makes for some humourous incidents. Set as much out of the classroom as in it, this is a contemporary light-hearted series where the staff find their lives as problematic after school. The main teachers in the drama are twenty-somethings whose lives are complicated by the fact that they aren't much older than their pupils. They have their own clique, gossips and bullies and their own idea of a good practical joke. They sneak into the toilets for a sly fag, some still live with their parents, and they always have an excuse for why they're late for their own class. The show mainly follows Simon (Andrew Lincoln), an English teacher in his mid-twenties who wants to get through the day as easily as possible. The kids call him by his first name, come to him with their problems due to his approachability and relaxed style and yet, he is constantly bugging head of year, friend and fellow teacher Susan (Raquel Cassidy) for advice on everything from whether or not to move in with his police officer girlfriend Maggie (Zoe Telford) to problems arising from him trying to cut corners in class. Susan isn't without her own problems though, mainly the stress of the job and the strain it puts on her marriage. The main cast are rounded off with Jenny (Nina Sosanya) with whom Simon has a lot of sexual tension and Kurt (Navin Chowdry) and Geoff (Simon Chandler) who spend the day perving at their students and teachers and playing the would you game where a question is asked among the teachers such as, "Jenny with Susan's tits, or Susan awith Jenny's arse?". This leads to many hilarious moments. The casting for this show is extremely good and the characters gel well together and each have very different characteristics which have been well produced on screen. The scriptwriting, whilst not superb, is very good, and they manage to mix the comedy and drama elements of the show to a high standard. Music throughout the show is from British indie bands of the late nineties and each time a song is played during an episode, it is fitting and never feels out of place. One thing I did enjoy was noticing a couple of the students who have come on to have decent careers of their own, including Kara Tointon (Eastenders, Strictly Come Dancing) and James Corden (Lesbian Vampire Killers and A League of Their Own). All in all, the show is mildly dramatic, definately funny and a joy to watch. Whilst there are a few minor characters I would change, I can't help but give it a solid recommendation to fans of the typically dry British humour mixed with drama. This first series (of four) consists of eight episodes spread evenly over two discs.
Video
VCI have presented this first series of Teachers anamorphically at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. This is of middle of the road quality and whilst an obvious improvement over what VHS could offer it appears obvious to me that no work was done to the print from the original broadcast. There is no real damage to speak of but clarity and sharpness is occassionally lacking. Overall, picture quality is adequate and won't detract from your viewing pleasure.
Audio
There is just the one audio option available on this set, and that's a Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track in the original English language. Seperation is minimal but dialogue is clear and volume levels consistent. There is nothing to complain about here and whilst a 5.1 track isn't really required due to the type of show it would have been nice to have some surround action for the music. English HoH subtitles are available.
Extras
The sole extra can be found on disc two. It's a "Behind the Scenes" featurette (13:55) which actually features very little behind the scenes footage. It's mostly made up of interviews with the principal cast and whilst the majority of the time it is a typical backslapping affair where they praise each other and the crew, it also touches on other minor points including cast members talking about the complaint put to Channel Four by the NUT (National Union of Teachers) and how teachers themselves have had a mixed reaction with some saying the show is nothing like life in a school, and some saying it's very accurate. Worth a watch.
Packaging
Packaged as a two disc digipack with a slipcase.
Overall
Overall, Teachers is an above average and very enjoyable comedy drama with the interesting setting of a school that everybody is familiar with in some way or another. The picture and audio quality is adequate and the sole extra worth a single viewing.
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