American High School
Genre: Teen/Comedy/Romance
Executive Producer: Richard Linklater
Writer: Chad Taylor
Season 1 Episode 1 - The Big News
Cast:
Cooper Hoffman .... Buzz Gentrie (Regular)
Judy Greer .... Helen Gentrie (Regular)
Shea Whigham .... Vern Gentrie (Regular)
Gianni DiCenzo .... Stevie (Guest)
Kaia Gerber .... Ruth Daniels (Guest)
Plot: It’s the sweltering hot Summer of 1958 in upstate New York. Barry “Buzz” Gentrie (Cooper Hoffman) sits in the backseat of his dad’s baby blue Chevrolet Townsman. Eddie Cochran playing on the radio. In the driver’s seat, career military man Vern (Shea Whigham) keeps a stone-faced expression as he takes a drag from his cigarette and turns the radio down to the annoyance of Buzz. His wife Helen (Judy Greer) is sound asleep in the passenger’s seat, snoring on occasion.
They arrive at a local water park that is rampant with children running around and parents sun-bathing. Helen wakes up suddenly and reminds Buzz to put on his sunscreen as he burns easily. He rolls his eyes and says she doesn’t have to remind him. Buzz steps out of the car and finds his friend Stevie (Gianni DiCenzo) waiting for him. The two of them are seemingly in heaven - warm water splashing, girls in swimsuits, the whole shebang.
Buzz and Stevie are on the nerdier side so most of the girls don’t notice them. However, they soon find Ruth Daniels (Kaia Gerber), lifeguard at the park and without a doubt the prettiest girl in school, walking towards them. She asks them what is showing at the drive-in tonight, knowing Stevie works there. Stevie tells her the movies and she immediately follows up by asking if either of them have their driver’s license. Stevie begins to say no before Buzz interjects and says he does. She asks if he’d be willing to give a ride to her and her friend tomorrow night. He stammers before just nodding. Once she gives them her address and walks away, Stevie asks what Buzz was thinking - they only have their learner’s permits. Buzz shrugs and says “close enough”.
The next day, Buzz excitedly wakes up and calls Stevie. They devise a plan to steal Vern’s car for the night by keeping his parents occupied. At first, the plan works swimmingly. They make it out of the garage and Buzz checks how he looks in the rearview mirror. However, not a block down the street, they find that the gas tank is on empty and they sputter out in the middle of the street. Buzz's face is red with embarrassment as he checks his rearview mirror again and spots Vern standing on their front porch angry but slightly bemused.
After the incident, Vern sits Buzz down in their living room. He calls for Helen to join them. Buzz waits in anticipated breath for his punishment. Vern tells him he has some news. The military is opening a new base in Busan, South Korea and he has been selected as Commanding General for the base. Buzz asks if this means his father is moving away and Helen interjects to say that means they are all moving away. He is confused initially and asks about all of his friends here. Helen says that they are opening the American High School of Busan, where Buzz will enroll in the Fall. He looks dejected. She tells him that he should look at this as exciting. Vern is seemingly annoyed at his son’s reaction and says Buzz needs to listen to his mother. Buzz fakes a smile but looks longingly out the window at the life he’s giving up.
END CREDITS SONG:
"Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)" - Roy Orbison
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMShwAnph8k
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"American High School does a good job introducing the Gentrie family in this first episode, but that's about all it does. The behind-the-camera pedigree is impressive, but it hasn't paid off much yet." - Brenton Smalls, Playboy
"The series looks like it could have vibes of Happy Days or The Wonder Years, but in a new setting. We didn't get to the base in Korea yet, which was a bit disappointing, but it did a good job of introducing us to its likable Gentrie family at the heart of the series." - Mark Rawls, Seattle Times
"Richard Linklater rescues a mid-level script with high points and low ones. The cast tries to rescue some of the moments that don't land. Hopefully, it's not too long until you wait for a better sophomore season like PARKS & RECREATION." - Merle Eliassen, Film Journal International
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