Hang Time (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Hang Time is an American
teen sitcom that aired from 1995
–2000
. The teen-oriented program aired on Saturday mornings on NBC
as part of the network's TNBC
morning block. It was created by Troy Searer, Robert Tarlow, and Mark Fink. Producer Peter Engel took over Fink's duties at the start of Season 2 after Mark Fink decided to leave the show. The show was about a boys' high school basketball team, the Deering Tornadoes, with one of the players being a female at a fictional Indiana
high school. The show lasted six seasons, during which the cast was changed almost in its entirety. Only two castmembers (Daniella Deutscher
and Megan Parlen
) stayed with the show throughout its entire run, similar to Saved by the Bell: The New Class
.
in Season 3 Episode 8, Gary Payton
in Season 3 Episode 9, Kobe Bryant
in Season 3 Episode 11 and Shareef Abdur-Rahim
in Season 3 Episode 14. Mitchell James "Mitch" Richmond
appeared in Season 4 Episode 6.
WNBA star Lisa Leslie
has also appeared on the show in a guest appearance.
Scott Whyte
appeared as Joey in the season 3 episode, "Fighting Words".
). The show originally started out with new transfer student Julie Connor trying out for the boys' varsity basketball team, much to the dismay of fellow team captain Chris Atwater and head cheerleader Mary Beth Pepperton. The other players on the team were Danny Mellon, Earl Hatfield and Michael Maxwell. The first season also introduced Bill Fuller as he adjusts to his job as coach of the Deering Tornadoes and getting used to the enthusiastic team manager Samantha 'Sam' Morgan.
However, NBC executives were not pleased with the first season (for reasons unknown) and the characters of Sam, Chris, Earl and Michael Maxwell did not return for Season 2. Although it was revealed that Sam was at school in Chicago and that Chris had gone to college, no mention was made of the remaining characters.
Season 2 brought in new characters Vince D'Amata, Teddy Broadis (Coach Fuller's god son), Josh Sanders and new cheerleader Amy Wright. Also, Mary Beth became the new team manager, the position previously held by Samantha last season.
More cast changes ensued for the show's third season. Josh and Amy were written out of the show and replaced with new try-out Michael Manning (famous for his catchphrase "Michael MANNING!!!") and Kristy Ford as a new, spunky cheerleader. The season finale showed Coach Fuller receiving a new job offer at Southern Florida University. The following season introduced the team's new coach Mike Katowinski and new team members Nick Hammer, Kenny 'Silk' Hayes and Rico Bosco replacing the departed Danny, Teddy and Vince. It was mentioned that Vince, Danny, and Teddy have moved away to go to college.
Season 5 introduced team member Eugene Brown, replacing Rico (who went on to pursue the school's wrestling team). Nick Hammer appeared in the season premiere as it was revealed that he was offered an out of state scholarship and he was leaving Deering. Also the character of Antonio Lopez, who was introduced the previous season, is also a new team member. The cast for the fifth season remained the same for Season 6.
discrimination and other school-related issues.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
teen sitcom that aired from 1995
1995 in television
The year 1995 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1995.For the American TV schedule, see: 1995-96 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
–2000
2000 in television
The year 2000 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2000.For the American TV schedule, see: 2000-01 United States network television schedule.-Event:-Debuts:-1940s:...
. The teen-oriented program aired on Saturday mornings on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
as part of the network's TNBC
TNBC
TNBC was a Saturday morning programing block of television shows geared toward teenagers and young adults that aired on NBC from 1992 to 2002.-History:The idea for TNBC sprang from the popularity of Saved by the Bell...
morning block. It was created by Troy Searer, Robert Tarlow, and Mark Fink. Producer Peter Engel took over Fink's duties at the start of Season 2 after Mark Fink decided to leave the show. The show was about a boys' high school basketball team, the Deering Tornadoes, with one of the players being a female at a fictional Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
high school. The show lasted six seasons, during which the cast was changed almost in its entirety. Only two castmembers (Daniella Deutscher
Daniella Deutscher
Daniella Maria Deutscher is an American actress, best known for playing the role of Julie Connor on the American Saturday morning television series Hang Time...
and Megan Parlen
Megan Parlen
Megan Sloan Parlen is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Mary-Beth Pepperton on the NBC series Hang Time ....
) stayed with the show throughout its entire run, similar to Saved by the Bell: The New Class
Saved by the Bell: The New Class
Saved by the Bell: The New Class is a spin-off of the Saved by the Bell series which ran from September 11, 1993 to January 8, 2000. The series lasted for seven seasons on NBC as a part of the network's TNBC Saturday morning line-up. It was the fourth incarnation of the franchise...
.
Cast
- David Hanson - Chris Atwater (1995–1996)
- Daniella DeutscherDaniella DeutscherDaniella Maria Deutscher is an American actress, best known for playing the role of Julie Connor on the American Saturday morning television series Hang Time...
- Julie Connor - Chad Gabriel - Danny Mellon (1995–1998)
- Megan ParlenMegan ParlenMegan Sloan Parlen is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Mary-Beth Pepperton on the NBC series Hang Time ....
- Mary Beth Pepperton - Robert Michael Ryan - Earl Hatfield (1995–1996)
- Christian Belnavis - Michael Maxwell (1995–1996)
- Hillary TuckHillary TuckHillary Tuck is an American actress, who is perhaps best known for her co-starring roles in the NBC Saturday Morning sitcom Hang Time and Disney's Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show...
- Samantha Morgan (1995–1996) - Reggie Theus - Coach Bill Fuller (1995–1998)
- Kevin Bell - Josh Sanders (1996–1997)
- Michael Sullivan - Vince D'Amata (1996–1998)
- Anthony AndersonAnthony AndersonAnthony Anderson is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He has starred in his own sitcom All About the Andersons, as well as the Fox sitcom The Bernie Mac Show during the fifth and final season of the show. He is also known for his leading roles in television dramas such as K-Ville, The...
- Teddy Broadis (1996–1998) - Paige PetersonPaige Peterson (actress)Paige Ellen Peterson is an American actress and veteran cheerleader, best known for being typecast as pompon captain Amy Wright in the American television sitcom Hang Time between 1996 and 1997. She has modeled for Maxim magazine and played in the Lingerie Bowl.Peterson competed in numerous beauty...
- Amy Wright (1996–1997) - Adam Frost - Michael Manning (1997–2000)
- Amber BarrettoAmber BarrettoAmber Barretto is an American actress.Barretto was born in Miami Beach, Florida. Her father is from Peru and met her mother while in California. She grew up in Michigan and New York...
- Kristy Ford (1997–2000) - Mark FamigliettiMark Famiglietti-Early life:Famiglietti was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He was raised in Clinton, Connecticut, where frequent family trips to the Goodspeed Opera House sparked his interest in performing...
- Nick Hammer (1998–1999) - Dick ButkusDick ButkusRichard Marvin "Dick" Butkus is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He...
- Coach Mike Katowinski (1998–2000) - Danso GordonDanso GordonDanso Gordon is a Canadian actor.Gordon was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia before moving on to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles. His very first acting gig was as a guest star in CBC's Street Cents and moved on to filming footwear commercials with the...
- Kenny 'Silk' Hayes (1998–2000) - James Villani - Rico Bosco (1998–1999)
- Jay HernandezJay HernandezJavier Manuel "Jay" Hernandez, Jr. is an American actor.-Early life and career:Hernandez was born in Montebello, California, the son of Isis , a secretary and accountant, and Javier Hernandez, Sr., a mechanic. He has a younger sister, Amelia, and two older brothers, Michael and Gabriel. Hernandez...
- Antonio Lopez (1998–2000) - Phillip GlasserPhillip GlasserPhillip Glasser is an American actor and producer. He is best known for the role of Fievel Mousekewitz in the animated films, An American Tail and An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, and the television series Fievel's American Tails.In the late 1990s he played the role of Eugene in NBC Saturday...
- Eugene Brown (1999–2000) - Jennifer Russell Belak - Monica
Guest appearances
Four NBA players appeared as guest stars in season 3. Damon StoudamireDamon Stoudamire
Damon Lamon Stoudamire is a retired American professional basketball player who is currently an assistant coach for the Memphis Tigers men's basketball team. The , point guard was selected with the 7th overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 1995 NBA Draft and won the 1995–96 NBA Rookie of the...
in Season 3 Episode 8, Gary Payton
Gary Payton
Gary Dwayne Payton is a former American professional basketball point guard. He is best known for his 13-year tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, and holds Seattle franchise records in points, assists, and steals...
in Season 3 Episode 9, Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
in Season 3 Episode 11 and Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Shareef Abdur-Rahim is a retired American professional basketball player and current assistant general manager for the Sacramento Kings. He last played for the Kings of the National Basketball Association . On the basketball court, he played both forward or center positions. Abdur-Rahim was a...
in Season 3 Episode 14. Mitchell James "Mitch" Richmond
Mitch Richmond
Mitchell James "Mitch" Richmond is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He played collegiately at Kansas State University. He was a 6-time NBA All-Star, a 5-time All-NBA Team member and a former NBA Rookie of the Year...
appeared in Season 4 Episode 6.
- Dustin DiamondDustin DiamondDustin Neil Diamond is an American actor, musician, director, and stand-up comedian best known for his role as Samuel "Screech" Powers in the television shows Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Saved by the Bell: The College Years and Saved by the Bell: The New Class.-Career:Diamond's...
appeared as himself/Screech in season 6 Episode 6 "At The Movies." He also appeared in the Kobe Bryant episode, Season 3 Episode 11.
WNBA star Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Deshaun Leslie-Lockwood is a former American professional women's basketball player in the WNBA. She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner...
has also appeared on the show in a guest appearance.
Scott Whyte
Scott Whyte
Scott Whyte is an American actor who is best known for his role on City Guys where he portrayed Chris, one of the main characters...
appeared as Joey in the season 3 episode, "Fighting Words".
Character history and cast changes
Hang Time was best known for its notorious cast changes, a device similarly used in other TNBC sitcoms (e.g. Saved by the Bell: The New ClassSaved by the Bell: The New Class
Saved by the Bell: The New Class is a spin-off of the Saved by the Bell series which ran from September 11, 1993 to January 8, 2000. The series lasted for seven seasons on NBC as a part of the network's TNBC Saturday morning line-up. It was the fourth incarnation of the franchise...
). The show originally started out with new transfer student Julie Connor trying out for the boys' varsity basketball team, much to the dismay of fellow team captain Chris Atwater and head cheerleader Mary Beth Pepperton. The other players on the team were Danny Mellon, Earl Hatfield and Michael Maxwell. The first season also introduced Bill Fuller as he adjusts to his job as coach of the Deering Tornadoes and getting used to the enthusiastic team manager Samantha 'Sam' Morgan.
However, NBC executives were not pleased with the first season (for reasons unknown) and the characters of Sam, Chris, Earl and Michael Maxwell did not return for Season 2. Although it was revealed that Sam was at school in Chicago and that Chris had gone to college, no mention was made of the remaining characters.
Season 2 brought in new characters Vince D'Amata, Teddy Broadis (Coach Fuller's god son), Josh Sanders and new cheerleader Amy Wright. Also, Mary Beth became the new team manager, the position previously held by Samantha last season.
More cast changes ensued for the show's third season. Josh and Amy were written out of the show and replaced with new try-out Michael Manning (famous for his catchphrase "Michael MANNING!!!") and Kristy Ford as a new, spunky cheerleader. The season finale showed Coach Fuller receiving a new job offer at Southern Florida University. The following season introduced the team's new coach Mike Katowinski and new team members Nick Hammer, Kenny 'Silk' Hayes and Rico Bosco replacing the departed Danny, Teddy and Vince. It was mentioned that Vince, Danny, and Teddy have moved away to go to college.
Season 5 introduced team member Eugene Brown, replacing Rico (who went on to pursue the school's wrestling team). Nick Hammer appeared in the season premiere as it was revealed that he was offered an out of state scholarship and he was leaving Deering. Also the character of Antonio Lopez, who was introduced the previous season, is also a new team member. The cast for the fifth season remained the same for Season 6.
Issues addressed
Similar to Saved by the Bell: The New Class, the show dealt with many of the issues that everyday teens faced. During the series' run, the show has addressed issues of dating, drug and alcohol use, racism, sleep deprivation, a character dealing with HIVHIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
discrimination and other school-related issues.
International
- In CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the show was also shown on NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
- without simsubbingSimultaneous substitutionSimultaneous substitution is a practice mandated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission requiring Canadian cable, direct broadcast satellite and multichannel multipoint distribution service television distribution companies to substitute the signal of a foreign or...
. - In AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the show was shown on Seven NetworkSeven NetworkThe Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
. - In the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the show was shown on Channel 4Channel 4Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
but more recently Trouble (TV). - In the Czech RepublicCzech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, the show was shown on TV Nova. - In EstoniaEstoniaEstonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, the show was shown on Kanal 2Kanal 2Kanal 2 is a privately owned Estonian television channel. Its literal name in English is "Channel 2".First broadcasts were aired on October 1, 1993.- Television series :Daytime* Victoria * Julia – Wege zum Glück ...
. - In the Philippines, the show was shown on Studio 23Studio 23Studio 23 is a Filipino television network owned by the ABS-CBN Corporation. The network is named for its flagship station in Metro Manila, DWAC-TV, which is carried on UHF channel 23...
. - In The South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, the show was shown on SBS. - In [Republic of Ireland], the show was shown on [Network 2].