Hull High
Encyclopedia
Hull High is an American musical
teen drama series
which aired on the NBC
television network in 1990. The series was created and executive produced by Gil Grant
.
, a hip, racially integrated school in an urban area. The series involved elements of soap opera
(the ongoing and evolving relationships among teachers and students) and musical (featuring The Hull High Devils, something of a rap Greek chorus
, whose songs related to the show's plot). The main adult character was history teacher John Deerborn (Will Lyman
).
Similar to ABC
's Cop Rock
(which premiered a month after Hull High), the series' format proved unsuccessful and Hull High was canceled after eight episodes.
in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
. The musical numbers were choreographed by Peggy Holmes
and Kenny Ortega
(who also directed episodes). Songs for Hull High were written by Jon Lind
, Tom Snow
, and Brock Walsh. Don Was
served as the series' music producer.
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
teen drama series
Teen drama
A teen drama is a dramatic television series with a major focus on teenage characters. The genre was relatively non-existent for the first 45 years of television; it came into prominence in the early 1990s...
which aired on the 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...
television network in 1990. The series was created and executive produced by Gil Grant
Gil Grant
Gil Grant is an American writer and producer who is currently working on the CBS hit series NCIS: Los Angeles. He is also developing a television series version of Gattaca for Sony International TV. He has worked on television shows such as 24, NCIS, and "NCIS: Los Angeles"...
.
Synopsis
Hull High told the story of Cordell Hull High SchoolCordell Hull
Cordell Hull was an American politician from the U.S. state of Tennessee. He is best known as the longest-serving Secretary of State, holding the position for 11 years in the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during much of World War II...
, a hip, racially integrated school in an urban area. The series involved elements of soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
(the ongoing and evolving relationships among teachers and students) and musical (featuring The Hull High Devils, something of a rap Greek chorus
Greek chorus
A Greek chorus is a homogenous, non-individualised group of performers in the plays of classical Greece, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action....
, whose songs related to the show's plot). The main adult character was history teacher John Deerborn (Will Lyman
Will Lyman
William Lyman is an American voice-over artist and actor, perhaps best known for his polished, resonant voice that has narrated the PBS series Frontline since its second season in 1984. Lyman has made a successful career in television and theater...
).
Similar to ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's Cop Rock
Cop Rock
Cop Rock is an American musical police drama series that aired on ABC in 1990. The show, a police drama presented as a musical, was co-created by Steven Bochco, who also served as executive producer...
(which premiered a month after Hull High), the series' format proved unsuccessful and Hull High was canceled after eight episodes.
Production notes
The series was filmed at El Camino Real High SchoolEl Camino Real High School
El Camino Real Charter High School is a public secondary school located in the Woodland Hills district of the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California...
in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
Woodland Hills is a district in the city of Los Angeles, California.Woodland Hills is located in the southwestern area of the San Fernando Valley, east of Calabasas and west of Tarzana, with Warner Center in its northern section...
. The musical numbers were choreographed by Peggy Holmes
Peggy Holmes
Peggy Holmes is an American dancer, choreographer and animation director. Her full-length directorial debut was on 2008's The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, although she had previously directed a segment of the anthology film Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.-References:...
and Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega
Kenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
(who also directed episodes). Songs for Hull High were written by Jon Lind
Jon Lind
Jon Lind is an American songwriter and performer.- Biography :Jon Lind was raised in New York City. He studied classical guitar at the Mannes College of Music. His first break was in the 1970s where he worked with Bob Cavallo. At this period he met Maurice White who recorded two of his songs. He...
, Tom Snow
Tom Snow (songwriter)
Thomas Righter Snow is an American songwriter.He wrote songs for Joe Cocker with , Selena , Olivia Newton-John , Melissa Manchester , The Pointer Sisters , Barbra Streisand, Rita Coolidge Thomas Righter Snow is an American songwriter.He wrote songs for Joe Cocker ("Even a Fool Would Let Go", "Love...
, and Brock Walsh. Don Was
Don Was
Don Was is an American musician, bassist and record producer.-Life and career:Was was born in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Oak Park High School in the Detroit suburb of Oak Park, then attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor but dropped out after the first year...
served as the series' music producer.
Cast
- Will LymanWill LymanWilliam Lyman is an American voice-over artist and actor, perhaps best known for his polished, resonant voice that has narrated the PBS series Frontline since its second season in 1984. Lyman has made a successful career in television and theater...
... John Deerborn - Nancy ValenNancy ValenNancy Valen is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for portraying Captain Samantha Thomas on Baywatch.-Early life:...
... Donna Breedlove - Bryan Anthony ... Hull High Devil Rapper
- Mark BallouMark BallouMark Ballou is an American voice actor, who provided voicing for Rotor the Walrus in Sonic the Hedgehog in the show's 1st season .-External links:*...
... Mark Fuller - Marty BelafskyMarty BelafskyMarty Belafsky is an American actor/comedian born in Los Angeles, California. He began acting professionally at age 13 and was soon cast as Louis Plumb on the short-lived NBC series Hull High. Shortly thereafter, Marty landed the role of Crutchy in the Disney musical film, Newsies...
... Louis Plumb - Marshall BellMarshall BellArchibald Marshall Bell is an American actor. He has appeared in many character roles in movies and television. His best-known movies are probably A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge , Stand by Me , Twins and Total Recall .-Early life:He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he lived until...
... Mr. Fancher - Jennifer BlancJennifer BlancJennifer Blanc is an American actress.She was born Jennifer Tara in New York City, New York.-Selected filmography:* Jerseyboy Hero * The Blood Bond...
... Straight Girl - Kristin Dattilo ... D.J.
- Mark David ... Mark
- Phillip DeMarks ... Hull High Devil Rapper
- Holly Fields ... Michelle
- Gary GrubbsGary GrubbsGary Grubbs is an American actor.Grubbs has several film and television credits to his name, including his portrayal of attorney Al Oser in Oliver Stone's JFK....
... Mr. Brawley - George Martin ... Emery Dobosh
- Rowdy Metzger ... Randy
- Trey Parker ... Devil Rapper #1
- Carl Anthony Payne IICarl Anthony Payne IICarl Anthony Payne II is an American actor. He studied at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, New York and Howard University, Washington DC...
... Hull High Devil Rapper - Cheryl Pollak ... Camilla
- Harold Pruett ... Cody Rome
- Daniel Fusaro ... John McCoy
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Emmy Award Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... |
Nominated | Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music | Stanley Clarke, Maureen Crowe, Lawrence Edwards, Peggy Holmes, Kenny Ortega, Charles Spellman, and David Weiss |
| 1991 | The Golden Reel Awards | Nominated | Best Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Dialogue & ADR | Patrick M. Griffith |
| 1991 | Young Artist Award Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
Nominated | Best Young Actor Starring in a New Television Series | Marty Belafsky |