The philosophy professor who refused to teach biology
In short: When a disgraced Harvard scholar lost his prestigious professorship to a rival, he didn't find a new career in academia. Instead, he returned to Toledo, Ohio, to teach high school biology—though he made one thing very clear to his students: he had no intention of actually teaching them.
A.P. Bio, an American sitcom that premiered on February 1, 2018, follows the chaotic life of Dr. Jack Griffin. Once a promising philosophy professor at Harvard University, Griffin's academic dreams were derailed when he lost his position to his rival, Miles Leonard, a scholar now at Stanford University. Forced to move back into his late mother Rosemary's home in Toledo, Griffin takes a job as an Advanced Placement biology teacher at the fictitious Whitlock High School. Griffin's return to his hometown involves living in the house left by his mother, Rosemary Griffin, a devout Catholic. The show even explores his past through flashbacks of her life.
Rather than following a curriculum, Griffin uses his classroom of honor-roll students to execute various schemes. His primary motivation is often revenge against Leonard or finding a way to escape his teaching duties. He frequently promises his students good grades as a reward for helping him carry out his tasks. The faculty at Whitlock includes characters like Principal Ralph Durbin, an irresponsible man who played in a 1990s ska band, and various teachers such as history teacher Stef Duncan and art teacher Mary Wagner. The faculty includes several other educators, such as health and home economics teacher Michelle Jones and the school's custodian, Dale. Even the student body is a central part of the dynamic, with many students appearing as recurring characters throughout the series.
The series underwent several shifts in both platform and reception. While the first season received mixed reviews, subsequent seasons were much better received. Originally an NBC mid-season replacement, the show moved to the streaming service Peacock for its later seasons. After being cancelled by NBC in May 2019, the show was revived by Peacock, eventually concluding after four seasons following a final cancellation in December 2021. The show's production history saw NBC officially ordering the pilot in January 2017. Despite the eventual end of the series, the show's later seasons saw a significant improvement in critical reception.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A.P. Bio
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