MEMORIES:

CATCH PHRASE:

Cast:

Network:

Fast Times, the television series based on the 1982 hit movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High , was not a hit on CBS – it was cancelled after only 2 months. The original film was based on Rolling Stone writer Cameron Crowe’s novel about his experiences going undercover as a high school student. The movie was heavy on the realism, talking about subjects such as loss of virginity, abortion, and drug use. Such heavy content wouldn’t work for a TV audience and the harsh realities were softened – for instance, rather than being drugged out, Jeff Spicoli was just a wise guy.

 

The TV series featured the same actors playing the teachers from their film roles. Vincent Schiavelli was again Mr. Vargas the science teacher, and Ray Walston was the strict Mr. Hand. But since time had passed since the film, the student characters were played by new actors. Beautiful Linda Barrett was there, along with her friend Stacy Hamilton, Stacy’s brother Brad, ticket scalper Mike Damone, and his friend Mark Ratner. A new character, Barbara DeVilbiss was played by Moon Unit Zappa, who also functioned as the series’ technical director, and The Wonder Years’ Jason Hervey played Jeff Spicoli’s brother, Curtis.

 

The film’s director, Amy Herckerling, was the show’s producer, Crowe was creative consultant, and eighties band Oingo Boingo provided the music. But even that pedigree couldn’t save Fast Times from making a fast exit.