Hang_Time_(TV_series)

Hang Time (TV series)

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 (of Full House fame). Producer Peter Engel, of Saved by the Bell and California Dreams fame, took over Fink's duties at the start of Season 2 after Mark Fink decided to leave the show. The show was about a boy's 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 (c.f. Saved by the Bell: The New Class). Only two castmembers (Daniella Deutscher & Megan Parlen) stayed with the show throughout its entire run.

Cast

David Hanson - Chris Atwater (1995-1996)
Daniella Deutscher - Julie Connor
Chad Gabriel - Danny Mellon (1995-1998)
Megan Parlen - Mary Beth Pepperton
Robert Michael Ryan - Earl Hatfield (1995-1996)
Christian Belnavis - Michael Maxwell (1995-1996)
Hillary Tuck - 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 Anderson - Teddy Broadis (1996-1998)
Paige Peterson - Amy Wright (1996-1997)
Adam Frost - Michael Manning (1997-2000)
Amber Barretto - Kristy Ford (1997-2000)
Mark Famiglietti - Nick Hammer (1998-1999)
Dick Butkus - Coach Mike Katowinski (1998-2000)
Danso Gordon - Kenny 'Silk' Hayes (1998-2000)
James Villani - Rico Bosco (1998-1999)
Jay Hernandez - Antonio Lopez (1998-2000)
Phillip Glasser - Eugene Brown (1999-2000)

Guest appearances

In Season 3 Episode 37, Kobe Bryant appeared as a guest on the series and played basketball with characters to help them win the game.

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 Class). 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, no mentioned 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 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 are faced. During the series' run, the show have addressed issues of dating, drug and alcohol use, racism, sleep deprivation, a character dealing with HIV discrimination and other school-related issues.