Back To School: Access’ Top 10 TV Campus Classics

Pencils are sharpened, the scent of new text books is in the air and fall TV returns with a crop of shows hoping to last an entire season. In honor of all the students heading back to classroom, AccessHollywood.com is counting down the Top 10 TV school classics!

#10 – “21 Jump Street”: The late ‘80s series about young good-looking cops infiltrating high schools and colleges launched the career of Johnny Depp. It also delivered timely messages about hate crimes, drug use, racism, homophobia, AIDS awareness and child abuse without getting too preachy – well, expect for maybe those occasional PSAs at the end of episodes. Most Memorable Moment: A young clean cut Johnny Depp not looking like a pirate 24/7. Moment To Forget: The addition of Richard Grieco to the cast and his failed spin-off, “Booker.”

#9 – “Welcome Back, Kotter”: John Travolta might be best know for his movie career, but many of his fans first came to know and love him in the ‘70s high school series, “Welcome Back, Kotter,” which ran from 1975-1979. The show chronicled the return of a wisecracking teacher, Mr. Kotter (played by Gabe Kaplan), who returned to his high school alma mater and attempted to teach and mentor a group of troublemakers know as the “Sweathogs,” which included a young Travolta. Most Memorable Moment: “Up your nose with a rubber hose!” becoming one of TV’s most popular catchphrases. Moment To Forget: As Travolta’s star power rose, his screen time faded, which lead to the show’s eventual cancellation.

#8 – “Gossip Girl”: The limits of just how far a high school teen show could go were pushed when The CW’s “Gossip Girl debuted in 2007. Critics yelled, “Every parent’s nightmare,” (which the show skillfully used on its billboards), but fans – young and old – religiously flock to the series each week to follow the racy drama of NYC’s elite Upper East Side prep circle. Most Memorable Moment: Chuck (played by Ed Westwick) and Blair (played by Leighton Meester) put aside their scheming and nefarious ways and finally admit their love for each other – after hooking up in the back of a limo, of course. Moment To Forget: Make that a failed spin-off to forget! A series based on the life of a young Lily van der Woodsen set in LA in the ‘80s attempted to spin-off from it’s predecessor in 2009, but miserably failed. It was about as exciting as the current Lily and Rufus whiny snooze fest on “Gossip.”

#7 – “Fame”: Based on the 1980 movie of the same name, “Fame” gave the world a glimpse into a high school most could never fathom. The series made it seem like students at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts (based on NYC’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts) would burst into to song and dance at a moment’s notice. The show starred a slew of talented young actors, including a young Janet Jackson as Cleo Hewitt in Season 4. Most Memorable Moment: The amazing opening credit sequence still brings us chills and makes us want to get up and dance. Moment To Forget: The day the music stopped wafting the through halls and the spotlight went out. But fear not! The world of the performing arts high school will live again in the form a movie reboot, debuting in theaters on September 25.

#6 – “The Facts Of Life”: “You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have” a classic TV ensemble set at an all-girls boarding school. The wise and wacky Mrs. Edna Garrett (played by Charlotte Rae) guided the lives (and ever-changing ‘80s hair-dos) of Blair, Jo, Natalie and Tootie in the series that ran from 1979 to 1988. The show also starred a slew future Hollywood heavyweight, including a young George Clooney and an even younger Molly Ringwald. Most Memorable Moment: Cousin Geri (played by Geri Jewell) showing the world that someone with cerebral palsy can have a sense of humor about it. Moment To Forget: When they turned Edna’s Edibles into a bizarre 80’s kitsch retail store…who wanted to watch the girls work a register?

#5 – “Friday Night Lights”: Every Dillon Panther knows that, “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose!” At first glance, a series centered around a small town Texas high school football team could seem ripe for worn-out sports cliches and played out teenage stereotypes. But, the NBC drama (which was almost canceled!) has proven to be one of the best-written and acted shows in recent memory. The stellar (and always overlooked by Emmy voters) Kyle Chandler (Coach Eric Taylor) and Connie Britton (Principal Tami Taylor) head up an ensemble cast of high school students battling to make their way through their lives – that just happens to be framed by a town obsessed with high school football. Most Memorable Moment: Star quarterback Jason Street (played by Scott Porter) getting parlayed during the series game opener. Moment To Forget: The emotional – yet cliche storyline – where Landry Clarke (played by Jesse Plemons) kills Tyra Collette’s (played by Adrianne Palicki) rapist.

#4 – “Freaks and Geeks”: Before Judd Apatow was the king of movie comedies, the director produced the short-lived series, “Freaks and Geeks,” which followed the lives of a high school’s fringe crowd. Though the show was critically acclaimed and beloved by many, low ratings lead to it getting the ax. The series cast included Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and Martin Starr. Most Memorable Moment: The show’s geeks serving non-alcoholic beer at a party and the party-goers all believing they’re drunk. Moment To Forget: Jason Segel’s character becoming a disco dancer at the end of the series.

#3 – “My So-Called Life”: The ‘90s teen drama that followed life of Angela Chase (played by Claire Danes) was only on the air for one season, but left a major lasting impression with audiences more than a decade after it was cancelled. The show might have addressed many common teen topics – establishing one’s identity, fragile friendships and all-encompassing love – but spot on writing, an amazing cast and excellent music helped create a glimpse into teen life that still resonates in 2009. Most Memorable Moment: After Jordan Catalano (played by Jared Leto) finally goes public with his relationship with Angela, he hooks up with her best friend, Rayanne Graff, and breaks her (and the audience’s) heart. Moment To Forget: When ABC decided to cancel the show after one very short season!

#2 – “Beverly Hills, 90210”: The intro guitar riff to “Beverly Hills, 90210” still sticks in our head years later (thanks in part to its current CW reboot), as does the privileged teen angst of the kids at West Beverly High. Kelly Taylor, Steve Sanders, Donna Martin, David Silver, Andrea Zuckerman, Brandon Walsh, Brenda Walsh and Dylan McKay had us glued to our TV sets each week following every detail of lives in the coveted zip code – and making us all wish we could have sideburns that cool. Most Memorable Moment: Donna and David finally going all the way. Moment To Forget: When the show transitioned to the college years, major jumping of the shark.

#1 – “Saved by The Bell”: Though never critically acclaimed, “Saved By The Bell,” which ran on NBC from 1989 to 1993 (and lived on with the single season “Saved by the Bell: The College Years”) is a classic ‘90s TV gem. Each week Zack, A.C., Screech, Lisa, Kelly, Jessie would run amuck through the halls of Bayside High dealing with everything from fleeting teen crushes to the pitfalls of popularity – and they always gave Principal Belding something to fret about. Most Memorable Moment: Zack confronts Jessie about taking too many “caffeine pills” while prepping for a big test and Jessie’s subsequent breakdown where she yelled, “I’m so excited! I’m so excited! I’m so… scared!” Moment To Forget: Though not on the show, Dustin Diamond (who played Screech) making and releasing a sex tape in 2006 is something we’re still trying to block out!

Honorable Mentions: “The Wonder Years,” “Room 222,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “The O.C.” and “Glee”