The Class: A Post-Grad Report Card

by Angel Cohn November 23, 2010 5:59 PM
The Class: A Post-Grad Report Card

Watching The Walking Dead recently, I found myself actually feeling proud of Jon Bernthal for going from playing that dopey lovelorn guy on The Class to a big role as a angry law enforcement agent on one of the year's most talked-about programs. And he's not the only member of the short-lived CBS sitcom who is back in the limelight now. Almost all of the series regulars from the ensemble show have moved on to new regular gigs, with one notable exception (poor Heather Goldenhersh), which is actually a pretty impressive feat if you think about it. Good to know that casting directors didn't tune out about after The Class' bizarre pilot episode, even if most viewers apparently did.

At the time of its debut, The Class had probably the one of worst premises for a sitcom that I've seen in a number of years, and I've suffered through a lot of terrible shows. In it, Ethan decides to reunite his third-grade classmates as a surprise for his fiancé, since that class was where he met the love of his life. Naturally, she breaks up with him because, frankly, he's a weirdo and kind of clingy. But the party sparks an awkward reintroduction of these friends, which then develops into new relationships. Despite the ridiculous set-up, the show was quirky (Ethan's party invitation literally stopped Richie from committing suicide and then Richie ran over Lina and broke dozens of bones in her body) and also oddly charming. So while I was sad over its cancellation, I'm glad that so many of the cast members have gone on to bigger and better things. Here's what happened to the class of The Class.

Jon Bernthal
Class Bio: Bernthal played Duncan Carmello, a contractor who was desperately in love with his high school sweetheart Nicole (she married a former football player). He also lived at home with his mom and despite his attempts to win Nicole over, the show ended with their relationship unresolved.
Post-Grad Career: He's currently starring on the AMC hit The Walking Dead and he's not even relegated to being a zombie. Instead he's an officer who keeps the peace at his camp... in a somewhat unconventional manner. This high-profile show gives him a chance to show some range and to use guns and punch people.

Andrea Anders
Class Bio: She played Nicole, the pampered trophy wife of a former football star named Yonk. She still had unresolved feelings for Duncan but wasn't certain if she'd leave her husband.
Post-Grad Career: She starred on another brilliant but cancelled show, Better Off Ted, and while few watched it, she got to be funny as the head of Ted's department. Plus, it took her career another step further away from the trainwreck that was Joey. However, she is currently attached to another Friends alum, as she's co-starring in the upcoming Matthew Perry series Mr. Sunshine. I'm not entirely sure that's a good thing.

Jason Ritter
Class Bio: He played the sweet pediatrician Ethan, who didn't have the best luck in relationships. Perhaps if he tried not lying, or not being overly smothering, or not always hanging out with his friend Kat, he would've had better luck.
Post-Grad Career: He's currently on the sci-fi series The Event doing some crazy ass things like being accused of murder, getting involved in a kidnapping plot, discovering aliens (or some mysterious creatures) among us. You know, the usual.

Sean Maguire
Class Bio: He played Kyle, the adorable guy who was found after senior prom hooking up with a guy. He played racquetball with Ethan, taught private school and had a very hot boyfriend.
Post-Grad Career: He's fallen into the parody genre, with starring roles in Meet the Spartans and in the cult Comedy Central show Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire. Hey, at least he gets to show off his muscles. That's something. And if you are going to be in these sorts of things, at least be the star.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Class Bio: He was totally adorable as Richie, a sweet, if suicidal, guy stuck in a bad marriage with a wicked wife. His charming relationship with Lina won me over, even though it meant that he had to run her over, or cause her other forms of unintentional physical pain in the process. Hey, it's comedy!
Post-Grad Career: So glad that he had the role in The Class because otherwise he might still be just someone I'd see on Broadway (he was so cute in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and not starring as one half of arguably the best gay couple on TV on Modern Family. And frankly, if I didn't have Mitchell and Cam, my life would be a whole lot less funny.

Lizzy Caplan
Class Bio: Kat was a friend, and then love interest for Ethan, but mostly she was kind of the show's sarcastic badass, which means that she was basically my favorite character. Could we just spin off that character?
Post-Grad Career: Girl has been busy! She hit it big with Cloverfield, had major roles in Hot Tub Time Machine and 127 Hours, played a fabulous sex and drug-addicted crazy on True Blood, was a dryly witty cater-waiter on Party Down and still manages to voice a character on American Dad. Not a lot of time for sleeping, but at least it keeps her from doing horrible things like Mean Girls 2.

Lucy Punch was also a star of The Class, but she sort of disappeared midway through the show. And as far as the recurring cast goes, Sara Gilbert's not doing too badly for herself now that she's got a regular daytime gig on The Talk and Cristian de la Fuente did Dancing With the Stars and is now on In Plain Sight. And though Jamie King's My Generation and Keith David's Lone Star got axed right out of the gate this fall, they were actually among the best new offerings, so we're sure they'll find work again soon. Now if someone can just get Heather Goldenhersh (who played Kat's sister Lina) a job, we'll be all set.

12 Comments

November 23, 2010 6:39 PM
The Mad Maple
Reply

So that's where I know Jon Berenthal from! I thought he looked familiar!

November 23, 2010 9:22 PM
Robert Williams
Reply

I thought I was the only one who remembered thi show! I downloaded every episode (I live in the UK) and tried to get my friends to watch, but to no avail.

And now when I watch Modern Family, Party Down, The Event (even if I wish I wasn't watching The Event), The Walking Dead/The Pacific, Better Off Ted, I smile and think that these guys careers have taken a turn for the better.

But yeah, totally agree that Goldenhersh deserves better.

Actually, speaking of which, what about Help Me Help You, which I am also positive Jason Ritter was in.

November 24, 2010 8:07 PM
Snarcy
Reply

Love the class, and have been happy to see the actors get major roles afterwards. Too bad my DVR decided to reformat its hard drive & thus destroy the first 6 eps of the show... Dammit! But have to say, Richie & Lina are one of my favourite tv couples of all time. Was rooting for them way more than I ever did for Ross & Rachel or any number of other sitcom couples I could mention.

November 24, 2010 9:48 PM
jane doe
Reply

did the class ever come out on DVD? i would have loved to have had it, i actually thought it was a charming little show. :)

November 26, 2010 7:42 AM
Rigs-in-Gear
Reply

I guess you're being kind by not mentioning Jon's run in "Eastwick" as the borderline wife-beater. That show should've been on premium cable where it would've benefitted from less restraint. Except for Lizzy Caplan, everyone's current work is pretty underwhelming.

November 28, 2010 2:51 AM
Mimi
Reply

Andrea Anders was not Ted's boss, Portia de Rossi was the head of the department. Better Off Ted was such an awesome show, please correct that. Unless you've seen the two unaired episodes and know something we don't.

November 28, 2010 8:25 AM
Anna
Reply

Andrea Anders was not Ted's boss. Not even in the unaired episodes. Also, Lucy Punch was in 11 out of the twelve episodes. That's not exactly "left halfway through". Did you write this by reading the wiki, or something?

December 1, 2010 2:42 PM
Sam
Reply
replied to comment from Mimi

You can watch the 2 unaired episodes on Netflix watch instantly if you're interested

December 5, 2010 11:41 PM
Meagan
Reply

Really cute show. I you tubed it after becoming a huge Jesse Tyler Ferguson fan and I found him equally charming in this show. Ritchie and Lena were so adorable together, although did anyone notice that after she took him back, they did practically nothing with them till the end?

While it's sad it was cancelled, I'm so glad JTF moved on to "Modern Family"...comedy just wouldn't be the same for me without it.

May 1, 2011 7:03 PM
Theresa
Reply

I loved this show and don't think they gave it a chance. It was sort of quirky but I thought it was funny. I think they should have let it at least have a whole season or a summer fill in position. I too would love to have it on DVD.
Bye folks!

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