What a Country!
GenreSitcom
Based onMind Your Language
Developed byMartin Rips
Joseph Staretski
Written byFrank Mula
Martin Rips
Leonard Ripps
Mike Scully
Joseph Staretski
Directed byPeter Baldwin
Robert Claver
Linda Day
Dolores Ferraro
Russ Petranto
StarringGarrett M. Brown
Yakov Smirnoff
George Murdock
Vijay Amritraj
Harry Waters, Jr.
Ada Maris
Julian Reyes
Leila Hee Olsen
Gail Strickland
Theme music composerRichard DeBenedictis
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes26
Production
Executive producersMartin Rips
Joseph Staretski
ProducersWendy Blair
Eric Cohen
Leonard Ripps
Running time21 minutes
Production companiesRipstar Productions
Primetime Entertainment
Tribune Entertainment
Viacom Enterprises
Original release
NetworkFirst-run syndication
ReleaseSeptember 27, 1986 (1986-09-27) –
May 23, 1987 (1987-05-23)

What a Country! is an American sitcom starring Garrett M. Brown and Yakov Smirnoff that aired in first-run syndication from September 27, 1986, to May 23, 1987. The series is based on the British sitcom Mind Your Language and was intended as a showcase for Ukrainian-American comedian Yakov Smirnoff, whose catchphrase provided the show's title.

Synopsis

What a Country! is set in a class of recent immigrants to the United States who are trying to pass the citizenship test. Their teacher, Taylor Brown (played by Garrett M. Brown), is a part-time substitute teacher looking for a high school soccer coaching job, while the students are:

  1. Nikolai (a Russian taxi driver),
  2. Laszlo (a retired Hungarian doctor),
  3. Ali (a Pakistani),
  4. Robert (the son of a deposed African king),
  5. Maria (a housekeeper working for a rich Beverly Hills family),
  6. Victor (a Hispanic in love with Maria), and
  7. Yung Hi (a shy Chinese woman).

Gail Strickland initially played the character of Principal Joan Courtney, though she was replaced by Don Knotts during the series' run.[1]

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"The First Class"Howard StormMartin Rips & Joseph StaretskiSeptember 27, 1986 (1986-09-27)
Mr. Brown is a substitute teacher in a citizenship class at a night school, and has doubts about becoming an instructor.
2"The Soul Man"Russ PetrantoLenny RippsOctober 4, 1986 (1986-10-04)
The class convinces a reluctant Robert to ask a young woman out on a date. Nikolai helps Robert with some tips on how to become 'cool'.
3"A Busboy Named Desire"Howard StormFrank Mula & Mike ScullyOctober 11, 1986 (1986-10-11)
Victor asks Maria out on a date to an expensive restaurant, but their dinner doesn't turn out as well as they had hoped.
4"Don't Leave Home Without It"Howard StormEric CohenOctober 18, 1986 (1986-10-18)
Nikolai discovers the joys of credit cards, until he experiences the sorrows of being in debt.
5"My Fair Yung Hi"Russ PetrantoStephen SchneckOctober 25, 1986 (1986-10-25)
Mr. Brown starts private lessons with Yung Hi to overcome her shyness and improve her English pronunciation and diction, in order for her to feel comfortable participating in a debate in class.
6"Holiday on Ice"Linda DayFrank Mula & Mike ScullyNovember 1, 1986 (1986-11-01)
When Laszlo is convinced by Mr. Brown to come out of retirement and become a dentist again, he unfortunately finds himself in jail along with Robert, Maria and Nikolai.
7"The Best Laid Plans"Bob ClaverNick ArnoldNovember 8, 1986 (1986-11-08)
A field trip to Disneyland is planned for the class, until it falls apart when Nikolai is in charge of finances.
8"Chicken a la Prince"UnknownUnknownNovember 15, 1986 (1986-11-15)
Bob and Nik are smitten by a Swedish woman who's joined their immigration class.
9"A Birthday With Class"UnknownUnknownNovember 22, 1986 (1986-11-22)
The class orchestrates surprise birthday party plans for Taylor.
10"Ali's Arrangement"UnknownUnknownDecember 20, 1986 (1986-12-20)
When he was 7 year-old, Ali's marriage was arranged, and now the time has come to fulfill his obligation.
11"Taylor Loses His Cool"Russ PetrantoBernie WestJanuary 10, 1987 (1987-01-10)
Mr. Brown meets new principal Mr. McPherson. Upon learning that the principal does not like the way he teaches the class, Mr. Brown decides to quit.
12"The Road From Morocco"Dolores FerraroFrank Mula & Mike ScullyJanuary 17, 1987 (1987-01-17)
A new student from Morocco, Rajeeb, joins the class, but quickly finds himself at odds with his new classmates. However, when he faces the risk of deportation, the class comes together to help him out.
13"Nikolai Speaks"Russ PetrantoMichael TurnerJanuary 24, 1987 (1987-01-24)
Nikolai and Mr. McPherson become involved in a hit-and-run accident, and become witnesses at a trial in court.
14"California Dreamin'"UnknownUnknownFebruary 7, 1987 (1987-02-07)
We devolve into fantasy as class members share their dreams.
15"Moonlighting"Russ PetrantoLenny RippsFebruary 14, 1987 (1987-02-14)
Maria decides to quit her job as a housekeeper for the Feldmans, but can only find a job as a part-time taxi dancer. She attempts to keep her new job a secret from her classmates. Meanwhile, Ali takes a job as Mr. McPherson's personal assistant.
16"Play it Again, F"Delores FerraroNorm Chandler FoxFebruary 21, 1987 (1987-02-21)
Things get awkward for Mr. Brown when he finds out that his own mother and Mr. McPherson were once romantically involved.
17"Citizen Pain"Russ PetrantoGeorge YanokFebruary 28, 1987 (1987-02-28)
Nikolai becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced that he is being watched and followed by KGB agents.
18"Educating Inga"Alan BergmannMartin Rips & Joseph StaretskiMarch 7, 1987 (1987-03-07)
The guys in class become infatuated with a new student in the class, Inga, from Sweden. Nikolai, Robert, Victor and Ali try to teach her English so she can stay in the class.
19"Victor at an Exhibition"Russ PetrantoFrank Mula & Mike ScullyMarch 14, 1987 (1987-03-14)
Maria meets a rich and handsome young man, Charles, who is an art gallery curator in Beverly Hills. However, a rift between her and Victor ensues after she takes on a few 'changes'.
20"What a Tangled Web We Weave"Bob ClaverMartin Rips & Joseph StaretskiMarch 28, 1987 (1987-03-28)
Facing a risk of losing the class, the students aim to perform well on a test being set by Mr. McPherson.
21"Love Finds Nikolai"Bob ClaverJerry RannowApril 4, 1987 (1987-04-04)
Nikolai reunites with a fellow Russian, Sonya. Although he wishes to date American girls, he realises that he is starting to fall in love with her.
22"We're in the Muboto's"Russ PetrantoFrank Mula & Mike ScullyApril 11, 1987 (1987-04-11)
Robert discovers that he will be inheriting millions of dollars from his family's wealth, but only if a certain condition is met.
23"What Are Friends For?"Russ PetrantoLenny RippsMay 2, 1987 (1987-05-02)
Maria is selected to become a television spokesperson. However, her dreams of stardom collapse when she drinks too much of Yung Hi's grandmother's tea to overcome her cold.
24"The Candidate"Russ PetrantoFrank Mula & Mike ScullyMay 9, 1987 (1987-05-09)
The class volunteers to help out at a campaign of a local city council candidate, Alex Hernandez. Maria and Alex fall in love with each other, but Maria learns a harsh lesson about politics.
25"The Apartment"Tony SingletaryMartin Rips & Joseph StaretskiMay 16, 1987 (1987-05-16)
When Ali is refused an apartment even though it is listed as vacant, Mr. Brown and the students investigate why.
26"Old World Charmer"Howard StormEric CohenMay 23, 1987 (1987-05-23)
Laszlo accompanies Miss Courtney to a social formal event. Meanwhile, the guys have poker night at Nikolai's apartment.

References

  1. ↑ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2007-10-17). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present (9 ed.). Ballantine Books. pp. 1502–1503. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.


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