Failing Forward High (British TV Series)

Failing Forward High was a British mockumentary television series that aired on Sky1 from 2011 to 2014. Created by Will Elfman, the show revolved around the daily lives of a dysfunctional group of characters in a fictional high school setting. The series gained a dedicated following and was known for its humor and satirical take on the education system.

Production and Broadcast
 Failing Forward High  was originally scheduled to premiere on Sunday, June 5th, 2011, on Sky1. However, due to sound errors on that night, the premiere was postponed to Thursday, June 9th, 2011. The show continued its run on the Thursday 10pm slot. The first series introduced viewers to the distinctive blend of comedy and mockumentary-style storytelling.

Synopsis
Failing Forward High followed the daily lives of students, teachers, and staff at Failing Forward High School. The series portrayed the school as a hotbed of dysfunction, with exaggerated personalities, comedic situations, and absurd scenarios. It tackled various themes such as academic struggles, social dynamics, and the flawed education system, all through a satirical lens.

The show's unique format blended documentary-style interviews, fly-on-the-wall filming techniques, and fictional narratives. This approach provided a humorous and often exaggerated look at the chaotic and unpredictable nature of life within the school's walls.

Michael George
Michael George, portrayed by Will Elfman, is a temperamental and slightly egotistical character in "Failing Forward High." Throughout the entirety of Series 1, Michael's irritable demeanor is rarely accompanied by losing his temper, instead resorting to shouting meaningless phrases or insulting his friend Dylan James (portrayed by Levi Barrett). Despite his questionable behavior, Michael is often seen justifying his actions as being for the greater good. For instance, in the third episode of the first series, Michael instructs Dylan to kick a dog to death after it bit him, resulting in Michael walking with a permanent slight limp throughout the series. Reluctantly, Dylan obliges, but shows discomfort, prompting Michael to justify the act by claiming it reduces unemployment, improves the world's smell, and tackles overpopulation. When Dylan questions the morality of the situation, Michael accuses him of being discriminatory. Elfman describes Michael as someone who abandons his morals when his social standing is threatened.

The dynamic of Michael George changes somewhat between Series 1 and Series 2. After the death of Dylan James, he becomes more attentive and friendly towards other people. He still remains slightly sadistic, but this is overshadowed by his newly found good nature.

Dylan James
Dylan James (portrayed by Levi Barrett) is a loyal yet easily influenced friend of Michael George in "Failing Forward High." Despite his better judgment, Dylan often finds himself succumbing to Michael's outlandish requests and schemes. Throughout the series, Dylan's discomfort with the morally questionable situations orchestrated by Michael is evident. However, his loyalty to his friend often leads him to reluctantly go along with these acts, causing him internal conflict. Dylan serves as a contrasting character to Michael, showcasing a sense of conscience and wrestling with his own morals when faced with the absurd and sometimes illegal actions that Michael proposes. Levi Barrett's portrayal of Dylan brings a relatable vulnerability to the character, as he navigates the unpredictable and dysfunctional world of Failing Forward High.

Death
The character was absent for part of S01E05, and for the entirety of the subsequent episode. At the beginning, his absence goes unnoticed, however it is discovered in Episode 5 that the character committed suicide, as a result of Michael’s constant berating.

Andrew Glouberman
Andrew Glouberman (portrayed by Ash Wheeler) is the third major character in "Failing Forward High." He serves as a contrast to Michael's brash attitude and often disapproves of his friend's outlandish requests and behavior towards others. Andrew frequently attempts to stand up to Michael, although his efforts are often in vain. Despite this, he maintains a closer relationship with Michael compared to Dylan. Andrew's demeanor remains fairly cheerful throughout the series, even in the face of Michael's disdain for being filmed, particularly by what he describes as the "money-hungry Sky." Andrew takes delight in directing the camera towards actions and situations that are likely to annoy Michael as much as possible, adding an extra layer of amusement to the chaotic dynamic within Failing Forward High.

2011 Sound Fault
"Failing Forward High" was originally scheduled for broadcast on Sunday, June 5th, 2011, at 10pm on Sky1. However, technical difficulties arose just hours before the scheduled broadcast. At 7.30pm, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes before the planned airing, a sound issue occurred on the SD feed of Sky1 during a promotion for Sky Living's "Dating in the Dark." Faced with the unexpected problem and concerns that it might persist longer than anticipated, the production team made the decision to reschedule the episode.

In a mix of panic and a desire to ensure a smooth viewing experience, the first episode of "Failing Forward High" was rescheduled to the vacant Thursday 10pm slot. From that point on, the show continued to air on Thursdays at 10pm. Finally, on Thursday, June 9th, 2011, at 10pm, the eagerly awaited premiere episode was broadcast, marking the beginning of the series.

Ironically, the sound fault was fixed by 9pm.

On Sky1
Unlike other programs on Sky1 at the time, which were typically promoted with the channel name "Sky 1 HD," the promotions for "Failing Forward High" were advertised with just the regular Sky1 logo. This distinction in promotion did not impact the broadcast of the show, as it was aired on both the standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) feeds of the channel. Viewers had the opportunity to enjoy the series regardless of the feed they were watching.

Sky2
The show also broadcasted reruns on Sky2 during vacant slots during weekends. This explains why some footage of the programme on YouTube has Sky2 branding.

Sky3 (Pick)
The pilot was filmed in November 2010, and aired on Sky3 in February 2011, just before its closure. Due to Sky3’s availability on Freeview, the show achieved good viewing figures, enough for Sky to green light the series for a June 5th air date.

Channel 4 (Planned)
Channel 4 was the original planned broadcaster for Failing Forward High. However, during the production of the pilot, Channel 4 sold the programme to Sky. Elfman was reportedly unhappy about the sale, saying “we don’t want to lock the show behind a paywall”. However, when the sale was being discussed, Sky stated that the show would air on Sky3, Sky’s only Freeview channel at the time. However, Sky3 closed at the end of February 2011, and was rebranded as PickTV. As such, the show moved to Sky1

Episode 1
The episode centers around the highly anticipated annual talent show at Failing Forward High. Michael George, known for his desire to maintain a reputation, initially refuses to sign up for an act, dismissing it as beneath him and fearing it would make him appear like a "thespian pleb." Instead, he decides to participate in the pre-show speech, seeking to make a grand impression.

As the day of the talent show arrives, things start off on the wrong foot for Michael. When he steps onto the stage and attempts to deliver his speech, he realizes that the microphone isn't working, causing his words to fall on deaf ears. Frustrated, Michael walks behind the curtain and, in a fit of anger, shouts an expletive loudly, unaware that the audience can still hear him.

Undeterred by the technical glitch, Michael re-emerges on stage with a smile, attempting to rally the school in unity and democracy. However, his efforts fall flat, as the students remain unresponsive and uninterested in his words. Defeated, Michael abruptly walks off the stage, accompanied by Dylan, his loyal friend.

As they exit the auditorium, Dylan, concerned for Michael, asks if he wants to give it another try. However, Michael responds with a morbid remark, saying, "No, I'm going to go set myself on fire." This dark comment leaves Dylan taken aback, highlighting the turmoil within Michael's character. As the credits begin to roll, the scene shifts back to the talent show hall, where a new act takes the stage. The sounds of "Together in Electric Dreams" fill the air, creating a sense of hopeful energy. The screen fades to black, and the episode concludes with the Sky copyright card.