The boys of 3rd C - Season 1

First aired: 1/13/1987 11 episodes

"The Boys of the third C" is a snapshot of the world of young people at school, observed in its most typical manifestations: class rivalry, antagonism between students, moments of social gathering (school elections, holidays, the class newspaper), the play, the party). In particular, the "group photo" of 3a C focuses on defining the characters of the individual protagonists, highlighting the vices, tics, flaws, virtues, and ways of speaking and behaving of today's youth. Chicco, for example, is the class leader, the inspiration for his classmates and the brains behind initiatives and pranks, a repeater who has turned being a student into a true profession. Massimo, on the other hand, excels in anything that involves muscles and physical activity: gymnastics is his favorite subject, and there is no sport he doesn't specialize in.

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Episodes

1. The challenge

Aired: 1/13/1987

Classes 3C and 3D have been feuding for years. To put an end to an untenable situation, the "historical leaders" of the two classes, repeaters since time immemorial, organize a boxing match. Class 3C is represented by Massimo (Renato Cestie'), a handsome and bold athlete; class 3D, however, pits him against a giant, a newcomer nicknamed Terminator. Thus, a typical "Rocky situation" unfolds, with Massimo undergoing intensive training to overcome a feat deemed impossible by all. Like a Stallone, against all odds, Massimo, despite being severely pounded by his massive opponent, manages to win.

2. Chicco at Superstrike

Aired: 1/20/1987

Disliked by Sharon's parents for being a frequent repeater and too easygoing, Chicco plans to win her heart and her parents' sympathy by participating in the quiz show "Superstrike," a subject he knows nothing about, "LA ROMA," a subject of which Sharon is a loyal viewer. Not only does Chicco win increasingly fabulous sums with each episode, but he also presents himself with a completely unexpected TV persona (passing himself off as a very conscientious, studious, and diligent boy), so much so that Sharon's parents open their doors to him. In a final, fabulous "double-down," Chicco refuses to answer a question about a historic defeat for his favorite team. He loses everything, but perhaps with a better chance in his everyday life.

3. School elections

Aired: 1/27/1987

Election battle among the students of Class 3C. In this third episode, the young protagonists are all leading their own lists, a "pluralism" born of delusions of grandeur and the usual rivalries. With just a few days to go until the election, none of the lists has yet managed to obtain enough signatures to run for office. They therefore fall back on an alliance that appoints as their representative the only one left out of the fray, the usual Bruno. After an unexpected success, Bruno is elected, but once on the school board, he fails to assert himself due to excessive shyness.

4. Everyone to the sea

Aired: 2/3/1987

A beautiful sunny day just as a catastrophic class test is due: the temptation is too great, so Chicco and Bruno skip school and go to the beach, thinking about "those poor souls" locked in the classroom. At the beach, however, the two "deserters" discover that their classmates have all had the same idea. Benedetta is drawn to an "exceptional" cultural event, a poets' festival. Daniele and Rossella have planned a romantic picnic for two. Massimo has invited the beautiful Sharon on a motorcycle ride. Even a couple of parents, Sharon's father and Massimo's mother, are in the area, with extramarital plans: and now they're only worrying about hiding. Even the "obligatory" fun of the kids on extra vacation turns into hellish stress.

5. Let's go live alone

Aired: 2/10/1987

Cohabitation is difficult when an entire class ends up living in an apartment. This is what happens in this episode of "The 3C Boys," in which Chicco, having to put up for a few days an American friend who announced her arrival via telegram, finds an elegant place with a steep rent. The price forces him to involve first Massimo and then his classmates in the idea. When the American girl moves into her new "nest," numerous subtenants arrive, determined to take immediate possession of the apartment. Amid furious arguments and progressive destruction, the failed attempt at "cohabitation" unfolds. With the kids leaving, one by one, only the American friend remains, who quickly gathers together a group of her American peers, with whom she can enjoy a wonderful vacation without paying a single dollar of rent.

6. The class newspaper

Aired: 2/17/1987

At the initiative of Dean Chicco, the 3Cs revive an ancient school tradition: the class newspaper. Once the duties are distributed—Chicco edits the sports page, Daniele and Rossella the favorites, and Benedetta (Nicoletta Elmi) the horoscope and movie reviews—the search for a sponsor begins. Sharon's father, seeing the newspaper as a way to advertise his cured meat company, steps in. To boost sales, Chicco has the dubious idea of putting a nude on the cover, using a photomontage of Sharon's face and the body of a black Playmate. Against all odds, not a single copy of the "3Cs Newspaper" sells. But Sharon's father, furious with the photo of his daughter on the cover, buys up the entire print run to save the rookie journalists from debt.

7. The recitation

Aired: 2/24/1987

To postpone the deadline for some very tough exams, the students of Class 3C invent a visit from an Oxford professor—actually a former student, a chronic repeater like Chicco—persuading the principal to fund a performance of Shakespeare's most famous works. Chicco plays Iago, Massimo plays Cassio, Sharon is Ophelia, and Benedetta is, of course, the occasional director. In Class 3C's unique "interpretation," however, the English playwright's works become ignoble farces, with only Bruno escaping, forced to play Othello, who on the day of the "premiere" (and final) performance achieves an unexpected personal success. But once the curtain falls, the story of the fake English professor comes to light. Tragic "reruns" are prepared for everyone.

8. Merry Christmas

Aired: 3/3/1987

Big plans for the upcoming Christmas: naturally, the kids all agree on the idea of an "alternative" holiday, without parents in the way or other ritualistic conventions (tree, nativity scene, bingo, Christmas dinner, etc.). Chicco and Massimo would like to go on a ski holiday, Benedetta dreams of an exhausting movie marathon, Daniele and Rossella are thinking of romantic moments. They all end up meeting on Christmas Eve at the bar in front of the school with so many wonderful plans ruined. All that's left is to go to "poor Bruno," who's trapped in a Christmas dinner with his relatives. The Christmas rebels will thus be drawn into the more traditional celebrations of the holiday (including the bagpipers) and, what's worse, much to their delight.

9. I want to die

Aired: 3/10/1987

Love, (long-awaited) death, and resurrection among the desks of class 3C. Bruno is struck by Cupid's arrow, thanks to a plot by his classmates who make him believe he's won over Luana, a fellow commuter. To pursue this unrequited love, Bruno neglects his studies and manipulates his disastrous report card. Seduced and abandoned, and further pursued by his furious father, Bruno indulges in a series of clumsy attempts to "end it all"—but not before delivering a farewell letter to Luana, which, through a tragic misunderstanding, ends up among the Italian essays. The unusual "essay" is read by the teacher, who praises the student's epistolary style in addressing an "imaginary" Luana. His classmates carry him in triumph, while Luana, who has broken up with her boyfriend, thanks him with a kiss.

10. The party

Aired: 3/17/1987

Double the party, and double the setbacks, for the kids in Class 3C on Sharon's birthday. Invited by her partner to her parents' luxurious villa, they have to find a new home because their father is under the tax authorities' scrutiny when they arrive. The large group of guests, along with the buffet and the Zampettis' waiter, "move" en masse to Bruno's house, a more cramped space where dancing becomes a feat for contortionists. What's more, when it's time to dance, Bruno's parents and the tenants, who insist on holding a condominium meeting, enter the fray. Sharon thus experiences the most stressful birthday party of her life.

11. Rossella's baby

Aired: 3/24/1987

A terrible suspicion is turning Rossella's life upside down. She fears she's pregnant. A proper test confirms her fear. Desperate, Rossella confides in her parents and her boyfriend, Daniele. They all show her affection and understanding and help her through this difficult time. Daniele shows her his undying love and tells her he's willing to marry her, but Rossella feels lonely, upset, increasingly withdrawn, and avoids Daniele's company.