The Class of ’74 – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Join novelist Laura Van Wormer as she introduces THE CLASS OF ’74, a serialized story inspired by her 50th high school reunion. The story begins in 1971 and follows the misadventures of teenagers in high school, ending with their graduation in 1974.

In this debut hello to listeners, Laura explains how seeing her baby-boomer classmates triggered the desire to entertain them with a fun,  ongoing story set in the time of their younger lives. 

"Everyone needs a little gratitude in their lives," Van Wormer says, "and what better trigger is there than to remember being in trouble in high school? It's amazing how quickly you're grateful to be exactly the age you are now."

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#ClassOf74Podcast

The premiere episode of a period dramedy, depicting the ups and downs of teenage life in a wealthy suburb of New York City, 1971-1974. The town of Brighton, CT is fictional, but emblematic of several charming Fairfield County commuter towns.

This episode paints a vivid portrait of how the town of Brighton came to be, from its rustic beginnings in the 17th century through its transformation into a thriving bedroom community for top-flight Manhattan business executives. Amidst this backdrop, we meet the Schyler family, and accompany their 15-year-old daughter, Cynthia, on her first day of high school, where the listener begins observing what teenage life was like before cell phones, the Internet and social media.

The adventures and misadventures of teenagers in this extraordinary town of privilege are alternately hilarious and subliminally frightening (as every baby boomer you know will attest) but the emotional complexities and social dynamics of teenage insecurities and relationship challenges still ring true today. Novelist Laura Van Wormer is writing this serial specifically for podcasting, to share an all-new story with listeners in a closer, more intimate way and have lots of fun doing it! 

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#Classof74Podcast

The halls of Brighton High quickly fill with mystery, intrigue, adventure, romance and chaos, to say nothing of baffling new acquaintances, bullies and a creepy vice principal.

Watch Cynthia navigate the labyrinth of social dynamics and school bureaucracy with great flair, wit and charm. Teenage rebellion has never been so funny and entertaining. 

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#Classof74Podcast

bumper music:  “Bring The Energy” by Soundroll, from Uppbeat.io

end of episode music: “Hollowed Night” by Morning Mist, from Uppbeat.io

We're STILL on the first tumultuous day of school at Brighton High, September 8, 1971. It is another rock and roll episode of colliding good kids and bad kids, students, falculty, police, and mysterious neighbors. 

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#Classof74Podcast

Bumper Music Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ uppbeat.io

Ending Music  "House on the Hill" by Weary Pines @ uppbeat.io

This week, we dive into the 1971 mysteries surrounding Mrs. Watson's behavior, Victor Wronski's attack on Evan Whittaker, and Mrs. Schyler's devotion to her electric skillet.

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#Classof74Podcast

Bumper Music:   "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ uppbeat.io

Ending Music  "Levitation" by Floor Model @ uppbeat.io

Cynthia and Mimi secretly watch The Dick Cavett Show; Cynthia's triumphant arrival at the second day of school is marred by suspicion and the alphabetizing of home room situates her between the “Black Cloud of the Family" (beautiful cheerleader Betsey Satterfield) and blonde Adonis, Clay Seton. 

Note: This is the complete version of Episode #5 which a technology glitch prevented  from fully loading. 

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.                            

#Classof74Podcast

Bumper Music:   "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ uppbeat.io

Ending Music:  “Good Lookin’” by All Good Folks @uppbeat.io

Cynthia's collection of admirers is growing by leaps and bounds, but she can't stand two of them, one is being investigated by the cops, the gorgeous guy she scarcely knows is of course her favorite, while the guy who is supposed to be her boyfriend is all beat up.

What else is going on? A locker goes missing; the curse of the Vietnam War,  Nixon's price controls, the 27 Club, Borgnine's Bar and Ashette's amazing front-hall closet adventure.

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#Classof74Podcast      ending music: "Epic Angel Choir Intro" by Tomas Herudek @ uppbeat.io bumper music:   "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ uppbeat.io

Cynthia plays air traffic controller at the Schylers' house as drunk and stoned adult neighbors end up spending the night and dawn brings one teenage admirer of Cynthia's after another at the front door.

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#Classof74Podcast

Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer

Produced by Ryann Robinson

Cover Art by chatgpt.com

Ending Music: “Homestretch” by Aaron Paul Low @ Uppbeat.oi

Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @Uppbeat.oi

Cynthia and her friends borrow the Schyler's Country Squire wagon for a memorable night at the Norwalk Drive-In.

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#Classof74Podcast

Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer

Produced by Ryann Robinson

Ending Music: “Circle of Ghosts” by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.oi

Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @Uppbeat.oi

1970 Paramount publicity still of Barbra Streisand is from "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" 

Cynthia and Clay’s date at the Norwalk Drive-In hits rocky terrain after Cynthia tries Henry's Magic Pisser Elixer.

Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.

#Classof74Podcast

Written and narrated by Laura Van Wormer

Produced by Ryann Robinson

Ending Music: “Hero’s Time” by Paulo Kalazzi @Uppbeat.oi

Bumper Music: “Bring the Energy” by Soundroll @Uppbeat.oi