The book explores the true story of then-closeted high school teacher Lou Volpe.
Katims said he was inspired by the character, but felt that he needed to makeRisehis own story.
The show is indeed an entirely new creation from Katims.
Credit: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
(See Katims statement below for more on that.)
While the character of Lou is not gay, Katims is not shying away from LGBT storylines.
Volpe is also a consultant on the project.
To see somebody who, as you said, spent 44 years dedicated to this program was amazing.
And I really hope that and believe that we carry a lot of his spirit into the show.
It will move to its regular 9 p.m. time slot the following week, March 20.
