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Premierewatch: 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager'
Did you watch movies like Saved! and Juno and think, "Wow, this teen pregnancy thing really makes for some cutting humor and social satire. You know what would be even better, though? Ditching the humor and social satire and replacing it with stereotypes, tired jokes, and incredibly flat drama!"? If so, then The Secret Life of the American Teenager is for you!
Not that I'm surprised--in fact, given that this show is the brainchild of 7th Heaven executive producer Brenda Hampton, Secret Life actually falls a little short on the preachiness scale. Of course, comparing a show to 7th Heaven in terms of preachiness is like comparing a celebrity to Britney in terms of craziness. Everyone else is bound to pale in comparison, you know? But as LeVar Burton once said, you don't have to take my word for it! Let's delve into the specifics, shall we?
The Premise: Good, but apparently overly fertile girl attends band camp, has unsatisfying one night stand with sex addict drummer. (Which, for such a good girl, is a very surprising lapse in judgment. Not to sound too parental, but it does seem a little out of character.) Said girl becomes pregnant, chooses to rely on two best friends for support rather than parents. Horny freshman falls for girl, girl is conflicted.
The Cast of Characters:
Amy: Our heroine. It's hard to believe someone so boring could do something as interesting as get knocked up in high school. I mean, she plays the French horn, for christsakes.
Ben: Our hero? He's mildly nerdy, but in an irritatingly overconfident, obnoxiously verbose way. He starts out merely horny, but winds up smitten with Amy. I'm guessing it's the pregnancy glow, because otherwise she's pretty damn boring.
Ricky: Our understandably villainous villain. After being sexually abused by his father as a child and put into foster care, Ricky is out to prove his masculinity by nailing every girl in school. Unbeknownst to him, he's the father of Amy's fetus. He's also dating Adrian, sort of.
Adrian: Ricky's sassy counterpart, Adrian is...well, let's say she's just very comfortable with her sexuality and leave it at that.
Grace: If this were Saved!, the not-so-subtly named Grace would be played by Mandy Moore. She's hot, super religious, perky, and has a handicapped brother (Downs syndrome, in this case). She's also planning on waiting until marriage to have sex. And she's not getting married until after medical school. And she's including oral sex on her list of won'ts. Um, yeah. Let me know how that works out for ya, sweetie.
Jack: The Jesus-loving jock, Jack is dating Grace, and getting increasingly frustrated with the whole "waiting until marriage" plan.
The Sidekicks: Amy and Ben each have two sufficiently quirky friends. 'Nuff said.
Mr. Molina: The "hot" new counselor in town, already doling out sage advice to the students. Because yeah, that totally happens in real life.
And last but not least...I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Amy's mom is played by Molly Ringwald. And yes, it's just as awesome as I imagined it would be. I can't wait until the episode where everyone forgets it's mother's day! Or the one where she helps Amy to make her own stylish but quirky maternity clothes!
This Week: I already hit the highlights, and I'm choosing to ignore all the clunky moments that made me grind my teeth. (Trust me--there were many. Subtlety, thy name is not Brenda Hampton.) Other happenings of note:
Amy's friends try and convince her to date Ben, sleep with him, and then claim the baby is his and marry him. Um, right, because Ben, as a nerd, will be incapable of counting to nine months. And also, that's AWFUL. How is that an acceptable moral decision, and yet abortion is totally off the table? (Which, yeah. Don't even get me started about how fast that conversation was, or how Amy was totally misinformed about not being able to go to a clinic for pregnancy testing, etc. without her parents finding out.) At any rate, Amy and Ben are pretty cozy by the end of the night.
Adrian seduces Jack - Eve-style with an apple - and the entire school, including Grace, busts them making out at a Christian party after the football game (yeah, what?). Meanwhile, Ricky tries to get into Grace's chastity belt.
Final Observations:
- Okay, seriously? No one would EVER hand Amy their infant child in a waiting room. Ever. I don't care how convenient it was to get her thinking about being a mother.
- In the interest of representing ALL ridiculous high school stereotypes, I demand that this show introduce a sarcastic artsy chick and a flamboyant gay guy, stat. Otherwise, I think we're pretty much covered.
- How is it that everyone and their mother is getting laid at band camp, and I didn't even get to second base at nerd camp? Just sayin'.
- The dialogue on this show sounds like it was written by someone who's never met a teenager in his or her life--or possibly even another human being. Could this show have been written by a monkey that was raised on a steady diet of bad teen movies and Lifetime television?
- "A new kind of family," indeed. Never thought I'd see the day when an ABC Family show had a parental advisory! Maybe this "new kind of family" is childless.
Bad? Good? So bad it's good? (I'm leaning towards the first option, but hoping for the last.) Will you stick around?
I noticed all of the things pointed out. I watched this with my friend and even though noticed how stereotypical and unrealistic it was we liked it. I think it's a good storyline, but like you said, very uninformed on teenagers.
For instance, she's not acting as upset as you'd expect a pregnant teenager to be. She just found out she's pregnant and goes out on a date right after? And I know there are whores and guys that just want to "get some" in high school, but seriously? I have yet to come across somebody THAT sexually active. Or somebody that flat out hits on the "hot new" counselor (that isn't even remotely attractive, by the way).
I could point out everything wrong with the show, but I won't.
Even with the lack of believability I still really liked it and will be tuning in each weak.
So, to answer your question: So bad it's good.
Jenn | Jul 1, 2008 11:36:39 PM | #Actually I to comment on Jenn their...I know someone who is that sexually active and she will flat out hit on a teacher if she thinks he is hot...Its kind of sad though, but yea it does happen. But to the show....I really like the show...it does have a good storyline, but not as realistic as what happens in real life. Then again it depends on who it is and how they deal with problems.
Lucy | Jul 2, 2008 6:02:09 AM | #I think this show was really disappointing. So bad it's, um, really bad. But there's a part of me that wants to like it, so I'll probably keep watching, hoping that it will improve.
I do totally agree that the nerdy 'hero' is annoying. And that Amy was impossibly misinformed about her options for seeing a doctor... I even yelled at the TV - 'Go to the free medical clinic, you idiot!'
OK, lastly, I may get crucified for saying this, but I thought Molly Ringwald's acting was not so great... maybe it's because I'll always think of her as a teenager. But I was disappointed in her performance.
Jill | Jul 2, 2008 7:36:40 AM | #This was an awesome series! I know the critics hate it because they love to make hate filled comments about Christians (the one group its okay to be phobic toward), but its a true take on teens. Okay, the school shouldn't hand out condoms, and there are moments that are wooden, but the characters are real, and go way beyond the normal stereo-types into whats really behind the face they put on. Great show, great show, great show!!!
Freda | Jul 2, 2008 8:45:19 AM | #cool show. It has hot 'dames' that are more than just the regular h'oes on TV. there is even a story there for the jock p'r'i'c'k beyond him just being a jerk. my friend got pregnant, and it wasn't fun like knocked up and all them shows. it was hard work, and she can't go to college now. abortion wasn't an option cause they didn't want to kill the baby, but it's a hard life. this is great to show what really happens instead of what idiots like the reviewer want us teens to believe.
mark g | Jul 2, 2008 8:58:16 AM | #I watched this show twice ( I thought it would get better if I watched it again) and I have to agree on two points. 1. I have a 17 yr old daughter and a 19 yr old son - all three of us watched the show together last night and all three of us could not take it seriously. I'd like to think I know teens fairly well, alot hang out at my house and I always seem to be the mom that gives the kids rides home..so I have a pretty good feel on how teens think. And they do not think like these kids. 2. I checked out the show to see Molly Ringwald again - I own all her teen movies and thought she was always insightful in her portrayals. Last night she was so wooden, like she herself couldn't believe the lines she had to read...and to listen to her husband's decription of "nice girls" - puleez... I was relieved to see that she is kicking him out next show. The silly thing is, the kids and I agreed to watch this show again next week - and I can't figure out why...
Elena | Jul 2, 2008 9:48:28 AM | #I am filing this is in the so bad its good genre for now. It has potential to build into something good, but I do have the 7th Heaven fear.
Jen | Jul 2, 2008 12:35:29 PM | #Why shouldn't the school hand out condoms?
e | Jul 2, 2008 12:56:05 PM | #I agree with Elena (above).
I have one of those houses where kids hang out (older kids are now in their 20's) and I really enjoy teenagers. But, when I watched this show with my 16-year-old daughter, we were laughing at some of the ridiculous story lines and the dialog of some of the characters. Of course we'll still watch it, as we enjoy watching teen dramas together.
I think the show will easily turn into a guilty pleasure. It's definitely entertaining and while people might complain that everything about it is not "realistic" I would have to argue that 1. It's a Drama, NOT a reality show so it's purpose is to entertain me and it did just that. 2. I did feel that it takes and honest look at the teenage experience (Sex is a big deal to teens) and I expect more of it to come in future episodes that I will gladly watch.
Dallas | Jul 2, 2008 1:27:40 PM | #I agree with those who said they couldn't take this show seriously. I mean, when I saw the previews I thought it would be a comedy; Come on, a girl who has awful sex and gets knocked up the first time!? that's hilarious to me. Hey, she had it coming...
It is realistic though and it may actually be toning the reality down--I went to a junior high school that was worse then that school--the whole time I was thinking, "where are all the drugs and gangs and stuff? this is high school right?" Although the dialoug was incredibly annoying and fake, I will keep watching it to see how she deals with this mess. I'm gunning for the Christian girl not to get date-raped by that one guy. But I can't stand how naive Amy is: "It definately wasn't like what you see in the movies--you know like all romantic and stuff?" I thought these kids we're 12!
Anyway, overall a bucket of laughs and some interseting storylines. Tune in!
One of the best new comedies of the TV season.
...oh, it's a drama? Really?
This is what I love about television. Gossip Girl/The OC is one end of the unbelievability spectrum while this show is on the other, of how teens in America actually function. Hell, even Laguna Beach (a supposedly "real" show) isn't even a close-to-real portrayal of teen life.
I guess since this is an ABC Family show, I'll compare it to "Greek." Both shows are offering a completely fictional portrayal of life in a sub-section of young, American culture. The difference is, "Greek" is actually fun to watch.
Sean | Jul 2, 2008 2:00:13 PM | #I was a teenager in the '80s, and the depictions of my generation at the time wasn't completely accurate, either. We had Square Pegs, which wasn't half bad (which was probably why it didn't last long), Head of the Class (every stereotype you can think of about "gifted" students) and Fame (just...*glurk*). The movies weren't much better, although The Breakfast Club did a pretty good just of nailing the various ways in which the cliques interacted, even when forced into a room together. Ferris Bueller's Day Off? Hilarious, true, but satire can only go so far in depicting truths.
So now we have the 2008 version of "This is what high school life is like, take it or leave it." The acting--deplorable. The young lead--cute enough to watch, but an average actress at best. The plots--been there, done that, got the T-shirt, lost the T-shirt in an unfortunate lawn mower accident. In short, all of this has been seen before, in some medium or other, which is probably why it's being greeted with such mediocre reviews. I honestly think the show needs to be on for at least another half-dozen episodes, though, before a true idea about its overall worth can be gleaned. As Sean said above, "Greek" is fictional to the point of being silly, but it is usually quite fun to watch. I get the feeling TSLAT will be like watching ASPCA commercials imploring you to support your local animal shelter--perhaps doing a public service, but too damned depressing to watch for very long.
Dark Disciple | Jul 2, 2008 3:03:44 PM | #It's great to see Molly Ringwald back. Hopefully she will quickly have more to do than serve dinner. The stereotypes were really annoying and I found the whole theme of "if you are a Christian you do not sin and if you sin you are not a Christian". I will stick around but I hope there is improvement.
everwood | Jul 2, 2008 5:58:09 PM | #Since this show is on during the summer, I think I will continue watching (how many rip-offs of Dancing with the Stars can a person watch?). If this were on during the regular TV season, I'm sure that I wouldn't have time to keep up with it every week. I'm going to say that TSLOTAT is so bad, it's funny (as in unintentional comedy). I had to laugh at every female student drooling and fawning over the new guidance counselor, who was supposed to be "hot" (I kept envisioning Tom Welling or something), but he turned out average-looking.
So far, I'm liking Amy, Amy's mother, Alice (Ben's snarky friend) and Lauren (Amy's smarter sidekick). I'm still on the fence about Ben (I think the writers are trying to make him into the next 'Seth Cohen'), but I know that I definitely can't stand Grace, Jack, Adrian and Ricky. We have already found out that Ricky was sexually abused as a child, so I'm guessing that Adrian (the other promiscuous character) will end up having a "BIG SECRET" as well.
The one thing that seemed so glaringly inaccurate was that neither of Amy's girlfriends suggested that she go to Planned Parenthood or the free clinic. The friends tried to concoct a lame cover story that Amy needed to interview her pediatrician for a school project? HUH??? I think most teenagers would have at least heard of the free clinic, and at least have the girls looking it up on the Internet or in the phonebook! :-0
Anyone recognize Amy's friend (the african american one)? It's Ruthie's best friend from 7th Heaven!!
Ashley | Jul 3, 2008 5:23:27 PM | #...(adding more)
Oh wow. I had to stop watching the show after 15-20 minutes. It was crap. Awful, awful show.
Why oh why do they give the actors such lame dialog? I feel so bad for the perky cheerleader christian: she's a complete joke. I kept waiting for the punchline.
It's a shame, because I've seen the lead actress in other things and I really wanted this to be a good show for her. I can't force myself to watch it though.
Ashley | Jul 4, 2008 1:29:19 PM | #Is this realistic? No.
Is it supposed to be? NO.
This is TV, people, come on! What the hell did you expect! First of all, the warning at the beginning was completely unnecessary. I'm 11 and I was watching it with my mother and father. In fact, I watched it alone first, then on recording with them.
It seems that ABC family is so naive they actually try to make people take it seriously (note the "have the sex talk" ad at the end). This is just about as serious as Kyle XY, you know, they try, but this would never happen in real life.
They aim to entertain, and they really don't care how they do it. As long as they do, and they did.
Besides, why are you judging it on the very first episode anyway. This is a much see show. I don't care what any of you say.
Is this realistic? No.
Is it supposed to be? NO.
This is TV, people, come on! What the hell did you expect! First of all, the warning at the beginning was completely unnecessary. I'm 11 and I was watching it with my mother and father. In fact, I watched it alone first, then on recording with them.
It seems that ABC family is so naive they actually try to make people take it seriously (note the "have the sex talk" ad at the end). This is just about as serious as Kyle XY, you know, they try, but this would never happen in real life.
They aim to entertain, and they really don't care how they do it. As long as they do, and they did.
Besides, why are you judging it on the very first episode anyway. This is a much see show. I don't care what any of you say.
"How is it that everyone and their mother is getting laid at band camp, and I didn't even get to second base at nerd camp? Just sayin'."
Umm, after being in marching band for a year, I can easily tell you that while it wouldn't happen at band camp, it happens. Band people (in the one I was in anyways) tend to be perverted and I mean, they're either hormonal teenagers or on the verge of being "adults" so it's not that uncommon. I just don't see how it happened at band camp, though my band does camp differently.
I'd say it's so bad it's good. It's unrealistic in many ways but not at all in others. If you get involved in the storyline more than the acting (like you're meant to) then the lack of teen behaviopr is easy to overlook. What isn't so easy to overlook would be the constant background of incredibly lame characters. I find Amy a much more realistic person than Ricky, Adrian, Grace, or Jack. I find all of them annoyingly stereotypical. And the Christianity part bugs the crap out of me. How many times are they going to go back to that?
Overall, this show reminds me of the oh-so-popular Twilight books by Stephanie Meyers. They're so horribly bad and cliche, and yet I find myself almost liking them. I'll keep watching for now, I suppose. I know that there's definately much worse out there (almost every "popular" show in my opinion) so what the heck? Why not.
Kae | Jul 8, 2008 9:21:27 PM | #Who writes this garbage?
I whole-heartedly agree with your comment on the writers not knowing any teenagers. TV or not, this is far from an accurate portrayal of the teenage lifestyle in America.
Does it bother anyone else how hard the nerdy boyfriend is trying to emulate Ferris Bueller? He's doing an awful, awful, awful job.
K | Jul 9, 2008 3:44:48 PM | #clearly you are not vary good at reviewing. this is the top show being bought on itunes and now the top show in america. tv isnt meant to be real life thats why it is called entertainment. if it were real life it would be a documentery. clearly you are not good at your job adn should wait to see how other people react before jumping to conclusions.
thomas | Jul 9, 2008 9:59:21 PM | #this show is so unreal. its impossible to get laid or to even 2nd base at band camp. truts me, i know. and HEY! I PLAY THE FRENCH HORN!!!
Ami P. | Jul 10, 2008 9:37:33 PM | #I think this show is great. A little over the top at times but overall is great.
Though its catching some fire from some reviewers due to its nature which is unfortunate in 2008.
lifeofanamericanteenager.com showcases both sides of the spectrum on this show.
Amy | Jul 11, 2008 9:52:04 AM | #i love this show!
Amy | Jul 16, 2008 4:26:11 PM | #
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