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A guilty pleasure? So bad it's good? Or just plain bad? A review of 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager'
There are guilty pleasures. And there are TV shows that are so bad they are good.
But 7th Heaven was in a class all by itself.
The long-running series was a unique fusion of bad acting, awkward dialogue, clunky social message of the week plot lines, and surprising guest stars (Lenny Clarke, Bo Derek, Ernest Borgnine).
And, admit, you couldn’t stop watching the show either. I mean I even watch the second final season of the show. It had an undeniable mesmerizing charm.
Well the good news is the spirit of 7th Heaven is alive and well in The Secret Life of the American Teenager (premiering next Tuesday, July 1 at 8 p.m. on ABC Family), the new series from 7th Heaven executive producer Brenda Hampton.
Of course, that’s the bad news too.
Shailene Woodley stars as Amy, a teen, who, after a one night stand, discovers that she is pregnant. In the pilot, Amy tries to figure out how to break this news to her parents (Molly Ringwald and Mark Derwin).
It’s positively wonderful to see Molly Ringwald again. Growing up I wanted to be her. I wanted to have Jake wish me a happy birthday and give Judd Nelson my earring. If you promise not to tell anyone, I will tell you that I even dyed my hair red in an effort to fully become Molly. There’s something quite satisfying and delightful about seeing her play the mother of a teenager since she is one of pop-culture's most iconic teenager.
Amy has two best friends, Lauren (Camille Winbush, who was fabulous on The Bernie Mac Show) and Madison (Renee Olstead, who you may recognize as the daughter from Still Standing). This entire storyline has potential.
Once we meet the rest of the students at Amy’s school, that’s when the series goes to heck in a 7th Heaven handbasket. Out of high school stereotypes 101, we have good girl Grace (Megan Park), high school football hero Jack (Greg Finley), vixen Adrian (Francia Raisa) and very bad boy Ricky (Daren Kagasoff). All clearly attended the 7th Heaven school of acting and within five minutes you’ll be able to connect the dots on what is going to happen next.
Hampton is exploring important themes about the decision to wait to have sex, the consequences of unprotected sex, and the struggle to get through your high school years. But she does it in a naïve, frustrating and unrealistic way. It would be so much more satisfying if the kids on The Secret Life acted even remotely like real teens. Two and a half stars
After you've watched the show, let me know what you think.
The Amy Awards
Don’t forget today is the last day to vote in the 2008 Amy Awards. You have until today, June 27 at 5 p.m. EST to cast your vote.
Should I get out of the Fearless Prediction Business?
Seriously, could I have been more wrong about who I thought The Mole was? Let’s review the facts, shall we. Two weeks ago, I fearlessly predict that Bobby or Victoria could be the Mole and then, in short order, they were both eliminated from the show.
I’m still thinking Clay or Mark could be the Mole but I so wouldn’t take that bet to Vegas. I’ve also started to come to terms with the fact that if I weren’t still curious about who the Mole may or may not be, I would probably stop watching the show. The belabored editing drives me batty. I’m fairly convinced that there’s really only 20 minutes of show there. And I thought the way the series treated Craig’s hypothermia was ridiculous and in such poor taste. The show is all about created drama when there’s actual real drama, they shouldn't treat it like it's part of the game .
Also I am wondering if anyone will take my business that Paul is the new Boston Rob. I’m rooting for him and I’m with everyone who thinks Nicole can’t leave the game fast enough. I will be so disappointed/proud if Paul turns out to be the Mole.
What do you think about The Mole? Talk about it below.
Paula vs. Mary
I was talking to a friend of mine recently about So You Think You Can Dance and she declared that she actually mutes her TV during Mary Murphy’s comments and then declared "Paula Abdul is a saint compared to her."
And I have to say, I kind of agree. I'm so distracted by all the bizarre noises Mary makes. And her references to being on the "hot tamale train" may be even more annoying than Randy Jackson placing every contestant into his dawg pound. What's most aggravating is that she does have insightful comments to make but they seem to get lost in all her vocal histrionics.
Of course, other than that, I remain completely in love with the show and all about Twitch.
Quote of the Week
"She is one of the angriest, most controlling, most toxic women I’ve ever encountered and I work for a female assassin." Horst Vanderhof (Dave Foley) to Marshall about Mary on In Plain Sight.
That’s all for today. I’m back on Monday with the results of the 2008 Amy Awards (whoo-hoo!) and to once again open up the debate – do the Emmys matter? Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com
Too bad about secret life. I was hoping it would be ok, but I don't want to watch stereotyped teens.
kirra | Jun 27, 2008 10:01:03 AM | #What?! Paula is WAY more annoying than Mary. Mary is real and gives honest and gritty opinions. She doesn't sugar coat it like Paula does. If she likes you, great if not, she's not afraid to tell you. The screaming is all a part of Mary's charm.
Merri | Jun 27, 2008 10:12:48 AM | #Kristen is the Mole. I said it three weeks ago; I said it two weeks ago (even when there was a big flag from Texas hanging at the dinner--Texas is Victoria's home state--or was it a flag of Chile?) and I said it last week. Kristen is the Mole.
Neil | Jun 27, 2008 10:23:19 AM | #Mary is annoying to the max. You generally can't hear Paula when the other judges are talking but Mary's horrific, ear-shattering, fingernails on chalkboard like laugh is non-stop.
ToonTom | Jun 27, 2008 10:23:57 AM | #I am the exact opposite when it comes to the Mole.
I really really hate Paul...I really wish Nicole would have killed him in his sleep (along with Alex). For some reason he just really rubs me the wrong way. Nicole is awesome; she's in my top 3 choices on Mole candidates(along with Craig and Clay).
Matt | Jun 27, 2008 10:50:39 AM | #I think it is funny that Molly is playing the mother of a pregnant teen on this new show. A little remembered movie from her hey day is "For Keeps" she was a teen mother in that.
And Mary on SYTYCD is the most annoying human being on this Earth. I can not believe Nigel has not punched her in the face.
Danielle | Jun 27, 2008 10:55:20 AM | #I'm so NOT in love with Twitch. As a friend of mine said, he could crap on the stage and the judges would rave about it. I just don't understand their love affair with him.
After this week, my new favorite is Mark. I absolutely loved his performance on Wed. night (to Leona Lewis's Bleeding Love) as well his role in the group performance on Thursday night. Passionate one night, deliciously evil the next. And good looking to boot - this guy has it all!
tara | Jun 27, 2008 10:56:26 AM | #"The Secret Life of the American Teenager" was originally called "The Sex Life of the American Teenager" and was set up at Fox about 5 years ago. I don't know about anyone else, but I find this description (from The Futon Critic) REALLY funny given what the show has turned out to be:
THE SEX LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER (FOX, New!) - "7th Heaven" creator Brenda Hampton is set to team with 20th Century Fox TV-based producer Susanne Daniels to develop a new primetime drama for the network. FOX has given a premium script commitment to the project, which focuses on the sex lives of teenagers at a Midwestern high school. Daniels, the former entertainment head of the WB, sees the series as a potential companion piece for FOX's summer hit "The O.C." The pair also say despite its title, the ensemble hour is neither explicit nor a heavy-handed morality tale. Among the characters for the series mentioned to Daily Variety: "a devout Christian cheerleader and her boyfriend, the captain of the football team who is struggling with his own sexuality, as well as the sexually active majorette whose drummer boyfriend is also sleeping with the 15-year-old who isn't quite sure if what she's done is sex." Also much like "The O.C.," the kids' stories will be balanced with storylines for the parents as well as "a school counselor who arrives baring collegiate advice and winds up fending off students from the free condom jar."
Mike | Jun 27, 2008 10:57:09 AM | #-"a devout Christian cheerleader and her boyfriend, the captain of the football team who is struggling with his own sexuality"
Sounds almost / exactly like the movie Saved, expect for the cheerleader/football part. Great movie, if you're interested.
lee-ann | Jun 27, 2008 11:07:31 AM | #I can't even watch "so you think you can dance" because of Mary. My roommate tried to get me into it several times but no way could I ever sit through an entire show having to hear that woman. It's too bad because I hear its a very good show. And Paula IS a saint compared to her...hands down.
Anna | Jun 27, 2008 11:43:54 AM | #I hand handle (read: Tivo Skip) the MM screaming and all references to the HTT, but I am fraking tired of the all the "fancy" camera work.
I mean how does Matthew Diamond expect us to see the visual beauty of the choreography/dancers with the crazy turny-upside down camera shots. Its almost enough to make me laugh even more at the show. When 'twitch-ington' does a supe cool life, its hard to see how nice it is when we are looking at it overhead from the back at a 30 degree angle.
anyways, I am just saying its killing the momentum.
jrp001 | Jun 27, 2008 12:49:14 PM | #I adore Twitch and I think that everything he's done so far is outstanding. My favorite, though, is Joshua, if only because he looks so tough until he grins.
Anyway, I, too, have to fast forward through Mary. It's too bad, because she seems to, when she's not having an outburst, have very good criticisms. The tone of her voice when she's excited gives me a headache, though.
Gretchen | Jun 27, 2008 1:32:29 PM | #Have to agree on the Mary thing. We stopped watching at my house because of her. But to be honest, the host of the show, the Orbit gum girl wannabe, she's just as annoying, when you can understand what she's saying. And Nigel seems so uneducated when it comes to dance next to the other judges. I tried to give the show a chance, but can't stomach it anymore.
MikeyB | Jun 27, 2008 3:30:16 PM | #Mary's a hoot! She's unique and totally not afraid to be herself and I for one look forward to who she feels is worthy of first-class tickets on the Hot Tamale Train. :)
And anyone who feels that Nigel seems uneducated about dance doesn't listen. He started in dance when he was about 10 before getting into being a choreographer. He has worked on hundreds of shows all over the world for some of the biggest names in entertainment (and five Royal Variety Performances).
But it shouldn't be about the hosts, regardless about what you think of them. SYTYCD is about the dancing. Thanks so much to Nigel for bringing such wonderful young talent into our homes and for shining new light on the world of dance!
Leanne | Jun 27, 2008 4:13:46 PM | #I kinda don't wanna watch The Secret Life... anymore, I've read too many bad reviews.
Maggie | Jun 27, 2008 4:26:14 PM | #I'll watch the first episode of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" for Molly Ringwald. If she can't compensate for the stereotypes in the rest of the cast, that first episode will also be my last.
Henry | Jun 27, 2008 4:42:41 PM | #I turn on closed captioning and mute the tv when a show has a character I can't stand to listen to. I suggest you try that with SYTYCD.
g | Jun 27, 2008 7:08:52 PM | #i'll join the few who find Mary totally entertaining judge with some real criticism and sincere excitment. But i'll agree with Leanne when i say if you can't watch the show because of the judges than u obviously are not enjoying what the show is all about -- the awesome dancing!
Lillian | Jun 27, 2008 10:16:05 PM | #Mary is killing me! Honestly, where did they find that woman?! This is the first season of SYTYCD that I'm watching and I really like it. I suffer through even the Mary comments, because sometimes she does give good criticism. I refuse to watch AI, so I can't say anything about Paula.
My favorite to win would be Joshua though. He is so great!
I love Paula! People give her a lot of grief but she's #15 with the most #1 songs, it's only people like the Beatles and Michael Jackson who are in front of her. Plus she's hot! And compassionate.
I like Mary too, she makes me laugh. Nigel is really ugly.
Bob | Jun 28, 2008 6:11:53 AM | #I'm really disappointed to hear that 'Secret Life' isn't so good after all. I'm still planning on watching the premiere, since I try to give every new show a shot, plus there's little else on during the summer. Sadly, I will probably keep watching, since I used to tune into '7th Heaven' just to make fun of the clunky dialogue and bad acting (BTW I make fun of CSI:Miami as well). ;-)
Interesting note: the first time I saw a commercial for 'Secret Life', I immediately recognized the actress who plays the main character Amy -- she was the original Kaitlin Cooper on The O.C.
I enjoyed The Mole in past seasons, but I have to say this new edition is definitely missing something. Half way through each episode I find myself flipping through the channels looking for something else to watch. I usually return just to see who got executed.
I will watch at least the first episode of 'Secret Life' to see how it is. After that it is wait and see.
And I think Alex is the Mole
dream | Jun 28, 2008 10:19:41 PM | #I actually find MAry Mupy pretty funny....yes a little screechy sometimes but funny! I wish she would replace Paula, who is just ridiculous! At leat MAry actually critiques them instead of commenting how beautiful they look! Put me on the hot tamale train!
Courtney | Jun 29, 2008 8:01:16 AM | #I love Mary! She can be a bit annoying at times, but she is so happy and excited to be judging these kids and to be part of the show. I don't even watch idol anymore because I feel like the judges just come in, say whatever and collect their paycheques. And her critques, as well as the other judges actually make sense and are constructive rather than a "well I just wasn't feeling that."
I look forward every week to my ride on the hot tamale train! WOOOOOOOO
Jess | Jun 29, 2008 11:57:36 AM | #
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