Teen TV Dramas: Just Like Your Life, Only Way Cooler
First of all, let me say I’m impressed. When I decided to delve into the serious, thought-provoking area of teenage dramas on TV, I have to admit I was skeptical. Maybe it had something to do with my past addiction with the premier teen drama, Beverly Hills, 90210. No, not the wannabe knock-off but the original. You know, where the collective high school cast’s average age was thirty-seven? Well, anyway, I didn’t think anything could come closer to real teen situations and angst than that.
Oh, how wrong I was.
Take Gossip Girl. It’s ‘teen’ cast has a much younger average age of 24 years-old. Much more plausible. And the plot lines? Just look at the first season alone – teenage girls are always sabotaging fashion shows and kissing the wrong guys at masquerade balls. As for boys? We know they open strip clubs ALL THE TIME.
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/1/7/3817451/2602666.jpg?231)
HAVE SEX AND YOUR DAD WILL DIE.
Take that as a warning.
Anyway, given this realistic change in programming, you might wonder if you belong in a teenage drama. My answer is a definite ‘maybe.’ With TV mirroring teen life so well, it’s really hard to tell. That is, until now.
Below you’ll find a scene that could take place at any lunch table across America. Just follow along until you have a dialogue choice. If you find your typical conversations lean more toward choice #2 than #1, then I’d start taking theater classes. After all, you’ll be an adult before you know it and, thereby, able to play a teenager on TV.
Here it is:
__________________________
Tina: Lori, you look so tired. You’re not still (texting/conducting satanic rituals) with Sam all night?
Lori: No. I’ve had to start (working at Burger King/pole dancing) after school to pay for my (IPod song/crack cocaine) addiction. It’s wiping me out!
Tina: That sucks. But, hey, I’ve got an idea! Emily’s mom is looking for someone to (mow their lawn/lie for them in a court case). Emily can’t do it because she’s (too busy with cross-country practice/flying to Paris for a fashion photo shoot). I hear the money’s pretty good.
Lori: Jeez. Normally I’d say yes, but last week I went to Emily’s and caught her parents (kissing/conducting animal experiments) in the kitchen. I’m too embarrassed to go back.
Tina: No way. Hey, isn’t her dad (coaching her little brother’s soccer team/a transvestite)?
Lori: He was until (John’s dad took over/his parole officer found out).
Tina: What about Emily’s older brother? He’s only a high-school junior, but I hear he (already applied to two colleges/is dating our science teacher).
Lori: Seriously? I thought he (wants to go to State/is part of a high-tech smuggling ring). Hey, here comes Emily now. Let’s ask. Just make sure not to say anything about (the huge pimple on her forehead/her evil twin’s diabolical plan).
____________________________
So tell me, does one sound more familiar than the other?
Thought so.
You’d better head over to the drama department now. Hollywood is calling.
Photo credit: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Pl2hB7lw-aoAYHmJC7lVsw