I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with one of my oldest friends; we've been friends since 4th grade and now we're 35 and 36. We spent some of our time together discussing tv shows; I watch a lot of it lately thanks to TIVO, mandatory restricted activity because of my twin pregnancy, and a toddler who loves long naps. We are both enjoying the new 90210 and plan to continue to follow this new season. She encouraged me to check out Gossip Girl, which I began watching when it premiered but let go after a few episodes.
Most of us remember high school as a sort of Pandora's Box. It is a time of firsts; many people have their first love around this time. It is a time that encourages all sorts of adventures, likely resulting from a non-fully developed brain, strong influences from other non-fully developed brains, experimentation with personal boundaries, explorations with substances, increased freedom and the ability to travel about. All of these things are reflected in the current "high school drama" tv shows... However, I cannot help but notice that while the high school students portrayed on these shows do have much in common with my own memories as well as my experiences with teenagers as a teacher, there is something distinctly different... These students have access to personal planes, designer clothing, unlimited money, and mansions often staffed with chefs, assistants, and housekeepers. We know that tv viewers want to see attractive people on tv shows, but I cannot help wondering if things have gotten a little out of hand.
What are we as viewers and consumers being sold through these media portrayals? Do teenagers expect that their lives will unfold easily and these elements of material wealth will fall easily into their laps? Many certainly do. Would 90210 be as interesting if set in Roswell, Georgia, and featured teenagers driving Hondas and Toyotas and traveling on the Marta public transportation instead of new 911 Porchas and private planes? The drama is the same - teenagers are teenagers - they love fiercely, the take dangerous risks, and they often make poor decisions. Isn't this enough for compelling tv?
I will continue to watch the new 90210 and may even give Gossip Girl another chance. Perhaps some of you can share your thoughts about this. In the meantime I'm going to try and get over my new desire to have a Hermes Birkin Bag, THE designer purse which would only set me back around $9000.00 assuming I could stand the multi-year waiting list...
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