ABC Family and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager"

I have to admit, I groaned both audibly and inwardly last night when my wife asked me to record (sorry... we still have redneck TiVo... also known as VCR) a new show debuting on ABC Family last night called "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." Mostly I groaned because the majority of the shows on ABC Family are sappy and not very interesting (in my opinion)(and I really don't like ABC Family... there's nothing much family orientated about ABC Family). But this show in particular is getting some buzz this morning on the Internet among Christian circles. Mostly because of several main characters being "Christians."

I have not had a chance to watch the first episode myself. But I plan to (maybe before I publish this post). Maybe even this afternoon. [Edit: I have watched it now, as I finalize this post for publishing.] But I did notice that Walt Mueller posted some really great thoughts this morning about the show. (You can find those HERE.) If there is something going on in culture (movies, TV, music, video games, etc), Walt is an expert. I read what he writes and it's right on target.

He says: "So do we watch next Tuesday at 8pm (the airtime for this new show)? Or do we find a good book and lay in the hammock? It all depends on who else will be watching. If it catches on with the kids – and I think it’s destined to do just that – then we should be watching too. Then, we need to do some talking as this is one show that will help open doors for discussion on a variety of real-life issues, each of which the Scriptures speak to in liberating and life-giving ways."

I will take a look at it and potentially spend some time watching it over the next couple of weeks and months... not for its incredible plot-line (as my guess is that since it's from the creators of Seventh Heaven, that it will follow in their ultra-sappy, ultra-predictable plot development) or it's believable characters (because they are almost always one dimensional and stereotypical). But because it seems poised to follow in the path of "Seventh Heaven," "Gilmore [Edit: My bad on the spelling... I often forget that there are multiple spellings of Gilmour/Gilmore and I chose incorrectly... My bad.) Girls" and "One Tree Hill" in their attempt to reflect teen culture, especially among teen girls.

So, my advice to you is that maybe you should take in an episode if you have any kind of connection with students... especially if you have students in your house... as chances are, they are watching it or have friends who are watching it.

Once I've taken a look for myself, I will post some more thoughts about it. [Edit: I have watched it now. There is a great deal of "sex" talk in this TV show... more than is comfortable for a casual viewer. And I was somewhat surprised to see a warning at the beginning about offensive content. But I do think it's unrealistic in many cases.]

But please note... I am in no way endorsing this TV show. If your student isn't watching this show, don't encourage them to. I am simply commenting on what is happening in student culture and encouraging parents to be aware of what their students may be watching.


Jim

24 Season 7 will have to wait... ugh!

I knew this would happen when the writers' strike started.

24's next installment... Season 7 will have to wait until January 2009.

Here's a bit of an article found HERE:
"So "24" represents this television season's most prominent casualty due to the writers strike. A January 2009 start seemed the best way to comply with viewers' wishes that a season's episodes run without interruption to conclusion, Fox said on Thursday."

So... It sucks that 24 will have to wait, even though the writers' strike is over...

And it stinks double because now that the writers are back, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno is back to it's normal lameness. I love the Tonight Show and watch it every night before turning out the light. And I actually thought that the Tonight Show was better in the last 6 weeks since it came back without writers... But that's just my opinion...

So no 24... and a lamer Tonight Show... This writers' strike stinks... on both sides...

Jim

Survivor - Micronesia!!

I did happen to see the first ad today for the new Survivor - Micronesia!!!

It's 10 fans of the show (new contestants) and 10 favorites from previous shows. James from this final one is back... Yau-man is back... and everyone's favorite, Johnny Fairplay is back.

It starts February 7th. I've already got my VCR (poor-man's-Tivo) programmed and ready to go!! I can't wait!!!

Jim

American Gladiators...

I remember back in the late 80's until the mid-90's a cheesy Saturday morning show called "American Gladiators." For us, it was a late Saturday morning show that often followed "Saved by the Bell."

Recently... tonight... NBC resurrected this dinosaur of a show. I was missing Sunday Night NFL, so I landed here instead. Mostly because nothing else was on.

It's still just as cheesy and lame as it ever was. Basically the show pits oversized, washed up body builders and wrestlers against average guys and girls in games that involved some physical skill (shooting at a target, working across some rings).

Many of the contests are the same as they were back in the 90's. The Gladiators are different... obviously... most of those on the original show are probably in a nursing home somewhere. But the gladiators are just as cheesy as they were back then (they even have a dude named "Wolf" and he kinda looks like it)... the contestants are just as lame as before... The only redeeming quality to this show is that they have Hulk Hogan as one of the hosts. Nothing like a little Hulkster, baby!

I would say... "lame... skip it..."

Jim

Quantum Leap!!!

I'm chillin' at home tonight...

Enjoying a little Quantum Leap Season 2!!! I was a Quantum Leap junkie when I was a kid... I watched every episode when it was new on TV... And I didn't realize that they were on DVD until I saw them in Wal-Mart a while back.

Tonight, I'm relaxing on couch watching some Quantum Leap! It's great!!! Right now I'm watching "The Americanization of Machiko"

Jim

Man vs. Wild fake??

This story just about shook my world...

Check it out HERE:

Here's a snipet...
"Channel 4 is to investigate a claim that it misled viewers in a survival series, in the latest allegation of reality being manipulated on a TV show.

Born Survivor featured British adventurer Bear Grylls dealing with "perilous situations" in the wild.

But a crew member told the Sunday Times some nights were spent in hotels.

Channel 4 insisted Grylls was never billed as working entirely unaided, but promised to raise the matter with the production company that made the show.

American survival consultant Mark Weinert, who was recruited by Diverse Productions, told the paper Grylls claimed to be stranded on a desert island on one occasion."

I love Man vs. Wild... but, they never say that it is actual situation. It's that he is showing you how to do it.

It's still good stuff.

Jim