‘Tween TV is wrong!
I have had to sit through too many of these ‘tween comedies on both Disney Channel(Suite Life of Zach and Cody) and Nickelodeon(icarly) to not comment as a mom and educator. Have you noticed the trend towards parents/adults/educators played as buffoons? The adult characters are ridiculous and the tween protagonist is always the wittiest, brightest, coolest kid in his/her class. Basically every episode is formatted to follow this pattern:
- Kids get in trouble with an adult
- Kids do something sneaky to get around the consequence.
- Kids usually succeed in getting their way/making adult look foolish.
- Kids sit on couch at the end of episode, smugly reviewing how fun it was.
(based on about three seasons of Drake and Josh that I have seen the same episode about 50 times)
If you aren’t aware of these programs and want to see for yourself,you can click this link and read about Sam, the female sidekick to Carly on Viacom owned Nick’s icarly. It is her list of ways to get detention. I will be exerting my parental right to turn this drival off.
April 6th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I’m not sure teachers have [very often] been portrayed much differently. Remember Fast Times @ Ridgemont High? Carrie? Beavis and Butthead? Mr. Garrison? Ferris Bueller? Strangers with Candy?
April 6th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Yea, but Cliff and Clare Huxtable ruled the roost- and their kids knew it.
Mike and Carol Brady too. These shows put all adults in that negative ridiculous postion.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I am aware of all that stuff as American tween vomedies pop up our TV channels more and more often.
However, there have been some quality Spanish comedies in which both family and school environments are portrayed according to the most loyal reality I’ve every dreamed of. Teachers mix up with students, having sex at prime time, drug-taking among underage students, promotion of playing truant for student as the most interesting and educative school activity. For GS, isn’t that sad? Students love it! Can you believe it?
April 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I’m sorry I forgot to write a link on the Spanish comedy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68TosO68l0k&feature=related
I’m afraid it’s in Spanish for those who can’t understand Cervantes’s language.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Pedro-
I watched the clip. I think I would enjoy that show too, if I weren’t on a rant against media making teachers especially look bad. Back to watching wholesome entertainment like Wife Swap and SuperNanny…..ha ha