Thankfully, the show isn't just about Amy-everyone here gets lots of time to shine, including the adults (who frequently behave like children). Got all that? I won't begin to relay the shifting loyalties, crushes and friendships-but life isn't easy for any of these characters as the peer pressure, double standards and rumor mill of high school are in full force. They're the counterparts to Ben's sidekicks (and couple) Henry (Allen Evangelista) and Alice (Amy Rider), a walking sex statistician: "Most people don't have good sex: 52 percent of Americans 16 and older are not fully satisfied with their sex lives." Back at school, Amy is joined at the hip to best friends Madison (Renee Olstead) and Lauren (Camille Winbush). At Amy's side is acerbic 13-year-old sister Ashley (India Eisley), whose deadpan demeanor hides a kind heart. Meanwhile, rich geek Ben Boykewich (Ken Baumann) can't keep his eyes off Amy, slowing breaking down her defenses until she submits to his quirky charm.īack at home, Amy has to contend with parents Anne (Ringwald, looking as young as ever) and George (Mark Derwin, who I fondly recall from another funny short-lived series, Life with Bonnie), who is also Kathleen's ex-husband. Grace is dating jock Jack (Greg Finley), who becomes increasingly frustrated with her chaste ways. Ricky soon sets his sights on chipper "Jesus freak" Grace Bowman (Megan Park, who had a small role in Diary of the Dead!), a devoted Christian who vows to remain a virgin until marriage-much to the delight of parents Kathleen (Bissett) and Marshall (the one and only Bo Duke, John Schneider). Like Ricky, she uses sex as a weapon (even flirting with the school guidance counselor)-but deep down wants something more. ![]() He's "bed buddies" with flirty majorette Adrian (Francia Raisa), another troubled kid from a broken family. She's pregnant, the result of a band camp mistake with drummer Ricky Underwood (Daren Kagasoff), a smooth talking ladies man with a troubled past (after being sexually abused by his father, he wound up in the foster care system). ![]() It's just another day in the life of 15-year-old California high school student Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley)-until she confirms her worst fear. Show creator Brenda Hampton honed her craft on 7th Heaven, although I prefer her work from the underrated Fat Actress, a show with similar snap and wit. Its smart yet sexy sensibility cracks the sugar coating of safe shows like Saved by the Bell, a series this one has very little in common with other than the setting and the archetype high school characters (which are far more developed here). Grace: "I don't know, I'll ask my mother." Jack: "Is oral sex allowed before marriage? I mean, if two people are committed to one another and in love with each other." There are boys with one-track minds, girls who put out (and those that don't), and lots of questions we can all relate to: It's appropriate that Molly Ringwald and Josie Bissett are in the cast-you can see the influence of Sixteen Candles and Melrose Place (did I mention that Jason Priestly directs a few episodes?). isn't afraid of sex talk, and a lot of it. It becomes clear in the opening scenes of the first episode that Secret Life. Well guess what? They don't make teen programming like they used to-especially on "family" channels. After all, the show runs on ABC Family, so how sharp, daring and realistic could it possibly be? My expectations weren't much higher for The Secret Life of the American Teenager, another "controversial" look at teenage pregnancy. ![]() Sure I laughed, but the film was a little too cute for its own good (do kids today really talk like that?!), a little "Oh, isn't teen pregnancy funny!" for my taste. "You're only young once.you should be having a little fun!"ĭon't tell anyone, but I thought Juno was a little overrated.
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