Teen Television?
Posted by teenlibrarylit on March 13, 2008
A friend told me that I would get to watch television for homework for this class. As a very open television junkie, I was extremely excited for this week in the semester. I read the list of suggested shows and saw a couple favorites like Chuck and Project Runway (though I didn’t watch this past season because of school work). After I got over my excitement about having an excuse to sit and zone out in front of the television, I started to really think about the examples given.
I had never really thought of Chuck as a show for teens. Initially, it was just the show on before Heroes (which I would have thought of as more of a teen show), and then it became that show I wouldn’t miss for anything. I don’t know why I don’t think of it as a show for teens. I can see now after some thought that the characters are witty, yet very vulnerable in their own way. Teens could definitely identify with the feelings that Chuck has about being attracted to the woman he works with and the animosity he feels for the guy who got him kicked out of school. Marshall is an extremely likable character who never quite fits in but is always himself with moments of an almost a naive lack of personal awareness. I think that it had never registered until this class that teens may identify with the characters on a broader scope and not in the pigeon hole I had them in because they were mid-to late twenty somethings and working, not going to school. I also missed the obvious technology aspect to the show. There are tons of cool gadgets on Chuck as well as simple everyday gadgets like televisions and computers. Also, there is often a scene with one of the characters playing a video game or referencing a video game.
This made me look at another show that I would have said was a show for teens, Freaks and Geeks. While I think this show is still a good show for teens to watch because of the struggles that Lindsay and Sam go through. Lindsay is a “geek” who is trying to transform her into a “freak” and will do anything to be accepted into that group. And Sam is a freshman who is struggling with not “being a little kid” any more. I think that teens could identify with some of the characters on the show and some of the choices they have to make. But I know part of the reason I enjoyed this show were some of the things that reminded me of the time period I grew up during. I’m not that many teens now would appreciate Bill’s love of the show Dallas and Nick’s obsession with Styx or Ken’s hilarious laser show date. I don’t know if these references would be too much and loose the teen in the time period or if the teen would want to watch the show because it is one of the most honest representations of what it is like to go through high school that I have ever seen.
In the end, I think a show isn’t a teen show or an adult show. Different shows, like books, are going to attract different people with different likes and dislikes.
teenbooksaregreat said
I also watched Chuck this week, but it was the first time I saw it. We don’t get cable, and don’t spend much time watching TV (except when I very easily get sucked into it and can’t stop watching). Okay, that’s not true, we do spend a fair amount of time watching TV – usually my husband starts, then I’m sucked in. Anyway, somehow we had missed Chuck, probably because the kids are just getting to bed then. Thank goodness for nbc.com where I can watch the show, but I think I missed some introductory episodes. I’m hooked! But, like you,I didn’t really feel that this was a “teen” show. I asked a couple of my teen students, and didn’t get an overwhelming response for Chuck, but I will try to ask more students in the next few days. I agree with your statement that there aren’t really teen or adult shows. I know adults that LOVE American Idol (I keep telling myself I’ll watch it tomorrow night), and some popular shows with teens that I asked are re-runs, specifically King of Queens, which has nothing to do with teens. In the end, it’s what appeals on some level; kind of like books?
Linda said
Yes, what makes a TV show one that appeals to teens. Teen characters in it? An interesting premise? Something else?
On the Freaks and Geeks front – I am a huge fan of that show and am devastated by the fact that I lent my series set of CDs to someone, don’t remember who, and don’t know where they are. But, that aside. Freaks and Geeks goes back to the conversation we had in class about whether or not an adult book is of interest to teens. If the book or TV show is like a memoir instead of telling a story that is actually happening – no matter what the time period – then the book or TV show isn’t going to resonate with teens. In some ways I think Freaks and Geeks falls into the memoir category.
I too am a very heavy TV watcher. It’s important to validate that for teens just like it is validating graphic novels, texting, etc.