Top TV Shows for Teen in Fall 2008
Gossip Girl
I'm certainly seeing a new side of Serena van der Woodsen this season, hmmmm? She was all sweetness and light when she was dating Dan Humphrey, but now that they've called it quits, Serena seems to be turning into the snobby, backstabbing spoiled rich kid she was reputed to be before she hooked up with Dan. In fact, I'm feeling sorry for her supposed BFF Blair, who certainly can cook up a wicked plot of her own, but does show loyalty to Serena when Serena isn't sleeping with her boyfriend or stealing the spotlight at Blair's mom's fashion show. I'm also loving every minute of Chuck Bass screen time this season (for us, he's hands down the most interesting character on the show), and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he and Blair will once again return to the love aspect of their love-hate relationship. Also on my wish list: More storyline for Nate and Serena's bro, Eric, while I'm hearing Serena is about to get a new boyfriend. Sorry, Dan.
Smallville
Sure, Lex and Lana aren't regulars this season, but hottie hero Clark Kent (
Tom Welling) is still in action, and he's started his journalism career with a job at
The Daily Planet. There's also the return of Oliver Queen, whose alter ego is Green Arrow (one of Superman's Justice League cohorts), and, at last, some romance for Chloe, who's spent so many years crushin' on her best – but platonic – buddy Clark. In fact, I hear there may be a wedding for Chloe in November, and while Clark will be busy trying to keep his Superman identity under wraps, he also starts feeling all romantic 'n things about his
Planet co-worker Lois. Well, until Lana makes a surprise return …
The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island: Hollywood
We all can probably agree that it may be time for these former
Real World-ers and
Road Rules-ers to grow up and get real jobs. But, that certainly wouldn't be as fun to watch, and this season of the
RW/RR Challenge has definitely been fun. Former cast members – including some you love and some you love to hate – are stranded on a "deserted" island this time around, meaning none of the fancy, tricked out beach houses they've lived in during past seasons. In fact, even their supply of food is rationed, which makes for some cranky reality stars. The goal for the season: to win challenges that provide the winners with keys, one of which will unlock a buried treasure that houses a cool $300,000 prize. Yeah, that might be worth a few weeks of roughing it on an island and listening to "Johnny Bananas" alternately scream at and try to hook up with all the females. Or maybe not …
One Tree Hill
I thought it would be a little cheesy when the show employed its now-famous plot of jumping five years into the future, but I have to hand it to the
OTH producers: It was a genius move! It was a great way to refresh the show and get us interested in the characters again … crazy nanny Carrie! Nathan's mom's hooking up with Skillz! Lucas and Peyton are FINALLY getting married! I'm still bumming about the death of a certain high school basketball player – which I won't spoil here in case you're still catching up with the new season – though I hear he'll be making some sort of appearance later in the season (as a ghost maybe?). Elsewhere, though Peyton and Lucas have set the date, all may not yet be resolved with Lucas' ex-fiance, and rumor has it that Brooke might finally find a love of her own, as well as a thriving new business.
New Beverly Hills 90210
Is anyone loving this new
90210 as much as they loved the original
Beverly Hills 90210? I'll confess, I'm still longing for the days when Brandon Walsh helped Nate sling burgers at The Peach Pit. Still, this remake is a fun, soapy entry into The CW's line-up, and Tristan Wilds as Wilson family member Dixon is, IOHO, one of the yummiest guys – and best actors – on TV right now. The drama's good, too – Silver's sad storyline with her alcoholic mom, Naomi's heartbreak at finding out that her boyfriend was cheating on her just before finding out her dad was cheating on her mom … those characters could easily be one-dimensional, but like with Kelly and Dylan on the original series, Silver and Naomi manage to be sympathetic, even when they're acting like spoiled brats. I also love seeing the aforementioned Kelly and her old pal/rival Brenda mixing it up with the current West Beverly students, and another blast from the past – a certain Mr. Brandon Walsh – will also be returning to his old zip code soon.
Privileged
Like
Gossip Girl,
Privileged is also based on a young adult novel, in this case author Zoey Dean's
How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. The charming story revolves around recent Yale grad Megan, who dreams of a prestigious career in journalism, but has so far been toiling away at a tabloid. One day, she gets fired from her job and serendipitously meets make-up queen Laurel Limoges, who hires Megan to be a live-in tutor to Laurel's bratty teen granddaughters Rose and Sage. The girls prove to be quite a challenge – they're not making Megan's job easy, though it's clear she's going to win them over eventually. Besides, in the meantime, Megan has some killer job perks, like a fab private room, a hot car and a chef to whip up her fave foods. There are also plenty of gorgeous men in her 'hood, not to mention her yummy best friend Charlie, who's more than just a little head over heels in love with her.
Chuck
Chuck Bartowski, our favorite TV nerd. Actually, don't let the nerd tag fool ya … Chuck, as played by all-kinds-of-yummy actor
Zachary Levi, is a nerd, but a very adorkable nerd. In fact, he's the leader of the Nerd Herd, the Geek Squad-ish computer experts who work at the fictitious Buy More superstore. But, through a fluke that later turned out to not be an accident at all, Chuck's big brain was filled with a computer download of the U.S. government's top secret spy info, meaning Chuck had to be recruited as an undercover spy himself. That has led to some dangerous – and hilarious – missions for the fake 007, as well as a crush on his beautiful spy handler, Sarah. He's also got a nerdy sidekick/BFF, Morgan, who's good for more than a few laughs; some quirky Buy More co-workers; and a sweet sister who's engaged to a doctor who's so smart, handsome and nice that the gang affectionately refers to him as Captain Awesome.
Lincoln Heights
This under-the-radar family drama has almost made us forget how sad we were that
7th Heaven left the airwaves.
Lincoln follows the Sutton family, led by dad Eddie, who move into a rough neighborhood – where Eddie grew up as a child – so that policeman Eddie can try to make it a better place. There are problems along the way – race riots, bullies picking on the Sutton kids, mom Jen's problems and work … and much of the show also revolves around the teen romance of Eddie's daughter Cassie and her boyfriend Charles. The duo has gone through many dramatic trials – her father's disapproval of them dating, Charles' ex-girlfriend returning, a break-up – and this season they're taking their relationship to a whole new level, which leads to a pregnancy scare!
Greek
Are we still hoping for a Casey/Cappie reunion? Of course, but in the meantime,
Greek continues to be one of the most clever, funny and heartfelt dramedies on TV. This season, as the Cyprus-Rhodes University crew gets older, they also start to deal with more grown-up problems, like Casey's new boyfriend Max, whose last girlfriend died. Cappie's still together with Casey's sorority sister (and rival) Rebecca, though I'm hearing rumors that the two are headed for splitsville. And since Casey's pairing with Max seems doomed, too, maybe that Casey/Cappie reunion isn't as far off as we thought. I also hear there's an upcoming episode where Casey's bro Rusty will have a little flirtation with Casey's BFF Ashleigh, while Casey's ex, Evan, will continue to be a rat, Rusty will be shocked when his ex returns and Casey and Ashleigh do a little snooping in Frannie's room and find out some very interesting – and useful – info. And all that's just in the next few episodes! No wonder I love this show so much. Oh, yeah, Cappie and those other hot cast members don't hurt.
Fringe
Four words: Cutie pie Joshua Jackson. Need we say more? Oh, okay. This latest drama from
Felicity/
Alias/
Lost creator
J.J. Abrams is a sci-fi-ish/conspiracy drama that stars the former Pacey Witter as Peter (the son of a famous, genius scientist) who, along with his dad and the FBI, is investigating a series of strange occurrences around the world that all fall under the umbrella of "fringe science," i.e. telepathy, levitation, invisibility, reanimation, etc. Peter and his dad had been estranged until they started working together on these mysterious happenings, and things still don't always go so smoothly for the father and son, but each of them is key in figuring out, and hopefully preventing, this pattern of strange events.
I'm certainly seeing a new side of Serena van der Woodsen this season, hmmmm? She was all sweetness and light when she was dating Dan Humphrey, but now that they've called it quits, Serena seems to be turning into the snobby, backstabbing spoiled rich kid she was reputed to be before she hooked up with Dan. In fact, I'm feeling sorry for her supposed BFF Blair, who certainly can cook up a wicked plot of her own, but does show loyalty to Serena when Serena isn't sleeping with her boyfriend or stealing the spotlight at Blair's mom's fashion show. I'm also loving every minute of Chuck Bass screen time this season (for us, he's hands down the most interesting character on the show), and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he and Blair will once again return to the love aspect of their love-hate relationship. Also on my wish list: More storyline for Nate and Serena's bro, Eric, while I'm hearing Serena is about to get a new boyfriend. Sorry, Dan.
Sure, Lex and Lana aren't regulars this season, but hottie hero Clark Kent (Tom Welling) is still in action, and he's started his journalism career with a job at The Daily Planet. There's also the return of Oliver Queen, whose alter ego is Green Arrow (one of Superman's Justice League cohorts), and, at last, some romance for Chloe, who's spent so many years crushin' on her best – but platonic – buddy Clark. In fact, I hear there may be a wedding for Chloe in November, and while Clark will be busy trying to keep his Superman identity under wraps, he also starts feeling all romantic 'n things about his Planet co-worker Lois. Well, until Lana makes a surprise return …
We all can probably agree that it may be time for these former Real World-ers and Road Rules-ers to grow up and get real jobs. But, that certainly wouldn't be as fun to watch, and this season of the RW/RR Challenge has definitely been fun. Former cast members – including some you love and some you love to hate – are stranded on a "deserted" island this time around, meaning none of the fancy, tricked out beach houses they've lived in during past seasons. In fact, even their supply of food is rationed, which makes for some cranky reality stars. The goal for the season: to win challenges that provide the winners with keys, one of which will unlock a buried treasure that houses a cool $300,000 prize. Yeah, that might be worth a few weeks of roughing it on an island and listening to "Johnny Bananas" alternately scream at and try to hook up with all the females. Or maybe not …
I thought it would be a little cheesy when the show employed its now-famous plot of jumping five years into the future, but I have to hand it to the OTH producers: It was a genius move! It was a great way to refresh the show and get us interested in the characters again … crazy nanny Carrie! Nathan's mom's hooking up with Skillz! Lucas and Peyton are FINALLY getting married! I'm still bumming about the death of a certain high school basketball player – which I won't spoil here in case you're still catching up with the new season – though I hear he'll be making some sort of appearance later in the season (as a ghost maybe?). Elsewhere, though Peyton and Lucas have set the date, all may not yet be resolved with Lucas' ex-fiance, and rumor has it that Brooke might finally find a love of her own, as well as a thriving new business.
Is anyone loving this new 90210 as much as they loved the original Beverly Hills 90210? I'll confess, I'm still longing for the days when Brandon Walsh helped Nate sling burgers at The Peach Pit. Still, this remake is a fun, soapy entry into The CW's line-up, and Tristan Wilds as Wilson family member Dixon is, IOHO, one of the yummiest guys – and best actors – on TV right now. The drama's good, too – Silver's sad storyline with her alcoholic mom, Naomi's heartbreak at finding out that her boyfriend was cheating on her just before finding out her dad was cheating on her mom … those characters could easily be one-dimensional, but like with Kelly and Dylan on the original series, Silver and Naomi manage to be sympathetic, even when they're acting like spoiled brats. I also love seeing the aforementioned Kelly and her old pal/rival Brenda mixing it up with the current West Beverly students, and another blast from the past – a certain Mr. Brandon Walsh – will also be returning to his old zip code soon.
Like Gossip Girl, Privileged is also based on a young adult novel, in this case author Zoey Dean's How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. The charming story revolves around recent Yale grad Megan, who dreams of a prestigious career in journalism, but has so far been toiling away at a tabloid. One day, she gets fired from her job and serendipitously meets make-up queen Laurel Limoges, who hires Megan to be a live-in tutor to Laurel's bratty teen granddaughters Rose and Sage. The girls prove to be quite a challenge – they're not making Megan's job easy, though it's clear she's going to win them over eventually. Besides, in the meantime, Megan has some killer job perks, like a fab private room, a hot car and a chef to whip up her fave foods. There are also plenty of gorgeous men in her 'hood, not to mention her yummy best friend Charlie, who's more than just a little head over heels in love with her.
Chuck Bartowski, our favorite TV nerd. Actually, don't let the nerd tag fool ya … Chuck, as played by all-kinds-of-yummy actor Zachary Levi, is a nerd, but a very adorkable nerd. In fact, he's the leader of the Nerd Herd, the Geek Squad-ish computer experts who work at the fictitious Buy More superstore. But, through a fluke that later turned out to not be an accident at all, Chuck's big brain was filled with a computer download of the U.S. government's top secret spy info, meaning Chuck had to be recruited as an undercover spy himself. That has led to some dangerous – and hilarious – missions for the fake 007, as well as a crush on his beautiful spy handler, Sarah. He's also got a nerdy sidekick/BFF, Morgan, who's good for more than a few laughs; some quirky Buy More co-workers; and a sweet sister who's engaged to a doctor who's so smart, handsome and nice that the gang affectionately refers to him as Captain Awesome.
This under-the-radar family drama has almost made us forget how sad we were that 7th Heaven left the airwaves. Lincoln follows the Sutton family, led by dad Eddie, who move into a rough neighborhood – where Eddie grew up as a child – so that policeman Eddie can try to make it a better place. There are problems along the way – race riots, bullies picking on the Sutton kids, mom Jen's problems and work … and much of the show also revolves around the teen romance of Eddie's daughter Cassie and her boyfriend Charles. The duo has gone through many dramatic trials – her father's disapproval of them dating, Charles' ex-girlfriend returning, a break-up – and this season they're taking their relationship to a whole new level, which leads to a pregnancy scare!
Are we still hoping for a Casey/Cappie reunion? Of course, but in the meantime, Greek continues to be one of the most clever, funny and heartfelt dramedies on TV. This season, as the Cyprus-Rhodes University crew gets older, they also start to deal with more grown-up problems, like Casey's new boyfriend Max, whose last girlfriend died. Cappie's still together with Casey's sorority sister (and rival) Rebecca, though I'm hearing rumors that the two are headed for splitsville. And since Casey's pairing with Max seems doomed, too, maybe that Casey/Cappie reunion isn't as far off as we thought. I also hear there's an upcoming episode where Casey's bro Rusty will have a little flirtation with Casey's BFF Ashleigh, while Casey's ex, Evan, will continue to be a rat, Rusty will be shocked when his ex returns and Casey and Ashleigh do a little snooping in Frannie's room and find out some very interesting – and useful – info. And all that's just in the next few episodes! No wonder I love this show so much. Oh, yeah, Cappie and those other hot cast members don't hurt.
Four words: Cutie pie Joshua Jackson. Need we say more? Oh, okay. This latest drama from Felicity/Alias/Lost creator J.J. Abrams is a sci-fi-ish/conspiracy drama that stars the former Pacey Witter as Peter (the son of a famous, genius scientist) who, along with his dad and the FBI, is investigating a series of strange occurrences around the world that all fall under the umbrella of "fringe science," i.e. telepathy, levitation, invisibility, reanimation, etc. Peter and his dad had been estranged until they started working together on these mysterious happenings, and things still don't always go so smoothly for the father and son, but each of them is key in figuring out, and hopefully preventing, this pattern of strange events.
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