There is something alluring about being young. People tell us we’re experiencing the best years of our lives; and, with glasses raised, we promptly cheer them, assuring that they are, indeed, correct. Advertisers want our sex appeal; employers want our stamina. Young Jeezy, Young Buck, Young Dro and countless others attribute to the appeal of staying young (as opposed to staying “lil,” as Bow Wow and Romeo have shown). All of this, and so much more, leads me to conclude that being young equals the bee’s knees.
But as I was perusing Hulu this past week, I had to ask the question: If it’s so gnarly being young, how come no decent television shows exist that depict our awesomeness? And when there is a decent television show about the younger set, it either gets canceled or goes on for several more seasons of mediocrity before finally, calling it quits. “Freaks and Geeks” and “My So Called Life,” two critically acclaimed shows depicting our most melodramatic, but entertaining, years, were promptly cut. Apparently, no one else was ready to see our peers in all their angst-y glory. Other pop culture staples (see “The OC” and “Gossip Girls”) had amazing first seasons to only peter out into ridiculous and completely non-relatable fantasies. Why is it so hard for American media to put their fingers on us accurately, while still making a decent profit?
It wasn’t always this way. “Saved by the Bell” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” were rooted in the amazing-ness of young people (Although only one of them transitioned well into the college years. We can’t win ‘em all.). There once were family sitcoms that rode on the coattails of their adolescent costars. Do you think “Growing Pains” would have been so wonderful without lovable Mike (aka Kirk Cameron)? I shudder to think. It seems that with all the “Desperate Housewives” and “Cougartowns” in the world, there is no room left for a show about people pre-Menopause. Throw us a bone, baby-boomers.
There seems to be a light shining in the dark void left by the absence of the 16 to 20-something crowd on TV. This shining light finds its roots in “Glee,” the upbeat, quirky comedy about a group of misfits and outcasts who find their place in the high school glee club. After this first season of popularity, though, I can’t help but wonder if “Glee” is doomed to the same fate as all of our recently contested (and eventually rejected) programs.
Maybe our age group wasn’t meant to be shown on TV. Maybe there is something so inherently wonderful about being us that no one can bottle it up and duplicate it for mass enjoyment. Or, perhaps, no one is as interested in the plights and triumphs of us than, well, us. As for me, however, I will continue to hold out for that one show that defies the odds. Otherwise, I’ll be left with “Dawson’s Creek” reruns for company. And no one wants that.
—Allena Berry is a sophomore in Peabody College. She can be reached at allena.g.berry@vanderbilt.edu.
