The Secret Life of the American Teenager | Teen Ink

The Secret Life of the American Teenager

August 4, 2009
By Prosaic-Scriptor BRONZE, Davis, California
Prosaic-Scriptor BRONZE, Davis, California
4 articles 0 photos 24 comments

You know the feeling you get when you see a well-made TV show, with great acting and an intriguing plot? Be prepared to bid adieu to that wonderful emotion before you sit down to see the atrocious monstrosity of a television show that is “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” Created by Brenda Hampton in 2008, “Secret Life” makes it a goal to find any teenage cliché and exploit it – various times.

The show centers around 15 year-old Amy Juergens, a teenager who is saddled with an unplanned pregnancy. Though Amy only does the deed once, it turns out that once is more than enough for her uterus to start cooking up a baby. The first season follows her pregnancy, and the second season – so far- chronicles her exploits as a teenage mother.

If ABC Family's purpose in airing this show was to send teenagers the message that all teenagers are immature, whiny, sex-driven animals, they struck gold. Amy Juergens is the very picture of selfish immaturity; ninety percent of the show is centered on her whiny, judgmental comments. There are no redeeming qualities whatsoever in this character, a sad fact that ruins the already comatose show.

Maybe if “Secret Life” had semi-decent acting, it would be more interesting. No, instead, we get dull, scripted actions that simply increase the growing urge to bash your head against the TV. What started as a follow up to increasingly popular films such as Juno turned into a stilted, abysmal joke of a show. If there was ever a show that jumped the shark before it even began, this would be it. However, if you have a hunger for shows that drag, and characters that whine almost as much as the overpaid actors that play them, then “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” is for you!


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This article has 70 comments.


on Mar. 6 2010 at 1:20 pm
katy_valentine BRONZE, Eldersburg, Maryland
3 articles 0 photos 4 comments
Haha, me and my three best friends switch houses every Monday night to watch this show. Our purpose? To mock it. It's just so much fun! There are so many opportunities! What could have been an insightful look at the trials of teenage motherhood turned into a poor portrayal of high schoolers and their parents alike. But making fun of it kind of makes it worthwhile. Loved the review!

on Mar. 5 2010 at 11:59 pm
Prosaic-Scriptor BRONZE, Davis, California
4 articles 0 photos 24 comments
I completely agree with you - there is a big benefit to showing the consequences of having sex . It's more the way that it is all portrayed that gets to me. Thanks for commenting!

bailey1108 said...
on Mar. 5 2010 at 5:12 pm
I can't believe there are professional writers for this show! It is so ridiculous. Where in the world do teenagers talk to there parents about who they just slept with???!!! I watch this show to make fun of it! The acting is atrocious. The writing is amateur and surreal! I'm so glad there are people out there who noticed.

on Feb. 24 2010 at 11:08 am
poohbear2010 BRONZE, Houston, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
forget love

that show is good and bad cause it shows you the consaquences of having sex

on Jan. 28 2010 at 6:02 pm
Prosaic-Scriptor BRONZE, Davis, California
4 articles 0 photos 24 comments
Thanks much for reading and commenting. I agree. :)

on Jan. 28 2010 at 6:02 pm
Prosaic-Scriptor BRONZE, Davis, California
4 articles 0 photos 24 comments
Thanks for commenting; glad someone feels the same.

on Dec. 16 2009 at 10:17 am
SmileKid:) SILVER, Citrus Heights, California
9 articles 2 photos 33 comments

Favorite Quote:
Everything will be ok in the end, if it is not ok, it is not the end

Ok that show is so dumb if you think about it, it makes Americans seem all bad and stuff. i mean i dont really like how we are doing stuff here but this show just doesnt serve any purpose to me. I'm sorry for the people that actualy like this show but how many people really do ok.

on Nov. 20 2009 at 5:42 pm
Prosaic-Scriptor BRONZE, Davis, California
4 articles 0 photos 24 comments
Anyone who uses "drivel" in a sentence is a friend of mine. ;D

on Nov. 20 2009 at 4:48 am
FeedTheBirds SILVER, San Diego, California
6 articles 0 photos 82 comments
Glad to know i'm not the only one immune to ABC's latest drivel.

on Sep. 29 2009 at 4:31 pm
Giraffe2234 GOLD, Marshall, Missouri
10 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
Dont be a hata.

When you feel like giving think of what made you hang on this long.

Tell your secrets. They free you.

I do not like the secret life but i like watching just so i can laugh at amys charater and her acting. all that show is about teenagers having sex and then crying about had they had sex.