The Secret Life of the American Teenager

I agree with what a lot of people are saying, it's clichéd and preachy, BUT I also find in completely fascinating. That's my opinion, of course, but the whole premise is fairly new for TV. Sure, sure, we have about a bazillion lifetime movies about underage girls having babies, their parents wanting them to give the baby up or have an abortion and the father of the baby wanting or not wanting to be in the picture. But I can't recall watching a TV show about it.

For such a young cast, they're not half bad with the acting. Shailene Woodley is very cute, as far as annoying, well, I hate to break it to you, but she plays the typical fifteen year old, to a 'T'. She seems selfish and vain and emotional, because, stereotypically (which this show is all about, stereotypes), she is the perfect example of a fifteen year old, and to top the sundae off, she's pregnant. Ken Baumann is absolutely adorable. He's the perfect boy next door, geek chic, that a girl would like to have around. The rest of the cast is on the ball, for the most part. Molly Ringwald is a little stiff in my eyes, but that could be because I'm so use to watching her in her 80's glory.

The Characters are pretty much predictable and completely set in their stereotypical roles, and there are moments where you want to slap every single one of them. I don't remember being like that at 15, but that was way back in the day. Ricky... Ricky just blows my mind, that boy needs to be hosed down. And for most of the episodes I want to beat Adrian with a stick. But Amy's two gossiping gal pals crack me up, and the adorableness of Henry and Ashley (individually/together) is entertaining. The parents are all having just as much drama as their kids, which is somewhat mind blowing, but it leads to an entertaining quality.

Personally, I love it, my brand new addiction for the season. It's mind blowing, especially when Amy and Ben talk about forever and true love, but highly entertaining. I want to know what's going to happen next, for all of them ;) Worth a watch if you're bored. I think it's def a hit or miss program. Either you'll love it, or hate it. (Shrugs) ;)

Quit it soon. Not recommended, unless you are a 10 year old girl. Though i am not sure if 10 year old girls are at this board.

I actually watch this show on a regular basis, but am slightly ashamed about it. It is indeed a ridiculous show, but no worse than any other soap opera I suppose. I read some of the other reviews that said that the characters are poorly developed, and I would have to agree. Amy, for being the main character is definitely not a likable character for some reason. She's whiny and fails to make a whole lot of sense. Although a silly show, I find myself watching it week after week. The dialogue is hilarious because it is so unrealistic. My husband detests the show and can't believe that I watch it. We have since made a game out of the ridiculous scripts: we count how many times the word "sex" is uttered in the show. That seems to make it much more entertaining to watch, and typically the count is up to 30 some times per show. Too funny!

As a teenager--15 years old, in fact, the same as the main character--I have to say this is an awful, unrealistic, cardboard-cutout teenage drama program. While I understand the thinly veiled message of abstinence, it is not brought forth in a intelligent or believable manner. If we're old enough to have sex, I think we're old not to be pandered and talked down to, which seems to be the primary aim of the show. Amy, the main character, is a shallow, boring, sour character. The show's attempts to make her seem remotely geeky or normal at all tend to fall flat, and in general the plot and character development of all of the characters is very poor indeed. The script comes off cheesy and overdone, the acting is terrible, and it's really just a show of stereotypes, not interesting, complex people. Not real people. The dramatic story lines are not half as entertaining as they would be with real people, in real situations, with realistic reactions.

I absolutely hate this show with a passion and I remember when it was released as i was around 13 years old so i was just learning about sex and everything. But this show just blows the whole experience and how taboo sex is especially when it comes to teenagers having sex. I'm not one to be a hypocrite because I started when i was in high school but I digress; this show just makes sex taboo for teenagers and adults too.

The actors are overly concerned and the parents are too involved with their teenager's intimate relationships. I understand the teens are still kids but it makes it seem really uncomfortable. I also do like watching the show because it's a guilty pleasure. I just can't stand the acting.