One Tree Hill

As I mentioned in class last week, I studied One Tree Hill for the teenage TV discussion. Unfortunately, because of time constraints, not everybody was able to show video clips from their respective shows. At Dr. K's suggestion, I decided to post the videos I wanted to show on the blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adq5PLAqRbs

This video is from the second season of the show. During this season, the cast is followed during their junior year of high school. This particular video portrays a slumber party scene that appeared in the show. I thought this video was a very effective example of the idea of the "girl code" that we discussed in class. As you can hear  in the video, very typical name-calling is used with terms such as "slut" or "whore." Moreover, I believe that this scene encourages young girls to act in this same manner. They observe the attractive popular acting this way, and see many benefits from doing so. Ultimately, watching this show provides teenage girls with the ability to escape the consequences of acting poorly - an idea which Clark mentioned in class. When watching this show, girls quench their desire for drama, but are relieved of any of the consequences of involving themselves in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR3ta-woRpk&feature=related

This video is from the fourth season of the show. During this season, the actions of the characters are chronicled throughout their senior year until high school graduation. This particular episode addresses the "jock" and "cheerleader" ideas that we brought up in class. This particular episode definitely sensationalizes the teenage years; the basketball team wins the state championship, the star athlete wins the beautiful cheerleader. The ideas posed in this episode definitely exemplify the ideal teenage experience, an experience not every teenager is able to have. Viewing this show allows teenagers to develop an understanding of what having this experience entails, as well as emotionally experience it. This idea reinforces the concept that watching teenage TV shows allows teenagers to relate to a character and find a new identity in the show.