15 Wrong Assumptions TV and Movie Writers Make About Being a Teen
Maybe they time hopped from pre-teen to adulthood, or maybe they were too busy writing to soak up the high school experience, but these writers got some second hand info. They did create some pretty compelling and/or hilarious teen movies and TV shows, but in giving audiences juicy drama and outlandish hijinx, they may have strayed a bit too far from the realm of reality.
Early teen movies gained popularity in the 1950s, and since then, every decade has had their unique stamp on various teen subgenres. The ’80s and ’90s delved right into teen rom-coms, and we began seeing themes like cliques, prom, and popularity that became recycled enough to become the teen tropes of today. In the name of profit, TV and film productions stick with what works, but we’ve slowly started realizing that maybe all cheerleaders aren’t ditzy bullies, and maybe we can like music and football! These and 13 others are assumptions that film & TV writers made about life as a teenager.
Grease
Paramount Pictures
Rich kids all just happen to be attractive.
Paramount Pictures
It’s always so clear who the bully is.
Universal Pictures
The new kid is always so intriguing to the locals.
Paramount Pictures
That all cheerleaders are mean.
Universal Pictures
They have ample free time between classes.
The CW
That rich kids have such overdramatic lives.
The CW
Teacher/student relationships are common (and accepted).
Warner Bros. Television
Teens can freely walk onto any sports field.
Searchlight Pictures
That sports and the arts are worlds apart.
Miramax Films
Everyone cares so much about their school’s football or basketball team.
NBCUniversal
That only nerds care about good grades.
Annapurna Pictures
There’s one specific hot guy and hot girl.
Paramount Pictures
That everyone either loves or hates school.
NBC
Moms want in on the “haps” of their teen’s drama.
Universal Pictures
