OTHER than reading my column, you have something else to look forward to on Wednesdays. I am no longer afraid to admit that I am an avid viewer of Fox's new show, "The O.C." The show has been deemed the soap opera of our generation or the next "Beverly Hills 90210." Around Grounds, students are either asking what happened on last week's episode or complaining that the show portrays our generation as rich, snobby, druggie, sex slaves. However, "The O.C." does not claim to represent society, but instead is there for easy-going, non-realistic entertainment.
With the onslaught of reality shows and thought-provoking dramas, many feel a show about rich, beautiful teenagers involved with sex, drugs and alcohol is detrimental to society. However, TV entertainment should not be about real life -- we have the world news for that. If I need some "Law and Order," I can monitor the CIA leak investigation in the White House or survey the sniper case. If I need some "CSI," I can watch the Lacey Peterson trial. Or if I need some "West Wing," I can try to understand where the nation's surplus went or why the Bush administration claims soldier deaths in Iraq show signs of progress. Who needs meaningful, provocative drama, when we have all the current problems in the world?
Teenage soap operas, like "The O.C." are entertaining, funny and relaxing. I do not need a reality show which claims to be "real" -- since I could care less about two strangers getting married and winning money. Our generation would rather watch beautiful people (the main actress Marissa comes to mind) with tons of money in the most luxurious location. Look at the most popular movies of our time -- The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings -- both extremely realistic plot lines. With all that is wrong in the world, what is improper about indulging in fantasy and impractical plots?
Many critics, especially parents, claim "The O.C." desensitizes our generation to pre-marital sex, promiscuity and pregnancy, adultery and other illegitimate social behaviors. However, most college students who watch "The O.C." realize the creators are not portraying a realistic representation of teenage society in Newport Beach, California.
Critics always find a way to condemn entertainment shows. Whether it is racial diversity on "Friends" or homosexuality in "Will & Grace," people will comment on the inaccurate portrait of social norms in the show. Yet, these shows are not created to promote social norms -- they serve entertainment purposes. I am not advocating blatant racism or sexual debauchery in primetime television teenage soap operas, but I do not feel guilty about watching a show which represents Newport Beach in a raunchy and ridiculous manner.
As educated college students, we realize the inaccurate reality in "The O.C." We are not watching the show to gain advice on overcoming alcoholism or getting good grades despite dramatized relationship problems. Teenage soap operas are there for us to laugh at the outrageous behavior of actors in a fictional setting.
Next time all your friends are watching the new teenage soap opera for our generation don't feel guilty to join them. This Newport Beach high society with beautiful people is far more desirable viewing than a struggling economy or soldiers dying in Iraq. The classic line from the show's premiere, "Welcome to the O.C., bitch. This is how it's done in Orange County" represents the light-hearted and entertaining nature of "The O.C."
I look forward to the middle of the week, as do most of my friends and family, to watch one of the hottest girls on TV, Marissa (Mischa Barton), indulge in a society full of love, sex, money, perfect lives and the occasional drug/alcohol habit. Stop criticizing its lack of reality -- it is not supposed to be real. Our generation finds relaxation and laughter in this youth soap opera -- two much-needed emotions in a world troubled with war, terrorism, poverty and excessive homework.
(Michael Behr's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at mbehr@cavalierdaily.com.)
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