Which teen drama rules the school?
Who would you elect prom queen?
Photo by Patrick Harbron / The CW
Penn Badgley as Dan and Blake Lively as Serena star in Gossip Girl on The CW
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Psst! Are you watching Gossip Girl? Because it's only, like, the most fashionable, coolest, trendiest show on TV. The stars are all over the fashion magazines. Their clothes? Marc Jacobs, Gaultier, Lacroix . . . aka, to die for.
I know I'm thirtysomething, but I can't help tuning in - religiously - to teenage high school dramas. And Gossip Girl, with its New York, Upper East Side, rich, fabulous and scandalous plot, has me glued to the TV Monday nights. Lost? Grey's Anatomy? CSI? Straight to the DVR. But my teen drama queens? Must be viewed live.
For me, it started, gulp, 18 years ago with Beverly Hills, 90210. It soon branched to My So-Called Life, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek, The O.C. and Veronica Mars. Still filling up my TV schedule are the likes of One Tree Hill, Smallville and Friday Night Lights.
Yes, I know, I'm often dumber for having watched some of these shows (especially once the cast finally graduates from high school and moves on to their college years and beyond), but I just can't help myself.
Perhaps it's the comfort in the way all the shows are connected. (Duh. Even the creators are sometimes the same: Josh Schwartz brought us The O.C., as well as Gossip Girl.)
The rich girl always falls for the poor boy from the wrong side of the tracks. The little sister is always willing to do just about anything to be popular. They always have some cool club to hang out at that allows 16-year-olds to party.
Think you want in on the teen-angst action? Just check out our web of a flow chart ( 8) and start tuning in.
I promise I won't tell. XOXO
Buffy slays me!
My top 10 list of high school dramas
10. Degrassi High (1989-1991)
Name a tough issue - AIDS, drugs, suicide, eating disorders - and this Canadian look at an urban school took it on. Fave character: mohawked mom Spike.
9. Dawson's Creek (1998-2003)
I feel like I need to apologize, but watching tomboy Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) and movie geek Dawson Leary (James van der Beek) grow up in a sleepy coastal town kept me hooked.
8. The O.C. (2003-2007)
All it took was the line "Welcome to the O.C., bitch!" to make this pop culture-referencing teen soap an instant smash hit.
7. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Brainy Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) spent her days at an expensive prep school but stayed grounded in Stars Hollow with her BFF/mom, Lorelai, and quirky neighbors.
6. Smallville (2001-present)
Clark Kent in high school! Before he could fly! Before he fell for Lois Lane! Before he wore tights! Simply put . . . super!
5. Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)
Minnesota twins Brandon (Jason Priestly) and Brenda (Shannon Doherty) move to California in Darren Star's world of love, friendship and after-school-special issues of the week.
4. Friday Night Lights (2006-present)
The show set in Dillon, Texas, is about so much more than football: first love, school social politics, war, religion, family. No million-dollar mansions. No fancy designer labels. Completely addicting.
3. Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
Smart, tough Veronica is a modern-day Nancy Drew, investigating everything from her best friend's murder to petty campus crimes. Sharp, witty and laden with pop-culture references.
2. My So-Called Life (1994)
Claire Danes nailed 15-year-old-girl angst as Angela Chase in this near-perfect series that tragically lasted but one season. And two words: Jordan Catalano.
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Sure, she was busy staking vamps and demons, but Buffy was so much more than beating up the Big Bad. No other show has done a better job of combining pop culture, humor and teenage angst, proving that high school really can be hell (especially when it sits smack-dab on top of the gates leading to it).
Catch 'Gossip Girl'
* 7 p.m. Mondays on The CW
Smackdown! Blondes vs. brunettes
BFFs/frenemies always have opposing hair colors on teen shows. My favorite match-ups:
* Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl)
* Kelly Taylor and Brenda Walsh (90210)
* Peyton Sawyer and Brooke Davis (One Tree Hill)
* Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts (The O.C.)
* Chloe Sullivan and Lana Lang (Smallville)
* Buffy Summers and Cordelia Chase (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
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