it used to be that the world of reality television focusing on the lives of teens went more towards the glitz and glamor of the more popular students. Whether it was "Laguna Beach: The Real O.C." or its hugely popular spin-off show "The Hills," these MTV reality shows were far more interested in presenting those who were the obvious choice for the camera spotlight. And while some of the other programming that was based in reality, like the show "Made," may have featured students from all walks of life, you weren't as likely to find an entire series devoted to someone whose interests were slightly more off the radar.
However, it's been cool to be a little bit edgy lately, if the rush of Converse shoes and rimmed glasses making their way across numerous channels on satellite TV is any indicator. And accordingly, MTV has jumped on the bandwagon first, understanding that it is just as important to market to those who do not find themselves marketed to, but who in reality are just as important when it comes to getting good ratings: those who feel as though they are a little bit different than the captain of the cheerleading squad or the homecoming queen.
Now it's possible to tune into a reality show that is a little bit more like what high school was like for so many students, and one that might make going to school now a lot easier. "My Life as Liz" is not quite your straight-up reality show. It's more of a quasi-reality presentation where it's a little bit scripted, like a sitcom--and probably all of those other reality shows--but uses the same techniques expected from something more straight-up documentary. You're following Liz Lee, a high school student growing up in Burleson, Texas, where here interests are more towards being critical of the status quo in her town. She definitely has interests and aspirations to be liked, but is also focused on pointing out the shortcomings of the mentality of those at school, as well as the town in general.
With so many reality television shows on satellite TV more focused on outlandishly scripted plots, it's nice to see a simple teen drama, even if it is supposed to be entirely reality-show based. Liz's best friend Sully is definitely crushing on her, and you get to see all of the awkwardness of male/female best friend dynamics play out as they both try to just stay friends. And for anyone who has been missing the extremely-relatable plot of films like "Mean Girls," you will find that "My Life as Liz" has more than enough of that sort of drama, with former best friends having it out over problems in a way that only high schoolers can.
While there is a bit of self-conscious individualism that any adult will recognize--potentially in an embarrassing way with flashes back to their younger days--the notion that satellite TV has a reality show where the lead is a self-described non-conformist who is seen with a bustling social life might be enough to help out teens who are feeling a bit alienated at their own schools. And for everyone else, it's an all-too-realistic reminder of what high school days were like.
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