MTV’s Awkward. Explores A Social Networked Adolescence

Genre: Comedy
Creator: Lauren Iungerich

After a freak accident that leaves her in an eye-catching cast and neckbrace, Jenna Hamilton (Ashley Rickards) goes from invisibility to infamy in her high school where mean girls rule and social status is paramount.

Awkward. gleans elements from popular teenage flicks. In a way, it’s Easy A’s (2010) television step sister with a good-humored, witty feel, a quirky guidance counselor (Desi Lydic) and the obligatory boy crush (Beau Mirchoff). And like Gossip Girl, the characters are occupied with texting, blogging, and friending – all part of the ubiquitous web culture that is now a fixture and complication of contemporary adolescence. As if managing image and reputation weren’t enough, high schoolers now have to cope with humiliating photos being forwarded to the entire school in a matter of milliseconds.

Watch the trailer for Awkward..

For teenage girls, the sitcom shows some positive images. Jenna cares more about her writing than her hairstyle, characters vary from the conventional stick figure mold, and much of the fashion dares to be different.

Solid viewership and nods from critics give every indication that the series will be a win for creator Lauren Iungerich. Expecting just that, MTV also greenlit Iungerich’s Dumb Girls comedy pilot about a group of twentysomethings who are smart in life but dumb in love.

Preparing the storyline for Awkward., Iungerich said she spent a lot of time with high school students.

I spent a lot of time with teenagers when I was developing this show. I went back to my old high school and spoke to about 40 of them, asked them about a hundred inappropriate questions, which they all answered, because what kid doesn’t like to talk about themselves?

About her writing influences, she commented:

I’m not trying to copy John Hughes. I watched Sixteen Candles when I was a little girl and it changed my life. It was the most incredible romance I’ve ever seen and it left an indelible impression for me. As I became a storyteller, I thought there was a lack of good stories for today’s teens. So, I thought this was a great opportunity to write for that universe.