Our 5 Fave Shows about High School

There are too many terrible teen television shows out there. Bravo’s NYC Prep showcases obnoxious Manhattan teens with more money than math homework, Dawson’s Creek featured some of the mopiest teens and corniest dialogue in history, and Saturday morning staple Saved by the Bell featured the same six students at the same six lockers for five years.  It’s enough to make you swear off TV…almost. But fear not, Sparklers; there are some great shows out there that are actually worth watching (over and over again). Here are our top five fave teen dramas of past and present:

#5: My So-Called Life. Claire Danes played Angela Chase, an angst-ridden high school sophomore in love with one of TV’s greatest heartthrobs, Jordan Catalano. It was one of the first shows that dealt with real issues but maintained the classic excitement of the teen crush story.

#4: Gossip Girl. There are no better frenemies than Serena and Blair. They face the same situations we all do: enduring drama at black tie events, doing jail time, inheriting million-dollar businesses, and coping with teachers who sabotage their entry into Yale. OK, they have totally ridiculous lives, but aren’t they fun to watch?  Great location, great fashion, great looking characters...it’s addictive teen-soap-opera television at its best.

#3 The Wonder Years. Set in the sixties, The Wonder Years followed the life of cutie pie Kevin Arnold, played by Fred Savage.  An older and wiser Kevin narrates the story of his teen years, which are spent pining for longhaired beauty Winnie and hanging out with his nerdy best friend Paul.

#2: Beverley Hills, 90210. One word: Dylan. With sideburns, raspy voice, suave moves and his own Porsche, he was one cool dude. Thanks to melodrama and timeless catchphrases such as “Donna Martin Graduates!”  the series carried on for ten seasons, long enough for the actors to be closer in age to the teachers than the students.

#1: Freaks and Geeks. The most disappointing part of Freaks and Geeks is the minute you finish watching and realize your time at McKinley High is over. Starring current film stars James Franco, Jason Segal, and Seth Rogen as the freaks, the series is LOL hilarious one minute and teary and touching the next. With great writing and an incredible ensemble cast, this cult fave is the perfect DVD to pop in over a rainy weekend.

Sparklers, have any shows you'd add to the list? Tell us your favorite, or least favorite, teen dramas in the comments.