DVD
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this series follows Lauren Conrad (graduate of MTV's own Laguna Beach) as she transitions from her high school days to college life, an internship, and Hollywood nightlife. Cast members come from affluent families and living conditions, cars, and lifestyle are unrealistic for average twentysomethings. The series makes getting a high-profile internship seem effortless. Lauren is a fairly level-headed girl, but she lets her new friends take advantage of her. The show's success has elevated the status of each cast member, and they're often featured in celeb tabloids.
Families can talk about what has helped Lauren get to where she is. Do teens consider her a role model? How hard do they think it would be to get a job like Lauren's? Why do you think MTV was interested in continuing to follow Lauren, over other Laguna Beach cast members? Are there any role models on the show?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jill Hipps
Lauren "LC" Conrad has moved from Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County to THE HILLS of Los Angeles. She's settled into school at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), landed a coveted internship with Teen Vogue, and moved into a gorgeous apartment -- what more could a young lady want? MTV cameras following her around for her own reality show? To land on the cover of Teen Vogue herself? Check and check.
It's the effortless perfection of LC's life that makes The Hills such an unrealistic take on reality. No mention is made of the often-grueling college- or internship-application process. Rather, the head of FIDM congratulates LC for bringing her 3.6 GPA to the school, and her two-minute interview with the Teen Vogue editor -- though bumpy -- lands her a high-profile internship.
Typical trials ensue with LC's new friends Heidi, Audrina, Whitney, and Jordan, but the girls' dialogue plays second fiddle to extreme close-ups, exaggerated exhales, and glares. The Hills is like the pages of a magazine, with pouting teens looking distraught in between sexualized images.
That said, MTV does deserve some credit for featuring someone with somewhat-relatable career goals -- unlike the subjects on The Real World. The Hills' best player, Whitney -- originally Lauren's fellow intern, now her boss -- gives hope to older generations watching the show. Whitney's goals and decisions make for some inspiring moments during the show, but, as per usual, the more friends get the most air time.
Although the series transitions its teen characters into career-driven adults, the (im)maturity of high school drama has managed to become a staple ingredient. Without it, The Hills would hardly be alive.
Teens might want to check out more-promising reality shows, like True Life and MADE.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentFlirting, kissing, lovers' quarrel, talk of one-night stands and informal hook-ups. |
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LanguageThere's swearing, but it's bleeped out. |
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Social BehaviorThis is the first MTV reality show to follow someone in school and with an internship, but the series makes both seem easy. Teen Vogue preaches about the kind of image they want to project. Cast members come from affluent families, and special attention is paid to Lauren at her internship because she has cameras on her. Partying at popular Hollywood night clubs is the standard. Heidi and Spencer started a rumor about Jason and Lauren that they filmed a sex tape. Whitney has parlayed her internship into a full time job at Teen Vogue and doesn't party as much as the rest of the cast does. |
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CommercialismHollywood hot spot Les Deux is regularly mentioned. Teen Vogue and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) are backdrops for school and internships. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoDrinking is implied, but the cast is underage. |
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