High School Musical: Get in the Picture

This series essentially is a youthful version of American Idol, tricked out with all the brand-name trimmings of the HSM franchisee. Constant product references include clips from the first two films, snippets from the soundtracks, and cameos by the stars themselves, making the show feel more like a blatant promotional tool for the upcoming movie than a reality contest. If your kids are already flushed with HSM fever, they're not likely to complain about the build-up to the third movie, but you might be left wondering whether marketing execs ever take a holiday.

That said, the series does demonstrate the positive aspect of competitions like American Idol -- namely, giving average people from diverse backgrounds the chance to use their talent to change their lives. Some of the teens' stories are emotional and inspiring, and it's easy to get caught up in rooting for particular contestants. And as far as reality contests go, the fact that this one stars young performers means that the judges offer fewer nasty comments and more constructive criticism that the teens can build on for future success.