The Troop (Nickelodeon)

High school is little more than a necessary evil for social underdog Jake (Nick Purcell), but his luck changes when an stealthy aptitude test earns him a spot on a secret team that battles supernatural beings. Suddenly going to school takes on new meaning for Jake, since the building itself doubles as a cover for the Troop’s lair -- and a holding pen for some of the uncivilized creatures that Jake's teammates Felix (David Del Rio) and Hayley (Gage Golightly) have captured. But battling basilisks is nothing compared to the challenge of keeping their secret and going about their not-so-normal teenage lives.

If the show's plot description rings a few bells for you, it’s not without good reason. THE TROOP shares plenty of similarities with the 1997 hit movie Men in Black, right down to vomiting-monster scenes that will thrill the tween set. The concept isn’t exactly original, but the good news is that the likable cast and great special effects make up for any shortage of creativity.

Kids will enjoy the show’s mix of fantasy and adventure and have fun at Jake’s expense as they watch him balance his new life with the mundane nature of teen existence. And while it can’t be said that the show touts particularly obvious messages of any kind, parents can breathe easy knowing that there’s nothing in the way of content that will surprise their grade schoolers.