How to Be Indie
By Jenny Nixon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Racially diverse, female-centric tween comedy is very corny.
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How to Be Indie
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What's the Story?
HOW TO BE INDIE is the story of Indira "Indie" Mehta, a preternaturally spunky 13-year-old girl who just wants to fit in and have fun at school with her pals, like any other modern Canadian teen. This isn't always easy, however, because she tends to butt heads with her super-traditional (and way too strict, in her eyes) Indian parents, Jyoti and Vikram. Her paternal grandfather (known as "Babaji") also lives at home, along with Indie's smartypants brother, A.J., and competitive sister, Chandra. The show has a cookie-cutter approach to plot and humor, the only real difference being that this time the family featured is South Asian -- something that isn't seen nearly enough in entertainment.
Is It Any Good?
While it can't be understated how incredibly important it is for kids to see themselves represented in the media they consume, this show is so formulaic that it feels like just more of the same old corny sitcom stuff. Melinda Shankar has done fine work elsewhere (most notably on Degrassi), but her work here is all overwrought humor and played-out bits that just aren't that clever. She often talks directly to the camera, breaking the fourth wall -- a conceit the show creators also used on their similarly blah show Naturally, Sadie. How to Be Indie especially suffers when compared to shows like Fresh Off the Boat, which tackles similar issues with freshness, depth, and genuine humor. Overall it's a decent concept, but with mediocre execution.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why kids from families like Indie's might struggle to find their own identity when their peers at school act one way, but their parents and relatives at home have different ideas and values.
How is Indie's cultural background on How to Be Indie similar to or different from your own?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 2, 2009
- Cast: Melinda Shankar, Marline Yan, Dylan Everett
- Network: Starz Kids and Family
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: February 27, 2023
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