Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Laguna spin-off doesn't break new ground.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Following in the footsteps of hit MTV docusoap Laguna Beach, NEWPORT HARBOR: THE REAL ORANGE COUNTY centers on a group of privileged teens as they ride the waves of their high school years. The series is narrated by Chrissy, a somewhat naïve senior who's enjoying her final months before college with her friends. Within her inner circle are best friend Sasha, wealthy Grant, good-looking-but-shy Clay, flirtatious friends Allie and Chase, and Taylor is a sophomore who joins the group after dating some of its male members. The cast members' conversations usually range from talking about who's hot and who's not to who's dating whom. Chrissy has had a crush on Clay for years, but her ability to have a relationship is continuously compromised by her suspicions that others in the group are competing for his attention. Grant and Chase constantly vie over Taylor, while Allie seems to want all the guys' attention for herself.
Is It Any Good?
Unlike on Laguna Beach, Newport Harbor viewers actually get to see some of the kids' parents in action. Unfortunately, Chrissy's parents -- especially her father -- are portrayed as overprotective and somewhat overbearing. Meanwhile, other parents don't seem to set any limits for their kids, instead offering them credit cards and watching them set out in their expensive cars to join their friends.
It may strike many older viewers as ironic that this "reality" series presents a very unrealistic look at teen life in America: It revolves around a perfect neighborhood full of perfect-looking kids who are surrounded by wealth and privilege. While the teens themselves aren't bad kids, they don't have much to offer except their looks and their mild soap operatic dramas. While this may be appealing to the MTV crowd, it doesn't make the show particularly interesting to watch for anyone outside the target demographic. And those in the demo may need to be reminded that this isn't what to expect from high school.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about American teenage life. How accurate do you think TV portrayals of teens and their lives are? Which parts of the "TV teen" lifestyle are appealing, and which ones aren't? Families can also discuss relationships between parents and teens. Should parents know everything about their teens at all times? When are parents being too overprotective? Lastly, families can talk about what's important in their lives vs. what seems to be important to the teens on the show. What do these kids value? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 13, 2007
- Network: MTV
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: October 24, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate