By, Hipolito Munoz, Managing Editor/Publisher
High School drama happens every day and there are many TV shows that are trying to capture the essence and the gold of the volatile nature of conflict in the hollowed halls of 9-12K education. Too many of these shows fail because they have no clue how to capture the joy and strife of the hundreds, in some cases, thousands of stories sequestered under the quad. Sit with a teacher and ask about their students, they will ask you for coffee, spiked. Outside of how adults make these students miserable, they also have each other and now they have “Guidance.”
If you have an opportunity to discuss any current popular TV show with a high school teen about high school teens that takes place in the high school halls, most will tell you that its fake, that it does not reflect their reality, even a close imitation of it. It could be because the writers are trying to “edutaine,” or educate while entertaining, or because they are mostly focused on the entertainment value, for the adults. “Edutainment” is not a bad idea, but it seems that most of these show creators forget that unlike a show such as the “West Wing” or “Gray’s Anatomy,” most viewers have actually experienced high school and most came out unscathed, scratched and prodded yes, but none the less they came out pretty okay.
“Guidance” is an unconventional TV show, produced by Awesomeness TV, a joint venture of DreamWorks Animation and Verizon Hearst Media Partners, that most comes close to creating a window into what an authentic exposition of issue based stories that can happen, and have happened at high schools. “Guidance” feels authentic because it is a very well researched, written and directed and a very relevant show because it addresses issues in the complex manner that they deserve. The stories are as well told as they can be and if there are any respectful and authentic manners to tell these stories and address real issues happening at high schools, these creators are bravely telling them. “Guidance” takes its time to build the story and creates authentic characters, those that a guidance counselor or high school teacher will recognize immediately. There is no unnecessary poignancy built in to the stories because the stories are very brutal and humane. There is no question that this show is a departure from the typical high school “Dramedy,” it is intense, irreverent and honest, like most teenagers.
