Somewhere along the line, adolescent programming has become more explicit than adult-oriented viewing. The Hard Times of RJ Berger is only the latest offering keeping with this trend.
While the premise is similar to an HBO series geared towards the 18 and up, Hung, it can only be found on cable television. Hard Times now airs in most Canadian households on teen favourite MuchMusic following its June 7 debut.
For those who aren’t familiar with the talked-about series, Hung revolves around a man who has little going for him aside from his generously sized genitals. Similarly, the otherwise unfortunate R.J. Berger (Paul Iacono, Fame) has a “golden ticket” that just so happens to be his fifth limb.
But it’s not only a taboo premise that makes this series more appropriate for grown folk than its target audience. Every other line and screen shot lets viewers know this isn’t your typical teen angst-laden program.
There’s no beating around the bush in this series, unless beating refers to one sexual act or another, as it did in the pilot’s opening scene. Perpetuating the bigger-is-better perception plaguing most of the male population with insecurities, the series is unapologetically explicit and at times quite vulgar.
Most scenes look like any other from Degrassi, with more of an indie-hipster vibe reminiscent of Flight of the Conchords or 2007 teen pregnancy film Juno. The awkward nerd likes the popular girl, Jenny Swanson (Amber Lancaster, Days of Our Lives), whose boyfriend, Max (played by Jayson Blair), and popularity stands in the way of R.J.’s dreams coming true.
But now that R.J.’s big secret has been revealed to the entire school, all of a sudden it appears Jenny isn’t simply interested in her new study buddy’s academic offerings.
It’s no revelation that modern-day teens have been desensitized to sexual content. A real-life Jenny Swanson would likely have lost her virginity by junior year. But are female teenage libidos so advanced that a larger-than-life penis would make even the dorkiest nerd appealing? Would the obstacle of a mammoth-sized member not send most 15-year-old girls running, as it did with Natsumi (Satomi Okuno, Heroes)?
Not only is the appeal of a “donkey dick” disorienting, but the female characters appear to have more ravenous sexual appetites than their male cohorts. Oddball Lily’s (Kara Taitz, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody) incessant advances towards R.J. and proclamations of being “soaked” don’t ring true for a girl her age.
Sex might be commonplace among North American high-school students, but I simply don’t buy the notion that teen girls hump chairs in the library and lust after the crotches of male classmates. For a series so closely tied to nature’s curses and blessings, much of the script seems oddly unnatural.
Hard Times is just another instance of exaggeration for entertainment value, however unrealistic the outcome may be. But this might be one instance in which outlandishness actually pays off, serving up its own cup of nut musk to competing teen comedies. With a script so hilarious, does it really matter whether the show makes sense?
The Hard Times of RJ Berger airs Mondays, 10 p.m. ET/PT, MuchMusic
Thoughts? szolis@tvguide.ca or comment below.
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Whether it’s reality or scripted TV, Stephanie firmly believes the most important element to any series is a sordid romantic story arc – Grey’s Anatomy’s MerDer, Laguna Beach/The Hills’ Lauren and Jason, The Office’s PB & J, and General Hospital’s Soily, to name a few. The more dysfunctional a couple is, the better.
A proud single gal with an obsession for everything New York, Stephanie is one relocation away from living out her dream as a Carrie Bradshaw impostor. In the meantime, her weekly column scrutinizes the most explosive couples, crushes and relationship catastrophes to unfold on the small screen.
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