True confessions time: I’ve never watched an episode of My Super Sweet 16 in its entirety. But I have stumbled across MTV’s grotesque documentary series during numerous channel-surfing sessions, found myself frozen for a few minutes of abject horror, and then willed myself to flip to something comparably dulcet and genteel, like, say, 30 Minute Meals. I mean, I enjoy watching (and mocking) heinous fame-o-sexuals as much as anyone I know, but I draw the line at shrieking children berating their parents for hiring the wrong A-list talent to perform at birthday Bacchanals that cost more than many working families make in a year. (Sorry…I should probably save that kind of rambling monologue for the therapist’s couch.)
Nevertheless, you’ll understand how vexed I am at the discovery that MTV has launched MySuperSweet16.com as a way to give "real teens from around the country the tools to become their own storytellers, connect with one another and completely reshape the fabric that is woven throughout our programs." (That’s according to Brian Graden, president of entertainment at MTV Networks Music Group and Logo.) Um, is dude trying to say that the show’s core audience somehow views My Super Sweet 16 as aspirational television? And what are they going to do at the site? View audition reels from male strippers? Compare exorbitant pricing schedules for garish party planners?
I don’t know about you, PopWatchers, but for some reason, I cannot bring myself to click on any of the buttons on the My Super Sweet 16 site. Deep down, I can’t shake the fear that I’ll open a giant portal to hell on my computer screen, get sucked into a flaming pit, and spend eternity as a foot-servant for one of these pampered, fork-tongued teen-beasts. Feel free to report back your findings on this new and alarming Internet development, but just remember, Grandpa Slezak will probably not approve.
I’m addicted to this show. I watch it way too much. But not because I find it ‘aspirational’ in any sense. I love it because I think how spoiled the kids are and how extravagant the parties are is so entertaining.
Back when this show first premiered, it was edited in a very mocking way towards these kids and their families. It seems now they are being idolized in the editing. Ack!
Daddy, I want to be on a crappy MTV reality show. I want to be on a crappy MTV realtiy show noooowwwww!
Seriously, I hate to sound like a grandpa as well, but when the time traveling forefathers pop-up and wonder what the hell happened to our country, or the modern world in general, to cause it to fall so far, I will point to shows like this. My God, what it’s doing to today’s teens is just sick, even if they say they watch it sardonicly, it still shows them that it’s ok to whine till you get what you want, to be a spoiled brat, to aspire to be…you know…Paris. That’s just sick. Whatever happened to more socially contributing fare like Rock the Vote or other things that focus on real issues. Ugh…
Grandpa Slezak, I completely agree with you. I went to that site and was so horrified that I was scared I was going to hell just for looking at it. Why does MTV feel it’s a good idea to idolize these spoiled kids? How is that setting a good example for other girls???
Ugh. Thanks a lot, now I’m feeling vaguely nauseated from clicking on that site. My Super Sweet Sixteen is just sick, and it makes me sick!!!
I absolutely love and hate this show…it’s one of those things that you love and hate. I love it how they show lil spoiled rich kids rant and rave how they need this or that for their party while being a total brat. It really shows how those kids really dont deserve any of it because of their attitude. I snicker at the fact that one episode the father gave her daughter a mercedes covertable, when she doesnt have a drivers license, and a rolex watch. Makes sense right? That’s also why I hate this show…cuz it’s so out of reality.
Ah, to see these entitled little pests get pushed down a garbage chute by magical squirrels. Now THAT’s a show I would watch.
I don’t care what anyone says…if my parents offered to throw me a party worth a hundred grand, I’d accept it in a nano second, I’d rent out Disneyland for the day and life would be marvelous.
South Park nailed this show last year when the birthday boy got wanted a Ferrari cake for his Super Sweet 16 and got an Acura cake instead and then threw a fit…it was great! This show does make me gag and these kids all deserved to be lined up with their money-waisting, no values teaching parents and slapped with rubber chickens in the face!
I actually prefer it when they fall down the garbage chute after singing about a bean feast, but that’s just me.
Couple things: (1) I didn’t know anyone besides Anderson Cooper watched this show; (2) MTV must be working some new marketing strategy, because they are requesting viewer input on casting the Real World, also; and (3) personal pet peeve – I HATE the word bacchanalia and all its derivatives — it smacks of “I need a big word here, hmmm, wait, I used bacchanalia to great effect senior year….” Again, personal pet peeve, but Slezak, you’re better than that.
Thanks MTV once again for giving me yet another reason for not watching your channel.
What’s the “M” stand for again???
I think I could go on some sort of Angel of Death type killing spree against these kids. And then once I’m in court, all I’d have to do is play the tapes of My Super Sweet 16 and no jury in the world would convict me.
This show makes me violently ill. The kids and their parents should be taken out back and beated to an inch of their lives. The kids are brats to the extreme, and the parents are just as dumb and guilty for catering to their kids’ whims.