Laguna Beach Reality Tv Show

"Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County." Series premiere tonight at 10:30 on MTV.

One star (out of four)

MTV is breaking ground again.

With "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," the erstwhile music network has created a new kind of programming: the out-of-touch-with- reality show.

The producers prefer the term "reality drama," since "Laguna Beach" (premiering tonight at 10:30) fuses the soapy conventions of such shows as "The O.C." with the verite approach of "The Real World."

The series is shot on digital video, giving it a slick professional look, and such reality staples as confessionals are eschewed.

But the series' eight subjects - childhood friends from the affluent community of the title - are living a life foreign to most people and one that is remarkably short on drama - unless your idea of drama includes watching two airheads struggle to prepare alfredo sauce. Will there be enough cream?

Among "Laguna's" beach bums are blondes LC and Kristin, who are vying for the affection of Stephen. Others orbit around this central triangle, including Kristin's former conquest Talan and LC's best friend Lo. LC narrates the show.

The series follows these insanely rich, self-absorbed teenagers as they throw parties, hook up, apply to college, snipe about one another behind each other's backs and prove that wealthy communities don't necessarily turn out model students. School is mentioned only in relation to a detention that one teen receives. Parents are invisible.

"Laguna Beach" could have been called: "My so-called life before the trust fund kicks in."

Don't hate them because they're rich and beautiful. Hate them because they're obnoxious and stupid (or at least the producers make them look this way).

Some teens at home will no doubt relate to the "stars" trying to find social and emotional footing.

But since the "Laguna Beach" generation has been raised in the age of reality TV, the cast members seem to recognize their assigned roles, right down to the bitchy dumb blonde.

When Stephen tries to teach Kristin how to surf, he warns her to "be aware of everyone else around you."

"I'm not good at that," she says.

That comment, a mix of entitlement and disregard, sums up what is so irritating about this particular "reality."

Caption: CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN': MTV's new `Laguna Beach,' which the network calls a `reality drama,' showcases a group of rich, clueless teens from an affluent California town.

Copyright 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

Get Skiing &Snowboarding Packages. - Sponsored Link
Ad - View Package Specials &Book Now!