Shows like The O.C and Laguna Beach

[TristanDSP]

Do any of you see a social discriminatory message in these shows?

Growing up, I watched TV shows about moderate families trying to get through life (Family Matters, The Simpsons, MWC). Although hey didn't have bankloads of money, one message I learned was that you don't need money to enjoy life.

And yeah, sure, there was 90210 and Melrose place, and they were popular, but they weren't directed at such a young demographic like these new shows are.

Frankly, if you look beyond the petty drama, the beautiful people, and all that other manufactured stuff, I think these shows spread a message that if you don't have that type of money, you can't enjoy life as much as these "kids" do.

Forget the disproportion of race representation (It IS The O.C), and the fact that these kids are never seen in school and are shown spending thousands if not millions that their parents, not them, earned. I just think these shows prepetuate the notion that if you aren't that fortunate socially (hell, maybe racially), that you're not deserving of that life.

Maybe it's just me; a lower class, modest Filipino from a humble, more simple part of San Diego that came from a single parent family who has been thrust into a greek system full of rich, more fortunate (and lighter skinned) spoiled kids who always try to remind you that daddy paid for the Escalade. But as someone whose had to work to pay tuition and dues, I wouldn't want to see my kids emulaing these spoiled brats.

I just wanted to throw that out there since it's been on my mind......