Channel Surfing: Trashy TV is entertaining, if only for the laughs

By: Sanah Faroke/Columnist

The shore crew is car-less while super humans battle awkward situations. Enjoy!

Comedy: “Awkward.”
MTV, Tuesdays @ 11 p.m.

So here it is, another high school drama, except it is actually relatable — who knew? From “The O.C.” (come on, like all people in high school are perfect, beautiful and rich) to “Gilmore Girls,” with a character like Paris (freakishly smart, inappropriate and competitive), the typical high school drama is not always as relatable as they can be.

In any case, “Awkward.” is a typical high school drama that narrates the story of Jenna Hamilton, a somewhat social outcast whose friends either speak “text” or have strict Asian parents who prevent any kind of outside life. Things begin to look up when Matty McKibben, a popular, less good-looking version of  Finn from “Glee” hooks up with Jenna on a whim. However, she later finds out he has no intention of committing himself to her, or is his social status the concern?

Jenna is forced to cope with a variety of individuals: Lacy Hamilton, her juvenile mother; Sadie Saxton, who is a walking oxymoron and manipulative fat cheerleader; Valerie Marks, an insensitive and unprofessional student counselor, and Jake Rosati, a guy Jenna recently kissed and is now fighting for her affections.

I’m interested to see how Jenna deals with the awkward tension between herself and Tamara, Matty, and Jake, after last week’s unexpected shindig at Jenna’s house. When Jenna realizes she’s a ‘girl-code’ breaker because she kissed Tamara’s unexpected crush, Ricky Schwartz, she also discovers that Tamara was the coward who forgot to inscribe her name at the end of the “friend-emy” letter.
In the upcoming Sept. 13 episode, Jenna’s magical sweet sixteen couldn’t be worse, especially when everyone hates you; now, instead of being catered to, her biffle, potential boyfriend and possible submissive secret crush are all getting Jenna’s attention rather than the other way around.

The obstacles are similar but the one thing that keeps me watching is to see how the characters manage with the different scenarios thrown at them. While watching the show, viewers will get lost in the drama; mentally, you make the best choices for them, yet it is eye-opening when you see a character you relate to going through similar situations. It’s a life lesson in disguise. Who said television wasn’t educational?

Reality TV: Jersey Shore
MTV, Thursdays @ 10 p.m.

The “Jersey Shore” phenomenon has gone beyond the U.S. and into their Italian roots. Jenni “J-Woww,” Nicole “Snooki,” Sammi “Sweetheart,” Deena, Vinny, Ronnie, Pauly D and Mike “The Situation” all embark on a trip to Italy, even though some may not know exactly where Italy or its neighboring countries are.

It may not be the most substantial television show ever, but it’s extremely entertaining and satisfies the guilty pleasure quota of TV viewers everywhere because the cast is too easy of a target to laugh at. The recent drama was intense with the fight between Ronnie and Mike, Jenni attempting to be the mediator and Ronnie and Sammi continuing an on-and-off relationship.

While the show is a tad addicting, the average American sees the gang as a joke, but to be honest, this is what attracts its viewers and it is, in fact, hilarious — from Deena falling on her face (sober or drunk) to Snooki getting in trouble with the police. In the upcoming Sept. 15 episode, the “Jersey Shore” crew decides to take a trip to an Italian beach. The most anticipated event of the season will finally premiere: Snooki, who happens to be the only girl able to drive stick, crashes into an Italian police cruiser and a wall, which causes two police officers to be taken away on stretchers to the hospital for whiplash. Snooki has her license revoked, but she is not arrested. What will the gang do for mobilization?!

Science Fiction: Alphas
Syfy, Mondays @ 10 p.m.

Running for its first season this year, “Alphas” delivers the enhanced abilities of “X-Men” mutants with a sprinkle of “One Tree Hill” drama and the investigative quality of “CSI.”  It’s a great combination, if I may say so myself.
“Alphas” focuses on six characters who have super human abilities (called Alphas), such as visualizing electromagnetic signals (Gary); the ability to see movement at an advanced speed and hyperkinesis (Cameron); the ability to heighten one or more essential senses (Rachel); or the use of hyper induction, the power to force someone to do something by verbally asking (Nina). Dr. Lee Rosen takes on the mentor role of the group of Alphas and urges them to use their powers for the greater good.

The characters go through personal problems: the sexual tension is growing between Nina and Cameron; Rachel’s overbearing mom has kicked her out of the house and she can’t seem to catch a break in her love life; and Gary’s mom can’t seem to let him go when he has to go out and fight crime as an Alpha.

The characters are extremely human with all with their quirks, issues and wit. The dialogue is fresh, full of one-liners (courtesy of Gary) and an overarching storyline is developing among the stand-alone episodes, promising something bigger in the long run.

The group also has to deal with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the U.S. Department of Defense who forbid them to get involved in their investigations concerning rogue Alphas; the growing uncertainty on where the government’s true intentions lie; as well as a rebel group, Red Flag, who are Alphas hell-bent on destroying Alphas who have conformed themselves to working with the government.
Sept. 12’s episode displays a problem that could potentially hinder the team or actually benefit them: an Alpha who can see what will happen before anyone else could actually be a huge life saver (if he’s on Dr. Rosen’s team). I can’t tell the future, but I know that this episode is going to be incredible.

Channel Surfing is weekly column on TV shows. Look for it every Monday this Fall.