You've seen the commericals on The N. Yeah, the ones with that one chick acting all flirty with the other chick and with Kenny from Hang Time. They're commericals for the new show on The N, South of Nowhere. Here's the press release from Viacom:


No abortions though. The N doesn't play that.

Now before you go, "Degrassi rip-off!" Keep in mind a few things: This show doesn't seem to have a lot of characters like Degrassi does, and I think they'll keep things focused on the Carlin siblings. Second, whereas Degrassi deals with topical issues, this series seems to be more about self-identity. What will really set this show about from Degrassi is that, according to this link, if it is to belived, (spoiler warning) Spencer, the lead female character will discover that she is indeed a lesbian and may start a relationship with wild child Ashely, which would make SoN the first U.S. show aimed at a young audience to revolve around a lesbian teen. It'll be interesting to see how The-N's primary audience (teenage girls) react to this show.

I think this show has a shot at doing really well though. Tom Lynch has a good track record (Caitlin's Way, Alex Mack) and the cast is attractive and it does sound like it would be a fun show to watch after Degrassi goes off at 8:30pm.

Official site's here. The show premieres November the 4th. I think I'll actually be in town to see the premiere...

This really makes me wish I had TiVo. I've seen the promos while Daria's on, and I'm still planning on trying to catch the premiere, but I don't really want to explain this one to my parents. God, I need to move out. Heh.
As a lesbian myself, I do hope that they go that direction with the character, or at least have it be a possibility, and deal with it realistically. Would've been nice to see when I was that age.

Two new articles:

One from AfterEllen.com, it gives away quite a lot so [spoiler warning].

One about Valerie Ortiz, one of the actresses.

ETA: The Donnas are doing the theme song.

Aww, look at the cute morons.

This show seems interesting. If I had any access to The-N, I'd watch it.

Hopefully it'll be downloadable somewhere. (I really, really hope so, 'cause I doubt I'll be able to catch it on TV.)

Ooh!! starts in just 1 hour!!!!!

Goddamit, I'm not going to be home on time to see the premiere. I guess I'll catch it when it repeats.

Hmm....MegaJ, the N doesn't really repeat their shows very often, so you might be out of luck. ;)

The reviews I've seen on this are mixed, but I'm still very much looking forward to it.

I've gotta say, it was quite the dissapointment. Maybe because the promos have been running for MONTHS now and highlighted more than just the premiere episode, so my expectations were shot down. I'll give it another week to try and win me over but there's just something missing that I can't put my finger on. Maybe I shouldn't have went in expecting to be "WOW'D". That was my first mistake.

I did almost think they were going to "go there" with the abortion, but nope, nipped in the bud! I guess "get rid of it" is The-N's new catchphrase for the big A.

I do like the show's production values though. Gotta give them credit there! Although, yet another teen show with nearly perfect cast members?

I actually really enjoyed it. Shows usually improve after their pilots (like my other the-N love, Instant Star--embarrassingly bad pilot, worked its way through the season to a killer season finale. not that I'm a total and complete loser or anything. no sir, not I), and again, I liked it. The blond brother needs to be slapped, and the show is trying way, way, way too hard--lesbianism, miscarriages, racial profiling, jockfighting, all in the first episode? Oookay.

The show made a big deal of its diversity (on the-N's website, the-Mary was like "OMG black people in Southern California?" mockingly, of course, and, well... it's a valid point), and while I do give it kudos for that... is it me, or is the black brother (yeah Spencer, Madison, and Aiden are the only characters whose names I've managed to pick up so far) only ever filmed in scenes with other black kids? Which on the social scene works but... does he go to a different school? Shouldn't there have been like, some white kids in his English class? Or was I just not paying attention?

Word on the production values.

I think that was the whole point black brother cant get into AP math and has to play with coloring books. 'Cause he is black they don't make the effort to get him in the best classes.

It repeats at 11:30 CST. I wasn't even sure I got this channel, so I missed it, but lo and behold, I do. Gotta get my queer fix, even if it is crappy.

You might as well stick a fork in Degrassi after I saw this tonight. If you make me choose between preachiness and wackiness, I'll choose wackiness every time. Just a ridiculously over the top premiere. Lesbians! Abortions! Evil Racist Cops! The head cheerleader's boyfriend was really wooden in his acting but everyone else was pretty capable. I hope we get a slow burn with some of these storylines though. Lots of craziness works for a pilot, but I think they need to settle down a little in upcoming episodes.

I wonder if this show will be available somewhere on the net. The only time I ever get to see The-N is when they show a free preview special. Kinda sucks.

Pro - I adore Mandy Musgrave, and Mandy Musgrave in teeny outfits is muy bueno. Con - Spencer bears more than a passing resemblance to a girl I hated in high school.

But I already think this is mopping the floor with Degrassi, action wise.

I dug it.

Wow, I really enjoyed that! I was surprised at how well-written it was, for a "kids show". Cheesy and over the top, definitely, and some seriously terrible production values, but it was nice to just watch a cheesy show. I agree that they need to settle down a little bit; trying to juggle race, lesbians, abortion, and high school blah de blah, it got a little bit hectic. But, yeah, I dug it.

So I finally caught it at 12:30am. Great production values, and an interesting set-up pilot, though it was a bit hectic. I guess they wanted to introduce all the principal cast.

The Carlins are alright. Glen got on my nerves, Clay's storyline hit right home, and Spencer is a cool character. I haven't seen enough of Mom and Dad for me to judge.

Ashley...okay I'm guessing there's no dress code at King High. Seriously, if she went to my school, she would've been sent home, or forced to wear a big, ugly orange T-shirt. Her past with Aiden already opens up possibilites for future plotlines. I had to laugh, Aiden sure knows how to pick the ladies. Ashley goes bisexual and now he's eye-ing sexually confused Spencer.

I'll stick around for the episodes I CAN see, I'm stuck in college. I hope someone puts them on Limewire or somewhere. I think they're doing a marathon around Thanksgiving, so that's good.

Reviews from people who matter:
Good Article from (I think) TV Gal
Good(?) review from the Hollywood Reporter.
Tom Lynch created KIDS Incorporated? Awesome.
Mixed review from Variety.
Good review from NewsdayArticle on Mandy Musgrave and Valery OrtizSoN makes "8 to watch this weekend."

The first two episodes were a bit of a mess in terms of them trying to cram so much into it. The tweeking of sterotypes- the white brother is the baskeball hotshot, the black brother is the brain, the mother is the surgeon whose career forced the move, the father is the devoted social worker, was a little obvious and over the top, but it fit in with the rest of the show. That over the top cheesiness, though, is one of things that I like about the show. Actually that might be the biggest draw for me, at least right now. My favorite scene along those lines was the one girl saying "that's that white boy's problem, not yours." That line was a classic.

Mandy Musgrave plays Ashley, right? I thought she was the best of the actors on the show, although I also liked the actress who played Spencer, as well as the actor who played Clay's friend (Sean?).

I'll be there next week to catch it right after Degrassi.

I liked the premiere too. I'm pretty sure it was all handheld cameras, which usually drives me nuts with all the shaking, but I liked it in this case. I liked how the Carlans' individual storylines converged a few times. It bugs me when shows featuring siblings have separate plots for each character.

Word to those who said there was a little too much going on, but it always takes a few episodes for a show to settle in, and premieres tend to be intense. I thought Ashley and Spencer became friends a little too quickly to come off as realistic, but it is TV, and they only had so much time to get things moving. Did anyone else think it was weird that the lockers were outside? It'd be pretty easy for someone to break into them at night.

Glad to see this isn't yet another show that thinks it's soooo cool for being set in the L.A. area. (Yes, I'm talking to you, The O.C.) Looking forward to next week.

Slade and MegaJ, if you go to the N web site, the schedule does show when it repeats, and I think it's quite a few times.
I think the girl who lays Spencer looks a bit like Jessica Alba. Not quite so hot, but that's who she reminds me of.

I'm catching the premiere now and right away I'm noticing that the acting is a little... bad? And they don't seem to have the "teenspeak" down the way they do on Degrassi. Maybe that's why the acting is so lackluster, the lines are just too scripty.

I caught the premiere tonight and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It still needs a few episodes to settle in, but I think there is definite potential. The premise reminds me of 90210 but I like the way they are trying to twist the stereotypes (even if it is a little overkill.) No way would Brenda Walsh ever had been a lesbian. Imagine the first episode of 90210 if they had been setting up a romance between Brenda and Kelly!

I actually thought the girl playing Ashley was the weakest actress of them all but I absolutely love her voice. I don't think I've ever watched a show before and been so in love with a person's speaking voice but that my biggest observation from the pilot. I wish I talked like that.

Or looked like any of the girls on this show.

I missed it because I have a cousin visiting this weekend. Anyone know if it'll be repeated during the week, or if the pilot is downloadable anywhere?

I watched the premiere again. I'm guess The-N (and pretty every teen show) is against having some sort of adult supervisor on the cheerleading squad. It seems unthinkable that cheerleading squad wouldn't have a coach/supervisor, especially now that it's a competitive sport. We got both Paige and Madison bullying the other cheerleaders...

I started watching late about 10 minutes in. Was it a surprise that the black guy from Hang Time was the other son? Or did we just assume he was a wealthy black guy from a black family until he showed up late for dinner?

MegaJ, I don't think I've EVER seen a cheerleading show where they have supervisors. This has always bothered me because a cheerleading coach is just as important as a Football or Basketball one. No way they'd let catty teenage girls have full reign.

Anyway, I loved this show! I didn't think The N would ever get a show that's compelling to watch ala Degrassi, but they finally have. I thought this was edgy, well written and very well cast.

The lesbian angle almost made me not watch, but they (surprisingly) pulled it off VERY well! I thought it was going to be the usual ratings stunt where there is zero chemistry, it makes zero sense and it ends soon. Looks like they'll stick with it. I like that.

Mandy Musgrave, I think her name is Ashley, was very good. I hated her when she was on Days of Our Lives, but I think she's improved since then. She's also much hotter here, but I blame the Days waredrobe department for that. It was also nice seeing Bold and Beautiful star Maeve Quinlan as the Mom, but I had no idea she was old enough for that.

Can't wait to see more eppys of this show and I hope it takes off in the same way Degrassi has.

I thought this show was great. I'm a Standards and Practices nut who always pays attention to this stuff so I was thrilled at what it got away with--damns and asses, like degrassi, but even bitches and a "dyke" . . . the mentions of religion, and the mom being not cool with homosexuality (another stereotype they flip-flopped I guess, since usually [like on Degrassi] it's the dads who are more upset) . . . the whole miscarriage story, which is pretty "100% intense," even though they DID go out of their way to nix abortion . . . the word "chronic" instead of just generic pot, and letting a guy smoke in a show without it being a Very Special Episode . . . and I thought Ashley and Spencer had a LOT of chemistry, a lot more than a lot of couples on the N's other shows.

I thought the teenspeak wasn't bad. Like I said, their language wasn't all censored, at least. Some of the quips were a little too well thought out to be said on the spur of the moment (like "splinters in your ass" from Aidan, in the middle of the basketball game), but the same could be said for most teen shows.

Three fights was extreme for one episode, and they were all too blood-free, and yeah the stereotype switches were somewaht obvious, but I didn't see much else as being that cheesy. The acting could be a bit better, but I don't think anyone's as low as Terri or early-Hazel from Degrassi. Also, I like the structure of a family and their friends a lot better, because typically shows like that can have more storylines and more realism than shows where it's just random kids whose parents vanish when convenient. And I was soooo thrilled that the gay stuff was in the forefront. I thought from the early descriptions of the show that there'd maybe be a tiny hint of it, and maybe by the season finale we would see Spencer actually kissing a girl or admitting that she likes one . . . but it's clear that things are going to accelerate much faster than that, and introducing it so early on means they can't take it back. Finally . . .

Was the mom supposed to be pregnant or am I mistaken?

The only real thing that bothered me was the outside lockers. Sooo impractical. Since it seems that they have all the lockers on wheels (since they used the same ones in the cheerleading room and the dream sequence), I wish they'd just scoot them into the hallway set and pretend that the outside lockers never happened.

I recall reading on The O.C. forum that outdoor lockers are very common in California. I've personally never seen them though, being from Texas.

We had them in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

We had outside lockers at my school, too - junior and senior high (SF Bay Area). They were in outdoor breezeways that were protected by pull down gates after school hours.

Heh. I'm from Texas too, and it's just infathomable here. But I should have known there'd be outside lockers in California. ;)

I had no expectations about this show since my friend told me to watch it right before it came on and I have to say that I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it.



Yeah, that's what I was afraid of too, I'm tired of lesbian storylines being in the forefront for an episode and then once they've "educated" us, it's bye bye lesbians. Finally, a show that, hopefully, will do this kind of story justice.

I've never seen so many white kids and black kids in a "typical" Los Angeles public high school in all my life. Same 'ol white vs. black, black vs. white conflict. The writers could at least be original.

I've also never seen so few Latino or Asian or even Armenian kids, either. So much for actual, accurate diversity. <sigh>

Hi to everyone.

I haven't got to see the premiere yet. Excited to see it despite the fact that in the previews seemed a bit over-acted. I'm too excited by a TV show that might properly deal with a main character being a lesbian to not watch though.

Someone mentioned downloads before. I've been checking torrent websites but to no avail, stuff doesn't usually come up on Limewire unless its been on a bittorrent site first in my experience.

Perhaps someone from this forum should rip the episodes for the rest of us who are deprived?

Hi

Does anyone know where to download the episodes? I don't live in the US so I cannot see them.... Thanks

Watched the premiere again, caught a random annoying tidbit that escaped my notice the first time. When Clay is registering for classes, he wants to get into AP Physics because "if I don't carry a full load this semester, I'll be ineligible for college scholarships."

Okay, aside from the awkward "please hold while we connect you to the department of exposition" phrasing... um, what? If you NEED college scholarships, usually you will be able to demonstrate that need to the colleges via federal financial aid forms. Several big, very "elite" colleges don't even bother with merit money so they can assure their applicants need-blind acceptance. Colleges that DO offer merit money look at many things, including course load but also the grades carried in those courses, and they also look at how well a student takes advantage of a school's resources and which of those resources were available to him; as a midyear transfer, obviously he would have trouble getting into what is presumably a smaller class like AP Physics. And finally, if he's talking about external scholarships... there it might make more of a difference, perhaps, but if he finds the right ones to apply to, and he's as strong a student as I think we're meant to assume he is, his chances are still good. Besides, there are certain scholarship programs he can apply for that the other Carlins can't because he's black (<--not intended in any way as a "THE SYSTEM FAVORS BLACK PEOPLE, OMG REVERSE RACISM" sentiment, because a) no and b) well. this is neither the time nor the place for such a debate. but just sayin'. And I assume Clay would be aware of this too).

So. I guess the exchange was meant to make us feel sympathetic to his plight. Or something. But instead (to me), he came across as another college-obsessed high school student too focused on where he's going (...geddit?) to notice where he is.

But perhaps I'm just bitter.

(This post brought to you by first trimester of senior year. Now excuse me while I go apply to college).

I went to high school in Southern CA, and we had outdoor lockers. Some high schools do have them indoor, but whatever. As for the wheels on lockers, maybe that is being wise with the budget?

I don't know what the-N was smoking when they created this show, but all I can say is that they need to quit. It was a good show, compared to all the other pop shit they "originally" brought on here. They had my attention for most of the hour. The only downgrade within the show was Ashley and her (I think it was) Ferrari SUV. Where did that come from? I know some people in Southern CA have bank (e.g. Orange County), but a sixteen year old with a car that most adults cannot afford was a little off to me.

I think it gave a good portrayal of LAPD and minority hatrid. Speaking of minorities, where were they? For them to keep showing shots of Downtown L.A, they sure kept out the shots of the other races.

I kinda hope this show continues to air. It's time the-N opened its eyes and stop trying to air all that pretty pop shit (not including Degrassi).

Pilot episode is available for download. Link here:
http://www.livejournal.com/community/_southofnowhere/

Mandy Musgrave and Gabrielle Christian are much better actors than I expected. And they have great chemistry. The rest of the group I can take or leave. So far, though, I'm liking the show. The mother's character grates a bit, she seems a little one-dimensional, but she's not around enough for her to bother me much. It seems a little ambitious, but much more palatable than Degrassi.

I also admit to getting a bit choked up at the end of the pilot. Probably the first time TV's made me feel sympathetic towards a teenager who's wanted a baby. Normally I'd want to bitchslap some sense into them, but this time, I just wanted to hug the poor kid. And, aw, that last scene was so sweet. You go, Spencer. You're gonna be okay.

Hey. I just wanted to let you all know that there's a new Yahoo group for Spencer and Ashley fans. The address is: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/spencerandashley/
Hope to see you there!

What a waste of time.

What really annoys me about this show is whenever I read things that the creators said, they complained about so many shows giving an unrealistic portrayal of life, and this show would be more real. I'm sorry, but this show was horrible unrealistic.

The writing sucked. Almost as bad as Degrassi.

The acting really was pretty weak. The two lead girls were OK, but aside from them, the rest were horrible. Spencer's brother, the basketball player, was horrible, and the character was annoying as hell.

I know I seem harsh, but remember now, this is television without pity. And I'm just stating my opinions.

I will say that whether or not the school is well-represented with its diversity (the extras were crazy diverse, which is good), one of the leads, that cheerleader girl, is totally a Latina. So, is the show diverse in ways other than black/white? Yeah, I'd say so.

I was annoyed by the bball brother, too, but i'm getting over it - they gave him some funny lines. I'm really intrigued to see where the show ends up. I heard that CC DeVille is guest-starring on the next ep, which I'm *STOKED* about because I'm a HUGE Poison fan (but only slightly embarrassed to admit it).

As for teenagers driving expensive cars, that didn't bother me. When I was in high school, the students' cars were WAAY nicer than the teachers'. Most of the kids at my school drove BMWs, Mercedes and any other cars they could convince their parents to buy them. and my school wasn't THAT wealthy compared to other towns (in NY).

the show wasn't bad - it is only the first episode, and I'm psyched to see what's going to happen next, and PS, have you seen that ad running about Degrassi and South? The N totally pokes fun at itself for it's "originals". I'm not hating on them so much for that.

Here are brief descriptions of the next five episodes (no new episode on 11/25) as provided by Cable TV Talk.

11/11- “Friends, Lovers, Brothers, & Others”


11/18- “Put Out or Get Out”


12/2- “Molding Clay”


12/9- “Girl’s Guide to Dating”


12/16- “Friends with Benefits”

Man, I was hoping they'd avoid that teen girls compete for the same boy, ruining their friendship in the process crap. I know it's standard, but it's also lame.
And I was kind of hoping to see Ashley and Spencer hook up, though I didn't think it would really happen.
I do hope we get to see Ashley with a girlfriend at some point.

They still might. Perhaps the way their friendship changes ... perhaps they have a fight and realize that they are really interested in each other!

Ashley's voice sort of irritates me, but Spencer is cute. How old are the actors really? I always feel dirty when I think actors way younger than me are attractive.

Yeah - and Spencer's voice was all...velvety and smoky when Ashley showed up at the dance, too. Nice.

I've just watched the premiere and, while it was uneven, I think it has potential. I almost gave SoN a pass because, like others, I'm weary of shows who use lesbianism for stunts rather than plot, but I think they've done an OK job (thus far) and I'll definitely tune in to see where it's going. But I'll throw something if they really go the two-girls-fight-for-same-boy route. That would bug me even if they were all straight.

The mom ticked me off. A lot. "Sexual orientation?" Do shut up.

ETA: There is a 4-page interview with Gabrielle Christian (Spencer) at AfterEllen. It's quite interesting (and vaguely spoilerish).

That interview was very telling.

Mandy Musgrave is nineteen, Gabrielle Christian is twenty-one.

I never would have figured Gabrielle Christian was older than I am. She looks like a high school student, definitely.

Liked the new episode, was more or less concerned with the Spencer/Ashley stuff.

I thought the girls had good chemistry in the drunken Spencer scene when she touched on Ashley backstage. I like that they're taking the friends route instead of pulling a "destiny" storyline. I think it's more beliveable that they would be just friends and then later become more if it feels right.

I could really care less for Glen, I just am not at all interested in his character.

I like the Spencer/Aidan/Ashley friendship as long as that's all it is. I don't want some bisexual triangle going on there.

I'm not sure that Mandy and Gabrielle are any better actors than the rest of them, but Mandy's got real charisma. More than most actors her age. And she and Gabrielle have fabulous chemistry. (Also, they both have very sexy voices. Just sayin'.) Loved the semi-flirtation with drunk Spencer backstage.
Is Gabrielle really related to Spencer Tracy? It mentions it on imdb, and my mother commented that they look alike (she ended up watching the episode with me just because she was in the room - and she did seem to like it.)
Who was that playing Ashley's father?