MTV's Real World: Laguna Beach has become a hit on the former music network, chronicling the trials and tribulation of rich teens. The show is now in its third season and has spawned a minor TV celebrity in Kristin Cavalleri.
But parents who live in Laguna Beach and have seen the show are sending up a red flag, telling The New York Times this week that their town is nothing like the show.
"This is not depicting our town the way it should be depicted," said mother of three Lisa Arthur. "Our town is about art and culture, and school should be about education."
Parents' groups are "disgusted over the portrayal of their community" and are banding together in an attempt to stop the MTV production. The parents met with school board members last week in an effort to keep MTV from filming at high schools graduation ceremonies in town.
The school board defended itself by saying MTV was less than forthright about their intentions.
"There was some thought we could control content," school board member Betsy Jenkins told the parents. "[MTV was] calling it a documentary at the time. Of course, no one would have O.K.'d the show that came to be."
Former PTA president Ketta Brown summed up her feelings with a succint barb, saying, "I thought it was boneheaded... I would never let my child participate, and hopefully it will die a natural death."
Hm sounds like a bunch of disgruntled parents, annoyed that their kid didnt make the casting cut. Jealous much?
i think laguna beach season 1 was the best thing mtv did it magnificent!!! yeah sesaon 3 did not do the first two seasons justice
What difference does it make if it doesn't depict the town properly, people arent sitting at home thinking.... "Wow that town is full of jerks and sluts" theyre thinking of it the same way that they have thought of 90210, FRIENDS, or many other sitcoms and dramtic series on TV. MTV isnt making a documentary theyre getting ratings. Although I do agree this show's run should have ended with season 2.
boring show
Oh my gosh that is absolutely ridiculous leave it up to a bunch of old boring parents to ruin another enjoyable show SO WHAT if the real laguna is not like that no one cares they just like watching the show people need to worry less about harmless shows like this and more about shows that have to do with disgusting murder cases that give serial killers crazy, sick and twisted ideas. And for the record my mom loves the show as does 2 of my aunts and many more people I know.
I love the show
you should watch THE OC not REAL OC, i mean THE OC is so much better.
Yes it has been 3years since it aired, why are parents complaining now? This is what some of Laguna kids lifes are, you cant help that.
that is exactly what happend at Hoover. it was orriginally supposed to be a documentary but turned into a drama fest. and the community is angry about the potrayal of some of the leaders in our community.
Season 3 is not as good as the first 2 season and I really do not watch it anymore but they had to know what they were getting into.
I am a thirty-two year old mother of three that just so happens to be obsessed with this show! It really takes me back and the show seems very UNcontrived.The teens on this show lack langauge skills to begin with (such favorite repititives include "narley! sick! whatever dude! and I don't know, but)so I am certain the script is non-existant. Well, there may be a few voice overs here and there, but that is just to put the plots together because of the poor rich kids lack of language skills! Reality television is so popular because viewers want to see how the others live. Most people are searching to live vicariouslly for a moment. It is just Laguna Beach has a teen based story line and most viewers are demographically biased. Most grown-ups feel they are way too old to follow and simply don't feel willing to relate. I record the show on my DVR and turn it on while I am diligently dusting and scrubbing away! It is MY soap opera and I treat it like that! The real life drama is so real and utterly cliche. No matter where you come from, wanting to fit in, having crushes, and dealing with feelings are all part of growing. Atleast this society can watch their behavior and do something about it. The issues on this show are nothing compared to most communities. I mean, no one has gotten knocked up and you don't here of any pot in Laguna! Heck, sign mine up- I want to keep tabs!moreless
Make it end! Make it END!!!!
Get rid of the show! Go parents!
laguna beach stinks
strange
Why hasnt MTV died yet?
Laguna Beach is a horrible show. Only MTV would renew it because their standards are so low. They put out the worst programs.
Real World is still alive? I didn't know that...well, yawn -_-
Can't believe this show is still on air - but, this won't have any affect on it's cancellation.
MTV is the worst channel on the planet.
I don't even have to watch it to tell how lame the show is. I don't blame them.
Never mind that the show does not appeal to those concerned moms, this show must be cancelled anyway because it's so lame.
People watch this show?
And if parents don't think it's the Real O.C. what do they think their kids are doing?
It been 3 years(seasons) since the start of the show and now you want to complain about how MTV is "portraying" your community!?! Maybe the parents are upset because they didn't get to be on TV!!!! Stop being babies.
lol
no one cares lol
Okay, having relatives that LIVE in South Laguna and Laguna (proper) I have visited there a few times in the past few years, and the town is not as vapid as the kids from the show make it seem. It truly was formed as an Artists Colony and features MANY MANY art galleries and various cultural festivals (most notably, the Pageant of the Masters ever year). If my brothers and sisters-in-law watch the show, they always do it with the sound OFF and that way they can just see the sights without listening to the non-scripted dialogue. Not everyone in the town is as spoiled and shallow as many of those kids are and I kind of wish they'd show THAT side of town (yes, it's not as exciting or ritzy, but it IS more realistic)moreless
is that considered news?
Finally, this show is terrible. I've tried watching it twice, and I couldn't stand it. The Real The O.C. should move out of the way for some real The O.C.
yawn factor