The Secret Life of the American Teenager

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Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 131 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 131
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 131
  3. Negative: 57 out of 131
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User Reviews

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  1. lizzieliz101545
    Mar 23, 2011
    5
    i've watched it since the start and at first it was really good but it gets cheesier and cheesier. the actors are so HORRIBLE except for about four people like shailene and molly of course and a lot of the story line is just.... awkward so maybe they cast would be better in a dif project but still. even with all of this... i'm strangely addicted and they def know how to keep you hooked.i've watched it since the start and at first it was really good but it gets cheesier and cheesier. the actors are so HORRIBLE except for about four people like shailene and molly of course and a lot of the story line is just.... awkward so maybe they cast would be better in a dif project but still. even with all of this... i'm strangely addicted and they def know how to keep you hooked. but i'm seriously am only watching it to watch amy and ricky's love story... i fast forward through all the rest of the classmates' dramas because it's seriously tacky and fake and just horrible acting. it's not completely awful but it's not a work of art… Expand
  2. JulienF.
    Jan 21, 2010
    5
    I deeply wanted to give it a 1 or a 2, but I'd be lying to myself and to you all if I didn't say that I enjoy this show way too much for a normal person. The storylines are flat, the acting is dreadful(even for the grown-up actors),the word sex is mentioned 5000 times per episode, noting is realistic, woodley apparently forgot that if there is an N at the end of a word you have I deeply wanted to give it a 1 or a 2, but I'd be lying to myself and to you all if I didn't say that I enjoy this show way too much for a normal person. The storylines are flat, the acting is dreadful(even for the grown-up actors),the word sex is mentioned 5000 times per episode, noting is realistic, woodley apparently forgot that if there is an N at the end of a word you have to pronounce it, so why on earth am I so drawn to this show? well because it is so bad that it becomes addictive. people enjoying it because they think it's good should be treated really.… Expand
  3. JoeFind
    Jul 3, 2008
    4
    Wow, I wish high school had been like this. Either these students don't exist, or I was running in WAAAY the wrong circles. Avoid this show at all costs. Just go watch a PSA about teen pregnancy instead, it'll save you scads of time.
  4. DanaA
    Feb 17, 2009
    4
    Somehow I keep coming back to this show. The characterization and acting is terrible. The entire plot is so overused, I could barf. By now, teenagers understand the concept of pregnancy. One character in particular annoys me to all ends, Ben. "I love you Amy, even though you got knocked by some other, not to mention the writers will not give us any other reason than he did it on purpose Somehow I keep coming back to this show. The characterization and acting is terrible. The entire plot is so overused, I could barf. By now, teenagers understand the concept of pregnancy. One character in particular annoys me to all ends, Ben. "I love you Amy, even though you got knocked by some other, not to mention the writers will not give us any other reason than he did it on purpose to get you. Stupid. Stupid. Can we get married now?" Or worse Amy, "I am pregnant, I wish my baby was yours, Ben. But it is Ricky... wait maybe I like Ricky now. Nope, I forgot, I'm married tro you Ben. Oh and did I mention I really and truly love you now? Well, cause I do. I love you now." And their parents trying to force them together through all of this stupid plotholes and crap. "Ben and Amy must be together, because Ricky is the devil. Pure evil. Ben is such a sweet, naive boy. Plus, he's rich and we're in poor times now, I'm the father that lives in my garage and the wife has no job." The actors are terrible. Molly Ringwald sure lost her touch. Or what she had of it anyways. This show makes me want to grind my eyes out with a machete. Grace is annoying, Adrian is annoying, Jack is annoying. Even though Ricky is the only, less-annoying character, he is edging toward toward the annoying line up. If the writers... I shouldn't even call those word deovouring and spitting idiots anything other than failures... think I'm entertain by this mess becaus I so happen to b a teenager, you are mistaken. And if they attempt to put together Ben and Amy for any other idiotic notions. I will puke. They do not love each other, they barely KNOW each other. Ben dated Amy for a couple of weeks and he did NOT know she was pregnant because she hid it from him and he was declaing LOVE since their second date. Not to mention Ben dated Amy over a bet. Good job for that throw back to 80s, cliche crap. Maybe it was an idea of Molly Ringwald.… Expand
  5. chem
    Aug 11, 2009
    4
    I think that although this show maybe entertaining at times, despite all the terrible actors/actresses, it gets kinda annoying with all the drama. yes, drama really happens in real life, but i just wish that the characters would at least learn their lesson a little better. they all just need to chill out! they also make it seem that sex is ok when really its probably better just to wait. I think that although this show maybe entertaining at times, despite all the terrible actors/actresses, it gets kinda annoying with all the drama. yes, drama really happens in real life, but i just wish that the characters would at least learn their lesson a little better. they all just need to chill out! they also make it seem that sex is ok when really its probably better just to wait. i don't know what i think about the show. all i know is that they probably have a bet to see how many times they can say sex on the show.… Expand
  6. SophieF.
    Aug 11, 2008
    4
    This show is so corny, it's unbelievable. The only one who acts like an actual teenager is Amy. Ben sounds way too superficial, repeatedly saying he loves her, calling her his "woman", asking her to marry him and having his father support this idea? Come on, they are 15! Grace just sounds too overly religious, it's so funny yet irritating. That's not what a typical This show is so corny, it's unbelievable. The only one who acts like an actual teenager is Amy. Ben sounds way too superficial, repeatedly saying he loves her, calling her his "woman", asking her to marry him and having his father support this idea? Come on, they are 15! Grace just sounds too overly religious, it's so funny yet irritating. That's not what a typical teenager, even a christian teenager sounds like AT ALL. This is one lame show.… Expand
  7. TheRealz
    Aug 8, 2011
    4
    I have to start by saying that the reason for such a low score is not the ridiculous plot, but instead, the acting. No one in this show can act to save their life, and everyone speaks in a monotone and sounds completely rehearsed, therefore the show loses all believability before I even watch the rest of the episode. Even though I suffered through a few episodes to get the feel of the showI have to start by saying that the reason for such a low score is not the ridiculous plot, but instead, the acting. No one in this show can act to save their life, and everyone speaks in a monotone and sounds completely rehearsed, therefore the show loses all believability before I even watch the rest of the episode. Even though I suffered through a few episodes to get the feel of the show I don't recommend anyone else does the same.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best TV Season of 2008
9
#9 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008
35
#35 Most Shared TV Season of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
48

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 6 out of 15
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    75
    The show, like the old "90210" and "The O.C.," looks to be--from its premiere, at any rate--a top-flight series about a group of high school students, most of whom I liked immediately.
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  2. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    80
    Secret Life feels a lot more authentic than many teen dramas.
    Read full review
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    60
    It's far more realistic in scope and situations than "Gossip Girl," but there's such an earnestness and one-dimensionality to the characters that they seem a lot less believable.
    Read full review
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