Post Scriptum: Prime-time Parents Grow Up

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As I was meandering over a downloaded copy of The O.C. finale this past week, I found myself in admiration. Not of Seth’s oddly-placed comedic quips or Ryan’s brooding maturity, but instead of what has historically grouped to be some of primetime’s most underrated and pitied characters–the parents.

Not all of you may agree; in years past there have been numerous sitcoms centered on parental units who are layered, complex and easy to watch (Homer Simpson, anyone?). On traditional teen television, however, the guardians of our favourite adolescent protagonists have always been a fledgling breed. Perhaps it is an effort to keep teen television appealing to young viewers, or to allow the fresh, young stars scene-stealing priority, but the TV-teen parents have ranged anywhere from invisible, to eager-appreciative, pesky, to plot-killing.

Does anyone remember Zack Morris’ mom on Saved by the Bell? Huh, neither do I. What about the Walsh’s on 90210? I remember them being a bland, moral twosome in comparison to the wild antics of their crazy teenagers. Ironically enough, it seemed as if the parents of the demographic most known for their wild eclecticism was the most boring and sterile of the bunch. Until recently, of course.

In the last decade or so, teen television has grown into a smarter, more developed domain of programming. Today’s TV-teens are alert, armed with the vocabulary of a 42-year-old Harvard grad and gosh, sometimes even relatable. It only makes sense that the parents would follow suit. As I watch the O.C., I find myself anticipating the Sandy-Kirsten scenes, as much as the lamenting lifestyles of Seth Cohen.

In the final episode of the season, when the family came together to intervene on Kirsten’s bad-bottle habit, I shed a tear. My youthful heart actually felt for Kirsten and Sandy’s middle-aged troubles, as opposed to being bored or wanting to switch the channel until the teens reprised their roles.

When Buffy’s mom died on an epic episode of the series a few years ago, I sat in shock in front of the television for nearly an hour. Joyce Summers was an earthly pillar throughout her daughter’s otherworldly activities. She kept Buffy and the audience down to earth without overbearing them with typical mommy moral guidance.

Lorelai Gilmore is perhaps the poster-parent for the TV-momma of our time. Quippy, sympathetic and flawed, she is both intricately written and an active part of her life. She runs a successful inn and has a love life, all the while winning the hearts of mounds of viewers who wish she was their mother week-in, week-out.

Why have our primetime parents decided to finally grow up? Part of it is a business decision. Having more multi-faceted and rounded adults available on flashy teen television will appeal not only to the youth, but also to adults who want to understand their kids at an age when they tend to stray away. Dominating that 18 to 34 (and up) demographic for a network is extremely fruitful; raking in the ratings, means raking in the dough.

Writing television shows with multiple characters of different ages is no easy feat It is, however, a goal most writers try to achieve (some better than others) since intertwining plot lines of both the young and old while maintaining the validity of said characters would only reserve you a seat on the A-list in Hollywood.

Lastly, I hate to sound all statistic-y, but in an age where divorce and single-parent homes are becoming more common, strong depictions of parental authority on television, whether they are sole providers or nuclear in form, can only be good. Like teenagers crave their weekly dose of O.C.-angst, parents must crave their dose of accurate TV reflection. There is life after parenting a teenager, and teen drama is finally beginning to realize that.

Here’s to the parents of prime-time. They’re growing up just fine.