The nostalgia runs DEEP here. No, it's not a perfect show, I wouldn't even say it's great. But it's so perfectly 2010, and the characters are a tiny bit more unpredictable than I remembered. Also watching it now I see how flawed Liz is herself, but it's such a good blast from the past.
6 Reviews
Entertaining, if not entirely realistic
tlowell525 November 2010
I caught this show when MTV ran a marathon on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and I was very impressed. From the previous comments and just from watching the show, it is obvious that it is scripted, but I respect that as an artistic choice.
Liz Lee (the character on the show) is a typical misfit teen with artistic leanings. She surrounds herself with other misfits, and does battle with the blonde, popular girls. In this way, the show resembles "Daria", but that's about where the similarities end. "Daria" was animated, satirical, and in every way a cartoon, while "My Life As Liz" is live-action and takes pains to show the misery and angst of teen life in a more human way.
Having said that, "My Life As Liz" is clearly not realism, although it is filmed in a cinema verite style. Liz the character is extremely pretty, brainy, witty, and talented, and yet hangs out with a bunch of overweight nerds (and one popular blonde girl who doesn't want to be pigeonholed as a popular blonde girl) and doesn't have a boyfriend. I fully understand why she is portrayed that way; it lends much more drama and pathos to the story than if she were to live among the circle of people that Liz the real person probably hangs out with. This creative choice is a smart one, and the show is much more successful as entertainment than it otherwise would be.
From reading the other comments, I understand that Burleson, TX is not as remote or dull as Liz the character makes it out to be, but I think Liz the character talks about it that way in comparison to a place like New York, where many young people of Liz Lee's talent and charisma eventually land. As an adult, I can appreciate the convenience of a well-placed Home Depot or Olive Garden, but someone like Liz, a young aspiring artist, has bigger thoughts in mind, and it is perfectly natural for her to want to get out of wherever she is to a place where she can realize them.
The style of the show is very arresting. I was drawn in from the very earliest scenes that I watched, not the least by Liz's acting ability and charm, but also by the naturalness of the dialog, the expert cinematography, and the way high-school relationships are portrayed as hopeless endeavors of non-communication and awkward silence. It's so hard to express one's feelings at that age, and the show has a marvelous way of capturing that phenomenon. This is in comparison to a show like "The Hills", where the awkward silences merely pointed out how vapid and shallow the characters were. Here, since the characters are in high school and not fully formed, it makes more sense and draws out more empathy from the viewer. Plus, when they do express themselves, what they say is smart and funny and, their failures to communicate only make the characters more likable.
I predict big things from Liz Lee, and I look forward to another season of "My Life As Liz" or whatever else she chooses to do.
Liz Lee (the character on the show) is a typical misfit teen with artistic leanings. She surrounds herself with other misfits, and does battle with the blonde, popular girls. In this way, the show resembles "Daria", but that's about where the similarities end. "Daria" was animated, satirical, and in every way a cartoon, while "My Life As Liz" is live-action and takes pains to show the misery and angst of teen life in a more human way.
Having said that, "My Life As Liz" is clearly not realism, although it is filmed in a cinema verite style. Liz the character is extremely pretty, brainy, witty, and talented, and yet hangs out with a bunch of overweight nerds (and one popular blonde girl who doesn't want to be pigeonholed as a popular blonde girl) and doesn't have a boyfriend. I fully understand why she is portrayed that way; it lends much more drama and pathos to the story than if she were to live among the circle of people that Liz the real person probably hangs out with. This creative choice is a smart one, and the show is much more successful as entertainment than it otherwise would be.
From reading the other comments, I understand that Burleson, TX is not as remote or dull as Liz the character makes it out to be, but I think Liz the character talks about it that way in comparison to a place like New York, where many young people of Liz Lee's talent and charisma eventually land. As an adult, I can appreciate the convenience of a well-placed Home Depot or Olive Garden, but someone like Liz, a young aspiring artist, has bigger thoughts in mind, and it is perfectly natural for her to want to get out of wherever she is to a place where she can realize them.
The style of the show is very arresting. I was drawn in from the very earliest scenes that I watched, not the least by Liz's acting ability and charm, but also by the naturalness of the dialog, the expert cinematography, and the way high-school relationships are portrayed as hopeless endeavors of non-communication and awkward silence. It's so hard to express one's feelings at that age, and the show has a marvelous way of capturing that phenomenon. This is in comparison to a show like "The Hills", where the awkward silences merely pointed out how vapid and shallow the characters were. Here, since the characters are in high school and not fully formed, it makes more sense and draws out more empathy from the viewer. Plus, when they do express themselves, what they say is smart and funny and, their failures to communicate only make the characters more likable.
I predict big things from Liz Lee, and I look forward to another season of "My Life As Liz" or whatever else she chooses to do.
Review from a BHS graduate
Wallflower200810 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Being from Burleson, Tx and having graduated from BHS one year earlier than Liz Lee, I have a different opinion on this show than some other viewers.
It's very hard for me to separate the "show" from the "reality", because the two are so different. I admit I can't watch this show objectively although I have tried. In theory I like the idea of the plot (I was not an outsider in HS, but not popular, and often considered myself a wallflower) because it's different and promotes individuality. But I can't get through a single episode without going screaming mad over the misrepresentation of my hometown.
So to set the record straight: Yes Burleson is a fairly small town, with a population of over 30,000. Yes we have a lot of churches, but not everyone is religious. And yes we love barbecue.
That's not really disputable. What Liz does not mention is that we are just south of one of the largest metroplex in the area- Fort Worth. Burleson is growing exponentially. Residents from nearby towns (Cleburne, Alvarado) come to Burleson to shop. We really don't have much need to leave our town because here we have basically any clothing store, movie theater, shopping center, that we could need. So although we are "small" in comparison to larger cities, we are not THAT small.
Having gone to BHS, I'm aware that there are cliques. But one of the things that I enjoyed about BHS was that the "popular" kids weren't really that popular if you know what I mean. Sure we were all different and into different things but people really intermingled. There wasn't a lot of bullying or harassing or conflict between groups. I was a little surprised to learn we had some blond Barbie bitches in the grade below me because I never noticed. Actually being Indy (what I would stereotype Liz as) is COOL in Burleson. The choppy hair, vintage clothing, and sarcastic persona are really in. Being that way doesn't make you an outcast at all. I never considered Liz (who I just knew of, not personally knew) as an outcast or someone not popular. She always had a lot of friends and was very pretty.
As for reality VS scripted, I think it's obvious. And that really does not bother me. So what if MTV did not really start filming until May, after valentines day, so they had to fabricate that episode? And yeah it was not all filmed at BHS. I could point out the scenes where it is obviously a different school, but think I've rambled enough. They did film scenes after school that were portrayed to be during school. Too many scenes are filmed in Old Town Burleson, which is an extremely small part of out town made to look old. No, Meryls Hamburgers or whatever it is is in Rendon, not Burleson. I just don't want people believing it's so real when it's so scripted.
It's very hard for me to separate the "show" from the "reality", because the two are so different. I admit I can't watch this show objectively although I have tried. In theory I like the idea of the plot (I was not an outsider in HS, but not popular, and often considered myself a wallflower) because it's different and promotes individuality. But I can't get through a single episode without going screaming mad over the misrepresentation of my hometown.
So to set the record straight: Yes Burleson is a fairly small town, with a population of over 30,000. Yes we have a lot of churches, but not everyone is religious. And yes we love barbecue.
That's not really disputable. What Liz does not mention is that we are just south of one of the largest metroplex in the area- Fort Worth. Burleson is growing exponentially. Residents from nearby towns (Cleburne, Alvarado) come to Burleson to shop. We really don't have much need to leave our town because here we have basically any clothing store, movie theater, shopping center, that we could need. So although we are "small" in comparison to larger cities, we are not THAT small.
Having gone to BHS, I'm aware that there are cliques. But one of the things that I enjoyed about BHS was that the "popular" kids weren't really that popular if you know what I mean. Sure we were all different and into different things but people really intermingled. There wasn't a lot of bullying or harassing or conflict between groups. I was a little surprised to learn we had some blond Barbie bitches in the grade below me because I never noticed. Actually being Indy (what I would stereotype Liz as) is COOL in Burleson. The choppy hair, vintage clothing, and sarcastic persona are really in. Being that way doesn't make you an outcast at all. I never considered Liz (who I just knew of, not personally knew) as an outcast or someone not popular. She always had a lot of friends and was very pretty.
As for reality VS scripted, I think it's obvious. And that really does not bother me. So what if MTV did not really start filming until May, after valentines day, so they had to fabricate that episode? And yeah it was not all filmed at BHS. I could point out the scenes where it is obviously a different school, but think I've rambled enough. They did film scenes after school that were portrayed to be during school. Too many scenes are filmed in Old Town Burleson, which is an extremely small part of out town made to look old. No, Meryls Hamburgers or whatever it is is in Rendon, not Burleson. I just don't want people believing it's so real when it's so scripted.
this show is not called "My Life in Burleson"
nagoybog10 July 2011
To the complainers that this show doesn't represent the hometown an school they way they want it too. I think you need to get over your version of both. First this show is a mockumentary, not a documentary, or a reality show. So you will never have an truly open opinion of the show and your review means nothing. If you want to boost your town try getting a show on the Travel Channel. This show is a cute a quirky show about a girl named Liz and how she see's things. The show is NOT "My life as Wallflower2008" or "My Life as camjs2001" So you actually aren't here to review the show. You are here to review your hometown and high school, which as I stated maybe you should go to the Travel Channel website to review your town, and find some site on schools to review your school. When watching a show like this you need to treat the show as if it is any small town in America. The show is actually one of the better shows on MTV at the current time. So to all the haters, get over yourself. I mean do you really think everyone that lives on the Jersey Shore think that shows portrays their area and schools the way they all see it? Bottomline nice lil show to watch to fill time.
A huge blow to our generation
chocokitty1115 May 2011
When I saw the commercials to this on Mtv, I thought it was going to be great. Boy was I let down. I expected this to really reach out to the out casts, nerds, and teen angst kids in high school. Instead I get a whiny bitch who complains about everything. I seriously can't stand Liz Lee. The whole show is just her complaining. She even has a list of things that she hates. I don't even understand what she's complaining about. She's pretty, wealthy, a talented singer, has a great wardrobe, a great group of friends, and she even has her own TV show for god sakes! I can't believe she is perceived as a protagonist when she acts just as class less as the means girls, yet her behavior is somehow justified since she's not "preppy." I can't believe people have the nerve to compare to this to the awesome show "Daria." I give this three stars because her friends are really funny. Why isn't this show about them?
For pop TV, it's okay.
camjs200117 July 2010
I, like the other reviewer, am a BHS graduate. I was somewhat friends with Liz before all this happened and was one of her former boyfriend's (they had a weird relationship) close friends. I was even on the show in a segment that didn't make it.
Anyway, I have struggled balancing my opinion of the show, with how they portray my home town, with how I view Burleson. Sure, it's MTV. Sure, Burleson IS was formerly a major hick town. Sure, we have most of the major outlets and are on the edge of Fort Worth. After weighing all of these factors (and more) I have come to a conclusion.
You have to treat it like a pop culture fad. It's slightly entertaining, but forgettable. It's nothing new. It's not that original (Liz represents about 40% of the school). But, it's a laugh. It has bright colors. It has very indie music. But, in the end, it won't be remembered past it's 2nd season.
Maybe it prepares young kids how to 'be yourself', or, how to 'deal' with high school. I respect that and more power to them. But, you have to look at it like any Disney star. Zach Efron will turn into the Jonas brothers will turn into Justin Bieber.
As to the accusations about HOW staged it is. Well, they are all true. They marketed the show to us originally as a documentary, then reality show, then finally some sort of mockumentary weird concoction. Everyone is pretty friendly and if there's drama, it's generally you're own fault. From my point of view, most everyone was a hipster (like Liz) and we went there to learn from some of the strangest/funniest/honorable teachers ever (I would have liked to have seen them). I'm sure it was your basic high school and MLAL turns the experience into something marketable. But, they have to. They like money (which seems like something Liz would be against).
My overall mood toward this staged, over-exaggerated, quirky, occasionally funny, and wholesome show: apathetic and passive. It's the same way I view Burleson's other claim to fame, Kelly Clarkson.
I'm anxiously waiting the Pratt season where everyone is just like her.
Anyway, I have struggled balancing my opinion of the show, with how they portray my home town, with how I view Burleson. Sure, it's MTV. Sure, Burleson IS was formerly a major hick town. Sure, we have most of the major outlets and are on the edge of Fort Worth. After weighing all of these factors (and more) I have come to a conclusion.
You have to treat it like a pop culture fad. It's slightly entertaining, but forgettable. It's nothing new. It's not that original (Liz represents about 40% of the school). But, it's a laugh. It has bright colors. It has very indie music. But, in the end, it won't be remembered past it's 2nd season.
Maybe it prepares young kids how to 'be yourself', or, how to 'deal' with high school. I respect that and more power to them. But, you have to look at it like any Disney star. Zach Efron will turn into the Jonas brothers will turn into Justin Bieber.
As to the accusations about HOW staged it is. Well, they are all true. They marketed the show to us originally as a documentary, then reality show, then finally some sort of mockumentary weird concoction. Everyone is pretty friendly and if there's drama, it's generally you're own fault. From my point of view, most everyone was a hipster (like Liz) and we went there to learn from some of the strangest/funniest/honorable teachers ever (I would have liked to have seen them). I'm sure it was your basic high school and MLAL turns the experience into something marketable. But, they have to. They like money (which seems like something Liz would be against).
My overall mood toward this staged, over-exaggerated, quirky, occasionally funny, and wholesome show: apathetic and passive. It's the same way I view Burleson's other claim to fame, Kelly Clarkson.
I'm anxiously waiting the Pratt season where everyone is just like her.
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