High School Laziness 2

Last Friday night, my daughters were among the millions that set the record for "High School Musical 2" to be the highest rated basic cable viewing ever. They swooned over Zac Efron (even though neither would admit it) and even tried to sing along to the new songs. It was cute, except for the part of "High School Musical 2" that told kids it sucked to work a summer job and serve other people as well as how unimportant college is when compared to making summer memories with your friends.

From the CNN article, 'High School' sequel smashes ratings records:

"Breaking the viewership record is terrific, but records come and go, and what's really important is the impact the 'High School Musical' movies have had on kids all over America and all over the world," said Gary Marsh, Disney Channel Worldwide entertainment president.

The impact he's referring to is probably the merchandising, which is to be expected from a franchise this big. However, I noticed a not-so-subtle message about work and future planning. The characters came right out and said it. First they complain about working during summer vacation and having to serve other people. Then Zac Efron's character initiates the main plot in which he disses his friends because he's trying to get a basketball scholarship. This was really played up and he was a "jerk" and "sellout".

Vanessa Hudgens's character eventually tells Efron that he is wrong because she wanted to "make memories" during the summer while chastising him for being too focused on the future. Naturally, Efron's character sees what a dope loser he's been and comes around and they end with a big song finale, "Everyday", where the cast sings "Today is all we have" and how it's all about "Right here and right now".

The script naturally didn't answer how Efron's character was going to go to college without a scholarship. Was his dad going to cough up the money? Was he going to apply for student loans or end up working full time to pay for part time school? Why the hell were his friends such whiners?

Sure, these were plot devices. I just don't like the message that working sucks and today is the only important day in your life shoved in my kids' faces. The first one was a remake of Grease. This one was something altogether different.

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