MTV’s reality explosions, “Sixteen and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom,” sparked controversy and debate around the nation. Leading to speculation, judgment and even, at times, envy, these shows offered America a small glimpse into the lives of young, teenage mothers. But take away the lights, the camera, and the millions of viewers and wonder what it would actually be like to go through senior year of high school with a baby bump. Would you feel anxious and excited or alone and scared? Would your family and friends support you or leave you and your growing belly behind? Gaby Rodriguez, a student at Toppenish High, took it upon herself to find out the answers to these riveting questions.

With a looming senior project ahead of her, Gaby Rodriguez, a 17-year-old “A” Student, decided to fake her own pregnancy as a social experiment. Spending 6 ½ months of her senior year with a wire mesh and cotton quilt belly, Gaby tried to understand the stereotypes and rumors that go along with teenage pregnancy. She took careful notes of what was said not only to her face, but also behind her back. Only a handful of people knew the truth about her charade, including her best friend, boyfriend, mother and principle. The rest of her fellow students, siblings and teachers were left out in the dark with their criticism. Her boyfriend’s parents thought it was going to be a boy. Read More »

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Am I alone in feeling like New Year’s Resolutions are always the same?  You want to lose weight, you decide to keep on top of your class readings…maybe you’re going to take up a new hobby or find a boyfriend.  Yaaaaaawn!  I think this year you, and the rest of humanity, should take on some serious resolutions.  Like Oprah-sized resolutions.  Ones that will positively impact society throughout the year, and hopefully for years to come.

Need a little help thinking of something that’s more charitable than you trying to fit back into your pre-college skinny jeans?  Well, you’re in luck because I’ve come up with this little list of suggestions…

Boycott Ke$ha
A relatively simple move that can only have positive ramifications for future generations and any alien life forms who travel to our world light years from now.  How would you like your child (or some little green dude) picking up a CD made by someone with a dollar sign in her name and listen to a track like “Party at a Rich Dude’s House”?  They would actually think that you and everyone you knew actually listened to and liked a girl with hair extensions and crack eyes.  Now, we can’t be having that.

Give Freshmen a Shot
At getting in your panties, at getting to the keg, at getting a chance to speak in class.  Whatever it may be, try not to forget the younger people.  You were once in their position, too.  New on campus, unsure of the social hierarchy of frat parties, always on-time with your assignments, often ignored by everyone of legal drinking age.  Make someone’s dreams come true this spring.  And remember, stealing some little dude’s virginity is a good deed.

Read More »

Everyone has a story. And while my post-grad journey has so far revolved around moving to California, interning, working odd jobs here and there, and studying for the LSAT to attend law school next year, I know that my story isn’t a typical after-college route. In fact, I don’t think there is a typical after-college route, which is why life after college is so exciting and so scary. It varies from person to person and it’s difficult for every individual post-grad to gauge their success when there’s nothing to compare it to.

Sometimes I like to pretend that I’m living a different post-grad life than I am. I even sometimes think about marketing post-grad stories to Bravo or MTV because everyone I know seems to have their own story. Some lives are more stressful than others, and some are boring. Some people are still strictly obsessed with college and continue to spend the majority of their new existence going back. Some post-grads are completely different than a year ago.

But they are all interesting in their own right.

I know my personal experience, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking and wondering about other post-grad scenarios. For example: Read More »

You might not have noticed this, but here at CollegeCandy, we’re kind of TV addicts. Comedies. Dramas. Dramedies. It doesn’t really matter. As long as it’s on, we’ll watch it. And if we’re not there to see it, we’ll DVR it and watch it later.

But there’s one genre in particular that holds a special place in our hearts. That’s right, you guessed it, I’m talking about reality TV. Who needs actors and scripts when reality is just so damn entertaining all on its own? The people we watch, the situations they put themselves in, just can’t compete with figments of the imagination. And love ‘em or hate ‘em, reality shows have altered our lives and pop culture as we know it.

So, since it’s early on a Monday morning and there’s nothing on but the news (boring) and some Proactive infomercial (it’s too early for Avril Lavigne’s skin problems), let’s count down the top ten reality TV shows that changed our lives.

10. The Real Word. What? Do you think I have no sense of history? This is the longest running show on MTV. One of the longest running reality TV shows of all time. It set the standard for hot tubs and co-ed bathrooms and super dramatic fights that often involve throwing things. It’s a classic. It had to be here.

9. Iron Chef America. Or Top Chef. Everyday Italian with Giada De Laurentiis. Or Throw down with Bobby Flay. Basically any show that makes me hungry… while also teaching me what an amuse-bouche is. Or how to reduce cooking wine. Or the beauty of scallops. Seriously, why do I know these things? Oh yeah, TV. Read More »

We at CollegeCandy have really enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics (read: ogling the hot athletes). But as much fun as it was rooting on our people for the past two weeks, I’m a little more than psyched that some of my favorite shows are coming back!

Gossip Girl.
On Monday, March 8th, our favorite socialites will return (FINALLY) with more drama than the UES can handle (and more opportunities for me to drool over Chase Crawford/ogle Serena’s designer duds)! We’ve got Jenny’s drug dealing ways to deal with, the Dan and Vanessa dramz and, of course, Chuck’s big secret!

Grey’s Anatomy.
Although the flashback episode was cute, I’m ready for the plot to thicken! Will McDreamy succeed as the new chief? Is Izzy ever coming back? What will happen between Lexi and McSteamy? And, most importantly, will we ever find out why did Lexi went blonde with her complexion? Read More »

For the first ten years of my life, my answer to the ever-so-popular question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” was always “a mermaid.”  I wasn’t joking, I did want to be a mermaid.  Living in the sea, long flowing locks, a singing lobster for a BFF….

Another ten years have passed, and my growing appreciation for my two, separate, functioning legs has put my PhD in mermaid out of the question.  College graduation is approaching and I am still questioning what I want to be “when I grow up.”  I knew all along my answer would change (along with my major…twice), but only recently has it hit me that the question itself would change too.  Read More »

Throughout the years, MTV has thrown some bizarre ideas for reality shows our way.  Some catch the attention of the nation while others fall through the cracks.  While watching MTV (daily) I find myself screaming at the TV, “WHAT is the point of this show??”  Entertainment value, usually.  That is if you can call watching guys pick a date based on the underwear a girl has in her drawer, entertainment. (Thanks, Room Raiders).  However, what about the shows that may have actually been created for a real reason?

Let’s rewind.  Teen Mom.  Yes, like most people, I am obsessed.  I am still trying to figure out what Catelynn has that I don’t (besides braces, a trailer, and a 1995 JCPenny homecoming dress) that makes Tyler choose HER over me.  SO unfair.  But back to my point: as I watched the finale of Teen Mom last week and gear up for tonight’s reunion episode with Dr. Drew, I’m really starting to wonder what MTV was trying to do with this show.

Was it for entertainment value? Sure, listening to Gary recite a definition of the word “empathy” during the finale was extremely entertaining, but teen pregnancy is a huge issue; is MTV trying to take a stance? Are they trying to educate teens about the horrors of teen pregnancy? Maybe trying to prevent it? You would think by airing this show, MTV could position themselves as advocates to prevent teen pregnancy and use the show as an education tool, while also providing entertainment.  Read More »

I know more about these women than I do about our forefathers.

Every Friday I head home from work, tear off my bra, put on my biggest pair of sweatpants, order in Pad Se Ew and settle in for a night of TV. Lame? Maybe. But get back to me after you’re working 60-hour weeks in the real world. Friday nights on the couch are sacred.

Last week, as I fired up the DVR to catch up on all the shows I’d missed from the week, I had a rather enlightening moment. Sorta like an Oprah “aha!” moment, only way more embarrassing. My entire DVR was taken up by reality shows. Top Chef, Project Runway, The Real Housewives, Ace of Cakes… Hell, I even had a little Real World/Road Rules Duel on there.

I looked around to make sure none of my neighbors could see my TV through the windows. I mean, I know I like me some crappy TV, but this was just mortifying. My entire life revolves around watching train wrecks on camera! But maybe it’s not that sad? I mean, everyone loves themselves a little trash now and then, right? Those shows are on for a reason. And some of them are actually really good! Maybe not anything on E!, but we can all learn a thing or two from The Biggest Loser, right?

Right?!?

To make myself feel better about my addiction (and my sad, lame life) I asked the CollegeCandy writers to share their reality TV faves this week. You know you got one, too. Share it in the comments! Read More »

Well, at least it will be a show to remember.

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