Janie BoschmaMTV’s main boardroom circa 2006: “OK so that’s basically it, I mean think of it as ‘Laguna Beach’ meets ‘Rob and Big.’ What do you say, do we have a show or not?” says the proposing agent. MTV’s lead producer then responds “Brilliant! Get this Ryan kid on the phone, we got another reality hit!” And thus MTV’s newest reality show is born, titled “The Life of Ryan.”
In case you have been too busy studying to watch television, here’s some background – the show follows around 17-year-old professional skateboarding star Ryan Sheckler as he navigates the trials and tribulations of growing up in the spotlight. It also follows his one wish – to be a “normal teenager.” Seems like another cookie cutter MTV reality show, right? But could “The Life of Ryan” hold a deeper meaning?
My initial reaction is “Ryan, quit feeling sorry for yourself.” Every kid in America has problems to deal with. You’re not the only one. The only difference between you and a “normal teenager” is that normal teenagers can’t escape from their problems by going out and driving in a one of their many tricked out Range Rovers to watch a perfect sunset at a beach, in perfect weather and later on go to a friend’s mansion to swim in his or her pool and/or hot tub. And doing all this while knowing every girl between the ages of 16 and 19 would want you.
Obviously a normal teenager doesn’t have these options to forget about their problems. So Ryan, I think you should stop wishing you were normal, because despite how glamorous “normal life” looks, it’s kind of boring.
But this is the obvious perception of “The Life of Ryan.” Perhaps I’m just mad at Ryan because he doesn’t realize how good he has it, perhaps I’m just jealous, or perhaps in reality Ryan has it exactly the same as me and the “normal teenager” he so badly wants to be.
When looking beyond Ryan’s stupid cue card read monologues narrating his life, there is a deeper meaning. In actuality, devoid of my jealousy, Ryan probably does have a lot of pressures and problems and probably does feel confused and overwhelmed at life, as all teenagers do. And despite his new southern California mansion, free clothes and fame, he still has to deal with problems of growing up with recently divorced parents and being a big brother. So in this sense he is the “normal teenager” he so badly wants to be. But maybe “The Life of Ryan” holds more meaning then other reality shows. Maybe the “The Life of Ryan” shows the viewer that money, fame and possessions will not rid you of your problems and stresses, as one often thinks. “The Life of Ryan” shows us that regardless of the size of your house or bank account, the daily struggles and drama will remain constant in life.
But one thing still bothers me. In the last episode Ryan says to his friends, while sitting on the beach, “Look at how friggin’ sweet our lives are right now.” Do you ever recall you or your “normal friends” ever saying this on a Friday night? Me either.
For more life lessons you can check out the second season of “The Life of Ryan” starting in January.
Hoostal is a junior political science major and a columnist for The Spectator. “Scottie Does Know” appears every Monday.
