Why Aren't You Watching: Awkward.

With such an embarrassment of comedy riches today (Veep, Parks and Recreation, and Happy Endings among them), its pretty shocking that one of these gems airs on MTV of all places. Even more shocking, the show's modern high school setting would seem to suggest Awkward. (currently airing its third season Tuesday nights at 10) belongs in guilty pleasure territory, but there is absolutely no need to feel guilty about loving this refreshingly quirky little comedy. For anyone who enjoyed Mean Girls, Juno, and Easy A (and who didn't?), Awkward. comes from the same mold, centering on a Sophomore nobody named Jenna Hamilton (the adorable Ashley Rickards). However, an innocent accident that suspiciously resembles a suicide attempt (she slips and breaks her arm in the bathroom while trying to open a bottle of Aspirin, throwing pills everywhere and knocking her hairdryer into the tub) quickly gives her a prominent, though not very positive, reputation at school. Similar to the aforementioned high school girl movies, Jenna narrates each episode with her own musings, typically in the context of her personal blog diary.

A great aspect of the series comes from its title, as each episode opens with a classically awkward high school experience (like the first episode's, which places Jenna in a thick cast that leaves her arm raised distinctively above the hallway's crowds). Awkward. also presents a few mysteries for its star as well, such as a harshly worded letter Jenna receives right before her accident, demanding her to be more adventurous and simply signed, "a friend." This mystery is solved by the end of the first season's twelve episodes, but a couple others are introduced in season two. This being a female-driven high school show, a large aspect is Jenna's romantic life as she houses a serious crush for the popular Matty McKibbon (Beau Mirchoff), who deflowered her at camp, but doesn't give her the time of day at school. Meanwhile, Matty's much more outgoing and earnest best friend Jake (Brett Davern) begins to get close to Jenna, establishing the requisite love triangle (a strong emphasis of the second season).

Although the show is prominently centered around Jenna, there are a variety of great supporting characters as well, including Jenna's mom (who had her at 16) Lacey (Nikki Deloach). A great source of hilarity is Lacey's constant demonstration of how her skewed values are so divergent from Jenna's, such as encouraging her to get a boob job. Jenna's spunky best friend Tamara (Jillian Reed) is also a riot, being the worst offender of made-up slang by far (which is saying something in a series that coined "skitch," "sexcretions," and "DTR aka Define the Relationship"). Another significant abuser of the english language (and the rest of the high school) is resident "fat bitch" Sadie Saxton (Molly Tarlov) who's family wealth provides her with power over everyone including the faculty, as she also never misses a chance to make Jenna's life a living hell. Finally, the kookiest (and perhaps most unbalanced character) is the school's guidance counselor Val (Desi Lydic), who takes a special interest in Jenna after her "attempt" with very questionable tactics and a not-so-secret desire to become her best friend. So whether you still harbor your own attachments to high school, or just want to watch a delightfully original and hilarious comedy, check out Awkward. and prepare to get hooked.