Web Series of the Week: 'Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader'

I am by no means a cheerleader.  For one thing I am pretty sure I’m tone deaf or at least that’s my excuse that I tell people.  For another I have no rhythm and that’s not an excuse, I really don’t.  And lastly I’m not chipper.  At all.  In fact I’m downright caustic at times, although with a sardonic wit that people have been known to find endearing.  So why did I choose a web series about a group of people with whom at first, second, and third glance I have next to nothing in common with?  Well that’s easy.  I happen to be a sucker for a well produced cheerleading routine.  It’s not uncommon to find me chanting (albeit under my breath)

Brr!

It’s cold in here

There must be some Toros

In the atmosphere

If I had known any cheerleaders in high school or if they had known me they would probably find that to be hysterically funny.

As of this writing 2 seasons have aired on YouTube with a 3rd season being filmed in Australia.  Season 1 of Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader centers around 17 year old Emma Franklin, played by Neva McIntosh, who is forced to start over at a new school after her dad loses his job.  Instead of telling her new friends that her family is poor and living in a trailer she chooses to lie to them about her life.

What I liked most about the first season is that at no point did they try to make cheerleaders out to be these perfect creatures that people who weren’t cheerleaders would be able to relate.  Yes, they were all pretty and athletic but they were also real and I could relate to how Emma was feeling.

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XapHiUyXKnI]