About The Secret Life of the American Teenager

The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a television series that premiered on ABC Family (now Freeform) in 2008. Created by Brenda Hampton, the show presents a close look at the lives of teenagers and their families in the fictional town of Valley Spring. The series takes on sensitive subjects like teenage pregnancy, rebellion, sexuality, and more.

The story begins with Amy Juergens, a talented musician and typical high school student, who discovers that she's pregnant after a one-night stand at band camp with the school's resident 'bad boy', Ricky Underwood. The series explores the high school experience from multiple angles and perspectives, deepening the understanding of American teenage life.

Making / Production

The series was produced by Brenda Hampton Productions and Cool Quotient, with Hampton serving as the showrunner. The team worked diligently to depict the realities of teenage life, often consulting teenagers and dealing with subjects that are usually off the table in most teen sitcoms.

Actors

• Shailene Woodley as Amy Juergens: She played the protagonist who struggles to navigate her unexpected pregnancy and remains the center of the storyline throughout the series.
• Daren Kagasoff as Ricky Underwood: The school's bad boy and father of Amy's child, Kagasoff's interpretation of Ricky strikes a balance between his troubled past and growing responsibilities.
• Francine Raisa as Adrian Lee: Adrian serves as the ambitious and manipulative cheerleader who has a complicated relationship with Ricky.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series was Shailene Woodley's breakout role, which led to her being cast in prominent movies such as 'Divergent' and 'The Fault In Our Stars'.
• Many of the show's characters share the same name as their actors to make it more 'real'.

Awards

The series earned Shailene Woodley multiple nominations and wins at the Teen Choice Awards, solidifying her status as a rising star in Hollywood.

Quotes

• "I'm not little, I'm just...short." -Amy Juergens
• "You can ask me anything, I won't lie to you." -Ricky Underwood

Music, Soundtrack

• The series song "Let's Do It(Let's Fall In Love)" by Molly Ringwald, perfectly encapsulates the show's theme of unexpected love and teenage adventure.
• The Original Television Score was composed by Dan Foliart, who has also worked on other popular TV series such as "7th Heaven" and "Home Improvement".