When you think that there are absolutely no more angles through which reality television can be explored, the minds of Hollywood prove you wrong. This is definitely the case with A&E’s new docu-series, “Undercover High.” Have you ever wondered what it is like for contemporary high school’s students? Of course, you remember what it was like for you, but if you are more than 10 to 15 years removed from high school, a lot has changed. Undercover High uses young adults ranging from 21-26 years of age to pose as high school students for an entire semester. The show has a similar DNA as ‘Can You Survive High School,’ but they are very different. To give you more insight on this series, here are five facts you probably are unaware of.
1. The Looks to Pierce the Teen Veil
As kids prepare to enter high school, they are also entering their teenage years, a time in which they become more secretive and distant from their parents. As these kids seek to develop a certain sense of independence it can be hard to see inside of their world, which parents really need to do. The show takes a covert approach to examining the behaviors, conversations, and aspirations of the average high school student.
2. Taking on Completely New Identities
I guess you can that the young adults who are going undercover are playing roles like those on the movie 21 Jump Street. The difference here is that they are not attempting to break up teenage crime rings. These individuals are taking the world inside the lives of high school’s students to see how they think, what challenges they face daily, how they handle certain stressors like being bullied or rejected by their peers. There is a great deal of concern that the current generation is not prepared to take on the challenges of the world as adults and this series gives a peek inside of the world to discover if we are right or not.
3. Truly and Undercover Endeavors
According to the show’s producers and network executives, the only ones who are aware of these imposters’ true identity is the school’s administrative staff and a select group of the community members. While this appears to be cut and dry, a lot of work and planning had to go into it. The preparation by the posers has to be intense because they are literally taking on a new life for five months. They will actually be taking high school classes. This is so much more than a television show.
4. Underlying Motives
You may be wondering what would inspire an adult to go back to high school. Well, with some people, high school was the greatest time of their lives and others it was a time they are hoping to forget. So, some of these posers may be looking to relive the glory days while others may be looking to exercise some old demons. The hope is that their invasion of the sanctity of teen life actually works to help these teens better adjust for the life they are ultimately heading for as adults.
5. There are several Challenges
If you want to feel dumb, just hang out with your teenager for a couple of days and try to keep up with the pace at which they engage each other on social media. Their understanding of modern technology is baffling. Things we had to get degrees to understand, they simply know. Now, add in the fact that these posers will have to relearn skills that they have not used since high schools, like algebra. We all know if you don’t use it, you lose it. This will definitely be interesting.
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