On the first episode of ABC’s new sitcom Miss Guided, a high school principal stands outside the homecoming dance muttering over and over again, “No girlfriend, no grinding.” If only teachers said such witty lines in real life. Then again, Miss Guided is certainly not real life. The show creatively turns the tables—or should we say lunch tables—on the high school experience.
Rather than focusing on “misguided” adolescents, the series focuses on their slightly “misguided” educators at Glen Ellen High School. Miss Guided is all about teachers who are really just grown-up students. They, too, are susceptible to the drama that pervades their classrooms. This twist on the typical televised portrayal of high school stands apart from its similar efforts—it is silly, but surprisingly sophisticated.
What makes Miss Guided so good is the show’s main character Becky Freeley, a former student who has returned to her alma mater with the intention of guiding teenagers. The choice to focus on a guidance counselor, whose entire job is to raise self-esteem, effectively demonstrates that faculty members are just overgrown teenagers with authority. Like the students she advises, Becky is always trying to act cool, appear more confident than she is, and, of course, get her crush (former auto shop instructor turned Spanish teacher Tim O’Malley) to notice her.
Because she’s caught somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, Becky is the ideal guidance counselor. Her inner conflict is often manifested by flashbacks that show her as a geeky teenager, equipped with lots of orthodontia. These brief glimpses at her past, coupled with her adult wisdom, make Becky a great counselor. She has that magic touch that allows students and teachers alike to feel at ease, even if she has no idea what she is doing. She is quirky, but cute and loveable. Her students are able to relate to her and viewers wouldn’t mind being her.
Much of Becky’s relatability is due to the actress who plays her, Judy Greer. Greer is a veteran supporting actress, and her extensive experience playing the high-strung sidekick shows. She is comfortable being uptight and awkward on camera, which makes her perfect for the part of Becky. Greer is so believable that the viewer may mistake her for his/her own guidance counselor.
As dreamy as this high school experience sounds, Miss Guided may have a bit of trouble. Can a show about a guidance counselor last more than a season? Are its writers creative enough to prevent viewers from getting bored? Or does the show have a predictable, comfortable formula that viewers will look forward to and enjoy? The answer to these questions will become clear as the show matures. Until then, Miss Guided is the perfect way to remember your own misguided high school days.