"Hellcats," the Next Teen Hit?

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When cheerleader movies, cheer made-for-TV movies

, and cheer reality shows aren't enough, it's time to bring on the "Hellcats." The CW's newest show follows one gymnastically-inclined outcast as she joins her university's cheerleadingsquad in exchange for a scholarship that keeps her in school.

Marti, played by the exuberant Alyson Michalka, doesn't quite stand up to the sarcastic "goth" or "urban" stereotype her character is supposed to be at the beginning of the pilot, but the former Disney star is so vibrant that it doesn't really matter she just seems like a nice girl with a few mommy issues, which for the moment is all she needs to be to keep the plot going.

The cast has a lot of Disney faces, including "High School Musical" alum Ashley Tisdale, who plays cheer captain Savannah as a less annoying and more free-spirited version of her HSM diva Sharpay. Thekids who were raised on the "High School Musical" franchises have started growing up, and "Hellcats" is trying to be part of this natural progression by casting these actors the CW had its sights set on a very specific target group who know and love these people, but are moving one step up on the maturity chain television-wise. While "Hellcats" certainly doesn't seem to have the "OMG" quality of "Gossip Girl" or "90210," there were still references to sex and nudity, and enough shots of male abs to make any girl in the 13-16 age range squeal.

And though the content and cast indicate its specific audience, there's no shame in anyone who loves "Bring It On" watching the show. It has the exact same qualities that keep people watching not only the original multiple times, but "Bring It On Again," "Bring It On: In It To Win It," "Bring It On: All Or Nothing," and more. The competition, the drama, the cute boys, and the intensity of the sport all of these are present in "Hellcats" in droves, and we've only seen the first episode. The show even gives a cute nod to its predecessors in cheerleading entertainment by having Marti watch "Bring it On" learn cheerleading moves, and having her dance around her absurdly large living room exactly like Eliza Dushku does in the original film.
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"Hellcats" is fun, light, fresh and young exactly what is needed when shows like "Gossip Girl" have gotten so intense and desperate. There are definitely some ridiculous aspects for instance, Marti "shakes things up" by introducing the team to some "street dancing," which serves its purpose plot-wise but just seems ridiculous in action. To compare - these parts were almost as cringe-worthy as Hayden Panettierre's "krumping" in "All or Nothing."

The pilot was grounded by the relationship between Marti and her mother, played by Gail O'Grady. In the only serious and most touching scene of the show's premiere episode, Marti confides in Savannah about her mother's alcoholism and public drunkenness. Michalka was great in this scene parental alcoholism is an issue many kids and young adultsdeal with, and the show treated it much more maturely and successfully than could have been expected.

There is a heart in "Hellcats," that is certainly apparent and hopefully throughout its first season it won't give up itsinherent cheer in favor of pointless melodrama. If it can manage to stay on its current trajectory, "Hellcats" will certainly be added to the canon of great, campy cheerleader fare.

"Hellcats," which premiered on September 8, willbe on onWednesday nights at 9 PM EST on the CW.

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"Hellcats," the Next Teen Hit?

By: Rose

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