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High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, was a hit with the tween generation since it started. For those past the target age, High School Musical: The Series, premiered on November 8th, 2019, according to Fandom. The show ran for four seasons; the final season was released in August 2023.
The series was adapted from the High School Musical films, which starred Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, and Zac Efron, who went on to star in several TV shows and movies. The movies became such hits with teens and tweens, that Disney joined forces with Tim Federle, to create and produce the show. The show ran for four seasons, with the last season being released on August 9, 2023.
The Plot
For those who may not be aware of the series, it focused on the students attending East High. According to Variety, the show was called a “mockumentary” as it was shot in a documentary style but was not based on reality or real people. The story revolves around the students of the imaginary East High who are planning their annual high school musical. The show also revolves around the lives of those students off-stage as well as on stage. I think we all know how much drama kids in this stage of life go through, such as worries about grades, dating, drinking, losing friends, and making new friends. As you can imagine, these are just some of the topics that the show covered in its four years.
While many new songs were introduced during the show, each episode featured a song that was previously featured in the film High School Musical. I think we can all agree music can make any issue less important.
Winning Awards
During its four seasons, the show received many accolades and was nominated for over 30 awards during its time on TV. Of those, the show won seven awards, including:
- The 2023 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.
- In 2020, the show received a GLAAD Media Award.
- In 2021 and 2022, the show won five different Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
The show has been lauded for being inclusive. It includes characters that have physical and emotional challenges, those struggling with their identity, parental issues, and other problems that teens often experience during high school. The show also dealt with rivalries between those vying for a role in the mythical school musical.
Disney was so sure they had a hit on their hands that they approved the second year of the show before it premiered. They were correct in their assumption, as the show took off and became a hit. Olivia Rodrigo was revered for her role as Nini Salazar-Roberts in the first three seasons. She has gone on to work in various movies and TV shows since her departure.
High School Musical: The series played an important role in helping many teens and tweens relate to many of the same problems that the ensemble cast portrayed in the show. Hopefully, we will see more shows on TV that represent this group of TV watchers who are looking for someone to acknowledge and understand their problems.
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