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ChickSpeak hearts Hellcats

posted by ChickSpeak
Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 4:53pm CDT

In high school, we all loved tuning into our favorite primetime teen dramas. The storylines, abet a bit crazy at times, featured things we could relate to: dealing with boyfriend drama, taking the SATs, clashing with our parents and so and so on. We admired the characters and could easily see ourselves being friends with them.However, now that we’ve hit college, we’ve noticed something about our television lineups: There have been next to no shows geared towards college chicks in recent years, with few exceptions like the ill-fated Saved By the Bell: The College Years. Thankfully, The CW has set out to fill the void with its new drama-comedy Hellcats.

Set in Memphis, Tennessee, Hellcats centers around the competitive cheerleading squad of Lancer University of the same name. When pre-law student Marti Perkins (Aly Michalka), a townie with working class roots, loses her scholarship, the former gymnastics star is forced to put her skills to use to win a spot on the university’s legendary cheerleading squad and in turn the scholarship that comes along with it. Proving herself to be just the edge the squad has been looking for, Marti finds herself thrust into a world back flips and backstabbing.

Marti also finds herself forced to live the squad’s on-campus house, nicknamed Cheertown, and to share a room with none other than the squad’s captain, Savannah Monroe (Ashley Tisdale). Savannah is everything Marti is not. Petite and preppy, Savannah has led a very sheltered life up until this point, thanks to her strictly religious parents, but don’t underestimate her sweet exterior. She proves to be a fierce competitor, and soon finds a friend in Marti.

However, not everyone is accepting of the Hellcats’ newest member. Squad member Alice Verdura (Heather Hemmens) has a bone to pick with both Savannah and Marti. Before Savannah transferred in to Lancer, Alice was the squad’s golden girl and next in line to be named captain. Alice has never quite gotten over the fact Savannah was chosen instead of her, and she is not above using every chance she gets to undermine Savannah’s authority. Complicating matters more, Marti begins to develop a friendship with Alice’s former flame Lewis Flynn (Robbie Jones) and Alice can’t help but be jealous of the sparks between them.

Speaking of guys, they aren’t without their own drama. Hunky squad member Lewis is a former Lancer football player, who quit the team after being disillusioned by the overwhelming corruption in the program. He’s only been on the squad for about a year, but his natural athleticism and competitive spirit have helped to make him an integral member of the squad. However, Lewis’ real test of will may be trying to manage his growing feelings for Marti, while keeping his ex Alice in check.

While the rest of her world is being turned upside down, Marti finds grounding in her best friend and fellow working class townie Dan Patch (Matt Barr). Instead of pursuing a higher education at Lancer, Dan spends his days working on the docks and devotes all of his free time to pursuing his dream of becoming a documentary filmmaker. This outcast is not immune to the Hellcats spirit and is drawn to squad captain Savannah. Yet, Dan worries his wild ways may be too much for sweet Savannah to handle.

Former Disney stars Michalka and Tisdale both deliver outstanding performances that prove just how far they have come in their development as actresses. Tisdale, especially, shows she is more than Sharpy Evans in High School Musical. Her portrayal of Savannah is endearing without being over the top. Likewise Michalka has the amazing ability to make Marti someone the viewer wants to root for and see succeed in the end.

While Hellcats may have the same concept, don’t think for a second this is just a television version of the Bring It On franchise. While there is good amount of comic relief, the show does not skim on dramatic storylines dealing with class issues, relationships, and, most of all, a college student’s coming-of-age. Former Disney stars Michalka and Tisdale both deliver outstanding performances that prove just how far they have come in their development as actresses. Tisdale, especially, shows she is more than Sharpy Evans in High School Musical.

So, if you’re a college chick looking for a fun, feisty show this season that relates to your demographic, check out Hellcats Wednesday nights a 9/8 c only on The CW.

Shannon Kirk is a senior communications major at DeSales University in Center Valley, Penna. She is totally loving Hellcats and has a major crush on Matt Barr a.k.a. Dan Patch. (Blame it on the accent.)