My Thoughts After Watching Teen Choice 2009

Yesterday I blogged that I’d share my thoughts with you after watching the Teen Choice Awards 2009 that aired on Fox last night. This show always provides us with an informative glimpse into our youth culture. Last night’s show didn’t fall short of that.

I don’t know where to start: Sean Kingston’s pole dancers? Britney’s “Ultimate Choice” award? Miley’s “J-lo dress?”

Sigh.

Yes, there were a few, “Oh my!” moments. But overall the show was actually pretty tame. Just more of the same: people that shouldn’t be role models receiving awards from teenagers for movies teens shouldn’t be watching, TV shows they shouldn’t be viewing, and music they shouldn’t be listening to. (Wow… I’m starting to sound old and grumpy!)

The lowlight of the show was Miley.

Yesterday I jumped to Miley’s defense. She’s young and has definitely made some mistakes. But I’m not one to talk. When I was her age I was doing things that would make you shudder (I wasn’t following Christ).

Miley seems to be on the same quest that many young stars have navigated. She’s looking for her place, and she seems to be wondering if that place requires racy outfits and sexy dance moves.

The news is buzzing this morning about Miley’s outfits and her “pole dance” at the show. ( I’ll let you decide for yourself what to call it. She did hold onto a pole and dip once. Not sure what she was thinking. This article actually includes a home-made video from someone at the awards who recorded Miley’s performance) Her new song, “Party in the USA” included a nice little line about moving her hips… and she definitely did.

I don’t know if that whole dance bothered me half as much as her dress that she war later when she gave Britney her award. Again I’ll say, “Billy? Dude… that’s your daughter up there! Don’t you feel like covering her up a little bit?!”

Another moment in the show that reflects our culture was the new award, “The Choice Fabulous.” This is a new award that seemed a little vague, but they announced it as an award to a guy who isn’t afraid to “where heels.” So call it what you may, it was the “Choice Gay” award. When the skirt-wearing “Miss J” accepted his award, he made sure to thank “every single gay, lesbian…” etc.

Should parents worry about their kids watching this show?

I definitely am always concerned about the subtle elements of shows like this (past years haven’t always been so subtle). The subtle messages of this show are, “These are the people to be!” “These songs are the songs to listen to!” “These movies and TV shows are the ones to watch!”

That’s why I’m disappointed when shows like “Gossip Girl” are awarded. I’m bummed when Miley introduces a racy Britney montage and then calls her, “my hero.” I’m not excited about the Black Eyed Peas song “I Gotta Feeling” is performed live, directing even more kids to their racy video.

This show gives a pretty accurate glimpse of what this generation values. The good is standing side by side with the profane and it’s all politically correct.

Parents should not only be aware of these influences in our kids’ lives, we should dialogue with our kids about these influences. Keep your eyes on resources like this blog and our frequent Youth Culture Window articles that keep you current.

Here’s the complete list of this year’s Teen Choice Awards winners:

Choice Movie Action Adventure: “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
— Choice Movie Drama: “Twilight.”
— Choice Movie Bromantic Comedy: “Marley & Me.”
— Choice Movie Comedy: “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.”
— Choice Movie Chick Flick: “27 Dresses.”
— Choice Movie Horror/Thriller: “Friday the 13th.”
— Choice Movie Music/Dance: “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”
— Choice Movie Hissy Fit: Miley Cyrus, “Hannah Montana: The Movie.”
— Choice Movie Actor Drama: Robert Pattinson, “Twilight.”
— Choice Movie Actress Drama: Kristen Stewart, “Twilight.”
— Choice Movie Actor Action Adventure: Hugh Jackman, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
— Choice Movie Actress Action Adventure: Jordana Brewster, “Fast & Furious.”
— Choice Movie Actor Comedy: Zac Efron, “17 Again.”
— Choice Movie Actress Comedy: Anne Hathaway, “Bride Wars.”
— Choice Movie Actress Music/Dance: Miley Cyrus, “Hannah Montana: The Movie.”
— Choice Movie Actor Music/Dance: Zac Efron, “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”
— Choice Movie Villain: Cam Gigandet, “Twilight.”
— Choice Movie Fresh Face Female: Ashley Greene, “Twilight.”
— Choice Movie Fresh Face Male: Taylor Lautner, “Twilight.”
— Choice Movie Liplock: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, “Twilight.”
— Choice Movie Rumble: Robert Pattinson vs. Cam Gigandet, “Twilight.”
— Choice Movie Rockstar Moment: Zac Efron, “17 Again.”
— Choice Summer Movie Drama: “My Sister’s Keeper.”
— Choice Summer Movie Comedy: “Up.”
— Choice Summer Movie Romance: “The Proposal.”
— Choice Summer Movie Action Adventure: “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”
— Choice Summer Movie Star Male: Shia LaBeouf, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”
— Choice Summer Movie Star Female: Megan Fox, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”
— Choice TV Show Drama: “Gossip Girl.”
— Choice TV Show Action Adventure: “Heroes.”
— Choice TV Show Comedy: “Hannah Montana.”
— Choice TV Animated Show: “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
— Choice TV Reality: “The Hills.”
— Choice TV Reality Competition: “American Idol.”
— Choice TV Actor Drama: Chace Crawford, “Gossip Girl.”
— Choice TV Actress Drama: Leighton Meester, “Gossip Girl.”
— Choice TV Actor Action Adventure: Tom Welling, “Smallville.”
— Choice TV Actress Action Adventure: Hayden Panettiere, “Heroes.”
— Choice TV Actor Comedy: Jonas Brothers, “Jonas.”
— Choice TV Actress Comedy: Miley Cyrus, “Hannah Montana.”
— Choice TV Breakout Show: “Jonas.”
— Choice TV Breakout Star Female: Demi Lovato, “Sonny with a Chance.”
— Choice TV Breakout Star Male: Frankie Jonas, “Jonas.”
— Choice TV Male Reality/Variety Star: Adam Lambert, “American Idol.”
— Choice TV Female Reality/Variety Star: Lauren Conrad, “The Hills.”
— Choice TV Villain: Ed Westwick, “Gossip Girl.”
— Choice Fab-u-lous: Jay Alexander, “America’s Next Top Model.”
— Choice TV Sidekick: Emily Osment, “Hannah Montana.”
— Choice TV Late Night Show: “Chelsea Lately.”
— Choice TV Parental Unit: Billy Ray Cyrus, “Hannah Montana.”
— Choice Summer TV Show: “Princess Protection Program.”
— Choice Summer TV Star Female: Selena Gomez, “Princess Protection Program.”
— Choice Summer TV Star Male: Daren Kagasoff, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.”
— Choice Music Single: Miley Cyrus, “The Climb.”
— Choice Music Hook-Up: Lady Ga Ga and Colby O’Donis, “Just Dance.”
— Choice Music Male Artist: Jason Mraz.
— Choice Music Female Artist: Taylor Swift.
— Choice Music Rad Artist: Kanye West.
— Choice Music R&B Artist: Beyonce.
— Choice Music Rock Group: Paramore.
— Choice Music Breakout Artist: David Archuleta.
— Choice Music Love Song: David Archuleta, “Crush.”
— Choice Music R&B Track: Beyonce, “Single Ladies.”
— Choice Music Rap/Hip-Hop Track: Black Eyed Peas, “Boom Boom Pow.”
— Choice Music Rock Track: Paramore, “Decode.”
— Choice Music Album Male Artist: Jason Mraz, “We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things.”
— Choice Music Album Female Artist: Taylor Swift, “Fearless.”
— Choice Music Soundtrack: “Twilight.”
— Choice Music Tour: Demi Lovato and David Archuleta.
— Choice Summer Song: Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, “Before the Storm.”
— Choice Male Athlete: David Beckham.
— Choice Female Athlete: Shawn Johnson.
— Choice Male Action Sports Athlete: Ryan Sheckler.
— Choice Female Action Sports Athlete: Stephanie Gilmore.
— Choice Male Hottie: Robert Pattinson.
— Choice Female Hottie: Megan Fox.
— Choice Web Star: Fred.
— Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon Female: Selena Gomez.
— Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon Male: Jonas Brothers.
— Choice Comedian: George Lopez.
— Choice Celebrity Activist: Hayden Panettiere.
— Choice Celebrity Pet: Bo, the Obamas’ dog.
— Choice Video Game: “Rock Band 2.”
— Choice Celebrity Baby: Honor Marie Warren, daughter of Jessica Alba and Cash Warren.
— Choice Celebrity Dancer: Selena Gomez.
— Choice Twit: Ellen DeGeneres.
— Ultimate Choice Award: Britney Spears.