Teen drama queens

I can't wait until my "grown-up" shows come back. Then I won't feel like such an idiot for getting caught up in these teen-aged stories.

"Make It or Break It" (ABC Family, 9:00): If you missed this show last summer, now is your chance to get in on this guilty pleasure. The story follows a Colorado gym that trains national champions and it's "Mean Girls" meets "Bring It On". Lauren, pictured far left, is the team bitch, Emily is the underdog with the rough upbringing. Payson is the star of the girl's team and Kaylie, right, is the cute one who doesn't know her own potential.

Last season, Lauren lost her virginity to Kaylie's boyfriend Carter, another star gymnast at The Rock. The girls have been best friends since kindergarten so that made the betrayal that much worse. Newcomer Emily broke all the rules to try to make a name for herself and earned the respect of her teammates in the process. Payson made her whole life about gymnastics, but when a back injury threatened to take her out of competition she turned to using cortisone injections. Pause it: On this show, using cortisone is like snorting cocaine. Payson fought off the injury for awhile, but broke her back after falling off the uneven bars at nationals. Her pain was Kaylie's gain as she shocked everyone by taking first place at nationals. Now she's got a manager and long list of gymnasts who want to take her number one spot.

This season kicks off with Kaylie adjusting to her new-found fame. She's got a key to the city and a day named in her honor, but it doesn't ease her guilt about taking Payson's spot. "It's a great day, huh?" she asks Nicky, the top male gymnast and Payson's cortisone dealer. "Says Kaylie Cruz on Kaylie Cruz Day," he replies. Both Kaylie and Payson are putting on brave faces, but neither one of them want to admit they are in a world of denial. Once Payson finally lets it sink in that she'll never compete again, she encourages Kaylie to make no apologies for being a winner. And with that, the countdown begins to see how fast Kaylie will cave under the pressure.

I know this show sounds a little juvenile and I really can't explain it's draw, but it's one of those shows that just sucks you in. At least the acting is better than it was in the earlier episodes. It's worth checking out and I won't tell if you decide to stick around! What happens at Watch Party stays at Watch Party.

"The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (ABC Family, 10:00): Now this is a show I'm not afraid to admit I'm addicted to ... well, used to be addicted to. If this episode is any indication of what the rest of the season will be like then we're in for a bumpy ride.

When the show premiered two seasons ago, it was a fictional version of MTV's "Teen Mom". Amy Juergens, played to perfection by Shailene Woodley, is a high school student who gets pregnant by the school's resident bad ass while they were away at band camp. (Insert "American Pie" joke here). She gives birth to a baby boy and we get to watch her navigate the fine line between being a teenager and motherhood.

It's obvious that since Amy has given birth, the writers are having a hard time trying to come up with other secrets that teenagers have. The show talks mostly about teen sex and I have to say that they made me blush during their conversation about oral sex. I won't go into detail for fear that I'll turn into a pillar of salt. I'm hoping the show gets back to it's roots of teen angst and Amy's struggles of being a teen mom. That is where "The Secret Life" really shines.

Rewind: Yes, that was Mayim Bialik from 90's sitcom "Blossom" playing the school counselor ... Is anyone else annoyed with the way Amy's sister Ashley talks - in that monotone, emotionless voice? I'm on the verge of giving her a cortisone shot just to loosen up her vocal cords ... Note to writers: Please stop trying to find ways to get every teen on the show into one scene. I know that they're all friends and classmates, but kids don't travel in packs of 12 unless they are all wearing the same uniform.

CHANNEL SURFING
"Hoarders" (A&E, 10:00) gave me what I asked for and got back to the filth this week. But for once I wasn't taken in by the disastrous houses or the hoarders. It was the kids that tugged on my heartstrings. You know a kid's got therapy in their future when they are more heartbroken to see the cleaners and organizers leave than they are excited about having a sterile bedroom. Poor Sam was a ball of tears when he realized the crew was almost done. All I could think was "I hope they come back to visit him so he'll have a friend." *Single tear falling*

I watched about 42 seconds of "The Bachelor" (ABC, 8:00) and that was all I needed to know I won't be tuning in this season. I may drop in from time to time, but I can't promise you a rose every week.

It was Ebony who walked away with the job on "I Want to Work for Diddy" (VH1, 10:00). I was really hoping Daniel would get the position as Sean Combs's assistant but alas, it was sour grapes for the young wine steward. Both he and Ebony gave very passionate pleas for the job and I plan to use some of their speeches the next time I'm called upon to give a motivational talk. Best line went something like this: "I'm hungry for this job but when I'm full, I'll be done with you and we can part ways." Doesn't it make you want to go out and get hired just so you can quit?

You had better still be watching "Men of a Certain Age" (TNT, 10:00). I still think there are a few too many cuss words, but they sure know when and how to use them.