Moving Forward by Looking Back

(New) Beginnings Are Hard.

Welcome to Teeny Bopper TV Breakdown! Like everyone else needing a funemployment project, I’m starting a Substack. As a person I need lines to color-by-number inside, so instead of choosing topics on a whim (at least to start; I reserve the right to add self-inserts, hence the URL with my name instead of the project title), I’m going to make public what I would have come up with myself anyway, which are *THOUGHTS* on teeny bopper (read: presumably cheesy, mostly ‘90s and 2000s) TV shows that I haven’t had the chance to watch yet (several because while I’m Canadian, as are many of the shows I want to feature, I grew up and currently live in the U.S.; others because I was too young or “too old” when they aired) and now have more time to binge. You can find said thoughts in text form via e-newsletter, or listen to the audio version wherever you get your podcasts.

Another recap platform?

I know, I know, there are a million and one of these, some even hosted by the programs’ stars. But much as I love them, I won’t be deep-diving into your typical One Tree Hill, The O.C., Dawson’s Creek, or even Degrassi (or its many spinoffs). I’ll be niche-ing down even further, to “Aww I forgot about that!” or maybe even new-to-you shows (at least for the nostalgia-era recaps; if there’s a buzzed-about new release that I want to watch, it will likely make its way here).

Who’s going to want this?

Honestly, like I said before, part of me is doing this just for me. So if it stays that way, that’s all right. But if anyone else wants to come along for the ride, jump on in, the water’s fine (the more the merrier!). At least for now, because this is beginning as a for-fun-and-sanity project and not a keep-a-roof-over-my-head plan, the intent is that Teeny Bopper TV Breakdown-specific content will remain free (if any future addendums get extra personal, I may make those paid); paid subscriptions are, for the most part, just a way to support me if you are so inclined.

What’s up first, and when do we start?

It seems appropriate to start out Teeny Bopper TV Breakdown with Breaker High! Breaker High is a one-season show from 1997 about high schoolers doing what’s essentially a Semester at Sea program (something I theoretically would have loved; realistically I’m not so sure). Plus, it stars a young Ryan Gosling. Perfect for getting our feet wet, wouldn’t you say?

Whether the next issue covers one episode, a few, or the whole shebang is yet to be determined, and may change by show. Regardless, since this project’s initials are TBTB, it only makes sense for the first (real) edition to come out on #throwbackthursday. So don’t change that channel! We’ll be right back on Teeny Bopper TV Breakdown.

Get full access to Teeny Bopper TV Breakdown at hannamfogel.substack.com/subscribe