Puberty Blues

I came across this on the free streaming service Tubi. It concerns two girls growing up in the late 1970s in Australia and their families. From an American point of view it is quite jarring. First, as an American I sometimes have trouble understanding what they are saying (lots of Australian slang) -- in terms of a guy breaking up with you they call it "being dropped." It is also filled with sex and nudity. Something even pay tv doesn't really do these days. Sue and Debbie are "good" girls determined to get in with the cool group. To do so basically the rules are, that Sue and Debbie seem fine with, you just give up sex at the drop of a hat to any boy in the group. At first I wanted to give up on the show but both learn important lessons and the results are more "are you there god it is me Margret" than "Euphoria". One good break from the girls is the parents. Unlike most teen dramas each of the girls parents have their own storylines that make sense for people with teenage kids in the 70s. Sue's parents are dealing with a struggling business and trying to keep the magic alive for people that love each other. Debbie's parents are in marriage counseling and Dad is contemplating an affair. All of these stories are somewhat boring by todays standards but effectively told and engrossing. One reason I can't give it a full 10 stars is that it is a little depressing so far. At one point Debbie's little brother after watching all the dysfunction around him says he doesn't want to grow up if this world is what is waiting for him. Right there with you man.

This was a good piece of Aussie 70's nostalgia. I wondered why it ended so abruptly and it turns out that the production company went bankrupt.

The show is about two Aussie girls growing up in the 70's. A coming of age type story. I have seen the film and I thought the series was much better.

Loved it!!!

The wonderful stupid life we lived as kids growing up.

The groups we wished we were in.

The boy/girl that made us feel butterflies.

And to realise what our parents went through, Sometimes with some amazing advice, that made you think they weren't your parents for a moment.

And don't forget the decor and fashion.

And no mobile phones, no Facebook...just memories and faded photos.

We just tried watch the first episode (season 1). Slow, tedious, mediocre script, borderline acting, are the descriptions that come to mind. The movie (1980?) was better, and that's saying a lot because it wasn't very good either.

I haven't seen anything in future advertised for the show and I really hope there is more to be seen because it is fantastic! Finally Australia has a show that is actually good! Sometimes a little offending, but for the most part the characters are easy to connect with and joyful to watch their dramas unfold. I really hope to see more of this flick! The actors, even though they are relatively 'un known' performed extremely well in every episode and so did some of the more 'famous' parental figures in the show. Definitely worth watching! When does the next season come out? And now I am finished typing but apparently have to have 10 lines minimum lol