The comedic story of middle school seen through the eyes of two 7th-grade girls dealing with the awkwardness of being teenagers.The comedic story of middle school seen through the eyes of two 7th-grade girls dealing with the awkwardness of being teenagers.The comedic story of middle school seen through the eyes of two 7th-grade girls dealing with the awkwardness of being teenagers.
- Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys
- 3 wins & 39 nominations total
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This is such an odd series but I have to say "truthful" and due to that -- hysterical. Personally I was kind of put off by the first couple of episodes but after a while you will be drawn in. For me this was even more on the nose as my long time best middle school and high school friend was Korean and I think most modern shows might not think of that dynamic with girls.
The show is unique in that they have thirtysomething year old women playing their 7th grade selves along with real life 13 year olds. To my shock, it works well. I suspect they did so because no modern little kid could really capture the creators of this show at 12. Also, some of the plots are very grown up and that might not be fully available to real kids.
Definitely worth watching.
The show is unique in that they have thirtysomething year old women playing their 7th grade selves along with real life 13 year olds. To my shock, it works well. I suspect they did so because no modern little kid could really capture the creators of this show at 12. Also, some of the plots are very grown up and that might not be fully available to real kids.
Definitely worth watching.
Some of the things that happened on this show were exactly my experience as a tween. So thankful for the girls' perspective and being spared the typical trite portrayal of what is accurately demonstrated here as a brutally painful, awkward, and hilarious (in hindsight) time in life. Writing and acting really encapsulates what it's like to lose your childlike innocence as a young girl. Binged it in a day aka when's season 2??
What you think would be absurd and ridiculous, 31 year olds playing 13 year olds is so brilliantly executed, it's one of the most creative poignant and hilarious TV shows to date.
No, I am not a bot or getting paid for my review as some users are claiming. I feel like the people who gave this show a low rating just do not understand it. The fact that the stars are in their 30s playing 7th graders is part of the humor.
I am the same age as the actresses, so I was in 7th grade in 2000. For me, this show was so relatable. So many of the conversations and events in this show happened to me at that age. My best friend and I were so much like Anna and Maya. Add in the music, clothes, cars, and slang and I was sent on a nostalgia trip. This was wonderfully done. I'm sorry that some people did not understand it.
I am the same age as the actresses, so I was in 7th grade in 2000. For me, this show was so relatable. So many of the conversations and events in this show happened to me at that age. My best friend and I were so much like Anna and Maya. Add in the music, clothes, cars, and slang and I was sent on a nostalgia trip. This was wonderfully done. I'm sorry that some people did not understand it.
A wonderful exploration of going through the most awkward years of your life in the 2000s. It's SO nostalgic as anyone who grew up in that era experienced these exact things! AIM episode on point.
Now, to address the big issue people have, the fact that 30-year-olds are playing 13 year-olds. Get over it. Have you watched Wet Hot American Summer on Netflix? It's the same deal. And yes, I get that it can be weird to think of them pretending to have these relationships with these teenagers, BUT hear me out. 1, they have body doubles for anything necessary because obviously. 2, would you feel MORE comfortable watching an ACTUAL 13-year-old girl discovering masturbation or shaking her bare ass sexually in a thong in the mirror? HELL NO. You would be disgusted. It's far more inappropriate than their approach. So take a seat, and enjoy the nostalgia of awkward teen years, especially if you went to middle school in the early 2000s. It's a hilarious and wonderful period piece.
Did you know
- TriviaThe character of Maya's mom, Yuki Ishii-Peters, is played by actress/co-creator Maya Erskine's real-life mother Mutsuko Erskine.
- Crazy creditsThe title sequence in most of the episodes showed real pictures of Maya and Anna as teenagers. But in "Yuki", they are replaced by pictures of Mutsuko Erskine.
- ConnectionsFeatured in MsMojo: Top 10 Most Underrated Teen Shows (2019)
- SoundtracksDemirep
(Opening Theme) (uncredited)
Written by Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail, Kathryn Wilcox and Billy Karren
Performed by Bikini Kill
- How many seasons does PEN15 have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
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