Review of "The Paper"

Recycled ‘Paper’ Is No Good
By Ari Saperstein

MTV’s “The Paper”, which premired earlier this April, follows one of the largest high school papers in the country, and the drama that ensues amongst the staff. It all takes place at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Florida, the largest high school in America with – get this – 5500 kids. That’s roughly 18 times the size of Burke. I wouldn’t be surprised if the principal didn’t know this show was being made. There’s a staff of 70+ people on the school paper and with one teacher in charge. I tend to spend most of the show wondering when the kids actually have class.
The show focuses primarily on four juniors: Adam, the effeminate business manager; Alex, the underdog managing editor; Giana, the friendly-yet-prissy news editor; Amanda, the self-absorbed new Editor-in-Chief that everyone loves to hate. Amanda appears to be pulled right out of another MTV show, “My Super Sweet 16” as she is possibly one of the most spoiled, arrogant, over-dramatic, idiotic teens ever be filmed on camera (as are most of the kids on “Sweet 16”). At the same time though, its almost sad to watch her, because really, she’s just a desperate, self diluted girl living in her own reality, when in actuality, she doesn’t realize everyone hates her. Either this is one really bad actress (as are most MTV “reality” stars) or a truly pathetic girl who thinks she’s the center of the universe.
These kids are just as annoying, obnoxious and unappealing as those on other MTV hits like “Laguana Beach”, “Newport Harbor”, “The Hills”. The only thing this MTV contraption seems to be is just an amalgam of all the worst parts of its few high-rated hits.

New episodes on Monday at 10:30 on MTV.