Mtv

Suzie Harrison The generation-old video channel mantra "I want my MTV" was shoved out the window by parents and school officials this week. The Laguna Beach School District Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to "unwind" its plans with MTV for a reality show about some of its students. At a packed special meeting, angry parents wanted their turn to express their opinions -- especially in the light of the controversial MTV-produced Super Bowl half-time show that had tongues wagging in disdain.

MTV's show has increased the familiarity of Laguna Beach across the world, but watch the show and ask yourself if the MTV image of Laguna Beach is how you want to be known. As MTV itself says on its website, "Most viewers of 'Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County' see the show's cast as nothing more than a group of spoiled, plastic rich kids." The public Internet message forums about Laguna Beach are much, much worse, with the general sentiment being that all Laguna residents mirror the MTV show -- superficial, materialistic and dumb.

Laguna Beach is no longer "The Real Orange County." MTV's hit TV show has moved north to greener pastures. The network has announced that the show's fourth season will be "Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County," and will feature teens from Newport Harbor High School. The season will premiere Aug. 15. The show's move follows a decline in ratings in its third season, when a new crop of Laguna kids was selected to star but failed to make waves. Rumors and sightings of the show's filming in Newport have circulated for months, following rumors that a fourth season in Laguna had been begun but then stopped.

After three years of using Laguna Beach as a backdrop — and its children as television players — MTV is moving on to Newport Beach, which will become the new "Real Orange County." With ratings down for the Laguna show, MTV apparently pulled the plug on Season Four midway through filming and set up camp a few miles north. A collective sigh of relief was heard in many quarters in Laguna, which had become increasingly uncomfortable with the tone of the show and its exploitative nature.

It's easy to criticize, especially when looking at a show directed at teens and produced by MTV. But this isn't just any show. This one focuses on our town, our teens. Last year MTV came to town looking for a group of high school students to be on their new reality show, "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County." One thing we have to be vigilant about is to remember that these are real people, young people, and we have a duty to try to give them the benefit of the doubt.

The MTV issue has reared its head again, with some parents insisting the reality show that stars actual Laguna Beach High School students is projecting an image of the city that is erroneous, unsavory and even dangerous. We agree the show, despite its highly touted "realism," has nothing to do with reality. But, come on, this is the town — and the school — that spawned Joe Francis, who is making a fortune getting girls to act out for real for his utterly unsavory and utterly real "Girls Gone Wild" videos.

As the former Laguna Beach Unified School District assistant superintendent involved in the discussions with MTV to film a docudrama more than two years ago, I believe I am the most qualified voice to put this "story" to rest. Here are the real facts. MTV's executive producer, Adam Devillo, approached the former Laguna Beach High School principal [Nancy Blade] and me to determine the district's interest in collaborating on a show about Laguna Beach High School students. Devillo's words were: "We would love to work with the school district but either way, we will move forward with 'a' show."

Growing up in Toronto, Lisi Harrison could care less about labels. Although her classmates made sure that Ralph Lauren graced every tee, she enjoyed a shopping spree at Kmart. She wasn't a rich bully or hiding a monster beneath her designer duds. No, those are her characters. The best-selling author of the "Alphas," "The Clique" and "Monster High" series didn't truly consider the competition that surrounded her until she reached her 20s while working at MTV in New York City.

Sandra Thompson Thank you, [Gary] Jenkins, for his heartfelt letter to the editor regarding the school board's decision to allow, then bar, an MTV reality show at Laguna Beach High School. The Jenkins family, along with the Vickers, Turner, Whalen and Hathaway families, are respected and deeply valued members of our community. Their contributions to our schools and community have been immense and for that we are very grateful. Yet, apart from our overall respect for the school board, the recent MTV issue presented several important problems to discuss, not only in relation to the school board, but also to the Laguna Beach High School principal and district staff.

Growing up in Toronto, Lisi Harrison could care less about labels. Although her classmates made sure that Ralph Lauren graced every tee, she enjoyed a shopping spree at Kmart. She wasn't a rich bully or hiding a monster beneath her designer duds. No, those are her characters. The best-selling author of the "Alphas," "The Clique" and "Monster High" series didn't truly consider the competition that surrounded her until she reached her 20s while working at MTV in New York City.

Laguna Beach’s “mean girls” are now using their so-called fierceness to fuel a jewelry line. The former stars of MTV’s “Laguna Beach (Season 3),” Cameron “Cami” Edwards and Kyndra Mayo, recently graduated from best buds to business partners when they launched “Like Beau,” a collection of sterling silver and gold-dipped cuffs, rings and pendants. Edwards said the “vintage” lion’s head, cross and horseshoe designs adorning double-chained necklaces, cuffs and signet rings, are inspired by bijoux worn by English Royalty and the French Regalia.

Jason Wahler, former star of the reality television series “Laguna Beach: The Real OC,” was arrested outside a Laguna Beach bar about 10 p.m. July 31 after allegedly hurling his shoes and fists at bouncers seeking to eject him from the bar, according to police. Wahler, 22, who is on probation from a highly publicized 2007 incident in Washington involving an assault with racial slurs, was held overnight at the city jail to sober up and then released on his own recognizance, according to Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jason Kravetz.

After three years of using Laguna Beach as a backdrop — and its children as television players — MTV is moving on to Newport Beach, which will become the new "Real Orange County." With ratings down for the Laguna show, MTV apparently pulled the plug on Season Four midway through filming and set up camp a few miles north. A collective sigh of relief was heard in many quarters in Laguna, which had become increasingly uncomfortable with the tone of the show and its exploitative nature.

There was a paragraph in the paper recently about a woman who threatened to shoot another woman over a parking space in downtown Laguna. Woman No. 1 clearly hadn't thought it out ? I mean, you might get the space that way, but the ticket's going to be a whopper. Her action, however, does call attention to the salient point of our Laguna summers. Every year we try to squeeze ten tons of people into a five-ton bag. It's good for the people with the parking concessions; there's a guy down by the Sawdust Festival who tells you to park in the back, and if you park in the front he says go park somewhere else.

Laguna Beach is no longer "The Real Orange County." MTV's hit TV show has moved north to greener pastures. The network has announced that the show's fourth season will be "Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County," and will feature teens from Newport Harbor High School. The season will premiere Aug. 15. The show's move follows a decline in ratings in its third season, when a new crop of Laguna kids was selected to star but failed to make waves. Rumors and sightings of the show's filming in Newport have circulated for months, following rumors that a fourth season in Laguna had been begun but then stopped.

Jessica Smith, the 19-year-old former cast member on MTV's "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," pleaded guilty to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and was sentenced July 2. Smith hit another vehicle from behind in her 1999 Volkswagon Beetle on the 5 Freeway near Oso Parkway in Laguna Niguel in the early morning hours of March 27. Roy Hernandez, the driver of the other vehicle, and Lindsay Cooper, Smith's passenger, both sustained...

Jessica Smith, formerly on the reality show "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," was arrested after her 1999 Volkswagen Beetle allegedly struck another vehicle from behind, injuring two in the early morning hours Tuesday on the 5 Freeway near Oso Parkway in Mission Viejo. The 19-year-old, who lives in Laguna Beach, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as underage drinking, according to the District Attorney's office. Roy Hernandez, of Lake Forest, the driver of the other vehicle, and Smith's passenger, Lindsay Cooper, of Isla Vista, both sustained minor injuries, a California Highway Patrol report states.

Two good things happened last week in Laguna: Laguna Beach High School got its coveted "Distinguished School" designation and the Old Pottery Place held its grand opening. The high school honor, given by the state Department of Education, is especially gratifying for a school that has come under the sometimes-unflattering spotlight of the MTV reality show and its voyeuristic fan base. Some in the community are worried that MTV is destroying the city's reputation as a mecca of fine art and culture, and turning it tawdry.