Back الحياة السرية لمراهقة أمريكية Arabic The Secret Life of the American Teenager Czech Mit Liv Som Teenager (tv-serie) Danish The Secret Life of the American Teenager German The Secret Life of the American Teenager Spanish زندگی مخفی نوجوان آمریکایی Persian Salattu teinielämä Finnish La Vie secrète d'une ado ordinaire French The Secret Life of the American Teenager Galician סודות ההתבגרות HE
| The Secret Life of the American Teenager | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as | Secret Life |
| Genre | Teen drama |
| Created by | Brenda Hampton |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Dan Foliart |
| Opening theme | "Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love", performed by Molly Ringwald |
| Composer | Dan Foliart |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 121 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Brenda Hampton |
| Producers |
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| Production locations | Los Angeles, California |
| Cinematography |
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| Editors |
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| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | ABC Family |
| Release | July 1, 2008 – June 3, 2013 |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
The Secret Life of the American Teenager (often shortened to Secret Life) is an American teen drama television series created by Brenda Hampton. It aired on ABC Family from July 1, 2008, to June 3, 2013.[1] The series features an ensemble cast including Shailene Woodley as Amy Juergens, a teenage girl who becomes pregnant. The series focuses on the relationships between Amy, her family and friends as they deal with her unexpected pregnancy and teen motherhood.
The series was notable for its frank discussions of teenage sexuality and its attempts to educate viewers about the consequences of sexual activity. However, its approach to these topics often sparked debate.[2][3] While some praised the show for tackling issues like teen pregnancy and promoting open dialogue about sexual health, others criticized it for its didactic tone, unrealistic dialogue, and oversimplified portrayals of complex issues.[4][5] Additionally, the series faced backlash for its heavy emphasis on abstinence and its portrayal of moral and religious perspectives, which some viewers and critics felt were overly judgmental or out of touch with the realities of teenage life.[6]
Despite its polarizing reception, The Secret Life of the American Teenager was a ratings success for ABC Family, particularly in its early seasons. The series premiere drew 2.82 million viewers, making it one of the network's most-watched debuts at the time.[7] The show consistently ranked as one of the top cable series among teens and young adults, with its second season premiere attracting 4.52 million viewers, a record high for the series.[8]
However, as the series progressed, viewership began to decline. By its fifth and final season, the show averaged around 1.5 million viewers per episode, a significant drop from its earlier highs.[9] In 2013, ABC Family announced that the fifth season would be its last, concluding the series with a two-hour finale that drew 3.3 million viewers.[10]
- ^ "Falling in Love Season Episode Guide on". TV.com. October 14, 2009. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^ Poniewozik, James (July 1, 2008). "The Secret Life of the American Teenager: ABC Family's New Soap Opera". Time. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Keck, William (July 1, 2008). "ABC Family's 'Secret Life' Tackles Teen Pregnancy". USA Today. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^ Goodman, Tim (July 1, 2008). "Review: 'Secret Life of the American Teenager'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^ Ryan, Maureen (July 1, 2008). "The Secret Life of the American Teenager: A Soapy, Preachy Mess". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Bell, Josh (July 1, 2008). "The Secret Life of the American Teenager: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (July 2, 2008). "Secret Life of the American Teenager Sets Records for ABC Family". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (June 23, 2009). "Updated: The Secret Life of the American Teenager is Back Big; Plus Ratings for ABC Family, Disney and More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 26, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (March 19, 2013). "Monday Cable Ratings: NBA Basketball Wins Night, 'WWE Raw', 'Bates Motel', 'Dallas', 'Being Human' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (June 4, 2013). "Finale of 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager' Draws 3.3 Million Viewers". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2025.