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Knock
First's Premiere Episode
By Jennifer I. Quinn
"When the teens kick the
parents out, they know that this is their show," says the promo
for ABC Family's Knock First. Although the commercials
might grate your nerves, wait. The teens get to work cleaning,
organizing and redecorating.
This home-makeover show
has been marketed with the phrase "No Parents" to make it seem
cool. Surprisingly, the teen's parents leave quietly. No wild
party. The teens don't start trashing the house. The carpenters
and designer take charge. Andy, the male carpenter, makes the
girls redo a project they did wrong. Carrie, the female carpenter,
has a role only slightly bigger than the parents. Unfortunately,
we don't hear any words of wisdom from this potentially positive
role model. The designer, Shane, encourages teamwork and focus.
The show contains some
awkward moments, like when Shane asks the 14-year-olds about
their first kiss. This is as racy as it gets. The teens keep
it clean and goofy. They even get a TV crew member to don his
dancing shoes while they "get down." Hip-hop tunes, sound bytes,
graphics and laughs keep the show moving. Change the channel
if you're looking for a dramatic makeover show. The fun keeps
you tuned in, not the design.
It's not all jokes. The
teens make design decisions and stay motivated. It looks so
easy. Knock First is not a template for redesigning
your teen's room. Budget is never even mentioned. You probably
won't find your child stripping wallpaper after watching this
show. However, this all-night parent-free party is probably
okay for your kids. Knock First airs Monday to Friday
on the ABC Family channel at 5:30 p.m. eastern.
Jennifer I. Quinn
worked in television for five years and learned from the
inside out how to market a show to a young audience. She
is also a certified teacher who has worked with young people
teaching them to be smarter consumers of the media. She
can be contacted at quinnjenniferi@yahoo.com.
Editor's note: If you'd
like to know more about the show, its crew, or how to become
a contestant, visit the show's site at http://abcfamily.go.com/daytime/knockfirst/index.html.
You can also use the site's Room Builder to design your own
dream space, check the Resource Guides to learn where you can
get items you saw on the show, and read Tip Guides that will
help you carry out your own projects at home.
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