• by Hope Rayman Friedman , July 20, 2006

Hey, all you network suits and programmers  there's a ginormous deficit of television shows for tweens and teens! In the face of such a void, maybe you should look to the "Harry Potter" franchise, which attracts tween, teen, and adult fans  props to author J.K. Rowling.

Why do I care? I'm a children's book author. I need to cue into snappy dialogue now that my 14-month-old baby infantilizes my communication skills and keeps me tethered to toddlerville. It's a fun place, but it won't help me with the teen novel I'm writing. You guys should care, too, since kids aged 12 to 17 comprise one of the most in-demand viewer groups among marketers.

Disney Channel enjoys decent ratings with appealing characters in "That's So Raven," "Hannah Montana," "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," and reruns of "Lizzie McGuire." Teen Nick pulls in viewers with "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" and "Drake and Josh," but tanks with "Unfabulous" and "Zoey 101." Here's why: The main character on "Unfabulous" doesn't win the underdog vote. And as a former kids' psychotherapist, I was put off by how inappropriate the humor was in "Zoey 101." It's also disturbing that Zoey looks and acts 15, not 13.

Suspense keeps "Harry Potter" enthusiasts clamoring for more. In each book Harry finds himself in mortal danger. Disney Channel's teen show "Life with Derek" has fans on edge wondering if the feuding stepbro and -sis will hook up. Blogging tweens say, Ewwww! Savvy teens don't think Disney will "go there"  but they keep tuning in.

But the go-there-est show is Canada's award-winning franchise "Degrassi," which airs on The N. Bold storylines with such elements teen pregnancy, gay bashing, and date rape reflect the issues teens are interested in. Maybe The N's "Instant Star" and "South of Nowhere" would get better ratings if they deepened their plotlines.

Social status is a theme that resonates for teens. ABC Family introduces the have and have-not hotties with "Falcon Beach," a series set at a summer resort. It's much needed, now that "One Tree Hill" on the WB and "The O.C." on Fox have made nice with their social clashes. The N's new mystery series "Whistler" might do well if teens stay indoors this summer to watch a class struggle unfold at a winter resort. Brrr!

UPN's critically acclaimed "Veronica Mars" bears the most resemblance to the well-crafted "Potter" franchise. It has engaging characters who switch alliances at the drop of a hat, surprising plot twists, sarcastic exchanges, and physical fights between the classes  plus it delivers a satisfying mystery.

Most in need of good writers are The N's new series "Beyond the Beach" and ABC Family's "Kyle XY." Kyle seems to be missing more than his belly button. Newly born, adult-sized Kyle narrates in present tense before he's learned to speak! I'm sure the scantily clad cast and surfing draws teens to "Beyond the Beach," but the stereotypical characters and uneven scripts may also drive them away.

The networks would do a better job if more shows adhered to the tenets of good writing and paid attention to what really engages tweens and teens. Fingers crossed on the new season.