"Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal" Cashes in on America's Obsession with Cheerleaders

"Mean Girls" Meets "Bring it On"

Nothing says mainstream America like the apple pie aura that surrounds the idyllic sports setting: All-American jocks playing for the glory of their alma maters and the wholesome, not-to-be-denied exuberance of the cheerleaders that cheer them on. That is the image touted by most. And
"Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal" Cashes in on America's Obsession with Cheerleaders
Date: August 2, 2008
 that is the image that sells. But the flip side of that image sells just as well or better. Lifetime cable network chose the flip side and broadcast their original movie, "Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal" to appeal to that lucrative seamier side. That side would include provocative images of cheerleaders, sexually suggestive images, and scandalous acts. Because for every cheerleader movie like "Bring It On", there is a corresponding sexually suggestive or outright pornographic movie as well (and, more often as not, far more examples of the latter).

"Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal" tells the story of the McKinney North High School (Texas) cheerleader squad that basically did as they pleased until they were confronted by their cheerleading coach, Emma (played by Jenna Dewan), whose character is loosely based on the actual coach, Michaela Ward. Disciplining the cheerleaders were a problem at the school because one of the cheerleaders, Brooke Tippit (who is modeled after Karissa Theret and played by Ashley Benson, who has actually starred in a "Bring It On" movie), was the daughter of the principal, Lorene Tippit (Linda Theret, played by Oscar-winner Tatum O'Neal). The cheerleaders' out-of-control behavior leads to a showdown.

In real life, Michaela Ward resigned when little was done to discipline the girls, who posted suggestive pictures of themselves on MySpace.com showing glimpses of their underwear and mimicking lewd acts with candles in a condom store, among other disruptive acts perpetrated on school grounds. Ward took the story to the press and the Dallas-suburb school became the scandal of the nation. Linda Theret resigned. The offending girls were removed from the cheerleading squad.

 
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Sociopaths account for approximatly 1 in 25 people. They are born, not made. They don't get "better"; "Mean girls" grow up to be "mean women". Through their experiences harming others, they learn more subtle ways of taking down their "prey". They are preditors. You can not beat them, only avoid them. They are your "Bully Boss", your corrupt politician, your "Casey Anthony".

Posted on 03/22/2009 at 4:03:41 PM

The article points that out, wake up. But you make a good point. There are plenty of people who do not make the distinction well. The best rule: If the movie begins or is promoted by the words "Based on a true story," the writers have taken liberty with the actual events and the veracity of the movie is then questionable.

Posted on 08/25/2008 at 7:08:08 AM

Hello, IT WAS A MOVIE. Loosely based on real life events and obviously made with the intent of making certain characters look really bad. Real life version is that while the principle and other adults could not seem to control this skanky crew, they were otherwise very competent in their jobs. That high school was brought to one of the highest performing high schools under the long tenure of that principle. The final report also gave equal blame to the cheerleading coach for also giving too many 'second chances'. But the person who sold the movie rights was the cheerleading coach. So, of course, she comes out looking like the hero in the movie. Can't anyone tell the difference between real life and a MOVIE anymore???????

Posted on 08/24/2008 at 10:08:58 PM

Quite the contrary, Princess q, just commenting on the obvious. In fact, I am an avid supporter of ragging away. Still a free country; well, that is until we get another dictator like El presidente Bush in office, because with people like him and Gonzalez and Cheney, who needs a Constitution?

Posted on 08/09/2008 at 5:08:51 AM

Saul, sorry if you thought I was ragging on your article. Just the opposite-I thought it was well-written. I was ragging on the media.

Posted on 08/09/2008 at 12:08:45 AM

Scandalous behavior, Princess q, is always news... unfortunately...

Posted on 08/08/2008 at 8:08:33 AM

So a group of girls are skanks, and that's news? How dumb.

Posted on 08/08/2008 at 12:08:08 AM

You tell 'em, mary j. You are absolutely right...

Posted on 08/07/2008 at 9:08:50 PM

Lifetime melodrama aside, Tiffany, but I have an idea that we'll never know how far these girls actually went.

Posted on 08/07/2008 at 9:08:25 PM

i watched the movie and i personally blame the principal and the assistant principal for allowing the behavior to go on. neither one should ever be in an administrative position, nor should they allowed to be in a classroom setting. they allow an unsafe environment that was not condusive to learning or productive for anyone except the fab five. if i were a parent of a student that one of those idiots discipline, i would be incline not only to sue the school board, but those idiots personally. i think it is even more appalling that the board gave the principal $75000.00 and a letter of recommendation. this is why schools are in the position they are in, instead of exposing and dealing with her incompetence and giving her and her assistant a pink slip, she got a free pass into another system. she nor her assistant principal should never be allowed near students ever.

Posted on 08/07/2008 at 6:08:56 PM

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