I wanted to like it. I loved Summer Heights High. I thought Angry Boys struggled a bit, but it definitely achieved a spot on the TIVO. But this... my oh my. To say that Ja'mie is completely devoid of redeeming features doesn't begin to describe the hatefulness, the vitriol, the scheming - and that's just the first episode. There is nothing funny about it. I take no issue with Chris Lilley dressing up as a teenage girl - Glenn Close was fabulous as Albert Nobbs. Cross-dressing has a venerated tradition in theatre. What bothers me is that there will be young people watching who have a Ja'mie in their lives; an over-indulged mean girl (or boy) who targets parents (presented as beyond clueless), classmates (beyond fawning), and teachers (beyond ineffective) with foul-mouthed diatribes and scathing personal attacks. But they are offered no hope that their Ja'mie will ever face any consequences. The message is that the horrible thrive, and there's nothing you can do about it. I understand satire. But this ain't it.
Review of Ja'mie: Private School Girl
