How to Rock

HOW TO ROCK attempts to address the hot-button issues of self-image and bullying, and it does push the message that being true to who you are and seeking genuine relationships are the keys to true happiness. Unfortunately, much of this may be lost on the show's decidedly younger audience, since grade-schoolers and young tweens likely (or rather, hopefully) haven't yet felt the full impact of the pressures of popularity and body image. What's more, with no real-life experience with the complicated nature of social circles at the teenage level, kids won't be able to separate realistic content from what's exaggerated for effect and thus won't feel the full impact of the bullying that goes on among the teens. And don't forget the mixed messages sent by the fact that the dreaded braces and glasses that spell social death for Kacey last all of 20 minutes, after which she's back to her beautiful self while still mingling with the social outsiders.

That's not to say that How to Rock is all bad. As casts go, it could do worse than this multicultural one, led by the multi-talented Miller. (Music plays a big role in the content, thanks to Miller's stellar voice, so marketing an inevitable soundtrack goes hand-in-hand with the show's content.) Plus, there are plenty of laughs to be had by way of the characters' generally silly behavior. Bottom line? It's not the worst thing on TV, but there are plenty of shows that try harder to reflect reality and downplay negative behavior than How to Rock does.