January 18, 2005 (2005-01-18) – September 11, 2017 (2017-09-11)
My Super Sweet 16 is an American reality television series documenting the lives of teenagers, usually in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom, generally with wealthy parents who throw lavish, excessive and expensive coming-of-age celebrations. Parties include the quinceañera, the sweet 16, and other birthdays including a My Super Sweet 21 (which was broadcast during MTV's spring break party) and My Super Swag 18. The show aired on MTV from January 18, 2005, to September 11, 2017. The opening theme is "Sweet Sixteen" sung by Hilary Duff.
The series had two spin-offs, Exiled and The Real Deal, which both ended their run by 2010. The show has also covered a number of celebrity coming of age parties. Bow Wow, Sean Kingston, Aly & AJ, Chris Brown, Soulja Boy and Teyana Taylor have all had their parties featured on the show.[1] A United Kingdom version of the program was also produced, as was a Spanish version entitled Quiero mis quinces or Super Dulces 16.
MTV launched a spinoff in 2008 titled Exiled, involving the parents of some prior participants on My Super Sweet 16 "exiling" their teens to remote countries in order to see if their "sweet sixteener" will survive the harsh conditions. In 2009, MTV announced their newest addition to the franchise, My Super Psycho Sweet 16, a horror movie based on the concept of the show, which was aired on October 23, 2009 and followed by two sequels: Part 2 (2010) and Part 3 (2012).
In March 2010, MTV International commissioned Maverick TV in the UK to make a new, international version of the Super Sweet franchise. 10 episodes were produced, with interested parties encouraged to go to the casting website.[2] The brand was also extended to include people having birthdays aged 13–24.
Reception
In retrospect, Bustle identified "the main 14 elements [or tropes] which happened in most episodes which made it the supernova of a show that it truly is", including:[3]
"birthday tantrum[s]" ("the birthday boy or girl would be crying, screaming, stomping, or complaining about the fact that it's their birthday and they'll do what they want")
the birthday boy or girl's "constant belligerence" against their parents in demanding more money
"excessively decadent outfits"
the party planner who is "tasked with organizing these unachievable birthday parties"
overrunning the party budget
"the obligatory party fight" when uninvited guests turn up
large, expensive cars as birthday gifts
a musical celebrity guest performing at the party
Bobcat Goldthwait noted that watching the My Super Sweet 16 marathon inspired him to write his controversial film God Bless America.[4] Prior to attaining stardom in film, Jennifer Lawrence made her on-screen acting debut in an advertisement for the series depicting a fictional scenario (she never appeared in the series proper).[5]
Criticism
English satirist Charlie Brooker gave a light-hearted criticism of the show on BBC4's Screenwipe, calling it "a stonehearted exposé of everything that's wrong with our faltering so-called civilization." He describes the protagonists by saying that "Each episode follows an unbelievably spoiled rich and tiny sod as they prepare to throw a despicably opulent coming of age party for themselves and their squealing shitcake friends." He said the show "might be an Al-Qaedarecruitment film." However, he added that "that's exactly how the show wants you to feel - it's even more efficient at creating instant hate figures than Big Brother, and that's saying something."[6]
One teenager (Audrey Reyes) is seen screaming at her mother and saying she "hates" her after having received a new Lexus SC430, costing US$67,000, that was not on the day of the party.[6][7][8][9] However, after the episode aired, she apologized for the tantrum.[9]
The hip-hop artist Common made a reference to the show, as well as Exiled, in a line from his single "The Game". "Watching Sweet Sixteen, bitchin'-ass rich kids, who, don't know, in life, that, you gotta go the distance".
In the film Bratz, a character, named Meredith, throws a super sweet 16 party and has MTV film it.[10]
In the film Disaster Movie, the protagonist Will throws a super sweet 16 party.
The show was also parodied on an episode of Comedy Central's South Park ("Hell on Earth 2006") broadcast on October 25, 2006. Satan was intent on throwing an over-the-top Halloween bash. His behavior reflected that of the sweet 16ers, preparing for their coming-of-age birthdays. In the end, when Satan realizes his folly, the audience then considers the sweet 16ers to be "worse than Satan."[11]Trey Parker further commented, "I can say.....every single girl that has been on that show, My Super Sweet 16, is evil. Is an evil, horrible person. It's just that simple."[12]
In 2016, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, US actor Bryan Cranston (known for his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad) was featured in a parody titled "My Super Sweet 60" for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show, with Kimmel as a party planner, and various guest stars, including musician Sisqo.[3]
The show was parodied in the fourth season of Robot Chicken, in a sketch titled "Annie's Super Sweet 16". The segment follows the format of the show, with the episode featuring Annie Warbucks from the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. On the sister channel Tr3s, the show Quiero Mis Quinces showcases the Latin American traditions of planning a quinceañera.[13] More recently, the 2020 reboot of Animaniacs referenced it in a song.
Broadcast
In June 2018, it was announced that the series will stream on Hulu.[14] It also currently airs on MTV Teen on the Pluto TV service. TeenNick also began airing the series in July 2019.
