The CW's funny little new Fall show Privileged is back tonight with a new episode (that guest stars Lauren Conrad as herself). But will anyone be watching?

So far, at least, the answer seems to be no: The show's dropped viewers nearly every week since its premiere, with just 1.9 million people tuning into last week's episode. And that's a shame, because this underappreciated gem just might be my favorite new show of the entire Fall TV season. What do I love so much about the show, you ask? Well. . .
I love. . . the writing, first and foremost. Some lines on this show make me laugh out loud, the characters are funny and interesting, and the plotlines are entertaining without going overboard into crazyland. (They can say things like "Judgey Judgerson" without making me roll my eyes.)
I love. . . our fearless protagonist, Megan. She's smart, funny, warm and optimistic. She's like that Type-A girl who annoyed me in high school because she was always so good at everything, except Megan is endearing because she's also honest and human. For all her perfectionism, she's still a twenty-something girl who took a not-so-ideal job (as a live-in tutor to some super rich girls) as a means to an end — not unlike a lot of twenty-something girls. And despite the job being not-so-ideal, she makes the best of it with a great attitude. She's a peppy person who can also be direct about her feelings, proving that girls can be sweet without being weak or doormat-y.
Why else do I love this show? Please, read more.
I love. . . that the set-up is pretty straightforward but still allows for interesting issues to arise. The two teenage girls are uber-wealthy, one of them is sweet and childlike (Rose), while the other is fiercely loyal but sometimes mean as a snake (Sage). In contrast, their tutor is not from a wealthy family and is constantly learning how to adapt to this way of life. Unlike some other CW shows, this one uses the differences in lifestyles to create actual conflict and make points about the characters.
I love. . . that it's super-duper girl-powerific. One of Megan's main reasons for sticking with this job is because she sees a mentor in the girls' grandmother, Laurel (played by Anne Archer). She's eager to learn from this powerful and independent lady, but she's not so intimidated that she can't have a frank discussion with her. I'm fascinated by this relationship — how Laurel will help Megan, how Megan will impress Laurel and impact her life. The show also takes the time to insert little lessons on being a strong, modern woman. Megan explains what's frustrating about dismissing a strong businesswoman as a "ball-buster," and tells Rose why she shouldn't watch porn as a how-to guide for sexual techniques. It's got a message but without being all message-y.

I love. . . the friggin' hot guys. What girl would not want to have this trio of men to flirt with?! Add to these guys the family's gay chef Marco, Megan's no-nonsense confidant who, like Megan, has aspirations beyond working at the Baker estate. He's fast becoming one of my favorite characters on the show.

I know it's only been a few episodes but I'm already so attached to Megan and Co. It breaks my lil' heart to think about this show being canceled. Do you know what I'm talking about here? Have you watched Privileged?
Photos courtesy of The CW

















Inspirations
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Petite Mendigote
I actually like this show too...i watched the premiere out of boredom and ended up really enjoying it
1I like this show actually but it's at the same time as Greek and I'd rather watch Greek.
2I caught the first episode only because I watched whatever was on before it (90210?) and was very pleasantly surprised! I haven't had the chance to see any more episodes, but I hope to get caught up soon.
3I love this show especially for the writing and the fact that Megan is normal and has a handful or purses and a couple of cute outfits like a normal woman instead of the excess on other shows these days. I think that the show could be my favorite since The OC which was also underrated and unappreciated. To be honest this is the only show in the fall line up that's a must see for me no matter what else is on. This and Pushing Daisies. I wish there were more shows like this on. I know it's sappy but I grew up with prime time TV that taught lessons and yes they solved problems in half an hour but at least they didn't glorify horrible behavior and self serving personalities like a lot of shows do lately. I'm all for sweet TV it makes me feel more normal.
4I literally JUST came on this site to search for info on Brian Hallisay (aka Will) bc he is so CUTE. I love this show, it is my fave new fall show by a mile. I will be very sad if it doesn't survive. It is SO much better than the new 90210. It deserves a shot.
5Love it for all the reasons above and more, I really hope it's not the CW show that falls (see: your post earlier today).
6I LOVE this show. It's my favorite new show of the season, which surprised me. In fact, I raved in my blog recently hoping to get new viewers. I called it "if Gossip Girl and Gilmore Girls had a child in The OC to the soundtrack of Grey's Anatomy." It's so cute. And I definitely fear it will be cancelled very soon.
7I watch this every week, and am always so pleasantly surprised by how funny and clever it is. I love the well placed pop culture references, subtle but funny. I also love that Meghan reminds me so much of my 20 something friends and I. She's smart, but a little awkward, funny, and just not quite together as a person yet. It seems refreshingly honest to me amidst a sea of overindulgent highschool drama that's so far removed from reality it's ridiculous. It's nice to have a leading lady who is a little inscure, has family issues, and doesn't have her life totally figured out yet, but still comes across as smart, optimistic, and genuine. I'll be very disappointed if the network doesn't give this one a chance.
8I love it too! So sad that people aren't watching it.
9I really like this show too! I didn't plan on watching it but I caught the first two episodes online and I loved it! I'll be watching it instead of the debates tonight!
10I was planning on catching up on this show. But frankly it's hard for CW shows to get good ratings. It veers toward average to poor,IMO.
But one show, that is on FOX, I like ans is on the verge of being cancelled is Terminator: The Sarah Chronicles. It would be great if more people watch this. It's not fluffy or girly as GG, the Hills and 90210 (Which gets a lot of coverage is) but the women are kick-ass and the story is intersting.
11i agree buzz! its one of my favorite shows right now!
12i love this show, i ended up watchin the premiere and loved it!
13I love this show! Joanna Garcia is wonderful!
14It's a cute little show, but it doesn't even approach "must see tv" for me.
Unfortunately, it lost in my three-show-race for *watch in real time, DVR, and drop* during its regular time slot. I can't even recall its opposition; I just know that Privileged was the lowest totem, so I dismissed it.
15I want to check this show out because I love Joanna Garcia, but I never knew when it was on.
16I get lost when I watch this show, too many brunettes... I know that sounds dumm but really they all look too much alike!! Plus the acting isn't really that good.
17This was so good tonight with the bracelet, best episode since the premiere in my opinion. People don't watch the good shows. And The CW (or The WB) have a history of non-promotion. I blame them for no ratings. How can you even consider watching something you don't know exists?
18I just discovered my love for thisshow last week, and am actually watching in another window as I type this. Megan is such a great character. I'm a writer and love wtching her battle her "writer self" while trying to balance real life- and of course her interactions with the girls. Such a good show! I hope this sticks around for awhile!
(of course... I like it, so it probably won't)
19I ADORE this show. I feel like it's like and fluffy, but still intelligent at the same time. The female lead is a great character
20i love this show! it is just like watching a feel-good movie every episode!
21i would be so sad to see it be canceled
love it!!!!!!!!!
22Buzz, this is my new favorite show! Thanks for writing about it.
23I have to agree with you schnappycat. This show kinda fills my Gilmore Girls withdrawls. This show does need to get more press. Maybe they should put this after Gossip Girl and put One Tree Hill after 90210. That would make better sense to me.
24I hope they don't cancel it. Too many good shows get the ax.
I have to agree with you schnappycat. This show kinda fills my Gilmore Girls withdrawals. This show does need to get more press. Maybe they should put this after Gossip Girl and put One Tree Hill after 90210. That would make better sense to me.
25I hope they don't cancel it. Too many good shows get the ax.
I love this show with all the reason you said. It's nice and warm-heart show which have many good messages to girls.
It will be too sad if it to be cancelled.
26I adore this show as well!!
27I looove this show! I hope it gets a full season!!!
28I LOVE this show. It was such a surprise. Megan's character is real and relatable. She may be super-smart, but she's not perfect. It's my favorite new show of the season!
29I haven't actually watched it yet, but I do also love Joanna Garcia. She's adorable! I just hope that it does well for her, and they don't cancel it like they did "Reba" (CW what were you THINKING??)
30I really like the actress that plays Megan. She is adorable and whitty. I also really like the grandmother and wish she was on more. I switch between watching this one live and DVRing Fringe and vice versa. Hopefully it will stick around b/c it has potential. Honestly I don't care too much about the girls, so I'm glad they don't get that much screen time. Megan is much more interesting.
31I really really like this show. The CW always cancels the good ones
so I hope it makes it. The
show is funny, adorable and fun to watch. I like it more than 90210.....not to mention the guy who plays Jacob is HOTT!! I also love Charlie, and hope he tells Megan his feelings
32At first I didn't like this show, but I watched it last night (I don't remember seeing LC?), and I really enjoyed it! I love Joanna Garcia, I think she's great! Also the guy that played Zach on the O.C. (I forgot his name on this show) is fun to watch. I will watch it again next week ☺
33LOVE this show! Have watched since the beginning and I hope to god it doesn't get canceled! Your review is right on Buzz and I would just like to add that I see posibilities in this show for all the characters to grow and change in new ways which means it has potential to be a really long, on-going show! They should really do some better marketing for it!
34I ADORE this show...I so hope it doesn't get canceled. I totally agree with your review Buzz. It definitely is a fresh perspective on the "rich kid" formula.
35I'm a spillover viewer after 90210. I only watch if my boyfriend isn't home because usually he gets home between 9 and 10. When he gets home, I usually lie and say I'm not watching it. It's fluffy, which is fine with me. Lead girl is totally pretty.
36I agree...I've watched it since the beginning and it's really entertaining. It's funny in a very witty way. Unfortunately, I think for the CW's audience, it's too "clean" - not enough sex, drugs or scandals. And it's definitely not getting enough buzz to keep it going. It's sad to say but I see this show getting canceled soon - especially since the CW has a consistent habit of canceling all of the good shows and keeping shows like Beauty and the Geek or The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll. But I'll still keep my fingers crossed and hope that I'm wrong!
37I'm so glad you posted this i was just thinking yesterday this is the prob the best new shows this fall. I think the writing is great and i love the characters. I hope it doesn't get canceled if anything gets canceled i hope it's 90210 bleh! it's awful and it the story lines have been done too many times before.
38Totally agree with you Buzz... I find myself excited to watch it every week, though I usually have to tivo.
39I have been pleasantly surprised by this show for the reasons you point out. I also like the way it addresses teen sex: as an inevitable fact but one that should be addressed in an adult way.
40Oh! After watching last night's episode, I thought of two more reasons I love the show.
411. The music! I would love a soundtrack from this one.
2. I like that the two sisters are actually really close and loving toward one another, as opposed to being at each other's throats and catty just to create more drama. It's refreshing to see sibling companionship, instead of rivalry.
OK, I'm done!...For now...
I am enjoying it but I'm sick Megan's sister. She is annoying and should be written out.
42I love this show too -- it's my favorite of a the new season, and a real surprise. I hope they keep it! Since I understand that Tuesdays can be a bit packed TV-wise, maybe you could remind people that they can also watch on Sundays, when the CW re-airs each Tuesday's ep? That helped me catch the pilot and I've been hooked since.
43I love this show, I normally don't catch it when it's actually on but I watch it off of the DVR later. I really hope they don't cancel this, cancel the new 90210 first which imo is very dumb.
44Love it too!
45I love this show. I watched the premiere because I was a fan of the main character on Reba. It's neat to watch it online because they give captions of the music they are playing. Whatever we can do so they don't cancel it, let us know.
46I've been planning to start watching this for a couple weeks now, and I definitely will.
47LOVE this show! Especially the unrequited love between Charlie and Megan.
48i'm crazy about that show for all the reasons you said, it's funny and smart, the character are great ! i just love it !!
49I LOVE this show, but the actress that plays megan's sister is terrible. She and will (cute as he is) should both be written off
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