Victorious (Nick TV Show)

Note: This blog post is a part of our culture series and an attempt to help you be culturally relevant to preteens. Also read our recent post about Hunger Games.

Victorious recently was named the Favorite TV Show at the 2012 Kid’s Choice Awards. It’s the most popular show on Nick right now. Not too long ago, iCarly was the #1 show. Not anymore. iCarly is losing popularity and airing it’s final series episode in November of this year. So, it looks like Victorious is the next iCarly. What does that mean for you? It means that the Victorious is influencing the preteens in your group. So, do your research and use the show as a tool to reach preteens.

Plot: The series follows Tori Vega, played by Victoria Justice (nice play on the title), a teenager who is accepted into Hollywood Arts High School, a school for talented teens in various performing-arts fields. After taking her older sister Trina’s place in a showcase after Trina had an allergic reaction to a Chinese herb product designed to help make people sing better. The plot follows Tori as she finds her place within Hollywood Arts, while getting into crazy situations and adventures, and meeting friends to help her along the way.

For more about the show, go here: http://www.nick.com/shows/victorious & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorious. I recommend spending a few minutes on Nick.com’s Victorious page (above link) – watch some short video clips, watch full episodes and get familiar with the characters and plot. As you do, look for ways you can use the plot, individual episodes and characters to reach preteens in your group.

Themes: Tori Vega is a talented singer living the “dream life” as a teenager going to Hollywood Arts High School. I see two basic themes in the show: being famous and super talented.

Like Tori Vega, preteens want to be famous. They seek popularity and approval from peers. The core of that desire is given to us by God himself. We want to have value as a person, but often find our self worth in the approval of others. In many cases, preteens will often make bad choices to win the respect of their friends and classmates. Preteens need to know they are loved and valued by God as-is. Their sense of self-worth can only truly be fulfilled in their relationship with Him, not approval from others. They are messed-up imperfect people hand crafted, loved and accepted by the creator of the universe. Only in a relationship with God can true value and self-worth be found. Preteens need to hear that message and Victorious is a great starting point to get their attention.

Preteens want to be super talented. Tori Vega and her classmates are the elite teens who have what it takes to attend Hollywood Arts High School. They are all super talented at something and preteens want what they have. God has supernaturally gifted every preteen with a talent and ability. This is the time when young people begin to explore them. For many, they just need to know the seeds of greatness are within them. Encourage preteens to try new things and explore what they are good and not good at. Give them opportunities to use their talents and gifts within your preteen ministry. Unleash the artists, singers, guitar players and dancers to use their gifts. Encourage those who doubt they have anything great within. Look for their talents, affirm what you see and help them to discover it for themselves.