My View, from Fox 13's John Wilson

Why is a musical about a fantasy experience in high school so popular?

Everybody knows that real high schools have problems with drugs, sex, bullying, and peer pressure.  I watched 'High School Musical' the other night because I have grandchildren who love it.  I don't normally do movie reviews but this one is different.  

The target audience for this movie is Disney's prime age group that we call 'tweens -- kids under 14 -- and we should not be too quick to tell 'em this movie is not real.  Because these kids are at a wonderful age of innocence that many of us would like to hold on to or go back to.

But professional critics are ripping into this show and all its variations because it's missing what's wrong in many high schools.  There is no rap in this musical, the lyrics are clever and the dance routines are harmless, without being vulgar or suggestive.  And everybody gets along and the only sexual tension is a sweet kiss.  But it's more than just a kids movie.

Disney is using masterful marketing techniques to reach this target audience that is said to be worth $59-billion.  And it drew one of the largest audiences ever on television when it was on the Disney Channel last week. 

It's Disney's Harry Potter, and it's just a musical.  But what is the most popular show on TV now that kids and adults are watching?  American Idol.

This so-called tween age group is the age of innocence just before reality begins to set in.  We can only hope our schools are giving them enough fundamentals to deal that reality.

High school graduation rates are horrendous in many schools -- about 60% here -- and teen obesity is a critical issue.

One fundamental, missing for years that can help with that, is finally coming back thanks to new state laws here in Florida, Texas, and a few other states.  And besides fitness, this is the one that teaches kids more about how to get along than almost any other class I can name, other than playing in a band, being in play, singing in a chorus, or even  taking a dance lesson where everybody has to work together and learn to work together.
 
Welcome back phys-ed, which Gov. Crist pushed through the Legislature.  But we're hearing already that some principals are trying to get around the phys-ed requirement to concentrate more on FCAT preparation.

Phys-ed is like High School Musical without the music.  It demands participation, interaction, and performance without insulting anybody.  Which brings back a word we don't hear much anymore -- wholesome.

So, welcome back phys-ed and a high school musical that is not about what's wrong but what's right, and we could use more of that.

That's My View.