Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader
Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader is the first original web series produced specifically for cheerleaders and available worldwide online. The web series is created by Cheer Channel Inc and produced by CCI Productions, a company based in Austin, Texas. The first episode aired May 28, 2012 and gained 35,795 views. Season 1 had six episodes and Season 2 is expected to premiere December 2012. Season 3 will be shot on location in Australia to air in March 2013.
Series Overview
Season 1 follows Emma Franklin, 17, as she moves to a new town after her dad loses his job. Eager to leave her past behind, she decides to start from scratch and create a new life for herself. Emma lies to her new friends and new cheerleading team AbOUT her past and family. Emma finds friends in her new school, like Cody and Stacy, and gains a rival, too- Mandy. When Mandy discovers Emma's diary, the only place the truth is chronicled, Emma's new life is in danger of being shattered.
Episodes
- Episode 1: "A Girl's Gotta Cheer"
Emma Franklin moves to a new town, gaining a new beginning with a new school, new friends, and the chance to join a new All Star cheerleading team. Episode 1 introduces the viewer to Emma's new life, alluding to a secret from her past. Emma must lie to her new friends about her house and family.
- Episode 2: "Painting a Pretty Picture"
Emma considers joining her new town's All Star team, the Silver Extremes. However, she struggles to get back in the swing of being in a team after a year without Cheerleading. Meanwhile, she also develops a crush on the team's helper, Cody.
- Episode 3: "Little Brothers are Good for Something"
Emma is ready to cheer with the Silver Extremes. Trying to balance her lies to her father and her friends, she brings her little brother to practice, earning her first strike with Coach Dan. After practice, Emma proposes sharing a routine she was working on with the Angels to a less than friendly Coach Dan. Mandy discovers that Emma has lied about her mother and is ready to look more into Emma's supposed life.
- Episode 4: "Angels in the Area"
As the Silver Extremes gear up to perform, an unannounced visit from her former team, the Angels, takes Emma by surprise. Cheer Channel's Superstars of All-Stars were featured as the Angels. The elite group include Maddie Gardner, Kiara Nowlin, Gabi Butler, Whitney Love, Kelsey Rule, Cami Branson, Erica Englebert, and Bianca Treger. Episode 4 gained popularity with the appearance of the "Superstars of All-Stars." After the surprise appearance and performance, the Silver Extremes are on edge and motivated to excel in their competition. Emma has IDeaS to share, and Coach Dan may finally be ready to hear them.
- Episode 5: "Emma's Secret"
Thus far, Emma is living a perfect, albeit unreal, new life. What starts out as a great day with Cody and a great routine recognized even by Coach Dan is flipped upside down when Mandy decides to expose her secret. Suddenly, Emma's new life unravels and her friends are shocked by the lies. When confronted by her new team, Emma runs out, causing Coach Dan to remove her from the squad. The episode concludes with Emma in tears, overwhelmed by everything falling apart.
- Episode 6: "A Family Worth the Wait"
Emma's father discovers her participation with the Silver Extremes. All of the lies are finally in the open. Emma, feeling broken and regretful, explains her intentions to her father who offers her much needed comfort. With his support, Emma apologizes to her team, who help her get a second chance with Coach Dan. When Mandy objects, the Silver Extremes stand up for Emma and their team. Mandy, the team's FlyEr, quits the team the day of the competition, but Emma takes her place, facing her fear and taking the Silver Extremes to Nationals.
Cast and Characters
- Emma Franklin – Neva McIntosh
- Stacy – Katie Gill
- Mandy – Bailey Noble
- Teisha – Tianna Chanel Flynn
- Cody – Kyle Joseph
- Wes (Father) – John Grady
- Sam (Brother) – Noah Swindle
- Coach Dan – Jonathan Dane
- Coach Roger – Kyle Blitch
Crew
- Director - Jared Seltzer
- Writer – Aaron Mendelsohn
- Executive Producers – Lance Robbins and Cindy Villarreal
- Producers - Jared Seltzer and Aaron Mendelsohn
Broadcasting
The series is aired online on YouTube and other video streaming websites. On September 11, 2012, California based Lawless Entertainment announced their appointment as Cheer Channel Inc's worldwide representative. The company will represent Cheer Channel Inc. with publishing, licensing, merchandising, and program sales with Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader.
As per an agreement reached July 2012, Cheer Channel will provide "original, scripted programming, reality shows, mini-series, lifestyle and entertainment shows, television specials, and a variety of cheer and dance events" to be aired on satellite, VOD, cable, PPV, and mobile platforms through Simply Me TV, a known content distribution network.
Reception
Season One received over 650,000 views online. With the show's move to Cable, the series is expected to reach a wider audience. Cheer Channel has now moved to Dish Satellite Network (55 million households) and FilmOn Broadcast Network with "Cheer Channel TV."