The couple cop to romantic dinners and call into question the benefits of hosting an ice cream social:
He Said: Woah, woah, woah, first of all, I cooked Giana a lovely meal, consisting of Caesar salad, chicken parmesan, and a little dessert, all over a candle lit table with a bouquet of roses as a center piece. I enjoy cooking for her, I admit. And she can’t deny the food is the best.
Also, put me in the front of that room at brainstorming and I would’ve had the class quiet within 3 seconds. Granted I may seem to be slightly “immature” and somehow “jealous” when I make my personal attacks on Amanda, but she honestly failed at making a great first impression and obviously could not quiet the classroom.
The ice cream social had potential but I did not see it fit to go, nor did I see it as a good opportunity for “class bonding,” so I therefore decided to stay at home and brush up on my guitar hero skills. It was a valiant effort on her part, but no “success”. Not once did Amanda ever seem interested in bonding with me or the other editors, which should have been her first mission; she gave up on us just as quickly as we gave up on her.
In no way did the show display me trying to sabotage Amanda as she was standing in the front of the room at brainstorming or at her ice cream social. I would just keep to myself and make personal comments; they weren’t anything more than that but they were just broadcasted for everyone to see. In no way am I being a jealous brat, as many have said in the last week. I am entitled to my own opinion and I am going to keep telling it LIKE IT IS.
She Said: Yes, Trevor makes the food, as all boyfriends should do for their girlfriends. Also, to clarify the commotion at the brainstorming meeting: Amanda said in the first episode that when people “tend to yell,” others don’t really like to pay attention. Apparently that skill was useful for Adam, however, considering he was able to get the classroom in order.
When I heard Amanda’s speech, I believed that there would be a possibility that we would all be able to work together as a team. However, I did not think an ice cream social was a good approach. Forcing 70 kids into a room to eat ice cream and become acquainted with one another did not seem like the first step in building teamwork, when the editors of the team had yet to come together themselves. I didn’t see how we were all supposed to comfort and ease the incoming staff members into the newspaper room and teach them how to work together when we couldn’t work together ourselves.
Although many of you might want to direct that problem onto me, and me only, you can see by Amanda’s comment of my outfit choice for the first day of school that she and I were no longer friends, nor was she trying to create a civil relationship in our working environment. For those of you who think this was all a one-way attack on Amanda, I can’t take advice on maturing from people who spend their time bashing 18 year olds. No one said we were adults and no one said we didn’t have faults. We are in high school. We’re not trying to be working in the “real world” just yet.
Yes, I chose not to participate in the ice cream social, and that does not portray me as a strong leader. However, I chose to go about befriending the underclassmen in my own way and I didn’t need ice cream to do it. Nevertheless, I did notice Amanda taking into consideration my advice on how to approach people better, and she was able to gain the respect of the underclassmen in her way as well, so I thought she did, in fact, show signs of a strong leader.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Hahaha, you both are pathetic.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Did you two agree to be on a reality television program? You can’t wish to be broadcast to millions of homes, but then tell people not to judge you because they don’t see the “real” you. If you want to make a better impression, start with writing a blog that doesn’t stink of jealousy and bitterness.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I think you both are the cutest couple! You both seem very real, not phony and obnoxious like some one else on the show.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Trevor - We all heard you go on and on in the first episode about how Amanda would be a tyrant. You thought she would be dismissive, and act like a queen, bossing you all around like her subjects. Then when she takes your girlfriend’s advice to be nicer and more approachable, you complain that she can’t be firm enough, bossy enough or loud enough to control a meeting. How would you like Amanda to behave? It sounds like she can’t win no matter what she does. You should set an example for the other paper staff by quieting down at the meeting (as a senior and an editor), and not making rude comments - REGARDLESS of whether those comments are loud enough for the room to hear, or just the cameras.
Giana - Amanda has said one negative thing about you on camera, and you have said…. wait, I lost count! It’s just so darn many! And I call into question whether what Amanda said about your first day of school outfit was even negative. You were dressed very casually. You were not, in fact, “dressed up.” It sounds to me like she was just stating a fact. She didn’t say you looked bad or ugly, or anything of the kind. Why is dressing casually a bad thing?
Not only did you sign up for this show, but you write a blog, so you’re going to get feedback. If there is anything that shows you to not grasp the full idea of journalism, it’s the idea that “feedback” equals “bashing.” Tell me, what would you have done with any negative letters to the editor if you were EIC? Ripped them to shreds and just printed positive letters? Your teacher made a good decision not to choose you as Chief.
You guys “telling it like it is” just makes you look worse and worse.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Oh come on, people. This is an MTV show, not a newscast, or Lifetime documentary. You’re seeing tiny specs of these kids’ lives, and you expect MTV to portray their wholesome, responsible, and mature sides? Which part of Tila Tequila is wholesome and mature? This is what MTV does best, and if you think you are getting even the tiniest spec of these kids’ reality - think again.
Or, why don’t you go check up on who won the bulk of the awards at FSPA again this past week?
Righto - These kids did. And they didn’t do it by being immature and spending all their time partying.
Why don’t you check into what schools they all got accepted into and the scholarships they’ve won? Right again - they certainly didn’t do it by screwing up.
And why don’t you think just once about the time you’ve made snide comments about coworkers? Right - I’m sure you did, just last week. The only difference was, MTV wasn’t standing in front of you with a camera.
Why don’t you guys all go do something reasonable with your time, like get a life, rather than direct your frustration with your own life on a few misguided teens?
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I have a comment for Marissa. These kids could be saving puppies, feeding the homeless, or volunteering with kids 95% of their lives, and it still wouldn’t matter. MTV showed what you gave them to show. I’m sure that Giana and Trevor only made snide comments a few times, and MTV just happened to be there to record each and every one - therefore editing them to look COMPLETELY different than they actually are. Note the sarcasm here. You gave them the footage - own up to it.
But what is really upsetting about your comment is that Tila Tequila didn’t say she wanted to be President, or Barbara Walters. Tila Tequila’s whole show isn’t about publishing a paper in high school. Compare appples to apples. These kids are on a show about acheiving somethng greater than themselves and working on a paper. These kids have spent a lot of time trying to organize a mutiny for their paper. That is pretty serious retribution, so I (as a viewer) am going to have a serious response.
I may have said some girl I work with never fills the copier, but I never teamed up with my staff to get my boss fired or refused to attend staff meetings. So don’t compare talking about co-workers to this show. Apples, to apples, my friend…
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Reena, correction, MTV edited in ONE bad comment by Amanda and many from others. You have no idea how many comments like that she could have made.
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I worked at a college newspaper for three years and I can see younger versions of several of my co-workers on this show. The whole thing is kind of surreal.
I feel for you Giana because I dont think the show has rightfully portrayed the type of person that Amanda is and why she seems to alienate the entire staff. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Amanda is at home alone while the rest of you party it up.
People dont seem to understand a person like Amanda. She comes off as arrogant, cocky, stuck up and spoiled. The fact that she’s so oblivious about others perceptions of her is all that more frustrating to the staff.
Sadly, I cant tell you that it’s NOT like that in the real world. You’ll run into several more Amandas’ in the real journalism world. Best advice is to just really mind your own business and make sure you turn in good work. Playing the gossip and politics game in the newsroom does nothing but induce stress.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
you say this only tells about a small part if their life, but no matter what, THEY STILL SAID WHAT THEY SAID and they r rude.
PS HOW CAN U BE FRIENDS WITH BOTH SIDES?
If u r friends with amanda u always stick up for her and even if u don’t directly see people being mean you still souldn’t be friends with them. Even if u don’t do it.
Sometines the worst thing to do is nothing!
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Trevor….I thought you would have learned your lessons from episode 1 and kept quiet. You seem like an angry young man who has some issues to work out. How can you be a friend when you are an instigator as well as an alienator. You should have supported Amanda. I didn’t see you step up to the plate and run for editor and chief, probably because your afraid of rejection and failure. Giana.. you also seem miserable. Bottom line is you should have helped Amanda in any way you can and put Cypress Bay first. A paper is only as good as its stories, writers and team. You both have a lot of life lessons to learn. Do some sole searching this summer!
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I have read the comments by Giana and Trevor, and Giana seems a bit bitchy. After talking so much crap, she wants to admire Amanda on taking her advice? Talk about stroking your own ego. Trevor thinks that his part on the show was to “tell it like it is”. Well buddy, unfortunetly, in this world you tell it like it is on the streets or a job, and we shall see how long you can last in it. Golden rule: do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. Common sense. Being impolite is not going to get you very far in life.
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Giana,
I don’t think the show has portrayed you fairly, but we can only judge on what we see.
I think people need to realize more and more what Kelley said - obviously you guys didn’t wake up one morning and DECIDE to hate Amanda. You guys have worked with her for what, three years? before all of this happened.
Amanda must have come off in a bad way for you guys not to like her, so I can understand that. And honestly, the preachers on here need to cut it out. I doubt any of you are saints who haven’t EVER talked bad about your friends or about someone above you our out of jealousy. As Giana said, they’re kids, they’re only 18, they’re not trying to be paragons of virtue.
I also can’t stress enough the MTV editing. Yeah, they talked behind Amanda’s back. But if they ever praised Amanda, even if they praised her a LOT, would you know? Nope. MTV is trying to make A TV SHOW, they’re not trying to portray these kids as angels. They’re catering to the masses, who like drama. You see the drama because without it, there wouldn’t be a show.
I can really identify with all of you in some way or another. People have been saying the meanest stuff to you so I just hope that as a journalist you already have the thick skin to ignore the trash talk you’ve been getting (just like Amanda does!) and don’t let it get you down.
P.S. Congratulations on all your awards at FSPA. I was there. (I also met Adam and Emmi and Alix etc. over the summer at SJI so seeing them on TV is really cool…)
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
GIANA- YOUR THE ARROGANT ONE, AMANDA IS TRYING TO BE A GOOD EDITOR AND YOU KIDS ARE NOT BEING NICE TO HER,
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Why are you two constantly defending yourselves?? If you really didn’t care what everyone thought then you would just keep quiet and not worry about the people who post on this site. And Giana, did you ever think that maybe you should take the advice from people on here and grow up?? I myself am only 18 years old as well and can see that you are completely immature and insecure.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Trevor and Giana, you have to understand that the way you come across on TV is the way people are going to look at you and the way you two look is not flattering. Obviously I’m not there so I can’t judge either of you completely but going off of what I saw when I watched both episodes, you both should be ashamed of how you handled things, Trevor more than Giana. I hope you guys turn it around in future episodes, because so far, I’m not fans of yours.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Also, what did you both do to be the soultion to the problem rather than sit around and talk ~$$# on Amanda? You both should have taken the high road and tried to initiate the bonding…just a suggestion…
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I’m sorry but Gianna and Trevor keep implying that Amanda did not come together with them, but they seemed decided on not working with her even before she got the Job.
And yes i’m sure that there is some creative editing but you’ve got to feed that beast to allow them to make that monster grow.
I also don’t get why people are excusing bad behavior because they are 18, is there some sort of line where you cross where in one side it’s ok and the other its not. Also really these guys are 18 not 14 year olds, their considered adults, and they can vote. If they are considered responsible enough to help decide the greatest decision in the country, you would think they are responsible enough to account for their own actions.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:34 am
Anyone else notice the fact that Amanda actually seems to put a lot of her life into that paper and thats why she got editor? I’m a future yearbook editor and I run into this same problem. I do the work, and I got the job. I’m not trying to be loved by all, because my goal is to produce a yearbook. People need to give Amanda a break since she is actually *doing* *her* *job*. And as a staff, you guys should have bonded together and worked as a team to make the newspaper look better rather then acting like preschoolers and just sitting around and doing nothing.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:27 am
I’m try to bash you or Trevor however you should have treated Amanda with some respect (thought her comment about your wardbode was uncalled). I was in my high schoool newspaper for three years (Titan Thunder for TBT) and I didn’t have a problem with the five EIC’s (Junior and Senior years I had two EIC’s). I’m give you credit, you and your paper won awards despite the trmoil. Good luck in college.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Amanda is the only reason i watch the show. She genuinly cares for the paper and wants everyone to get along. Giana and Trevor, you are both extremely annoying and pathetic. I am sure your not bad people, and it’s mostly the way the show portrays you… but I can honestly say when i see you face pop up on the tv, I groan with annoyment and distaste.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
On the one hand, you obviously got a really bad edit.
On the other hand, why are you (and Alex) using your age as an excuse? The fact is, there are 18-year-olds out there who try not to gossip about people. There are 18-year-olds out there who are mature enough to sit through an ice cream social, even if they think it’s lame. There are 18-year-olds out there who would even TRY to GET TO KNOW people at the ice cream social. Some 18-year-olds are mature and polite enough to handle these situations. So don’t blame all of this on age, because it’s not fair for you to represent all of us 18-year-olds. That’s where ageism comes from.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Wow…no one says you are adults? Actually, the US legal system does. As a “leader” you two should have participated in the ice cream social to facilitate group bonding. It is quite obvious that your unwillingness to participate in anything Amanda suggests stems from your jealously and bitterness. Grow up. Act your age. Be the leaders you claim to be.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Giana:
I’m a 47-year-old working mother of two. I have a 16-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter. Watching you on this program, as a mother, gives me great concern about the behavior you’re portraying on national television with other young girls watching, maybe even Barbara Walters herself. I hope by your watching the program and seeing yourself portrayed in this “questionable” manner, that you have taken a good look at your life and are making positive changes for your future. It seems to me, although I don’t actually know you, that you depict low morals and poor self esteem (shown by your revealing clothes, vulgar classroom mannerism, and what appeared to be underage drinking) to the thousands of young girls who watch this program. I wonder about your parents reactions to this behavior; however, I hope that you take this experience and reflect on how to be a better role model for aspiring writers and leaders.
Trevor:
I hope that learn to look at the positive in situations. Instigating problems and focusing on the negative doesn’t work in getting what you want done. You are also a role model, or at least a public figure, and your behavior (although you can’t change what’s already on film) should reflect that.
I am not trying to scold or “bash” (as you stated), I am merely attempting to give you a chance to improve on yourselves before you head off to college and the working world, where not everything unfolds exactly as you want it to.
Amanda, keep up the good work. You’re great fun to watch. I love your positive attitude even when everyone’s against you. You’re a good role model, and I’m glad that my children get to see at least one example of determination and dedication on this show.
I’ll keep watching the program to see how everything turns out.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Well said, Nancy, and well written. In fact, your post is better composed and more grammatically correct than the “journalists” writing the blog. I hope this gives them something to think about.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
If you have to write a blog that is entirely dedicated to defending your immature actions that should tell you something: You were WRONG. Admit it.
I mean, yeah… It does appear that Amanda is that kind of annoying kid in school that everyone is just like, “Oh my GOD. Shut Up!” BUUUUUUUUUUT you Giana are somewhat reminisent of a yappy little dog: always running around barking and biting people’s ankles… and no one gives a crap. Trevor, you are just a jealous little child. Amanda may be slightly annoying, but you two are completely devoid of intelligence… character… well, lets just say everything, and leave it at that.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Well I am sure you guys aren’t talking about Amanda 24/7, that would be pathetic. Nonetheless, you have to own up what you said. Talking bad about ones peers is normal, but paints an ugly picture on character when done excessively. Your commentary here is also negative and trying to find excuses for catty behavior is just lying to oneself. Its not telling it, ‘LIKE IT IS’.
I can tell that Amanda is annoying, she is stubborn, follows her own route and has an odd blinding optimism surrounding her, qualities that viewers will admire more then constant catty remarks and negative attitudes. I am sure you guys are pretty cool people, but come on! Own up to your mistakes, then repeating them over again.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
i love the show and i love how honest everyone is. why should anyone be fake and pretend to like amanda when they dont? i dont think they were wrong with saying how they feel. if you dont like the way they act then dont watch the show. end of story
April 25th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Amanda seems like a very nice girl and as usual people who suffer from low self esteem feel that they can pick on positive people like her because they aren’t likely to say anything back. Obviously the other editors are bitter about her getting the highest position. I think it shows a major character flaw when a person has to put others down to make themeselves feel better. Also, Amanda is editor-in-chief, so she has the right to be supercilious . She has worked hard for her position and I don’t see anything wrong with her being proud of her accomplishment.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Oh Giana… I’m sure you’re not as horrible as the television makes you seem, but honestly, when you all come on the screen we all go “B***H!”
and really, that moment where Amanda asked you in the first episode if you had seen the list, and you said “No” when you actually had seen it? All you had to say was “Yes, good for you!” Or something like that, instead of giggling behind her back the moment she left. If she is as bad as you say she is, then BE the better person all ready.
If the ice-cream social wasn’t a good idea, why didn’t you offer a better suggestion in place of it instead of just saying afterwards how it was a bad idea? Personally I think it was a good idea, she wasn’t “forcing” anyone to come, although as a part of the paper you should have all attended to show your support.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
i think your both hilarious. amanda has the type of personality that annoys me. i can see why you say the things about here. dont pay attention to people that come on here and bash you because
when it comes down to it they’re still gonna watch the show lol.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Look I think that they are really mean to Amanda I mean if shes the damn cheif-editor they should suck up and listen!to her I mean in life your going to have to work for a lot of people that you don’t like so all them need to suck it up and stop being little preppy babies
April 26th, 2008 at 10:41 am
You two and all your friends are a mean, cruel, and pathetic group of kids. You should be ashamed watching yourselves the way you acted towards and treated Amanda. You will all learn a huge lesson and have a huge awakening when you go off to college and into the real world. All I can say is good luck.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I think that you two disrespect Amanda too much. Giana, you must be very afraid of Amanda because you talk mad stuff on her, but even in the episode you stopped talking because she was loooking. Like if your going to say stuff, then say it to her.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I dont think a lot of people are going to respect Giana, Trevor, Alex, Adam or anyone in that group because,they were publically immature and mean. no matter how “self-absorbant” amanda may seem, theirs other ways of dealing with that then publically bashing her. Personality is a hard thing to just suddenly change, you need to lay off of her and understand maybe she wishes that she wasnt so “in-your-face” but she feels like if she changes her personality she wont be respected either. Amanda is a sweet girl at heart, her “obnoxious personality” is simply on the outside, its superficial!
April 27th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I wanted to reserve my comments until the while season has finished because I don’t want to judge prematurely.
Viewing the .pdf files of “The Circuit,” however, made me want to say this:
Trevor, if you want to say Amanda’s work isn’t that good, then at least try to do your best.
You are the layout editor right? The template of your paper (which I assume is your work) is too premature–the font choices aren’t that good (the sans serifs are too thin, the serifs are too dirty and too loose), many of the text wraps of photos ruin the pages, the folio is not good at all, measurements and alignments aren’t followed, and the masthead is a mess.
If you can’t do better than Amanda, then please grow up.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Giana, don’t act like you’re better than Amanda. Your actions show who you are, and remember this is all on TV. When you are acting cruel to someone for no reason, except for jealousy. Than that isn’t right. Even if you had the right reasons, you shouldn’t be making fun of her with a crowd.
And please don’t make your age an excuse. I am 17, but I don’t think that is an excuse for being extremely cruel to someone. If you make age an excuse, adults would not listen to you because of your age. You are a smart girl, you know that each one of our “voice” counts. And if you believe in that, I hope you understand the responsibility that comes with it.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I agree. Amanda thinks too highly of herself and thinks that it was all “a succes”. Is she seriously blind? Everyone was all in their groups which made people feel excluded. And that was totally wrong of her to bash on Giana about her outfit for the first day of school! How low could she go?! And I understand what Trevor said. He was just saying comments to himself, but since it is on TV, it makes him see like a mean person. You can’t honestly tell me that you don’t ever state your opinion?!
April 28th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Kelley, I agree with you completely. There is obviously a reason no one likes Amanda, and she doesn’t go to any parties. All of her “positive thoughts” really show how conceited she is, and how oblivious. Please think about what had happened in freshman, sophmore, and junior year before you make judgements about how Amanda is excluded.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
You are both quick to blame Amanda, yet neither of you even attemped to work WITH her. Showing your support at the ice cream social (which was a great idea by the way) would have made the transition easier. You can’t “ease” the new members in when you are so willing to not work with Amanda. If anything, your petty disagreements and lack of support of your fellow editors (ok…Amanda) will only make the new staff members more uncomfortable and unsure of the team. You are editors and have a chance to be great leaders. Too bad you decided to toss the opportunity out the door over stupid high school drama…
April 29th, 2008 at 2:02 am
I’m sorry, but this HAS to be said: the whole lot of you are extremely obsessed with Amanda. Honestly, why do you waste so much of your energy disliking her? She’s editor-in-chief, and you’re working under her. If any of you genuinely deserved the job, then you would’ve gotten it. Get over it already. You should take that same energy that you use on ganging up on ONE girl, and use it towards grooming yourselves a little better. It’s not okay to look haggard on national television. You’re not cool. Let it go.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:09 am
I feel that you guys just need to try and be civil about this. I see the way you treat Amanda, it may not be the whole thing, but I feel it is down right dirty.
Sure, she might have talked to you guys behind your back, but might as well be the better person and try to make the situation different instead of escalating it a worse experience for those that are new to the paper.
I mean, whatever happened years ago, was years ago. So it isn’t important anymore. Might as well try and make a clean slate, and try to remake some sort of friendship or at least a classmate relationship that would set a healthy work environment.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:47 am
honestly i like the way Giana handles things. i think she could be more bitchy if she wanted to be. she doesn’t like Amanda, who said everyone had to get along? these are all kids. they don’t all have to be trapped in the serene world of elementary school best friends. the only problem i can see is that they have trouble working together, as long as they can work that out, they’re good. if they can get through this year with at least being minimally civil, then they can go their separate ways, and be done with each other.
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I’ve read all the blogs and the bottom line is yes these kids can be rude and have the right to say what they want. Attacking them is not the answer. Its true we like some people and then there are some we don”t like. But as individuals we need to look at what motivates our actions. So far what I see is a bunch of sore losers. Motivated by thier immaturity without any concerns for how this makes the other person feel. There is a difference between working things out and telling someone to their face what you feel verses talking behind someones back, being rude and enjoying trying to making them feel as miserable as you. HAPPY DAY
May 13th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I actually think Giana looks kind of like a hamster.