Some would dare to call it a third season as the first season was split in two.  But here is the announcement c/o hitfix.  Congrats to the show and the fans we all win!

ABC Family has made a heft commitment to “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” ordering an extra-long second season for the hit drama.

On Monday (Feb. 9), ABC Family announced the pick-up of a 24-episode second run of “American Teenager” tentatively set to return in the summer of 2009.

That will leave fans of the show with only a brief window with “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” which will complete its first season on March 23.

“‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’ has really struck a chord not just with our Millennial audience, but with viewers across the board,” says Kate Juergens, ABC Family’s executive vice president for original series programming and development. “We’re delighted to announce the series will return. The success of this show goes directly to creator Brenda Hampton’s telling of this heartfelt story and is backed by the standout performances of our talented cast.”

After a successful summer premiere, ABC Family moved “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” into a Monday night 8 p.m. slot opposite “Gossip Girl.” The drama has thrived in that slot, ranking as TV’s most watched program in the hour among females 12-34 (2.1 million) and as cable’s most watched show in total viewers (3.7 million) and adults 18-49 (1.7 million).

The show’s first season, focusing on the various relationships impacted by an unplanned teen pregnancy, was 23 episodes. The series stars Shailene Woodley, Molly Ringwald, Mark Derwin, India Eisley, Ken Baumann, Daren Kagasoff, Francia Raisa, Megan Park and Greg Finley.

The renewal of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” had been expected for some time. ABC Family also just ordered up new seasons of “Greek” and “Liberty Heights,” plus 10 episode seasons of the comedies “Ruby and the Rockits” and “10 Things I Hate About You,” as well as the drama “Perfect 10.”

Daren Kagasoff was born an raised in Encino, California, and attended San Francisco State University. He was very lucky in Hollywood, when he decided he wanted to be an actor and was picked in his first audition to play the role of Ricky Underwood on Brenda Hampton’s hit ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Ricky is the father of Amy’s baby, and the bad boy ladies man with his own dark family past.

Daren recently took the time to talk about how his character has developed, and the different moral shades that he gets to play as Ricky.

Question> Did you have any surprises about where the first season ended up and how your character evolved through season one?

Daren> Throughout the first season I was the kid that never really took responsibility for anything. As far as hooking up with different girls and getting Amy pregnant, he really didn’t know what to do in that situation, so I’m hoping during the second season the fans get to see Ricky change a little bit and hopefully you get to see a better side to him.

Question> Would you say, is the character still going to be morally gray or in between or are we going to get to see that continued evolution towards good?

Daren> Definitely, you’ll definitely see him change. There’s definitely a baby coming on the way, so he has to step it up. I guess we’ll see what he ends up doing.

Question> Could you talk maybe in some general terms about what they have coming up for you?

Daren> In the first season we touched on how my character was sexually abused when he was a kid, so this second season you get to see that unravel and get to go deeper into that side of it. It was just real fun shooting it and I’m just excited to see the work that comes out of it.

Question> What’s the favorite scene that you’ve done so far that we have seen? And can you alert us to any certain episodes coming up or maybe certain scenes that we should watch for that are your best portrayal of Ricky?

Daren> In the second season I think there’s so much drama going on, so every scene that Ricky is in, it’s very pivotal. I don’t really have a particular scene that I love, because I love them all. But I think the first season, the last episode that Jason Priestley directed we just had such a fun time, Megan Park just had some great dialogue scenes and we had a lot of fun with that last episode of the first season.

Question> How much has the series meant to you? I know it’s one of the first things you’ve done and me and all of your fans have really enjoyed seeing your progress as an actor, but how much has the series meant to you in terms of establishing yourself and getting recognized and getting set in your career?

Daren> To be quite honest, I’m having the time of my life. I couldn’t be more thankful. The writers, the cast, everybody that’s a part of the project is absolutely phenomenal. You want to be in that type of work environment, so I couldn’t have lucked out in a better situation and I’m trying to take full advantage of it. When I have time off all I’m doing is studying for Secret Life, nothing else really is going on in my life as far as other acting projects, so all my time and effort is definitely going to Secret Life.

Question> Is there anything about you that’s like Ricky or are the two of you alike in any way? Is Ricky the kind of guy that Daren would hang out with or ever be a friend with?

Daren> To be quite honest, I think back in high school I’d be the guy to maybe straighten Ricky out a little bit. Yes, we relate in some instances as far as, I don’t know, I guess girls were attracted to me in high school. I don’t know if I had the game that Ricky had, but I guess we relate on that level, I don’t know.

Question> Why do you think the show continues to draw in so many viewers?

Daren> I think all the topics and issues that are dealt with on the show are very true to life and the demographic that we get are from very young kids from 11 all the way up to middle-aged adults. I think the realness of the show and the issues that everybody goes through is real pivotal in why kids and everybody else is so attracted to the show.

Question> Teen Vogue Magazine said that you’re currently in talks for your first film. Is there anything you can tell us about that?

Daren> To be quite honest, I read that and I was like, “Why did they say that?” because I never said that. I wish I was in talks with my first film. There have been some opportunities that I haven’t really been able to tackle because of Secret Life and whatnot. Hopefully in the near future we can get some other projects, but as of right now Secret Life is the number one priority.

Question> Since this is your first gig, what advice do you have for people that want to get into acting?

Daren> My advice is, the work, it’s all about the work. Everybody thinks show business, it’s all the glamour and this and that. If you’re getting into the business for those reasons, it’s completely wrong. You just have to be dedicated. You have to work hard at what you do. I know that booking this role was the toughest thing in my life because we went through so many rounds of testing and auditioning and each time I was going back I was getting coached and you just have to work. The work of it all is what it comes down to. If you’re not dedicated in that, then you’re not going to see really any progress, so I guess just being dedicated and really knowing what you want out of acting.

Question> Is there anyone that stands out that you’ve gotten to work with in the 2nd season that you didn’t in the first?

Daren> In the first season, I really worked with most of the girls because I had so many love interests. But the second season you get to see me work with Kenny Baumann and then Greg Finley a little bit, so it switches it up. You get to see some of the boys just having some great scenes. It was just so fun changing it up and working with the other actors on set.

Question> What actors would you say that you most admire?

Daren> Actors, I would probably say Sean Penn, I absolutely just look up to and idolize and Leonardo DiCaprio. Those two, I don’t think it gets any better that as far as artisticness and professionalism, as far as what they want at the job at hand and getting it done. So I think those two guys I’d definitely love to try and be like, I guess you could say.

Question> Is it hard to relate to the scope of the issues that your character is dealing with?

Daren> Yes, I think it’s definitely difficult. I know that in high school a lot of people go through a lot of issues. They’re growing up. They’re going through puberty. They’re doing this. They’re doing that, so it’s definitely a crucial time in a young adult’s life. So I think the issues that are brought up in Secret Life really are true and the kids, the way that we respond to them and handle these issues, I think is a true testament to society.

Question> What are your personal views on getting married at 15?

Daren> Personal views, I’d say I wouldn’t suggest it, but if you get that love bug, what can you do? I’m not one to tell anybody else how to live their life. I don’t think I’d get married at 15. Well, I’m not married, so.

Question> How is the show affecting your personal life?

Daren> I’m just, I guess, a face on TV. I’m still the same Daren that I was a year ago before the show started I guess it’s just people come up to you now, and that’s, I guess, what you get when you get into this business. As far as me, I haven’t changed. It’s just I’m on TV and people recognize me once in a while.

Question> What are you looking forward to exploring in season two?

Daren> We’re definitely going to more in depth with my character and as far as his background when he was sexually abused as a child, so I’m excited for everybody to see that deeper side of Ricky and you’ll get to see some true emotion out of him. That’s just a soft subject, I guess, and it’s going to be great to see the audience’s reaction.

Question> How do you get into Ricky’s head concerning his sexual abuse past?

Daren> To be quite honest, I don’t want to reveal what I do because it’s a personal thing. But definitely, you have to take yourself to the darkest place possible. It’s haunting to get to that place. I know that when I was shooting specific scenes for the second season from studying and really honing in this character, I had knots in my stomach. I couldn’t eat because I was waiting to shoot this one scene or these couple of scenes. It’s tough when you really take yourself to that place because it’s such a real place. It’s an adventure.

Question> The scene that you mentioned having with Molly Ringwald, can you give us any insight to what that was like? You got her daughter pregnant or your character got her daughter pregnant, is that a contentious scene or a fun one to film?

Daren> You know, we haven’t even shot it yet. We’re on break right now, so when we get back we’re going to be shooting it. So from what I’ve read, it’s a great scene. It’s a great scene and it’s the first one that I have with Molly and it’s a pretty pivotal scene. I’m excited, nervous. I’ve got butterflies to shoot it with her, but I’m going to do my thing, so I’m just excited to get back on set and do it.

Question> What do you want to do for your career? What would be the perfect TV series or movie and where do you want to end up with this?

Daren> You know, I do have high aspirations for myself, but it’s really hard for me to think in the future right now because I’m so content with where I’m at and just working on the whole craft of acting, because again, this is my first gig. So I guess, just keep progressing and the show is here, it’s doing great, so I’m just thankful to be a part of that. Hopefully in the near future, I can get some movies. I’d definitely love to move into the movie business, I don’t know. I’d like to explore different characters, so we’ll see. I’m definitely very creative, so hopefully in the future I can get some good stuff so I can really show my acting.

Question> What kind of genre would you like? Do you want to do comedy if you could? Would you like to do horror, dramas?

Daren> I think drama, definitely drama. Last night I actually saw Revolutionary Road, the new Leo movie and it was set in the ‘50s. That to me right there, I have to do a movie in that era, have to, so something along those lines. I’m more of like old school, so more of that type of genre, I believe.

credit: Media Blvd

Daren Kagasoff loves his job on ABC Family’s hit series, The Secret Life of the American Teenager and it shows!

The 21-year-old actor recently sat down to chat with the fam channel about his fave scenes to shoot, his character, Ricky Underwood, and how he’s having the time of his life. Here’s what he had to say:

On his favorite scenes to film: “I don’t really have a particular scene that I love [most], because I love them all. But … the last episode of the first season [which Jason Priestley directed] — we just had such a fun time. Megan Park had some great scenes, and we had a lot of fun.”

On his hopes for Ricky in season two: “I’m hoping during the second season fans will get to see Ricky change a little bit and, hopefully, get to see a better side to him. You’ll definitely see him change. There’s definitely a baby on the way, so he has to step up. I guess we’ll see what he ends up doing.”

On how Secret Life has affected his own life: “I’m having the time of my life. I couldn’t be more thankful. The writers, the cast, everybody that’s a part of the project is absolutely phenomenal … I couldn’t have lucked out in a better situation, and I’m trying to take full advantage of it.”

credit: Just Jared

Monday, January 5th @ 8 PM EST to be exact. The Secret Life of the American Teenager hits the air once again for season 2. I hope you guys are just as excited as I am.

Below I grabbed a sneak peek of the upcoming episodes. Enjoy and stay tuned as always we’ll be bringing you the latest on the show.

In case you have been under a rock for the past few months you know that “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” is one of the hottest shows on television right now. Furthermore, if you’ve watched the show, you might be one of the many viewers who think Adrian is a naughty girl — to put it mildly.

“I was at a dance convention just sitting there and some people noticed me, my boyfriend got on the mic and asked people if they liked Adrian and a girl yelled out ‘NO,’” recalls actress Francia Raisa, the face of the girl everyone is loving to hate. “That girl realized I was there and came up to me saying how she didn’t like my ‘character’ because she’s too mean, but everyone always says they love how bad she is!”

Indeed, her character in the ABC show is something else. Adrian seduces morally confused football players, deals with a mother who may want to relive her teenage years again, manages to be a popular cheerleader who is also in the honor roll and crushes on a guy who, well, got a girl pregnant at 15.

All in a day’s work.

Raisa manages to interpret the feisty, sexy, independent and lonely Adrian amazingly well.

So well in fact that, when I was getting ready for this interview, I was already thinking she would shoot me a snooty one-liner like the ones she uses on screen. To my amazement, the young and talented actress could not be farther away from her character’s personality. Raisa, an LA native who is DJ “El Cucuy” Renan Almendarez’s daughter, gushes about “how lucky” she is to be in a hit TV show and talks with such an upbeat tone and frankness she had me laughing five minutes into conversation.

“I remember how I was at the point of talking about sex when I was younger but I love playing my character because she actually does and I get to send a message to a lot of teenagers. This girl chilling with Ricky, she doesn’t have to sleep with him because at the end of the day she knows he doesn’t love her, but the fact that she’s smart gives her a little more of an edge because it shows you can be smart, and still be hot,” she said.

Her fans (myself included) will be happy to know that they’ll soon see more of her on television, movies and on-line coming soon.

“Me and the girls from the show are talking about having a site for teenagers where they can ask us questions they are ashamed or afraid to ask adults, we could recruit a doctor as well to educate them. It could be very helpful so we are definitely considering it. I have also been working on movies and I have so many ideas to develop in the fashion business and even produce or direct. I have many interests,” said the 20-year old star.

The movies Raisa speaks of are completely different from one another. On her first lead as indie film talent she got to work with Tinieblas González, one of the lead Spanish directors in the horror/science fiction genre. In the film ASD (Alma Sin Dueño), her character and her graffiti artist friends are caught in a new subway system and discover a half-human creature they must escape from to survive. The plot sounds interesting but what Raisa was interested in were the working conditions.

“I did two movies before this one, but it was my first lead and I was very excited. The fact it was in Spain made it even more exciting. However, it was one of the hardest jobs I’ve had because of the environment! It made me appreciate the Actors Guild and how we shoot movies here,” says the actress. “We would shoot long hours at some locations that were disgusting. I remember my first day we were in a tunnel and there were bugs and trash, then in another location we filmed at a tunnel where people shot heroin and we had to be very careful where we stepped because there were syringes everywhere. We even shot in the sewers and it smelled so bad.”

The crazy settings were apparently worth it. According to Raisa, Tinieblas is known for his unusual vision. Although she wondered how it all would look on screen once she saw the trailer she was, “impressed with how it came out and with what his vision would be.”

The overall experience is one she will Read the rest of this entry »

The ABC Family newbie The Secret Life of the American Teenager has garnered massive success in terms of ratings in its freshman run and the series was immediately renewed for season 2, which fans hope to see early next year.  While not all critics agree to the success the show has experiencing, the viewers have expressed their love for the new show that has brought the issue of teenage pregnancy to the forefront of primetime viewing.

Meanwhile, the stars of the show are very thankful to the fans and viewers who have been supporting the ABC Family series, which features Shailene Woodley and Daren Kagasoff as the teen parents of the yet-unborn child.  Both Woodley and Kagasoff have seen the widespread buzz on their new endeavor and have been very thankful for the reception of the show.

“I’m just thankful for the support from [my family], from Brenda Hampton, and everybody on the crew.  It’s just an experience, and I’ll never forget it ever in my life,” Kagasoff told the Media Blvd in an interview earlier this month.  As for Woodley, who is now seen as a role model for teens, she says that it’s amazing how people label her that way for portraying a controversial role on television.

“I hadn’t even thought about being a teenage role model until a couple of days ago when someone brought it up in an interview,” she admitted in a conversation with Knox News.  “I suddenly find myself very inspirational to a lot of girls.”

The 16-year-old actress who hails from Simi Valley, California adds that she wants her appearance on the show to be more than inspirational, but also serve as a guide for pregnant teens out there.

She says that despite feeling “a lot of pressure” in playing the role, “I want the (pregnant) girls in America to feel like they are not alone.”

The Secret Life pushes the issue of teenage pregnancy out in the open for families to discuss, but how does Woodley deal with these issues in real life?  She says that unlike her character, she is more open and willing to reach out to people and ask for help, given that she would be placed in a situation like that.

“[Amy] is more introverted,” Woodley explained.  “I would be more vocal about it.  She’s more, ‘leave me alone.’  If I were pregnant, I’d immediately tell my friends and tell my family.  I would seek all the help and support I could get around me.”

Moreover, she admits that “It’s such an emotional hardship to take on.”

The Secret Life of the American Teenager returns to television screens with season 2 next year.

cred: Media Blvd

It’s tomorrow ( Tuesday ) 8p.m. EST

And…well here comes the most questioned episode in the short life of The Secret Life of the American Teenager.  It’s first ever season finale.  What happens now?  Who goes where?  Whom loves whom? and more importantly What are we going to do until next season?

In the television industry this type of finale is usually called a Mid-Season Finale due to the show debuting in the summer but returning prior to next summer.

See, the show goes off the air in September and returns in January so its not too long of a wait until the show is back and continuing on where it left off.

But while we are all sad and excited at the same time the question remains where are we left off and how do you guys feel about it?

Leave comments and let the world know.

Fresh off Olympic gold in Beijing, gymnastics sensation Shawn Johnson is already testing out her acting chops.

The teen gymnast will make a guest appearance in the mid-season finale of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” ABC Family confirmed to Access Hollywood.

Johnson, 16, will play herself in the episode, as a girl who flirts with Ricky (played by Daren Kagasoff) in the school hallway, the cable network revealed.

In an earlier interview with Us Weekly, Johnson said she was a fan of the show. Upon hearing that, “Teenager” producers reached out to the gymnast with an offer to be on the show.

The episode airs Tuesday, September 9 at 8 PM EST on ABC Family.

During the Olympic games in Beijing, Johnson took home the gold medal for women’s balance beam, as well as the individual all-around silver medal.

The hit series is slated to return with 12 new episodes in January 2009.

credit: Access Hollywood

Megan Park, pictured here with Shailene Woodley and Francia Raisa to her right.

In London, Megan Park can walk through the malls, visit Richmond Street restaurants and just hang out unnoticed.

In Los Angeles, it’s a different story for the 22-year-old rising star, who has a leading role in the hit television show, the Secret Life of the American Teenager.

“I remember the first time I went to the mall after the show came out. Everywhere I went people were coming up to me and asking for pictures. It was total insanity,” says Park, who is at her parents’ London home for a vacation this month before heading back to L.A. in early September to resume filming.

“Now I can’t go anywhere in the States without someone recognizing me.”

Her profile in London and Ontario may change soon with Citytv picking up the first season of Secret Life, beginning Sept. 3.

Park and co-stars, such as Molly Ringwald and Mark Derwin (One Life to Live), have 13 more episodes to film of the hour-long drama, which is broadcast in the U.S. on ABC Family.

Park has committed to more filming if the Secret Life is renewed and she believes it will be.

“The numbers are just going crazy every week. It’s the highest rated show ABC Family has ever had,” she says.

“After the pilot we had 4.6 million viewers and it keeps going up every week. It’s crazy.”

The Secret Life is centred on character Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley), who is pregnant, and her high school life.

Park plays Grace Bowman, a Christian who is also the head cheerleader at the school.

In the pilot episode, Grace’s boyfriend, also a Christian, cheats on her.

“She struggles with being upset with him and trying to forgive him,” Park says.

Park, an Oakridge graduate who started her acting career with Original Kids Theatre, calls the show “raw and real.”

“There are so many different characters that there is someone that everyone can relate to.”

Park has been busy since she made her feature film debut in 2004 in Some Things That Stay.

She has worked with Robert Downey Jr. and Hope Davis in the teen movie Charlie Bartlett, which premiered in theatres earlier this year, and she was cast opposite Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey in the 2006 TV movie the Road to Christmas.

She has also landed parts in numerous other projects.

“I’ve just been really lucky with the opportunities that have come along. I really try to work hard to push myself.

“(The Secret Life) came at the perfect time as I was ready to move to L.A. and make that leap.”

Park has received offers for other projects and says she would like to try comedy at some point.

“I’m so lucky to be in the position now to be a little bit more selective. I’m looking at a lot of scripts for films starting next year.”

Park says she enjoys coming back to London whenever she can.

A highlight for her recently was simply going to the Covent Garden Market with her mother Debbie and purchasing fresh fruit and flowers.

Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t invite Brenda Hampton, creator and exec producer of the hit ABC Family series “Secret Life of The American Teenager,” to the same party with officials of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy.

Hampton isn’t happy that ABC Family ends each episode of “Secret Life” with the same public-service message from the org urging parents to communicate with their teenagers about sex.

Disney, which owns ABC Family, decided to tack on the PSA because it was worried about the show’s content: The lead character on “Secret Life” is a 15-year-old (played by Shailene Woodley) who gets pregnant and is trying to figure out what to do. ABC Family has also slapped a TV-14 warning on each episode.

“I understand where the network is coming from,” Hampton says. But the PSA makes it look as if Hampton is collaborating with the group on the scripts, which she says isn’t the case. “I don’t rely on any outside organization,” she says. “I make this stuff up myself.”

Hampton’s main objection: “The PSA sounds like an apology for the fact that we’re dealing with teenage sex. I don’t think we should apologize for that.”

Michael Rosst, a spokesman for the org, says he’s surprised at Hampton’s reaction. “I respect Brenda and her vision,” he says. “The show is pretty realistic, and doesn’t glorify teenage pregnancy.”

“Secret Life” is even kind to the teenager who proclaims that she will not have sex before marriage, Rosst says. “The writers don’t make fun of abstinence,” he says, “which is great for a show that is resonating with both teens and their parents.”

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