Let me start off with this review to explain how amazing it is. When you think of 'Puberty Blues' you may think typical teeny-bopper drama, focusing only on those two girls; essentially it is, but, the show also revolves around the lives of other unique characters, that a realistic in relation of a real person. Every single Actor/Actress are fantastic, each hit the high note for their role and never lack in convincing the audience. Season 2 is scheduled for 2014, and I'm absolutely pumped. I have no doubt that season 2 will be just as amazing as the first, perhaps, even better. If you decide to start watching the show, I promise you will be hooked by the first episode.
14 Reviews
Excellent Show
LukeCustomer22 September 2019
I came across this on the free streaming service Tubi. It concerns two girls growing up in the late 1970s in Australia and their families. From an American point of view it is quite jarring. First, as an American I sometimes have trouble understanding what they are saying (lots of Australian slang) -- in terms of a guy breaking up with you they call it "being dropped." It is also filled with sex and nudity. Something even pay tv doesn't really do these days. Sue and Debbie are "good" girls determined to get in with the cool group. To do so basically the rules are, that Sue and Debbie seem fine with, you just give up sex at the drop of a hat to any boy in the group. At first I wanted to give up on the show but both learn important lessons and the results are more "are you there god it is me Margret" than "Euphoria". One good break from the girls is the parents. Unlike most teen dramas each of the girls parents have their own storylines that make sense for people with teenage kids in the 70s. Sue's parents are dealing with a struggling business and trying to keep the magic alive for people that love each other. Debbie's parents are in marriage counseling and Dad is contemplating an affair. All of these stories are somewhat boring by todays standards but effectively told and engrossing. One reason I can't give it a full 10 stars is that it is a little depressing so far. At one point Debbie's little brother after watching all the dysfunction around him says he doesn't want to grow up if this world is what is waiting for him. Right there with you man.
So good
Pauliewalker522 May 2022
Fantastic
sanloz1120 September 2013
I haven't seen anything in future advertised for the show and I really hope there is more to be seen because it is fantastic! Finally Australia has a show that is actually good! Sometimes a little offending, but for the most part the characters are easy to connect with and joyful to watch their dramas unfold. I really hope to see more of this flick! The actors, even though they are relatively 'un known' performed extremely well in every episode and so did some of the more 'famous' parental figures in the show. Definitely worth watching! When does the next season come out? And now I am finished typing but apparently have to have 10 lines minimum lol
Great show! Get the ratings up.
mabelleinsaigon16 April 2014
I came across the show by accident and thought just to give it a try. I have to say that it was totally worth it. The series is great and its been a long time since a show has pulled me off my feet. The quality of the cast is amazing with characters who blend in very well with each other. The mixture of young and "old" actors makes the show interesting and special. The story line of the show is fantastic and exciting and at every end of an episode it leaves you longing for the next. As I am watching from Germany I just heard about the low ratings of the show in Australia- Maybe the show should air in more countries! I really do hope to see a season three coming up!
Life before mobile phones
jacthedog26 June 2021
Loved it!!!
The wonderful stupid life we lived as kids growing up.
The groups we wished we were in.
The boy/girl that made us feel butterflies.
And to realise what our parents went through, Sometimes with some amazing advice, that made you think they weren't your parents for a moment.
And don't forget the decor and fashion.
And no mobile phones, no Facebook...just memories and faded photos.
The wonderful stupid life we lived as kids growing up.
The groups we wished we were in.
The boy/girl that made us feel butterflies.
And to realise what our parents went through, Sometimes with some amazing advice, that made you think they weren't your parents for a moment.
And don't forget the decor and fashion.
And no mobile phones, no Facebook...just memories and faded photos.
Series Two
rehopkins-806-9661501 October 2013
I agree this was a great series! I could really relate as I grew up in the same era. So I was happy to read online today that there is indeed a second series to be aired some time this year. Aussie TV at its best. I love the cast & adore the characters Debbie & Sue played by the talented Ashleigh Cummings & Brenna Harding! Both their individual journeys, and as a pair, are so compelling and the performances so believable. It makes for an intelligent, powerful drama that we can't stop watching! I must add that I also love Ashleigh in the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries (another great Aussie TV show) and mention what an awesome actor Sean Keenan is also, I loved him in Lockie Leonard too. Really looking forward to the series two!
Slice of life of teen girls and parents in 70s Australia
dzhaviland30 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
While this series, based on an autobiography of 2 girls who grew up in the surf culture of the 70s , may be set in Australia, it brilliantly tells the story of teenage girls and their parents around the world at that time period.
The 70s were a time unlike any other. Coming out of a conservative post WW2 world, kids were raised with little to no knowledge of sex. Girls were admonished to be " good" and in most cultures men were king. Girls were raised on Cinderella stories, looking for their Prince Charming, and boys, well they just wanted to satisfy their burgeoning sex drive and be the cool boys on campus.
There's no way to underestimate how naive teenage girls during that time. Sex was inextricably tied to romance in a girls brain so if a boy wanted sex from you , you assumed they were a Prince Charming candidate and we're falling in love with you.
Free Love from the 60s was slowly permeating middle class culture. It made adults reevaluate monogamy and women to reeevaluate their own sexuality and whether they could be content with husbands being the ruler of the roost.
The series tells the story of two girls and their families for whom the changing culture changed their lives forever ,for good and bad. To say it's just a coming of age story is to trivialize how profoundly the Free love movement impacted people as individuals , families and communities.
The story doesn't shy away from anything. At times it is so gritty and depressing you almost have to look away from the screen. The acting and writing are excellent across the board so much so you almost feel like you're watching a documentary .
Highly recommend this series because of its authenticity to people's life experience during that time period and due to its excellence in casting, actin and writing.
The 70s were a time unlike any other. Coming out of a conservative post WW2 world, kids were raised with little to no knowledge of sex. Girls were admonished to be " good" and in most cultures men were king. Girls were raised on Cinderella stories, looking for their Prince Charming, and boys, well they just wanted to satisfy their burgeoning sex drive and be the cool boys on campus.
There's no way to underestimate how naive teenage girls during that time. Sex was inextricably tied to romance in a girls brain so if a boy wanted sex from you , you assumed they were a Prince Charming candidate and we're falling in love with you.
Free Love from the 60s was slowly permeating middle class culture. It made adults reevaluate monogamy and women to reeevaluate their own sexuality and whether they could be content with husbands being the ruler of the roost.
The series tells the story of two girls and their families for whom the changing culture changed their lives forever ,for good and bad. To say it's just a coming of age story is to trivialize how profoundly the Free love movement impacted people as individuals , families and communities.
The story doesn't shy away from anything. At times it is so gritty and depressing you almost have to look away from the screen. The acting and writing are excellent across the board so much so you almost feel like you're watching a documentary .
Highly recommend this series because of its authenticity to people's life experience during that time period and due to its excellence in casting, actin and writing.
For teens and older! Recommended!
griplegend28 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Let me start by saying this show could've been so vapid, but it was instead hell bent on showing some warnings and educating some about the brutality of life, and also adding the humor and fun in. It's much much better show than I thought it would be. It's better than mean girls (lohan film) or if mean girls had the budget to make a tv show, it still wouldn't top this.
Overall quite a neat, humanist and well made show with better more dimensional characters and writing than one would expect. It's shot well and acted even better. I might rewatch this one day it's that good. I'm probably singing too much praise but I do feel this show has a unique educative quality that you simply don't get much of today. It also comes off as realistic, but I wouldn't know how real it is. Every character is memorable.
Overall quite a neat, humanist and well made show with better more dimensional characters and writing than one would expect. It's shot well and acted even better. I might rewatch this one day it's that good. I'm probably singing too much praise but I do feel this show has a unique educative quality that you simply don't get much of today. It also comes off as realistic, but I wouldn't know how real it is. Every character is memorable.
A good show, pity it had to end.
Sleeper-Cell26 August 2018
This was a good piece of Aussie 70's nostalgia. I wondered why it ended so abruptly and it turns out that the production company went bankrupt.
The show is about two Aussie girls growing up in the 70's. A coming of age type story. I have seen the film and I thought the series was much better.
The show is about two Aussie girls growing up in the 70's. A coming of age type story. I have seen the film and I thought the series was much better.
Season one was excellent, season two is good.
Shopaholic3519 April 2014
I initially loved the first season but now that I am towards the end of season two I can't help but feel slightly disappointed. I feel like I am distantly watching their lives from the sideline instead of feeling immersed in it. The show has shattered off in different directions too early and makes me dissatisfied with the direction they have gone with.
Season one made sense but I am finding it difficult to fathom their relationships. It has by no means turned terrible, it is still a good show but I enjoy watching it less this season. I am not prepared to give up on it and will continue to watch if there is a season three but I hope it improves. It would be sad if Puberty Blues peaked in the first season.
Season one made sense but I am finding it difficult to fathom their relationships. It has by no means turned terrible, it is still a good show but I enjoy watching it less this season. I am not prepared to give up on it and will continue to watch if there is a season three but I hope it improves. It would be sad if Puberty Blues peaked in the first season.
I like
Headturner113 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This series. I've been watching everything from Lang and Edwards but I don't like how these teen girls are portrayed as doing anything to be passed around by these boys. The mechanical sex they have with zero feelings for the girls and SPOILER the scene on the beach where the one main girl just watches then still goes along with a boy. I think the one blonde boy is the only one with feelings( can't remember his name because they all have long hair) . I fell asleep on like the 6th episode or something..I'll finish and update if needed. I thought this was going to be similar to pens15 yeah an x rated version. I'm not a prude just do not like how the girls are portrayed!
Grew Up Same Areas. David is Great !!!
sean-4355412 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Having being born and breed in the St George / Sutherland Shire , love seeing the filming locations - the sane places I hung out
Bundeena reflects Cronulla area in the 70s. Bundeena was used in the 1981 movie . Bundeena RSL and Woronora RSL is like stepping back in time and both used well in the series
The acting isn't the best (except for Dan Whyle). The kids over act and are not realistic !!!
David is the best 10 year old character ever !!! That kid can act and he is by far, the best of the child actors
The producers did well concealing the very modern Shire / Cronulla area . The legendary milk bar is long gone , but South Cronulla Surf club is still the same.
- like horse riding at Kurnell, horses not permitted at Cronulla
- hanging at Wanda Beach
- the enclaves at Shelly Beach (South Cronulla )
- Southern Districts Rugby Club
- Woronora RSL
- Bundeena RSL
Bundeena reflects Cronulla area in the 70s. Bundeena was used in the 1981 movie . Bundeena RSL and Woronora RSL is like stepping back in time and both used well in the series
The acting isn't the best (except for Dan Whyle). The kids over act and are not realistic !!!
David is the best 10 year old character ever !!! That kid can act and he is by far, the best of the child actors
The producers did well concealing the very modern Shire / Cronulla area . The legendary milk bar is long gone , but South Cronulla Surf club is still the same.
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