We have never been shy of extolling the virtues of a good teen drama, and since a new school year is approaching, we decided to round up some of our favorite first days of school in TV history. Which 90210 character got a nose job? Did Kevin Arnold really get beat up by a girl? And what is the difference between “punk” and “new wave”? All these questions and more are answered below. And to all those gearing up for a new semester, have a great first day — or at least a better one than poor Will from The Inbetweeners did.
CREDITS edited by MICHELLE RAFFERTY music by Say Anything featuring (in order of appearance): Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) Square Pegs (1982) Felicity (1998) Boy Meets World (1994) The O.C. (2003) The Wonder Years (1991) Inbetweeners (2008) Glee (2011) Dawson’s Creek (1998) Parks and Recreation (2011) Everybody Hates Chris (2007) Undeclared (2001) Family Ties (1984) Welcome Back Kotter (1975) Community (2011) Gossip Girl (2008) Veronica Mars (2004) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)