Hi friends! We're Nat and Kayla and we both work for BuzzFeed — except one of us works in Australia (Nat), and the other in the USA (Kayla).
Seeing as I grew up watching many American movies and TV shows, I thought it would be fun to get Kayla to react to Aussie counterparts to some famous flicks. Here's how it went!
1. Heartbreak High, which is Australia's answer to Degrassi.
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Nat's description: What was the Aussie teen drama of the '90s, this show followed the lives of students at Hartley High, a tough high school in a diverse area of Sydney.
Kayla's reaction: Honestly, I couldn't tell this and Degrassi apart! Between the heavy subject matter and ill-timed music cut in, these shows could be twins!
2. Hating Alison Ashley, which is kind of similar to Mean Girls.
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Nat's description: Based on an iconic Aussie young adult fiction novel of the same name, Hating Alison Ashley follows the story of Erica "Yuk" Yurken, an adolescent brunette who fantasises about a better life once she becomes famous, who becomes threatened by the new, popular girl at school, Alison Ashley.
Kayla's reaction: I knew I was going to like this from the title alone and I was right! While it doesn't have that super mean girl spirit found in Mean Girls, I do appreciate a good girl fight however they come about!
3. Round the Twist, which you could call a child-friendly version of Riverdale.
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Nat's description: Round the Twist is the story of the Twist family and all the supernatural adventures they have when they move to live in an old lighthouse. This was the kid's show to watch in the '90s.
Kayla's reaction: I didn't know what to expect going into this, but I definitely didn't think it would be so family-friendly and campy. I don't think I could ever use those words to describe Riverdale, LOL.
4. Wentworth, which is the Aussie version of Orange Is The New Black.
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Nat's description: Like most good prison dramas, Wentworth follows the early days of Bea Smith's stay in Wentworth women's prison — and her subsequent rise to the top of the inmates' hierarchy.
Kayla's reaction: Fun fact: I've seen all of Wentworth due to my love for shows about people in prison. I honestly prefer it over OITNB.
5. Puberty Blues, which is Australia's answer to The Breakfast Club.
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Nat's description: This was the coming-of-age story for Aussies in the '80s, following the lives of teenagers growing up on Sydney's Northern Beaches. It later got remade into a drama series in the '00s, because it was just that good.
Kayla's reaction: Again, the name alone had me on board. I love how this movie shines a light on darker teen issues in a way that The Breakfast Club never did.
6. Looking for Alibrani, which is a more realistic take on mother-daughter relationships than Gilmore Girls.
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Nat's description: Looking for Alibrandi follows Josie Alibrandi as she embarks on her final year of high school, torn between the working-class world of her Italian family and neighbourhood, and the Anglo-dominated world of her elite private high school — which she attends thanks to a scholarship. Between all normal teen drama you can expect, with love interests, friendship problems and university applications, she also finds out the truth about who her dad is.
Kayla's reaction: This movie is the perfect twin to Gilmore Girls! From the mom's funny one-liners to Joise's struggles in a love triangle, I could watch it over and over again!
7. SheZow, which has similar vibes to Steven Universe.
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Nat's description: This animated kid's show follows the story of a boy who inadvertently becomes a superheroine — because it's never too early to teach kids that gender is a construct.
Kayla's reaction: Magic powers and sassy kids?? Sign me up every time!!
8. Strictly Ballroom, which follows the love story of two opposites in a similar vein to that of Grease.
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Nat's description: Baz Lurhmann's directorial debut became one of Australia's most beloved films. Strictly Ballroom follows the story of Scott Hastings, a ballroom dancer desperate to win the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship. When his dancing partner leaves him to team up with a rival, he finds a new partner — and love — in an unexpected place.
Kayla's reaction: There seems to be more aggressive dancing and way less singing in this movie, but I don't mind it! Honestly, I like that Fran stands up to Scott in a way Sandy never did with Danny. It's refreshing!
9. The Secret Life Of Us, the Aussie equivalent of Friends.
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Nat's description: Much like Friends, this iconic show revolves around a group of friends in their mid 20s to early 30s who live in the same apartment building in a beachside suburb of Melbourne. Personal drama, career challenges and love triangles come in droves.
Kayla's reaction: Will they, won't they dynamics, fun friendships, and Australian accents??? This show honestly might be better than Friends, tbh.
10. Blue Heelers, which was a really low-key version of Law and Order.
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Nat's description: The quintessential Aussie police drama, Blue Heelers dominated Aussie screens for over a decade. It definitely focuses more on interpersonal relationships than crazy crimes, unlike Law & Order.
Kayla's reaction: This is a way chiller take on crime fighting than Law & Order ever had. I do miss the "dun dun," though.
11. Dance Academy, which is Australia's answer to Centre Stage.
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Description: Dance Academy follows the story of Tara Webster, a newly-accepted first year student at the National Academy of Dance in Sydney — which also doubles as high school for dancers. By the end of series three, the students all compete for coveted contracts to join the dance company — much like in Centre Stage.
Kayla's reaction: Guys, I freakin' LOVE this show!!! I've watched all of it multiple times and it never gets old!!!
12. The Letdown, the Aussie version of Working Mums.
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Nat's description: This Aussie comedy series explores the life Audrey, a new mum who struggles to navigate parenthood, shifting relationship dynamics and fitting in with her mother's group.
Kayla's reaction: It's nice to see the struggles of parenthood, friendship and relationships are universal. Also, I love the dry wit a lot of these Aussie shows have. It's so fun to watch!
13. And finally, SLiDe, the closest we ever got to Gossip Girl.
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Nat's description: Much grittier than Gossip Girl, this teen drama follows Brisbane-based teenagers as they navigate all the usual problems of their last year of high school — who tend to be more interested in partying and having wild experiences than they are on nailing school.
Kayla's reaction: While it may not be set in the glamorous Upper East Side, I do appreciate how this show still highlights how difficult being a teenager is and the importance of having a solid group of friends around you. Plus, this show has one of the coolest promo trailers I've ever seen for a teen drama!