The Hard Times of RJ Berger

The Hard Times of RJ Berger was an American television comedy series created by David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith for MTV. The show's central character is RJ Berger an unpopular sophomore at the fictional Pinkerton High School in Ohio who has an exceptionally large penis. Berger's two best friends are Miles Jenner, whose ambitions for popularity cause him to clash with Berger, and goth girl Lily Miran, who has been lusting after Berger for several years. Berger's love interest is Jenny Swanson, a cheerleader who is involved with Max Owens, a popular jock and bully. The show is presented as a coming of age story and has been described by Katzenberg and Grahame-Smith as a blend of the television series The Wonder Years and the film Superbad. The pilot episode premiered on June 6, 2010, and the first season of 12 episodes concluded August 23, 2010. MTV renewed The Hard Times of RJ Berger for a second season, which premiered on March 24, 2011, and concluded on May 30, 2011, but canceled the show that August.

The Hard Times of RJ Berger (2010-2011) is an American teen comedy series created by David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith for MTV. Paul Iacono plays RJ Berger, an unpopular sophomore at Pinkerton High School in suburban Ohio whose oversized anatomy becomes a constant source of humiliation and whispered rumor. His best friends are Miles Jenner, played by Jareb Dauplaise, whose hunger for popularity keeps pulling him away from RJ, and goth girl Lily Miran, played by Kara Taitz, who has long pined for him. Jenny Swanson, played by Amber Lancaster, is the cheerleader RJ wants, though she is tangled up with the bully Max Owens, played by Jayson Blair. Across two seasons of half-hour episodes, the engine of the show is simple: RJ tries to win a girl, keep his friends, and survive another day of hallway cruelty, and each week brings a fresh embarrassment. The show is a coming of age story with a nostalgic narrating voice, presented as a blend of The Wonder Years and Superbad. It has a bawdy, cringe-driven tone that mixes raunchy jokes with a warm affection for its awkward characters. Fans of The Wonder Years, Superbad and Freaks and Geeks will find resonance in its mix of adolescent humiliation and loyal friendship. The series ran for 24 episodes before MTV canceled it.

• The Wonder Yearsshared coming of age high school comedy with raunchy teen humor and awkward adolescent protagonist
• Superbadshared raunchy teen comedy about high school boys chasing popularity and sex
• Freaks and Geeksshared teen sex comedy tone with awkward outsider protagonist and cringe humor

Created by

David Katzenberg, Seth Grahame-Smith

Release Date

2010-06-06

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (48)

What is The Hard Times of RJ Berger about?

A socially awkward high school sophomore in Ohio navigates crushes, bullies, and friendships while coping with an embarrassing secret.

What is The Hard Times of RJ Berger like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Hard Times of RJ Berger as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is The Hard Times of RJ Berger violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Hard Times of RJ Berger.

Which shows are like The Hard Times of RJ Berger?

Shows with a similar feel include The Wonder Years, Superbad, and Freaks and Geeks.

How long is The Hard Times of RJ Berger?

The Hard Times of RJ Berger: 2 seasons, 24 episodes.

Is The Hard Times of RJ Berger still running?

No, The Hard Times of RJ Berger was canceled.

Where can I watch The Hard Times of RJ Berger?

In United States, The Hard Times of RJ Berger is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.