Top 10 Unscripted Teen Drama Moments That Were Kept In The Show
#10: Glitter Rock Vampire “Glee” (200915)
Of all the supporting characters who rotated on and off “Glee,” Adam Lambert’s Elliot is one of our favorites, though Blaine did not originally share that opinion. Despite the open hostility in his own home, Elliot doesn’t take the bait. Instead he urges Blaine to talk it out, and responds with compassion and sound advice. It’s a nice moment that only gets better when Elliot invites Blaine to jam for a while. Guitar in hand, Darren Criss came up with a song on the spot. It’s a pleasure to see two such talented musicians riffing off of each other. We only wish we could have gotten a full version of “Glitter Rock Vampire,” because that sounds like a sure hit.
#9: Skin in the Game “Skins” (2007-13)
Screen fighting is tricky. All the safety measures and preparation in the world can go right out the window when a performer gets really into a scene. Kathryn Prescott’s Emily had been having a stressful time in her own right leading up to the college ball. A girl would think she could count on family, but she has the misfortune of discovering that isn’t necessarily the case. The fight that ensues is visceral and savage. When Giles’ Thomas as Doug tried to intervene, as scripted, Prescott accidentally hit him for real. In the chaos he stepped on twin Megan Prescott’s foot as he fell. The emotion on her face might have been less about the scene and more about the bruising...
#8: A Helping Hand “Riverdale” (2017-)
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We’ll say this for Riverdale, this show never does anything halfway. The commitment to dramatic moments is even reflected in their cast members. When Cheryl’s grief takes her to the frozen Sweetwater River she drops through the ice. Archie and the gang come rushing to the rescue. Notice that brief pause? It’s not subtle acting; KJ Apa actually broke his hand while punching through the surface. Between the cold and the adrenaline of shooting, Apa didn’t realize he’d seriously hurt himself at first. He carried on filming the scene as if nothing had happened and didn’t even mention it to his co-stars. We can see the damage to his hand on screen, and the cast he wears later was 100% real.
#7: Working Up a Sweat “Stranger Things” (2016-)
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This show has given us its share of creepy moments, but it's at its most unnerving when the monster uses a human face. With the possessed Billy trapped in a sauna, the Party learns the hard way that his flayed status comes with some other features. Even Elven looks like she might not be a match for him at first. Of course, when he threatens Mike she finds her second wind. Though special effects were obviously a big part of this scene, filming it was apparently as exhausting for Millie Bobby Brown as it was for her character. Her backwards collapse was an unplanned natural reaction. Acting might seem glamorous, but this just goes to show what a tough job it can be.
#6: Stuck in an Elevator “Glee” (2009-15)
Of all the ludicrous things Sue has ever done, trying to force a romantic reunion between Kurt and Blaine by trapping them together was definitely one of the craziest. The two try to make the best of the weird situation though. While the scenario was scripted, the dialogue was mostly improvised by Daren Criss and Chris Colfer. The two actors appear to have a strong relationship offscreen, and their easy exchange in this scene brings it to life for their characters as well. With an organic quality to the conversation, we get to see the connection between Kurt and Blaine as friends and not just as lovers. It’s the kind of thing that makes an onscreen romance feel real and worthy of preserving.
#5: “Can You Say it Twice?” “Gossip Girl” (2007-12)
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This show knew how to delay gratification, but oh how sweet it was when it finally arrived. Though Blair had all but given up on Chuck, when he appeared on the New York sidewalk with luxury goods in hand, it was to give us all the gift we had really been waiting for. After a rollercoaster ride of a buildup, just hearing the words was a reason to celebrate. And when prompted, Ed Westwick was certainly willing to make up for the previous deprivation. Though another line had been planned for the scene, this improvised moment was so sweet that there was no way to leave it out. Not that the original line wasn’t cute too; it eventually appeared in Season Three.
#4: Crackers for You “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
Willow is one lucky girl when it comes to love. Though we will always adore her relationship with Tara, we have a special place in our hearts for her first love, Oz. After all, who else could turn a box of animal crackers into a romantic segue? There’s no denying that Seth Green and Alyson Hannigan had amazing chemistry together. Green’s continued ad-libs make the rapport between their characters feel that much more special. He shows us again that Oz is a gentle soul who knows exactly how to put Willow at ease. It was also a chance for him to bring his own sense of humor to the table, and even teach us some fun facts.
#3: Words From the Heart “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” (2019-)
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What would a teen romance be without the big confession? Having closed the school musical, Ricky realizes that it’s now or never if he wants his showmance with Nini to become the real thing, and he doesn’t hold back. Naturally, this was always the season’s endgame, but the emotional outpouring was ad-libbed by actor Joshua Bassett. He gets impressively specific, adding personal touches and endearing anecdotes that make this relationship feel deeper than fiction. Not knowing what he would say beforehand, scene partner Olivia Rodrigo was able to give an equally effective and authentic performance in response. Of course we all know what has to happen next.
#2: A Fond Farewell “One Tree Hill” (2003-12)
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By the time we said goodbye to Tree Hill we had all been on quite a ride. The nine seasons of this show didn’t just represent a journey for the characters, but a major formative event for the cast members. Actress Sophia Bush didn’t even need a script to put her farewell into words. In character as Brooke her improvised tribute to the high school is heartfelt and nostalgic. It only becomes more touching when we remember that Bush is speaking as much about her own experiences as she is about Brooke’s. As we see the actress ending a major chapter in her life, it is moving to see that it meant as much to her as it did to her fans. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Sandwich, “Sex Education” (2019-) Actress Aimee Lou Wood Kept Her Priorities Straight With This Improv Horrified Giles, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003) Anthony Stewart Head’s Slapstick Impulses Made This Moment 1000 Times Funnier Sealed With a Kiss, “Riverdale” (2017-) This On Set Addition is Also a Nod to the Original Musical Double Entendre, “Stranger Things” (2016-) Natalia Dyer Almost Breaks When Brett Gellman Goes Off-Script
#1: Family Feud “Euphoria” (2019-)
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In a series built around tackling disturbing topics, this scene strikes a troubling chord. That is in no small part due to the talents of Zendaya and Nika King. The script simply contained the line, “Rue and her mom fight.” The raw and brutal conflict that we see on screen was improvised to life by the two actors. They give us a look at the physical and emotional violence of addiction that is honestly difficult to watch. The effect is only compounded by the bright soundtrack and the intercut scenes of the family singing together in the car. With very little dialogue, this moment manages to paint a vivid picture of the wide-reaching damage that substance abuse can inflict.
