Secrets Worth Waiting For: Never Been Kissed Experiences
During 1999, along with the rise of Napster, Harry Potter, and Y2K panic, teen romantic comedies were extremely popular. It seemed like a group of screenwriters had collectively decided that the late ’90s were the perfect time to produce charming movies for a younger audience. Films like 10 Things I Hate About You, Varsity Blues, Cruel Intentions, and She’s All That made high school life look like a dream, filled with first loves and unforgettable prom nights.
It’s a bit unsettling to think that a nerdy character in Hollywood is portrayed by a bespectacled Rachael Leigh Cook or a poorly dressed Drew Barrymore. Nevertheless, these were the norms for the time.
This was the premise of Never Been Kissed. Josie Geller, played by Barrymore, is the youngest editor at the Chicago Sun-Times, known for her grammar skills. However, she lacks the experience needed for her dream reporting job. Out of the blue, her editor-in-chief assigns her to go undercover at South Glen South High School and document her experiences for an article.