Ah, spring break. For normal Americans, it simply means sleeping in, channel-surfing with a family-sized bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos within reach, and loving every second of it. For TV characters and Kristin Cavallari, it's a Bacchanalian free-for-all when kids who can't even vote jet off to Cabo and do Jell-O shots while writhing around in hot tubs to the sounds of Pitbull. Apparently, that's supposed to be an upgrade.
For us Brits, Spring Break is usually a distant fantasy. But remember these TV shows, which show how spring break is really supposed to go down? Let The O.C. and Laguna Beach take you back. And remember: If TV has taught us anything, it's that what happens in Cabo definitely does not stay in Cabo.
Beverly Hills, 90210(1997)
Shockingly, the original 90210 only has one proper spring break episode (season 7's "Spring Breakdown"), and it involves Brandon (Jason Priestley) taking his annoying girlfriend to visit his dad in Hong Kong, even though Brandon's crushing hard on Kelly. Maybe he was bored of the beach? Meanwhile, Valerie gets the Barenaked Ladies to play at the Peach Pit After Dark.
Video: Courtesy of CBS Television Distribution.Friends(2000)
"The One with Joey's Fridge" sees Ross (David Schwimmer) facing that standard May-December dilemma: having to tag along on your college-aged girlfriend's spring break adventure because you're worried she's going to run off with a frat guy.
Video: Courtesy of Warner Bros.Dawson's Creek(2000)
How could we forget season 3's "Stolen Kisses," in which Pacey (Joshua Jackson) and Joey (Katie Holmes) smooch for the second time during a visit to Dawson's aunt Gwen's house in Vermont?
Video: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television.Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County(2004)
The reality stars could never resist a spring break excursion to Cabo, even though season 1's trip resulted in Stephen Colletti seriously slut-shaming then-girlfriend Kristin Cavallari for pole-dancing. Ugh.
Video: Courtesy of MTV.Gilmore Girls(2004)
Despite having a go at enthusiastic dancing and even a surprise girl-on-girl kiss, Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Paris (Liza Weil) soon discover they aren't exactly spring break material in season 4's "Girls in Bikinis, Boys Doin' the Twist."
Video: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution.The O.C.(2005)
Only Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) could make a spring break trip to Miami to visit his Nana (in season 2's "The Return of the Nana") look entertaining.
Video: Courtesy of 20th Television.Greek(2008)
Trust the frat pack to make the most of spring break. The season 1 finale, "Spring Broke," sees the gang headed to Myrtle Beach for some mayhem.
Video: Courtesy of Disney-ABC Domestic Television.90210(2011)
Now we're talking. The reboot's season 3 episode "The Enchanted Donkey" finds the kiddos heading to Mexico (by private plane, naturally) for hookups and catfights.
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