Private High Musical: How Music Grabs an Audience on the Web

by Stephanie Haas

Private High Musical is a seven episode web series which parodies the Disney movie High School Musical. The series is about a girl who is a virgin at a new High School and is trying to find her place. The lead role is played by Taryn Southern who is a becoming a celebrity in the web series industry. Private High Musical also stars Mr. Belding’s Dennis Haskings who, according to tilzytv.com, is the star of the series. He plays the perverted school teacher who gives words of wisdom in the episode entitled “First Period.” Despite the great cast, the series is based off song and lyrics because without it, the web series may not have been as popular or recognized as it is.
The musical lyrics for the songs used throughout the series tell a story of what is going on and the whole theme of the series is supposed to be about learning how to get laid and getting high. This theme mixed with stereotypical high school characters creates humor for the viewer. With lyrics like “Welcome to our senior class, you’ll never have a problem getting any ass,” it is easy for the viewer to stay tuned to the next episode in hopes of hearing a new song that rhymes with sex. According to webtvhub.com, “if you’re looking for an actually entertaining musical, look no further than ‘Private High.”
Since Dr. Horrible, there had been no other web series that used music to capture their audience and tell a successful story. The series has been so successful that the series has gotten picked up my MTV to be turned into a television series. Tubefilter.com reports that “as part of the deal, MTV acquires the rights to the series, though Southern will remain a producer and actor in the show.” The use of music and witty lyrics, this web series has the potential to be successful and while maintaining its raunchy humor.