Why Is Everyone in TV High School So Old?

The original senior, um, senior.

Old people are ruining our TV! Well, at least our youth-oriented TV like Gossip Girl and the awful 90210 reboot. See, actors who are wayyyy older than their characters are supposed to be keep getting cast on these shows. So what is it: silly and annoying trend, or harmless and kinda-fun trend?

Harmless and kinda-fun because, well, you know... um, some of us don't have to feel so bad when we develop crushes on people who are supposed to be in high school if they are in fact in their mid-to-late 20s in real life (helloooo, Cory Monteith). But it's also silly and annoying, because, what? Teen girls watching 90210 are supposed to think that 30-year-old Trevor Donovan is just like the super dreamy boys in their own schools? I mean, the guy (who is, admittedly, bangin') has crow's feet when he smiles! It's more than a little peculiar. Why not just cast a real-life 18-year-old kid? It's not like Donovan is so wildly talented that they just had to have him. I've seen a bunch of young fellas in Broadway shows, for example, who are much better actors, would probably have the tweeny girls in a sexed-up frenzy, and would likely kill for a TV part. Why then give it to the beau-hunk who was born in the '70s? And why is Gossip Girl having 16-year-old Jenny date a 25-year-old? Not only is she just 16, but she looks even younger. (This exact age ratio happened in A Cinderella Story 2 with Selena Gomez and some old dude, so it's no unprecedented.) Forget peculiar. It's downright creepy.

And we're not the only (or first) ones finding this whole thing strange. The lovely guys at Movieline put together a list of TV's oldest actors currently playing high school students a little while back that's hilarious and embarrassing for all involved. But it must be especially embarrassing for the actors. (Though I'm sure they're cringing all the way to the bank.) And EW's Archana Ram is feeling confused by the issue as well. Just what is going on? Do the networks (well, the CW in particular) want teens to aspire to look like 26-year-olds? Lemme tell ya, kids, I'm 26 right now, and you should enjoy looking 17 while you can. Beauty fades!

Though I guess it takes a loooong time to fade for some extra-blessed fake high schoolers.

What do you think? Does the trend bother you or is it no big deal? I just think it's laughably ridiculous.