Your guide to "Miss Guided"

TV has taught me a lot over the years, but I never needed shows like "My So-Called Life," "Freaks and Geeks," or even "M.Y.O.B." -- anybody? Short-lived Lauren Graham sitcom from 2000? Anybody? -- to tell me that high school sucks. High school sucks a lot.

So really there's no reason for me to be enjoying "Miss Guided" -- which airs tonight at 7 and 7:30 on ABC -- as much as I am. It's the story of a formerly nerdy girl who returns to her alma mater as a guidance counselor, only to be subjected to the same kind of cliques, popularity contests, and humiliation. Exactly the kind of stuff we all struggled through, and love to see others subjected to.

"Miss Guided" is better than your average mid-season replacement (oh, "Jezebel James," we hardly knew thee -- or cared to), and succeeds on the narrow and perky shoulders of laugh powerhouse Judy Greer. "Arrested Development" fans know all too well Greer's comedic chops, and anyone who saw the recent "27 Dresses" or "The Great New Wonderful" knows of the mad acting skills this lady has. Her Becky Freeley is a mess of insecurity, overeagerness, and a fair share of cluelessness. And really, why else would anyone go back to their old high school as its guidance counselor? But Greer shines in her interactions with Glen Ellen High's students -- who treat her with as much respect as, well, a high school guidance counselor -- as well as her fellow teachers, who don't act any less like immature teenagers.

Joining her in the teachers' lounge is Lisa Germain (Brooke Burns), a recent transfer who also went to Glen Ellen High; in fact, she was Becky's class homecoming queen. Lisa is prettier, has a more respected job (English teacher), and is already more popular, making her the Kelly Kapowski to Becky's Jessie Spano. (That one's for you, Tom.) Then there's Tim O'Malley (Kristoffer Polaha), remedial Spanish teacher and Becky's big crush. A bit of the dim side -- he can barely speak Spanish -- Becky sees Tim as a sweet guy and kindred spirit.

But it's "Saturday Night Live" alum Chris Parnell who stands out as vice principal Bruce Terry, a neutered bulldog of a man who enjoys wielding his authority over the student body. Parnell is pitch-perfect as a blustery, ineffectual bully, not above using a freshman who is supposed to be in study hall as his personal butler.

Much like our public school system, "Miss Guided" has a few problems. With its slick, single-camera presentation, and cutaways with characters addressing the camera, it has a been-there, done-that feel to it that, three episodes in, needs to shake. But it's frequently funny, and can be forgiven for trying to ape the popularity of "The Office" and "30 Rock." And it's great to see Greer given her due in a starring role. Here's hoping we won't "say goodbye to these" anytime soon.

With a little time and support, there's nothing stopping "Miss Guided" from graduating to a top-tier sitcom.

-- Adam Reinhard, lifeisfunnybutnothahafunny@gmail.com