Tag Archives: hellcats week

“Hellcats” Debrief: We Are Loving The Tiz

Kate Torgovnick/Kate-Book.comSeptember 9, 2010 //


A funny thing happened while watching last night’s premiere of “Hellcats,” the new TV show based on my book Cheer!: Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders. Yes, I got a little giddy seeing my name flash onscreen in the opening sequence. Yes, I found my hips shaking during the cheer scenes and Aly Michalka’s awesome “Flashdance”-esque dance round the living room. And, yes, I totally got chills in the final scene where the squad saunters toward the entrance of a cheer competition. But I was surprised at just how much I loved Ashley Tisdale in the episode.
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Make Your Own “Hellcats” Video

Kate Torgovnick/Kate-Book.comSeptember 8, 2010 //

Exactly a year ago, I got word that a production company was interested in optioning my book, CHEER!: Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders, and turning it into a fictional TV show. Tonight, the show—”Hellcats“—premieres on The CW at 9 p.m. (EST), right after “America’s Next Top Model.” To hype up the show, The CW has created this awesome app called “Get Your Cheer On” where you can plug in your and your friends’ faces and watch yourselves do a cheer routine. Click here to see a version starring me, Amelia, Ami, and John DeVore. Who knew we could shake it like that? Keep reading »

A Brief History Of Cheerleading

Kate Torgovnick/Kate-Book.comSeptember 6, 2010 //

This week brings the premiere of The CW’s new show “Hellcats,” which is based on the book Cheer!: Inside The Secret World of College Cheerleaders written by The Frisky’s own Kate Torgovnick. To get you pumped up and ready to shake your pom-poms, we’re bringing you cheer-related content all week. Enjoy, and make sure to watch Wednesday at 9pm (EST).

Cheerleading is an iconic American phenomenon, on par with apple pie and the bald eagle. But, uh, where did it come from? Good question. Most people don’t know this, but cheerleaders were originally men. Cheerleading goes back to the very first college football game, between Princeton and Rutgers University. Princeton students started chanting, “Rah rah rah! Tiger tiger tiger! Sis sis sis! Boom boom boom! Ahhhhh!” It became a student tradition, and soon the school appointed “yell leaders” who sat in the audience and lead said chants. The idea spread across the country, and in 1898 a University of Minnesota yell leader ran in front of the crowd to lead his chants. Cheerleading was born. Keep reading »

“Hellcats” To Set A Guinness World Record

Kate Torgovnick/Kate-Book.comSeptember 3, 2010 //

For the past, oh, 20 years, I have wanted few things more than to set a Guinness World Record. Last year, I determined that the most likely way to do this is by gathering a mass group of people to do an activity together, à la getting the most people dressed as Smurfs to one place. It looks like The CW’s new show “Hellcats” has read my mind. (Which is doubly meta since the show about the rough-and-tumble world of college cheerleaders is based on my book, Cheer!.) To promote the show, which stars Aly Michalka and Asley Tisdale, The CW is holding a world record attempt. TOMORROW. Keep reading »

“Hellcats” Countdown: 28 Days Until The Premiere!

Kate Torgovnick/Kate-Book.comAugust 11, 2010 //

A few months back, I told you all about The CW’s new series, “Hellcats,” starring Aly Michalka and Ashley Tisdale. While I can’t wait for new fall television in general, I have a special tie to “Hellcats.” The series is based on my book, CHEER!: Inside The Secret World Of College Cheerleading, a non-fiction romp following three top squads through their 2007 season. I was on set for two days of the filming of “Hellcats,” but all of a sudden, the fact that it’s actually going to be on TV soon has hit home. Last night, I saw two commercials for the show. And this morning on my way to work, I turned the corner and ran into a poster just a block away from The Frisky office. “Hellcats” premieres Wednesday, September 8th at 9pm. After the jump, my favorite new previews. Keep reading »

All Up In The Upfronts: Why We Can’t Wait For “Hellcats”

Kate Torgovnick/Kate-Book.comMay 19, 2010 //

In the upfront-iverse, this morning was CBS’s turn to unveil their fall lineup. But because I’m feeling a smidge uninspired by it (sitcom, sitcom, police show, “Hawaii Five-O”), I’m moving on to an offering from The CW that is going to be pure genius. “Hellcats” is a series about a competitive college cheerleading squad starring Ashley Tisdale of “High School Musical” and Aly Michalka of 78violet (aka Aly & AJ). The show is created by Kevin Murphy (“Desperate Housewives,” “Caprica”) and is executive-produced by AJ Marcantonio and Tom Welling, who you more likely know as Clark Kent on “Smallville.” I will confess to being completely and totally biased when it comes to this show. See, “Hellcats” is inspired by my book, CHEER!: Inside The Secret World Of College Cheerleaders, which follows three highly ranked cheerleading squads through their intense 2006/7 seasons. Keep reading »