The Hard Times of RJ Berger

The Hard Times of RJ Berger was an American television comedy series created by David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith for MTV. The show's central character is RJ Berger an unpopular sophomore at the fictional Pinkerton High School in Ohio who has an exceptionally large penis. Berger's two best friends are Miles Jenner, whose ambitions for popularity cause him to clash with Berger, and goth girl Lily Miran, who has been lusting after Berger for several years. Berger's love interest is Jenny Swanson, a cheerleader who is involved with Max Owens, a popular jock and bully. The show is presented as a coming of age story and has been described by Katzenberg and Grahame-Smith as a blend of the television series The Wonder Years and the film Superbad. The pilot episode premiered on June 6, 2010, and the first season of 12 episodes concluded August 23, 2010. MTV renewed The Hard Times of RJ Berger for a second season, which premiered on March 24, 2011, and concluded on May 30, 2011, but canceled the show that August.

Creators and Cast

Creators

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David Katzenberg

Creator

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Seth Grahame-Smith

Creator

Cast

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Paul Iacono

R.J. Berger

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Jareb Dauplaise

Miles Jenner

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Kara Taitz

Lily Miran

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Amber Lancaster

Jenny Swanson

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Jayson Blair

Max Owens

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Beth Littleford

Suzanne Berger

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Larry Poindexter

Rick Berger

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Ciena Rae

Robin Pretnar

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Marlon Young

Coach Jeriba Sinclair

Episodes

Specials

1 episode

S0 E1 · Behind the Scenes

No summary.

Season 1

12 episodes

S1 E1 · Pilot

2010-06-06

When RJ's shorts fall off in front of the whole school, his life is turned upside-down.

S1 E2 · Yes We Can't

2010-06-14

When RJ's request for Computer Club funding is denied, he runs for student government.

S1 E3 · The Berger Cometh

2010-06-21

RJ tries out for the school musical to get closer to Jenny Swanson.

S1 E4 · Here's to You, Mrs. Robbins

2010-06-28

When RJ begins working to save money for a gift for Jenny Swanson's Sweet 16 birthday party, he soon learns his new employer has a strong sexual appetite, and Miles searches for a new best friend to replace RJ, due to his busy work schedule. At the end of the episode, RJ and Miles are best friends again.

S1 E5 · The Rebound

2010-07-05

When Jenny becomes single, she asks RJ to study with her.

S1 E6 · Over the Rainblow

2010-07-12

RJ becomes interested in a new girl at school and discovers that she is a member of the Purity Club.

S1 E7 · Tell and Kiss

2010-07-19

RJ lies to the jocks about his progress with Claire; Miles is busted for spreading rumors.

S1 E8 · Nerds Gone Wild

2010-07-26

RJ's parents go away for the weekend, leaving him in the care of a sexy babysitter; Miles throws a party for the nerds.

S1 E9 · It's All About the Hamiltons

2010-08-02

While in detention, RJ befriends a tough thug; Lily tries out for the cheerleading squad.

S1 E10 · Behind Enemy Lines

2010-08-09

Unable to concentrate on his tutoring with Jenny, RJ fears that he's losing his focus and failing both himself and the girl of his dreams, so he and Miles conspire to steal a cheat sheet from a teacher's house. Unfortunaley, Miles makes the mistake of getting his psychopathic Iraq War Vet brother involved, and promising the answers for other jocks at Pinkerton High.

S1 E11 · Lily Pad

2010-08-16

Lily's dreams might actually come true when RJ somewhat reluctantly decides to ask her to the upcoming dance. Things get a little sticky, however, when Miles raises the bar with an unlikely date and RJ finds himself in a tough spot.

S1 E12 · The Right Thing

2010-08-23

RJ and date Jenny try their hardest to have the "best winter formal ever," but RJ's guilt over leaving Lily lands him back at her hospital bedside, where the two keep their promise to lose their virginity together.

Season 2

12 episodes

S2 E1 · RJ's Choice

2011-03-24

Season 2 opens on a confused RJ, who is haunted by his friend Lily while yearning for his dream girl Jenny Swanson. Also, Miles deals with the ramifications for ball-beating Pinkerton's top dog, Max Owens.

S2 E2 · Cousin Vinny

2011-03-28

In an attempt to win over the girl of his dreams, RJ asks Jenny on a date. When she says "yes," he and Miles prepare with a G-T-L makeover from Cousin Vinny (Jersey Shore's Vinny Guadagnino).

S2 E3 · The Lock-in

2011-04-11

It's "Lock-In Night" at Pinkerton, and RJ finally gets the chance to have sex with Jenny, but a bitter Lily Miran will do everything she can to make sure that doesn't happen.

S2 E4 · Ugly Jenny

2011-04-11

When Jenny suffers a breakout, RJ questions the depth of their relationship. At the same time, Lily receives her settlement from the bus accident and experiences her first taste of popularity.

S2 E5 · Deadliest Crotch

2011-04-18

Distracted by problems with Jenny and his parents, RJ's grades start to slip. When he's forced to see a tutor, she offers him more than just academic advice. Meanwhile, Miles gets seduced by his teacher.

S2 E6 · Saving Dick

2011-04-25

When RJ gets caught in a lie, his relationship with Jenny falters. In her absence, Amy joins RJ on a quest to save his drunk, depressed, and unemployed father.

S2 E7 · You, Me, and Weezer

2011-05-02

In an attempt to impress Amy, RJ ventures to the wrong side of the tracks to find fake IDs and tickets to a 21 and over concert. Special Guest Star: Weezer.

S2 E8 · Give Me a 'P'

2011-05-09

On the eve of their 20th anniversary, RJ's parents invite him to dueling dinners, and RJ is forced to choose between his mom and his dad. Meanwhile, Miles joins the cheerleading squad to lose weight.

S2 E9 · Hunkeez

2011-05-16

With his 16th birthday rapidly approaching, RJ asks his dad for driving lessons. He gets way more than he bargained for when Rick takes him to Hunkeez, a male strip club.

S2 E10 · Sex. Teen. Candles.

2011-05-23

After years of having his birthday ruined by Max Owens, RJ and his friends decide to throw a "Max Bash." When Max and his gang of jocks show up at the party, things get out of hand.

S2 E11 · Steamy Surprise

2011-05-30

RJ finds out Max's "steamy secret," and things get complicated with Amy when he gets nominated for "Mr. and Miss Pinkerton" with ex-girlfriend, Jenny.

S2 E12 · The Better Man

2011-05-30

RJ receives shocking news from Lily and faces off with Max Owens for the title of "Mr. Pinkerton."