In some shows that revolve around teenagers, preteens, or younger children, adults can't do anything right -- if they appear on-screen at all. Teachers tend to be annoying sticks-in-the-mud who do nothing but spoil people's fun. Parents are clueless, and either over- or underprotective. And any other designated authority figures the kid might come across? Forget it. Shows where Adults Are Useless can also be shows where you Can't Get Away with Nuthin' -- kids who break school rules somehow always get caught, but due to bad luck, not because a teacher was alert.