I went to my senior prom, but it wasn't all that. I mean, the guy that I was seeing at the time (he was older) blew me off because he said he had to work and he couldn't take a personal day to make my prom the magical evening the movies made it out to be. That time in my life got me thinking. Why are young ladies so enchanted by the notion of the "senior prom?" I guess it's a cult tradition in America.

In fact, Hollywood does a downright good job at portraying it to be one of the paramount experiences in a high schooler's life, not to mention one that will haunt you forever if you don't get it right.

Here are some prom scenes from American T V/movie culture that served to reinforce the tradition of prom for a girl growing up in the '90s, including the dos and donts of this formal sweetheart dance:

1. Hanging Out With Friends

On The Cosby Show, Theo and his friends - in an aim to make the evening a magical one for their dates - end up botching the whole prom night and angering the girls. Still being the gentlemen, Cliff prompts them to do their very best to salvage the evening for the ladies. Meanwhile, Claire and Cliff retreat to yesteryear to enjoy a prom they never had in the '50s. Check out Adam Sandler in his tux-jeans combo.

2. Going With the Girl Of Your Dreams

In Saved By The Bell's final prom episode, Zack approaches his on-again/off-again girlfriend, Kelly Kapowski to ask her to the prom. When he learns she's already promised to another guy, he does everything he can to make sure he and his "leading lady" make it to that senior prom. Don't you love that Lisa, Screech's dream girl, throws him a bone and asks "the underdog" to the prom?

3. Getting Jilted by the Guy of Your Dreams

Never Been Kissed, starring Drew Barrymore, teaches us that the best night of your life can quickly turn into the worst if the "guy of your dreams" turns out to be a jerk. Choose carefully because you don't want to end up with egg on your face. 

Listen to our NEWDradio episode, Prom Hate or Prom Date, airing May 22, 2011 when we interview American high school students about their sentiments surrounding prom. Is it a magical evening for both the girl and boy? Is gallantry a part of the modern prom process? Does one compromise one's morals for the sake of living the prom fantasy?

Tiffani Knowles is the managing editor of NEWDmagazine.com and also co-hosts the radio spinoff show, NEWDradio. Even though she's the boss, she can still get down with the best of them by penning a column every now and again.