Never doubt the power of the teenage movie fan. The incredible debut of "HSM 3: Senior Year" is testament to that -- despite Jeffrey's thoughts on both films, which you can read in the post above this one -- with a whopping $42 million opening weekend. But just as impressive was the performance of the number two movie of last week, "Saw V", which took in $30 million. Considering it's the fifth installment of a series that is part of a genre - torture porn - that has largely fallen out of favor with the public, it's remarkable that the Jigsaw movies continue to score big returns for Lionsgate. Matter of fact, the "Saw" franchise is now the biggest horror franchise EVER, earning more than "Friday the 13th" and "Halloween."

But it still didn't come close to edging out "HSM 3." It must be music to the ears of every parent of a 'tween or teen that Disney's saccharine sweet sing-a-long was such a hit. I mean seriously, do you remember the last G-rated, non-animated picture to be a colossal hit? I can't.

Whatever it is about the cheesy acting (why does Zac Efron look like he's going to cry every time he sings?), catchy songs and clever choreography, plus the day-glo set designs that are part of the HSM formula, it works. And it's not just underage fans who dig it. a few of my co-workers here at 30 Rock -- who have all long since graduated from high school -- had purchased their tickets days in advance online to see the movie opening night. And they raved about it, and were already making plans to see it again!

I can't quite figure out what it is about HSM that is so irresistible, but it reminds me of that other recent cheesy high school hit, "Saved By the Bell." Like "HSM", "SBTB" had a photogenic cast, wafer-thin plotting and enough wholesomeness to choke a roomful of cynics. Zack, Slater and Screech didn't break out into song in mid-story but still, the similarities are obvious.

Speaking of music, "HSM's" soundtrack deserves a lot of credit for its success. After editing the clips from the movie for last week's show, "Rocketman" (the song from the 'big game' scene in the movie) was stuck in my head for days. I'm a sucker for a catchy song and the 'HSM' franchise is full of them.

Perhaps the biggest impact of "HSM" -- besides the launching of the latest teen idol, Efron -- is that it made being 'good' cool again. As I noted at the top, getting anyone over the age of 8 into a theater to see a G-rated, live-action musical is a major achievement. Especially when gore-fests like "Saw V" are playing in the same multiplex.

Will the cast of "High School Musical" have the same lasting power as the "Saved By the Bell" crew? Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley have all carved out decent careers of varying success, "Showgirls" and "Hyperion Bay" notwithstanding. Tiffani-Amber Thiessen left prissy Kelly behind to play a skank on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and even made a Woody Allen movie! So Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and the rest have their work cut out for them.

Let's just hope none of them follows Screech's path and winds up in porn.