A throwback to Nickelodeon's classic live action series
As a child, I was primarily a consumer of cartoons. It wasn't until Nickelodeon introduced me to a selection of their live action series such as, "Kenan & Kel", "Drake & Josh", "iCarly", "All That", etc., that I began to stray out of my comfort zone.
Among all of Nickelodeon's live action catalogue, these are some of the ones I'd recommend everyone to watch.
Kenan & Kel
"Kenan & Kel" was an American sitcom which was aired on Nickelodeon. The show aired for a total of four seasons, between July 15, 1996, and July 15, 2000.
The series follows the mischievous Kenan Rockmore and Kel Kimble, and their ridiculous adventures. Kel is Kenan's optimistic but dim-witted best friend.
If you watch any random episode from the show, you will realise just how hilarious the duo of Kenan and Kel really are. Even in the most boring of circumstances, the show finds a way to make audiences laugh so hard that they roll out of their seats.
The Amanda Show
A spin-off from another Nickelodeon show "All That", "The Amanda Show" is a live action sketch comedy and variety show that aired on Nickelodeon from October 16, 1999, to September 21, 2002.
The show was hosted by Amanda Bynes, who had previously proved her comedic skills on "All That". Amanda herself played multiple comical characters such as Penelope Taynt, Judge Trudy, Crazy Courtney, Lula Mae and many more.
As a sketch comedy programme, the show almost acts like a sketch-show that satirises other reality TV shows. Judge Trudy was a spoof of the courtroom reality show "Judge Judy"; So You Want to Win Five Dollars? was a spoof of the ABC game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and Blockblister, a spoof of the now-defunct video rental store Blockbuster.
Drake Bell and Josh Peck, of "Drake & Josh" fame, were a part of this show, and it is here where the duo first proved their on-screen chemistry.
iCarly
"iCarly" is an American teen sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon from September 8, 2007, to November 23, 2012. The series tells the story of Carly Shay, a teenager who along with her best friends Sam Puckett and Freddie Benson, creates her own web show called iCarly.
The web show quickly became an internet phenomenon, causing Carly and her friends to become famous. As the group tried to figure out how to balance their teenage lives alongside their newfound fames, they would constantly find themselves in the wackiest of scenarios.
The show covers themes of teenage life, friendship and the struggles of adolescence.
"iCarly" stars Miranda Cosgrove, Jennette McCurdy, Nathan Kress, Jerry Trainor, Noah Munck and others. The series was rebooted in 2021, with a new set of cast members joining the group.
VICTORiOUS
"VICTORiOUS" is an American sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon between March 27, 2010 and February 2, 2013. The series revolves around aspiring singer Tori Vega, played by Victoria Justice. Tori is a teenager who attends the Hollywood Arts High School. In Hollywood Arts every student needs to have a special talent like: singing, dancing, acting and so on.
On her first day at Hollywood Arts, Tori meets Andre Harris, Robbie Shapiro, Rex Powers (Robbie's puppet), Jade West, Cat Valentine and Beck Oliver. In typical teenage-sitcom fashion, the main characters are constantly going through ups and downs, while also being there for each other no matter what.
The shows cast includes Leon Thomas III, Matt Bennett, Elizabeth Gillies, Ariana Grande, Avan Jogia and others.
While all of the shows above are special in their own way, these shows were a big part of my childhood. Whenever I go back and watch an episode of any these shows, I feel that they take me back to a simpler time.