TEENick, Nicktoons, and Nickelodeon in general

[Threadkiller [Classic]]

Being twenty-two, I was around for Nickelodeon's "glory years," at least in terms of creativity and quality.

You had great game shows like "Legends of the Hidden Temple" and "Guts."

You had subversive comedy shows like "Welcome Freshmen," "Pete and Pete,"
"Salute Your Shorts," and "Roundhouse."

The Nicktoons were amazing, with "Ren & Stimpy," "Doug," "AAAAHHH! Real Monsters," and "Rocko's Modern Life."

On Nick Jr., you even had gold in "Eureka's Castle," "David the Gnome," and "Little Bits." And yes, even though I was too old for it at the time, I was a mark for "Gullah Gullah Island" and Face, the Nick Jr. host.

Oh, and color me in alongside Stick Stickly's fans.

But this thread is not to bemoan the loss of that old Nickelodeon. It's to talk about how this seemingly new Nickelodeon really isn't that bad.

TEENICK: It's Nickelodeon's weird concept that if they bunch together some teenage stars into inoffensive half-hour comedies, it'll equal ratings. Some of the premises are absurd, but that's not really the point. I'll be the first to admit that, if nothing else, "Drake and Josh" is a charming half hour of fluff. And there's a certain whimsy about "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" that sees it running like a live-action cartoon. And other shows like "Zoey 101" and "Just Jordan" are packed with charismatic youngsters that I can see going places. On top of that, the theme songs to all of these shows (plus the new "iCarly," co-starring the girl who played the young Torrie Wilson in the WM23 "All Grown Up" ads) are catchy as all hell. And they're all performed by the star(s) of the show. So yeah, three cheers for that, I guess.

Nicktoons: I know that the Nicktoons consist of mostly reruns of recently canceled shows, but I'm probably the only one who thinks "Danny Phantom" is a good show. And "The Fairly Oddparents" is one of the most underrated animated shows in all of television. "Jimmy Neutron" also has the Oscar-nominated animation and some pretty good humor coupled with it. And I will ALWAYS be a "Spongebob Squarepants" mark. Well, a Squidward mark, anyway. Dude is gold.

Nick Jr.: Don't watch it, but I hear Dora the Explorer and Go Diego, Go bring a wider Latino presence to television which I (a Puerto Rican) appreciates, I suppose.

So what do you all think of Nickelodeon these days? Sure, it's all tame. There aren't any game shows or off-the-wall comedies, or even edgy Nicktoons. No more SNICK either. It's kind of like the WWE product that's out now. Passable but not spectacular. However, I find myself watching it all the time and, surprisingly, enjoying it. It's still better than Disney Channel. How bout yourselves?

(And no bashing people who still watch Nick. I refuse to grow up, dammit!)

[dsriggs]

I pretty much hate EVERYTHING Nickelodeon does these days. Yes, even Spongebob...

Nick used to be great!! What the hell happened to it???

[B.A.]

It was getting bad, but then aI guess it evened out. Stuff on tv isnt that bad, but it can't hold a candle to 10+ years ago

[Phosphor Glow]

beast147 said:

Being twenty-two, I was around for Nickelodeon's "glory years," at least in terms of creativity and quality.

You had great game shows like "Legends of the Hidden Temple" and "Guts."

You had subversive comedy shows like "Welcome Freshmen," "Pete and Pete,"
"Salute Your Shorts," and "Roundhouse."

The Nicktoons were amazing, with "Ren & Stimpy," "Doug," "AAAAHHH! Real Monsters," and "Rocko's Modern Life."

On Nick Jr., you even had gold in "Eureka's Castle," "David the Gnome," and "Little Bits." And yes, even though I was too old for it at the time, I was a mark for "Gullah Gullah Island" and Face, the Nick Jr. host.

Oh, and color me in alongside Stick Stickly's fans.

But this thread is not to bemoan the loss of that old Nickelodeon. It's to talk about how this seemingly new Nickelodeon really isn't that bad.

TEENICK: It's Nickelodeon's weird concept that if they bunch together some teenage stars into inoffensive half-hour comedies, it'll equal ratings. Some of the premises are absurd, but that's not really the point. I'll be the first to admit that, if nothing else, "Drake and Josh" is a charming half hour of fluff. And there's a certain whimsy about "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" that sees it running like a live-action cartoon. And other shows like "Zoey 101" and "Just Jordan" are packed with charismatic youngsters that I can see going places. On top of that, the theme songs to all of these shows (plus the new "iCarly," co-starring the girl who played the young Torrie Wilson in the WM23 "All Grown Up" ads) are catchy as all hell. And they're all performed by the star(s) of the show. So yeah, three cheers for that, I guess.

Nicktoons: I know that the Nicktoons consist of mostly reruns of recently canceled shows, but I'm probably the only one who thinks "Danny Phantom" is a good show. And "The Fairly Oddparents" is one of the most underrated animated shows in all of television. "Jimmy Neutron" also has the Oscar-nominated animation and some pretty good humor coupled with it. And I will ALWAYS be a "Spongebob Squarepants" mark. Well, a Squidward mark, anyway. Dude is gold.

Nick Jr.: Don't watch it, but I hear Dora the Explorer and Go Diego, Go bring a wider Latino presence to television which I (a Puerto Rican) appreciates, I suppose.

So what do you all think of Nickelodeon these days? Sure, it's all tame. There aren't any game shows or off-the-wall comedies, or even edgy Nicktoons. No more SNICK either. It's kind of like the WWE product that's out now. Passable but not spectacular. However, I find myself watching it all the time and, surprisingly, enjoying it. It's still better than Disney Channel. How bout yourselves?

(And no bashing people who still watch Nick. I refuse to grow up, dammit!)

I actually agree with you damn near completely. I still don't like some of the Nicktoons on these days...but Spongebob will always be amazing, as will Fairly Oddparents and Danny Phantom.

And you're the only person I've ever run into on the internet that likes Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. I LOVE that show.

[Threadkiller [Classic]]

Lindsey Shaw (Moze) has a lot to do with it...

Yes, throw me in jail.

Edit: And even though I don't particularly care for "Zoey 101," it's really good to see that Jamie Lynn Spears hasn't gone the way of her sister. When it's on, I often forget that she's Britney's sis. Maybe it's because I can't imagine her spontaneously shaving her head.

[Just Jay]

Interesting take on that. I never actually thought about the good in today's current Nickelodeon.

I mean, TEENick for the most part sorta replaces what use to be SNICK, and well that's not all that bad. I have to admit that I mark for Drake and Josh. Watching it with my niece, its cute when she draws the same conclusion that I share the same name as the fat kid. (Well, not so much now.)

The Nicktoons are fairly decent, and there's nothing outstandingly terrible once you actually sit down and watch them. I do agree that Fairly Odd Parents is a hugely underrated show cassted in the shadow of Spongebob.

Nick Jr....not so much. Besides Dora and Diego, I can't watch any of these shows with my nieces. Most of these shows are so boring you want to claw your eyes out. In specific, The Wonder Pets, Backyardigans, and the acursed new abomination that is the live action Blues Clues.

While some of them aren't the next Inspector Gadget or Rocko's Modern Life, they aren't nearly that bad.

Now Disney, there's an argument for a different day

[AnM is back]

I miss Nick's glory days.... I remember Ren and Stimpy, Are You Afraid of the Dark, David the Gnome, You Can't Do That on Television (another wonderful thing Canada has given us ;D) Most of the stuff on now just isnt as good, or they are more concerned with the "teen demographic". No don't get me wrong, I love Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents (a great show if you havent seen it), and yes, I like Lazy Town, for goodness sakes. But why cant they show Looney Tunes or Angry Beavers or Rocko's Modern Life instead of all the teen angst crap?


Does anyone have Noggin? Its basically a kids network (run by Nickelodeon or at least allowed to play most of their kids programming) until about 6pm then it turns into a teen network. Yeah sometimes they'll have on Sarina the teenage witch which isnt so bad to follow up kids programming, or the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (on old guilty pleasure of mine, I used to watch it when i was younger), but some of the stuff they have on afterwards is, well, disgusting to have on directly after little kids programming and I cant get it off my tv fast enough.

Theres this one show, I am not sure exactly what its called, but it usually follows "noggin" off the air and brings "the N" onto the air. Its like a teen soap opera but there are people running around in there underwear, making out (both straight and gay - nothing wrong with that, I have an uncle and many friends who are gay, that is NOT the issue, so dont incite unnecessaryhate against me), and a bit of language. No I have no problem with any of that. Let me repeat. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THAT EXCEPT THAT IT DIRECTLY FOLLOWS PRESCHOOL/KIDS PROGRAMMING! Why couldnt they follow it with something not as....explicit in some ways? I just hate having to stop playing with my daughter (who is 2 almost 3) and dive for the remote as soon as 6pm hits.

[markdown474]

dsriggs said:

I pretty much hate EVERYTHING Nickelodeon does these days. Yes, even Spongebob...

Nick used to be great!! What the hell happened to it???

My guess is that you got older. In the 90's, when I'd come across episodes of All That, I thought they were terrible and couldn't even begin to compare to You Can't Do That On Television. But kids seemed to love it and the show was on for 10+ years. My nephews are ADDICTED to Drake and Josh. I'm sure 10 years from now they'll be complaining that Nickelodeon shows have gone to crap and can't compare to the good ol' days of Drake and Josh and Just Jordan.

[Vice honcho room temperature]

beast147 said:

Edit: And even though I don't particularly care for "Zoe 101," it's really good to see that Jamie Lynn Spears hasn't gone the way of her sister. When it's on, I often forget that she's Britney's sis. Maybe it's because I can't imagine her spontaneously shaving her head.

Well she still has time. Britney didn't go crazy til her mid 20's.

[Insomniac]

There are only two newer shows from Nickelodeon that I've actually enjoyed watching: "Spongebob", which is not only a great show today but stands up well against Nick Toons of the past. And "Drake and Josh" which, while not the most complex show by any means, reminds me a lot of "Kenan and Kel". Other than that, I don't care for any of the other more recent shows that I've had a chance to watch.

[Sigma: Current SRW Champ!]

I've stopped watching Nick and it's blocks for the longest time, however, I have seen the shows, and while most of them aren't bad, they aren't good either. Most of them are cookie-cutter or worse.

Spongebob is ok, but has gotten really annoying over the past few years.

[-Lithium-]

Spongebob from 00-03 > Any other Nick show.

Was way more funny and way more clever then any other show Nick ever had.

EDIT - Oh, FairlyOdd Parents > Any other Nick show (besides Spongebob) too.

I pretty much hate EVERYTHING Nickelodeon does these days. Yes, even Spongebob...

Nick used to be great!! What the hell happened to it???

Cause your watching it as an adult and not remembering it from when you were a kid. Naw Im not saying that old Nick shows sucked (way far from it) or that you only like them cause you was a kid, but if you saw all them shows TODAY all grown up and stuff, you prolly wouldnt like them as much...

[Sad sack ass fruitbooty]

I will admit, I am getting into noggin lately (thanks to my 3 year old) I find myself mindlesly watching it for hours.

[emoney3265]

You totally forgot Hey Arnold. That show was probably the best but now they don't even show it anymore. It's bull. Sponge bob is the only thing I can watch on Nick anymore. I love sponge bob!

[Black Hammer Rocks the AssWhip]

tristememoire said:

And you're the only person I've ever run into on the internet that likes Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. I LOVE that show.

Not the only person actually. *raises hand*

What? That show is a damn guilty pleasure of mine.

[mike5286]

beast147 said:

Being twenty-two, I was around for Nickelodeon's "glory years," at least in terms of creativity and quality.

You had great game shows like "Legends of the Hidden Temple" and "Guts."

You had subversive comedy shows like "Welcome Freshmen," "Pete and Pete,"
"Salute Your Shorts," and "Roundhouse."

I agree with much of this. I like several of the Teen Nick's line up with the exception of Just Jordan whcih just seems like such a That's So Raven knock off and i despise that show. Zoey 101 is an ok show still sort of a train wreck but it's really gotten better.

The Nicktoons were amazing, with "Ren & Stimpy," "Doug," "AAAAHHH! Real Monsters," and "Rocko's Modern Life."

On Nick Jr., you even had gold in "Eureka's Castle," "David the Gnome," and "Little Bits." And yes, even though I was too old for it at the time, I was a mark for "Gullah Gullah Island" and Face, the Nick Jr. host.

Oh, and color me in alongside Stick Stickly's fans.

But this thread is not to bemoan the loss of that old Nickelodeon. It's to talk about how this seemingly new Nickelodeon really isn't that bad.

TEENICK: It's Nickelodeon's weird concept that if they bunch together some teenage stars into inoffensive half-hour comedies, it'll equal ratings. Some of the premises are absurd, but that's not really the point. I'll be the first to admit that, if nothing else, "Drake and Josh" is a charming half hour of fluff. And there's a certain whimsy about "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" that sees it running like a live-action cartoon. And other shows like "Zoey 101" and "Just Jordan" are packed with charismatic youngsters that I can see going places. On top of that, the theme songs to all of these shows (plus the new "iCarly," co-starring the girl who played the young Torrie Wilson in the WM23 "All Grown Up" ads) are catchy as all hell. And they're all performed by the star(s) of the show. So yeah, three cheers for that, I guess.

Nicktoons: I know that the Nicktoons consist of mostly reruns of recently canceled shows, but I'm probably the only one who thinks "Danny Phantom" is a good show. And "The Fairly Oddparents" is one of the most underrated animated shows in all of television. "Jimmy Neutron" also has the Oscar-nominated animation and some pretty good humor coupled with it. And I will ALWAYS be a "Spongebob Squarepants" mark. Well, a Squidward mark, anyway. Dude is gold.

Nick Jr.: Don't watch it, but I hear Dora the Explorer and Go Diego, Go bring a wider Latino presence to television which I (a Puerto Rican) appreciates, I suppose.

So what do you all think of Nickelodeon these days? Sure, it's all tame. There aren't any game shows or off-the-wall comedies, or even edgy Nicktoons. No more SNICK either. It's kind of like the WWE product that's out now. Passable but not spectacular. However, I find myself watching it all the time and, surprisingly, enjoying it. It's still better than Disney Channel. How bout yourselves?

(And no bashing people who still watch Nick. I refuse to grow up, dammit!)

[mike5286]

I like most of the Teen Nick line up and not so much the cartoons. Drake and Josh is pretty much Keenan and Kel 07 and i loved Keenan and Kel. Ned's declassified is an alright enough show. And Zoey 101 is still quite good.

[Threadkiller [Classic]]

Although they need to pull the trigger on Zoey and Chase if they're gonna do it at all. There, I spent my girlish observation for the day.

And someone mentioned Hey Arnold! earlier, and I am in TOTAL agreement. That show was AWESOME and was probably the best Nicktoon representation of adolescence.

Also, does anyone else see Emma Roberts growing up to be much hotter than her Aunt Julia?

(I am the designated dirty old man in this thread - at the ripe old age of 22)

[x]

Write to me
Stick Stickly
PO Box 9 6 3
New York City
New York State
1 O 1 O 8

[Insomniac]

x said:

Write to me
Stick Stickly
PO Box 9 6 3
New York City
New York State
1 O 1 O 8

Was there anything better than coming home from school as a kid and watching "Nick in the Afternoon"?