Summary
Nickelodeon’s sitcoms were notorious across the decades, but only a few hold the title of being among the greatest. Over the years,Nickelodeon became known for its top-quality children’s programming, and it quickly produced some ofthe best kid’s cartoons of the 2000sand beyond. Since Nickelodeon’s beginnings in the late 1970s, the network broadcasted stories that its audiences could easily engage in and laugh along to.
While controversies surrounding Nickelodeon’s production standards in the past were later revealed, these sitcoms were still appreciated.Each of these titles contained spectacular talent from both their respective cast and crew, who have been celebrated for their hard work. Sitcoms have always been prominent inthe best TV shows of all time, and those that were made for kids encouraged a new generation to find humor in the everyday.
What Does Nickelodeon Mean? The Name’s Origin Explained
Nickelodeon is best known for its animated shows and other original series, but what is the origin of the network’s name? Let’s take a look.
Kenan & Kel (1996)
Kenan & Kelwasa hugely popular Nickelodeon show from 1996 to 2000.The show was led by Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, who established their hilarious and natural back-and-forth in another Nickelodeon show,All That.The exaggerated and comedic versions of themselves were full of clever dialogue and brilliant physical humor,which madeKenan & Keleasy to enjoy, no matter where in the episode audiences began watching.
The two boys’ ridiculous schemes and distinctive catchphrases made them endearing and relatable characters, especially for young people.Kenan & Kelalso used a unique format for its time. While many ofthe most meta TV shows of all timewere known for breaking the fourth wall,Kenan & Kel’s use of the trope was relatively new.
The show’s best quality, however, was how ‘90s it was. For example,Coolio’sKenan & Keltheme songwas very reflective of the era’s music scene, and it was brilliantly catchy. WhileKenan Thompson became a big success onSaturday Night Live, many ‘90s kids remembered him fromKenan & Kel.
iCarly
Cast
The Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly follows teenage internet streamer, Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove), her older brother Spencer Shay (Jerry Trainor), and her two best friends Sam Puckett (Jennette McCurdy) and Freddie Benson (Nathan Kress), who help her host her successful web show. After its 2007-2012 run, Paramount+ revived the series with most of its original cast all grown up and dealing with the challenges of adulthood.
iCarlycontributed to the success of the careers of several of Hollywood’s best actors, including Jennette McCurdy as Sam, the titular character’s best friend.A significant factor iniCarly’s popularity, however, was also the return of some of Nickelodeon’s famous faces.For example, Miranda Cosgrove famously played Megan inDrake & Josh, and Jerry Trainor starred in several of the kids network’s past shows.
iCarlywas groundbreaking when it initially aired, especially as the power of the internet, podcasts, and web shows weren’t as commonin 2007 compared to recent years. Ultimately,iCarly’s humor and comic timing were why it was so great. While some episodes tackled more difficult themes, like problems within familial relationships, the show knew when to be lighthearted and when to take things seriously.
Carly, Sam, and Freddie’s wacky adventures and wild activities they participated in on their show relied heavily on slapstick comedy and the quirky personalities of the show’s supporting characters, like Spencer and Gibby. While not every element of the show has held up, such as theiCarlyNora Dershlit episodes, it was still generally relatable to audiences years after it finished.
Drake & Josh
Drake & Josh is a television sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon, featuring Drake Bell and Josh Peck as two stepbrothers navigating high school life and their blended family dynamics. The show blends elements of comedy and family themes, creating engaging scenarios where the characters' contrasting personalities often lead to humorous situations and valuable life lessons.
Drake & Joshwas a staple title in Nickelodeon’s shows. The titular characters, portrayed by Drake Bell and Josh Peck, followed thetwo teenage step-brothers in all manner of tumultuous and funny situations.Their drastically different personalities created plenty of conflict, but this was also what made the show so hilarious.
Drake’s laid-back attitude compared to Josh’s uptightness resulted in some ridiculous moments,but it also helped the other learn how to be a better person. Naturally, like other Nickelodeon shows,Drake & Josh’s supporting characters were just as strong as the main cast. Miranda Cosgrove’s Megan, Jerry Trainor’s Crazy Steve, and Yvette Nicole Brown’s Helen Dubois were all brilliant additions to the show, which made every single moment ofthe best episodes ofDrake & Joshworth watching.
Drake & Joshwas aTV show that was essential to understanding the 2000s, and it continued to be relevant long after its release.
Drake & Joshwas aTV show that was essential to understanding the 2000s, and itcontinued to be relevant long after its release.For example, Josh famously hitting Oprah Winfrey with his car was one key storyline that was not only a legendary piece of comedy, but also a fantastic celebrity cameo that wasn’t forgotten about quickly.
20 Best Episodes of Drake & Josh Ranked
Drake & Josh ranks among Nickelodeon’s best sitcoms, and the highest-rated episodes on IMDb illustrate why.
The Amanda Show
The Amanda Show is a sketch comedy and variety show starring Amanda Bynes. Originally airing on Nickelodeon, the series features an array of comedic sketches, parodies, and recurring characters, including Judge Trudy and the Girls' Room. Marking a significant part of early 2000s children’s television, it also helped launch the careers of several young actors who appeared alongside Bynes.
The Amanda Showkicked off the careers of many of Nickelodeon’s biggest names and launched several other shows.In addition to Amanda Bynes,The Amanda Showintroduced audiences to Drake Bell, Josh Peck, and multiple other starswho later became huge successes. WhileThe Amanda Showwas a sketch show instead, it was still considered a sitcom to a degree.
This was primarily because many of the skits were situations its target audience related to. For example, the Moody’s Point sketches were satirical of otherteen drama TV showsat that time. While someparts ofThe Amanda Showdidn’t age well, others did.Some segments weren’t relatable whatsoever, but they were still massively popular.
Absurd but hysterical elements, such as the dancing lobsters or Amanda superfan Penelope, quickly became memorable. Information about events behind the scenes ofThe Amanda Showwas later revealed in a 2024 documentary, and while audiences were shocked at the revelations,Amanda Bynes was still celebrated for her incredible talents, and they considered her a brilliant comedian in their formative years.
What Happened To Amanda Bynes?
Amanda Bynes was in several big teen comedies in the 2000s, but since Easy A in 2010, she has disappeared from Hollywood. What is she doing now?
Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide
Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide is a 2004 comedy series that centers on Ned Bigby and his friends as they create a survival guide to deal with the everyday challenges of life in middle school. From tackling bullies to handling crushes and acing tests, each episode offers humorous, practical tips and tricks for “helping” viewers survive their own middle school experiences.
Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guidewasone of Nickelodeon’s most relevant shows upon its release in 2004, with many of its audience members being the same age as its main cast. The show followed the titular character, Ned, and his two best friends, Cookie and Moze, during their middle school years.
Alongside them were some amazingly funny supporting characters, such asRob Pinkston as Coconut Head, whose facial expressions were nothing short of perfection.Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guidetaught essential life lessons in several areasand not only was the survival of middle school prominent, but it also focused on first loves, popularity, and bullying, to name a few.
Sadly,Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guidefinished with season 3, although it was aTV show that was predicted to be rebootedat some point in the future. From the show’sover-the-top scenarios, clever script, and Ned’s breaking of the fourth wall,Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guidewas a favorite in Nickelodeon’s list of hugely popular titles.
Zoey 101
Zoey 101 is a television series that follows Zoey Brooks, played by Jamie Lynn Spears, and her friends at the fictional Pacific Coast Academy. Set in a boarding school in Southern California, the series explores their academic and social experiences. Created by Dan Schneider, the show ran from 2005 to 2008 and features elements of comedy and drama, appealing to a younger audience with its relatable storylines and character dynamics.
Zoey 101was one of Nickelodeon’s earliest attempts, and its most successful, at a teenage drama. While a lot of the storylines were designed with theatrics in mind, it was still heavily layered with comedy throughout. WithJamie Lynn Spears as the titular character,Zoey 101was unique compared to other Nickelodeon shows at the time.
Unlike previous projects,Zoey 101left behind the laugh tracks and sound stage to be shot on location in Malibu.Zoey’s glorious life as a Californian high schooler madeZoey 101a TV show that many wanted as a reality for themselves. However, the show was more than Zoey living in the sun and having fun with her friends. There were lots of hilarious moments throughout the show, as well as some more somber occasions.
The show highlighted the realities and problems in teenage relationships, but often jumped from these plot beats to over-the-top and whimsical situations to keep things more relaxed.Zoey 101ended in 2008andwas a big part of the Nickelodeon network, but it earned several accolade nominations during its run, including a Teen Choice Award and Primetime Emmy.
Victorious
Victorious is a teen sitcom created by Dan Schneider, centering on aspiring singer Tori Vega, portrayed by Victoria Justice. Set in the performing arts high school Hollywood Arts, the series follows Tori as she navigates the challenges of adolescence alongside a diverse group of talented classmates. With its combination of musical performances and comedic elements, the show explores themes of friendship, ambition, and self-discovery.
Victoriouscombined musical performances and laughter wonderfully.Victorious’ talented ensemble cast included several massive future stars, including Victoria Justice as the main character, Tori Vega, and Ariana Grande as Cat Valentine.The use of creative storylines and theatrical arrangements madeVictoriousstand out compared to other typical high school sitcoms,and it was frequently compared to a TV show interpretation of thehit teen musical movieCamp Rock.
While some characters were funnier than others,Victorious’ Matt Bennett as Robbie Shapirowas one of the best. Robbie’s dorky persona and ventriloquist act created multiple hysterical moments throughout the show, but his character’s contrast to his more artistic peers made him relatable.
Victorious’ influence was very apparent during its original run and long after, too. The show’scatchy songs, memorable characters, and teen-focused storylineswere evident within sitcoms marketed toward younger viewers, and it helped inspire several other TV shows in the same area.
10 Best Nickelodeon Series Pilots, Ranked
Nickelodeon has put out some of the greatest kid’s shows of all time. Some of these shows were outstanding even from their pilot episodes.
Unfabulous
Unfabulous is a teen sitcom centered on middle schooler Addie Singer, played by Emma Roberts, as she navigates the trials and tribulations of adolescence. The show explores her friendships, family, and her love for music, often highlighted through her songwriting.
Unfabuloushelped the incredibly popular actress Emma Roberts gain recognition in the early 2000s.Roberts played middle schooler Addie Singer, an aspirational songwriter, and the show focused on her friends. While there were many shows likeUnfabulous,which followed typical teenage drama storylines, it was a notable title because of its characterization.
Addie used her songwriting to express her feelings, and while she was an awkward kid, she didn’t fall into the stereotype of an odd nerd or an overly popular girl. Addie was flawed, but the show’s comedy didn’t rely on abusing her to be funny, either.Unfabuloushad a very diverse cast for its time, too. Addie’s closest companions included her best friends, Geena and Zack, but the two were very different.
Unfabulouswas one ofEmma Roberts’ best TV shows, and even though Addie was her breakthrough role, it put her on the map.
Geena was obsessed with fashion, and Zack loved basketball, but these archetypes didn’t impact their friendship.Unfabulouswas one ofEmma Roberts’ best TV shows,and even though Addie was her breakthrough role, it put her on the map. During its 3-season run,Unfabulousled to several award nominations for Roberts, including three Teen Choice Awards.
Big Time Rush
Big Time Rush is a TV show about four hockey players from Minnesota who are selected to form a boy band. The series follows Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan as they navigate the music industry while balancing their friendships, personal lives, and the various challenges that come with newfound fame. Produced by Nickelodeon, the show blends comedy, drama, and musical performances, appealing primarily to a younger audience.
Big Time Rushwas anotherpopular musical TV showfrom Nickelodeon.The show was based on the fictional boyband of the same name, which was made up of four teenage hockey players.Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan were significant factors inBig Time Rush’s success, and their differences were not just funny but also the driving force of the show.
However, the show never took itself too seriously. Some ofBig Time Rush’s most ridiculous storylines were absolutely hilarious, such as the boys’ being robbed by a “superhero” or the episode “Big Time Pranks,” for example. Like some of Nickelodeon’s other shows that aired in the late 2000s and early 2010s,Big Time Rushwas notable because it gave audiences an element of escapism.
The boyband members were all normal teenagers, but hilarity ensued once they were thrown into the world of stardom.Big Time Rushwas so popular thatit earned a TV movie,Big Time Movie, which was released in 2012, before ending for good in 2013.
The Adventures of Pete & Pete
The Adventures of Pete & Pete is a 1993 television series that explores the whimsical and surreal experiences of two brothers, both named Pete, living in the fictional town of Wellsville. It features humorous and offbeat storylines that highlight their adventures, friendships, and family life, capturing a unique slice of suburban childhood.
The Adventures of Pete & Petewasone of Nickelodeon’s earliest sitcoms, but it remained a beloved title for years later.The Adventures of Pete & Pete’s castincluded Michael Maronna as Big Pete and Danny Tamberelli as Little Pete, two brothers who constantly found themselves wrapped up in surreal adventures in the suburban backdrop of the fictional town of Wellsville.
The Adventures of Pete & Petemerged the absurd and mundane together very well,and their wacky and exaggerated adventures were memorable. The Petes’ eccentric parents and quirky friends made the show even funnier and were welcome additions to any episode.The Adventures of Pete & Petealsomagnificently layered ’90s nostalgia into every installment.
From the show’s pilot to its ending and a series of specials,The Adventures of Pete & Petehad many celebrity, present and future, cameos. Over the years, the likes ofThe Sopranos’Vincent Pastore, J. K. Simmons, and Alicia Keys appeared in one ofNickelodeon’s best sitcoms of all time.
Every Former Nickelodeon Child Star In The Quiet On Set Documentary
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV focuses on Nickelodeon behind the scenes in the 1990s and 2000s and features various former child actors.
