There are some days I wish I could go back to being a kid again. I miss the days when I didn't have to stress over any serious responsibilities, or had really anything to worry about. Growing up, one of the most difficult decisions I was forced to make all day was deciding on what Lunchable I wanted to take to school and what TV show I wanted to watch when I got home. Some of the shows that aired on Nickelodeon in the early 2000's will always stick with me, because they were my source of entertainment each day. Now that the majority of them don't appear on TV anymore, I felt that it would be a great idea to look back at a few of my favorite shows, and reflect on what made them so enjoyable.
1. Drake & Josh
Drake Parker and Josh Nichols. The story of two unlikely stepbrothers was brilliantly created by Dan Schneider, and formed into one of the hits on the Nickelodeon network. It was pretty much impossible for me to get through an episode without laughing multiple times hysterically. One thing that made "Drake & Josh" my favorite TV show growing up was that you were able to see the characters progress. Everyone remembers the point in the series when Josh was fat. Towards the later seasons, it was a shock to see Josh had lost weight, and basically transformed into a completely new person. That is just one of the aspects of the show that made it so special.
Another reason why this show was so great is because of the characters. Megan consistently torturing Drake and Josh will always be remembered. Crazy Steve's random outbursts at Josh, and Helen's favoritism for Drake made the show even better. I remember how sad I was when I found out that the show was not going to be continued. It was almost as if a piece of my childhood had been taken from me.
2. Zoey 101
Zoey Brooks and Chase Matthews. They are the first two people that come to mind when thinking of this show. Created by Dan Schneider, "Zoey 101" is definitely up there on my list of favorite TV shows because of how relatable it was. Anyone that watched this show had the dream of attending Pacific Coast Academy. It came across as the best school and campus in the world. It's what every kid in the world dreamed their experience at school would be like.
What I'll remember most about this show is Zoey and Chase's relationship. After years of waiting, everyone was able to find out what Zoey said about Chase in the time capsule! Michael's funniness and Quinn's weirdness were two highlights of the show. Of course, no one could forget Coco's mental breakdowns, either. The plot was always interesting, and I remember always wanting to watch episode after episode because of how addicting the show was. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to attend PCA, even if it's only in my dreams.
3. Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Ned Bigby and Jennifer Mosley. "Ned's Declassified," created by Scott Fellows, was another one of my favorite shows as I was growing up. I thought that the show was created in such a clever way. All middle school students need tips and suggestions on how to make their school experience better. While the tips weren't perhaps the most helpful, they created a funny concept regarding ways that students should act to survive school.
This show also had some great characters and storylines. Ned's crush on Suzie Crabgrass, Cookie's desire to be self-inventive, Billy the bully, Gordy the janitor, Seth's constant stupidity, and Coconut Head's sensitivity and innocence all contributed into making the show great.
These shows all defined my childhood and will never be forgotten.
