There was a time when Tv shows created for kids and teenagers had substance, spoke about morals and values very inclusive and funny! Yes, my friends, I’m talking about the 90’s and 2000’s when Nickelodeon and Disney were the ish — you were either a Disney or Nickelodeon kid. While I straddled both networks, “Nick” was the one I favored as they had better shows. If you grew up in the 90s -2000’s, these were the shows that defined your childhood + teenage years.
All That | 1994
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| Image Source | This is all that wiki |
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All that was a sketch comedy variety show that had the same feel as Saturday Night Live, but for kids. After “You Can’t Do that on TV” and “Roundhouse” ended, the network wanted a similar show and All That was borne. The original cast included: Josh Server, Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Lori Beth Denberg, Katrina Johnson, Alisa Reyes and Angelique Bates — then later Amanda Bynes. The kids were extremely talented and funny and really brought each of their characters to life. My favorites were “The LOUD Librarian”, “Detective Dan” and of course “The Good Burger” sketches.
Kenan and Kel | 1996
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| Image Source | Just Watch |
Everybody out there go run and tell your homeboys and homegirls it’s time for Kenan and Kel!
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Kenan and Kel became so popular since their success on All That, that Nick producers thought it made sense to give them their own show! This was definitely one of my favorites that I still watch today as an adult as you are guaranteed a belly full of laughter. The show was set in Chicago and centered around the lives of teenage boys Kenan Rockmore (Kenan Thompson) and Kel Kimble (Kel Mitchell) who always gets in crazy shenanigans. Kenan works at a grocery store after school, while Kel does nothing other than being the annoying, clumsy, silly best friend who has a weird obsession with orange soda.
A frequent running gag of the openings is Kel never knowing what the night’s episode would be about and Kenan refusing to tell him. The closings would frequently feature Kenan coming up with a new scheme, often asking Kel to get various assorted items and meet him somewhere. Frazzled, Kel would exclaim his catchphrase, “Aww, here it goes!”
Taina | 2001
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| Image Source | Remezcia |
Taina is a live-action comedy that followed the life of a teenager named “Taina Morales” (Christina Vidal) who had big dreams of becoming a famous singer and actress. This show was especially important for the network as it showed diversity in the show offerings and appealed to the Hispanic community.
Taina attends the Manhattan High School of Performing Arts and has to compete with men girls, boy crushes, and weird teachers. Taina highlighted issues we all faced in High School and home life from lying to fit in or trying to hold on to our heritage as we spread our wings. It was a really cool show and definitely a breath of fresh air.
The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo | 1996
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| Image Source | YouTube |
The show starred Irene Ng as the main character known as Shelby Woo that revolved around the Chinese Teenager who lives with her Grandfather who is an Innkeeper. She works with the local police department as an intern to help with office tasks and always gets involved with cases (even though she is asked not to) and trying to solve crimes with the help of her friends.
Her grandfather also does not want her getting involved in cases, often reminding her, “We are not detectives with warrant badges, we are innkeepers with brooms.” Many of the stories, with three clear suspects, keep the audience guessing until the truth is ultimately explained. Oh! and her grandfather is Mr. Miyaghi from the Karate Kid.
Are You Afraid of the Dark | 1990
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| Image Source | YouTube |
Horror on a children’s network? Yes! and it was good and super scary yet so addictive to watch. It was a fantasy-themed anthology series that featured monsters under the bed and all the things kids are scared of.
The series featured kids who are a part of a weird secret club called “The midnight society” where they would meet at midnight (where were their parents) to tell scary stories. The midnight society would meet at a secret location in the woods ( again where are their parents ) around a campfire and would begin each story by throwing sand in the flame from which the title would appear. The camera would then leave the storyteller and would pan to the actual story where they would now serve as the narrator. Each episode featured popular child actors that were always placed in scary situations because they were just too curious but always got the bad guy or monster in the end. I remember this being on in the evenings around 3 or 4 after school and I would run home, grab my golden grams treats and a blanket, then the remote and turning it to Nick to be scared.
Clarissa Explains it All | 1991
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| Image Source | Photofest |
Clarissa Darling was probably the most depressed teen I saw on Tv– sis always had issues and could easily be described as melodramatic. Before she was “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, Melissa Joan Hart played Clarissa Darling who was a straight-talking teenager who somehow figured out life at only 17 and would speak directly to the audience while sitting on her bed and shutting her brother out her room. I actually watched this show because Clarissa had really interesting outfit choices and I wanted to replicate them as I found her to be quite annoying.
The theme song was also really catchy which was an added bonus and made the show more bearable to watch. Clarissa Explains is in early talks for a Reboot and will star Melissa Joan Hart as Clarissa, but this time as a Mom of 2 kids.
There is no doubt the 90s and 2000s was the best era for Tv and everything else in between. There are so many other shows that I watched on Nick and I watched everything! But these are the ones that stood out the most.
Tell us below –what you were favorite shows on Nick? (Including the “N”, SNICK, Splat, Teen Nick and Nick at Nite)
