…All That. Here we are with some vital information for your everyday life. No this is not Lori Beth Denberg, it’s Dave the Dave. All December I reviewed shows that were older than most the people here; much to the delight of seemingly no one. So, I am throwing a bone to the kids my age that grew up through the years 1990-1999 and loved all the terrible shows. For those that don’t know, TeenNick has been airing old shows after midnight, as the response has been huge. You may be confused as to why I said terrible shows. I loved All That. Watching it now, I still love it. Even though I can’t get enough of watching it again, I have to admit that it’s just goofy and terrible. All the kids are terrible actors (most the time) and the sketches are just silly. In some respects, that what makes it so good though, so this is the classic “sucks so bad that it’s awesome” scenario at play.
As much as I hate to be one of those guys, I’m not going to talk much about the show after around season 4. I stopped watching then, and I really don’t recognize any of the kids in it after that year. I did notice that poor Josh Server continued on like a trooper and stuck it out through the first six seasons. I don’t how Nickelodeon picks their stars. That guy was way better than Drake Bell and if I can say this as a straight man, ended up a better looking adult. Just saying, that boat was missed.
I'm Detective Dan. Sir, you're being creepy. You need to come with me.
Okay, back on track. I only know about those first seasons, and all the people I like save Server and Danny “Little Pete” Tamberelli, were gone. Apologies if I’m wrong, but the first cast was picked because of talent, even Amanda Bynes, and later on people like Britney Spear’s little sister were added…because of just that. Then it spawned careers like Nick Cannons and Gabriel Iglesias, and I just can’t forgive that. It almost makes me feel dirty. What should I do?
Okay, I ranted long enough. Time to move on to the show I enjoy so much. Seasons one and two are really where the goodness is at. The next two seasons are good, but this is the gold. You’ve got still young Kenan and Kel, the “too old to be there but only a little annoyed by it” Lori Beth Denberg, Josh Server and Alisa Reyes overacting, Angelique Bates corpsing up a storm, and the adorable little Katrina Johnson. They clearly had a plan for this cast and put all the pieces together. Right off the bat it was clear they were pushing Kenan Thompson and LBD as the main players. They have the most characters, the most lines, and so on and so forth. The former worked out in the long run, and the latter last played a fat cheerleader in Dodgeball. No matter where their careers have gone since, they were all hilarious teenagers and it worked out well enough.
If you remember something from this show, it probably happens now. Remember Ross Perot? Not the realguy, the dwarf-like crazy one played by this girl…
Who ever thought Ross Perot would make you feel funny like that?
We can run the gamut here and I don’t have to add anything; you’ll remember and come up with your own words. Good Burger, Dullmont Jr. High ( you know, Miss Fingerly, Coach Kreeton, Miss Piddlin), Earboy, The Island Girls, Baggin’ Saggin’ Barry, SuperDude, Ishboo, Ask Ashley, Repairman…man…man, Cooking with Randy and Mandy, Loud Librarian, Everyday French with Pierre Escargot, Life with Peter and Flem, Lemonade Scammer, Fat Cop (the only thing so far from after season 3), the better Detective Dan, Okrah, Lester Oaks, Construction Worker, Mavis and Clavis, Bradley the Big Ol’ Baby.
I know that’s kind of taking the easy way out, but honestly what you remember about it will be better than anything I could say. I will add this though…
Because look at those faces. AWE! And you see that fat guy with the hair? He's responsible for every kids show you've ever seen.
The show plowed on after the first seasons. Bates left after season two, and was replaced by Bynes. With her now filling the cute little girl role, Johnson soon left as well. Reyes left to star on some teen show on NBC, leaving the boys and Denberg left as the original cast. Season 4 was the last one I remember, so that’s where I’m stopping. They added Tamberelli, who I remember liking, then Leon Frierson and Christy Knowings, who I don’t remember at all. This was the last season Denberg was in before going to the Steve Harvey Show of all things. Leaving the 3 guys as the remaining cast from the pilot and season 5 saw Nick Cannon join, so I’m done there.
He needs more chocolate!
One comment about all the cast changes: Nickelodeon is either a cold bunch or they are stupid. Every reason for people leaving after season 3 is because their contracts expired. So did they hold you up for money or did you thank them for the hit and just not sign them? Moving on is fine, but that seems harsh, especially if they didn’t want to leave. Mainly the trading Bynes for Johnson seems a little blatant, not to mention Johnson was more convincing in her roles. I keep getting off track. I’m going to be a terrible old man rambling on about the old days and complaining about children show contract disputes. Oh well, I think it’ll be fun.
It will most likely be just like this.
This has really been one big advert for the show and the lineup that is on every night now. I DVR about 3 things every night. All That is the only one I record every time though. I remember it so well; I must have had nothing else to do as a kid. I’m remembering punch lines to skits I haven’t seen or thought about in over 10 years, so it must have left a mark on my brain somewhere. I try not to gush too much about shows I like, but this one is just one of the classics from my childhood. I probably differ from all the cartoon kids of my day, but I went for the sketch comedy. Weird how now I like adult cartoons and I never watch SNL. Sorry Kenan. Oh well, I’m going to wrap up here; the show is on here in about 5 minutes.
Say what now?
Courtesy to: The90sareallthat.com and tumblr, Nick.com, Wikipedia.org, Katrina Johnson’s facebook page and Teennick.com