An In-Depth Review of the New iCarly
In 5, 4, 3, 2…
by JENNY DESTEFANO ★ JULY 7, 2021
It’s the reboot we’ve all been waiting for...only without like, ALL of the iconic side characters. Miranda Cosgrove is back as Carly Shay in Paramount Plus’s iCarly--a definitively edgier and slightly more diverse rendition of everybody’s fave childhood show. Five episodes are currently available to binge now, with new ones streaming every Thursday. But so far, it’s giving...meh.
Credit: Pinterest
Here’s some background to kick things off: the new rendition focuses on Carly’s life back in Seattle as she restarts her web show without Sam, who they subtly mention is now in a biker gang? (In all fairness, guess it makes sense with her character). She still lives in Bushwell Plaza in an apartment across the hall from her older brother Spencer, whose insane inventions have garnered him millions (finally getting the recognition he DESERVES). Freddie is also just kind of there...and also now he has a stepdaughter and they still live with Mrs. Benson? Not the character development I wish we could’ve seen for our tech king, but I digress. The reboot also features two new characters--Freddie’s step-daughter, Millicent, and Carly’s roommate, Harper, who both are understandably in need of some deeper development.
Credit: Newsweek
In hindsight, many of the most iconic Nickelodeon shows of my childhood are SERIOUSLY lacking in diversity, with the majority featuring a disappointing count of maybe two POC and no LGBTQ+ representation. We def have to give props to the show for introducing two new POC characters (Millicent and Harper) and a queer character (Harper), but tbh, it still feels like it’s not enough. Using Harper as a vessel to diversify the cast in terms of race and sexuality is awesome, but it also makes me wonder if this was just a lazy way to get around having more LGBTQ+ characters. Still, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt and hope that the coming episodes continue to feature characters of increasingly diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations, and races.
Credit: E! Online
As we’ve seen with Fuller House (Netflix’s Full House reboot), many childhood shows try to acknowledge that the characters are actually adults now and therefore reflect that in their dialogue and actions--and iCarly sure doesn’t disappoint. They curse, they drink, they date and openly discuss sex, and honestly, I’m here for it. While at times hearing Carly Shay say “switch it up on a bitch” can come off as a liiiittle bit jarring, it’s actually important to her depth as a character. It’s all a part of the audience's acceptance that the cast are grown. Ass. ADULTS. This isn’t Nickelodeon anymore.
Credit: Comicbook.com
Finally, I HAVE to acknowledge the unfortunate lack of like, ALL my fave characters. It’s long been known that Sam Puckett (played by Jeanette McCurdy) would not be returning due to personal trauma faced at the hands of Nickelodeon producer and iCarly creator Dan Schneider (which is genuinely really effed up). Still, a trigger warning would’ve been nice so I could have a heads-up that there’s straight up just NO Gibby, Lewbert or T-Bo. (Let's have a moment of silence for the Groovy Smoothie). Don’t fret just yet though--both of the iCarly gang’s nemeses, Nevel Papperman and Nora Dershlit, are confirmed to make appearances in season one.
Credit: Knowyourmeme
Overall, as someone who’s sense of humor literally came from the OG iCarly, it may be missing some vital characters and sometimes seem cheesy, but the basics I loved as a kid are still there. It’s got the sets, the repartee, and the zaniness--just with more awareness, representation, and edge. True chiz.