Even as college students, in the back of our minds (especially mine, due to my younger siblings) are the shows we used to watch compared to the ones that they have today. The days of "Hey Arnold", "Hanna Montana", "That's So Raven" and so many other fan favorites have passed and the networks of our childhoods have brought us spinoffs and many painful new shows like "Girl Meets World", "Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn", and (sadly) a show called "Pig Goat Banana Cricket" (that is a title for a real show). To bring us back to some of the best days in television, here is my top 15 list of the best nostalgic shows from our childhoods.
15. "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" (2002-2006)
Jimmy Neutron is a kid who's smarter than I will ever be in my life, and for some reason I loved that. I can't even imagine how he does anything that he does because he's such a rock star. Also, Sheen's stupidity gave me life.
14. "Boy Meets World" (1993-2000)
"Boy Meets World" is about two best friends, Cory and Shawn, and their journey through school. This show taught me some valuable lessons as well as gave me some laughs; and don't even get me started on how cute Cory and Topanga are! The sequel to this, "Girl Meets World", aired years later and follows Cory and Topanga's daughter.
13. "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" (1996-2003)
Sabrina is your average girl in high school-- except she has magical powers. She struggles with keeping them a secret from her boyfriend and her friends as she develops them further. This humorous show also teaches its viewers many life lessons. I loved how sassy Salem (the cat) is throughout the series.
12. "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (2005-2008)
In "Avatar: The Last Airbender", Aang is awoken from a century-long hibernation to find out that the world is a much more dangerous place than when he had left it. His mission as the Avatar is to restore peace and balance to the world with the help of his friends. I re-watched this show several times because of how interesting I found the concept of controlling the elements to be. The show is filled with comedic relief and jam-packed with action. It was later succeeded by "The Legend of Korra".
11. "Spongebob Squarepants" (1999--)
No matter how old you are, "Spongebob Squarepants" is a show for all ages. Spongebob aired on Nickelodeon and got its start in 1999; it has been going strong ever since. Some of my favorite episodes include: "Frankendoodle" (where a drawing of Spongebob wreaks havoc in Bikini Bottom), "Pizza Delivery" (where Spongebob and Squidward take a journey to deliver Krusty Krab's new pizza, as the title may suggest), and, of course, "Band Geeks" (where Squidward tries to create his own band to play at the Bubble Bowl).
10. "Fairly Odd Parents" (2007-)
This show is completely unrealistic... which is why it was so much fun to watch! Timmy Turner is your average boy who; given the awesome opportunity to have his own fairy godparents. Timmy's imagination, as well as his ability to do whatever he wants, makes the show so exciting. If I had magical beings doing whatever I wanted I would have definitely taken over the world. The show is still producing new episodes on Nickelodeon.
9. "iCarly" (2007-2012)
"iCarly" is a sitcom that focuses on Carly, Sam and Freddy, a group of teens who make it big when they decide to produce their own web series. This ridiculous show documents their comedic lives that follow because of their new fame. I loved this show for the pure reason that I had always wanted to be famous.
8. "Unfabulous" (2004-2007)
Another show about surviving school! This show follows the universal experience of an unpopular girl who's just trying to make it through the day unscathed. I loved the comedy in the show, as well as how relatable I thought Addie was. Her experience working through crushing on Jake as well as trying to be a performer helped me out a lot when I saw the show.
7. "Wizards of Waverly Place" (2007-2012)
Magic and comedy are one in this show that follows three siblings, Alex, Max, and Justin, learning how to use their powers. The stakes? They will ultimately compete to see who gets to keep them. Mythical creatures like werewolves and vampires also make appearances to keep the show interesting. This is another show that kept me coming back due to my fascination of magic and the extraordinary. Like "Fairly Odd Parents", I liked to visualize myself in the role of Alex and pretend I had magic powers.
6. "Drake & Josh" (2004-2007)
"Drake & Josh" was one of my personal favorites, because it tells the story of two boys from two different households eventually learning to become part of a united family. They fight and scheme incessantly, but they always make up in the end. This characters felt very relatable to my family in some cases and I loved that the show focuses on chaotic sibling love.
5. "Zoey 101" (2005-2008)
I'm jealous I never actually went to Pacific Coast Academy and had Zoey, Chase, and Logan as my friends. To me, this show is about friends and their presence in your life. The romantic plots in this series were always interesting, especially when Logan and Quinn get together. Overall, the comedy in this show kept my attention.
4. "The Amanda Show" (1999-2002)
As a kid, I loved the idea of a show with the sole purpose to make me laugh. Amanda Bynes and her cast did excellent in an SNL-like spinoff. No matter how ridiculous the fake TV ads, or how unbelievable the cases that Judge Trudy took on, or how crazy the schemes of Penelope Taynt were, the show kept me laughing all episode long.
3. "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" (2005-2008)
The hijinks in the Hotel Tipton that the boys pull off were crazy. Zack and Cody can not stop getting into trouble in one way or another! The teenage employee, Maddie, and the Tipton heiress, London, are also always at the center of the craziness. This show was one of my favorites because, as a kid, I loved chaos and these boys are the epitome of it.
.2. "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" (2004-2007)
Ned, Moze, and Cookie showed us all how to survive middle school-- and the ridiculous plans that they came up with! To me, this show is still one the funniest things I have ever seen. Ned tells us how to not sweat in gym class, what to wear on the first day of school, how not to be late to school, and how to deal with crushes. I have to say, Ned is way too enlightened for middle school.
1. "Hannah Montana" (2006-2011)
This was undoubtedly my favorite show as a kid. It starred one of my favorite singers at the time, Miley Cyrus, in a role where she had two vastly different roles to play. The concept of having to keep this massive secret hidden from everyone and the process she takes whilst telling people is something I can relate to even now. Miley's friends, Lily and Oliver, along with her brother, Jackson, made me laugh and Miley's talent as a singer and actor kept my attention. Years later, I still love Miley just as much-- if not more than-- I did in her Hannah days. It still pulls at my heartstrings to hear the music she performed during the show's awesome run.
Did all of your favorites make my list? Which show was your favorite to watch when you were growing up?