The Amanda Show

The Amanda Show
Genre	Sketch comedy Variety show
Created by	Dan Schneider
Starring	Amanda Bynes Drake Bell Nancy Sullivan Johnny Kassir Raquel Lee Josh Peck
Theme music composer	Stewart Copeland
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	46 (including the best of episodes) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Dan Schneider Brian Robbins Mike Tollin Joe Davola
Location(s)	Nickelodeon on Sunset Hollywood, California Sunset Gower Studios Hollywood, California (alternate taping location)
Camera setup	Videotape; Multi-camera
Running time	23 minutes
Production company(s)	Tollin/Robbins/Marquee Studios
Release
Original network	Nickelodeon
Picture format	SD: 480i/576i
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	October 16, 1999 (1999-10-16) – September 21, 2002 (2002-09-21)
Chronology
Related shows	All That

The Amanda Show is an American live action sketch comedy and variety show created by Dan Schneider that aired on Nickelodeon in April 4, 1999 as a pilot, then as a regular series from October 16, 1999 to September 21, 2002. It starred Amanda Bynes, Drake Bell and Nancy Sullivan, and featured John Kassir, Raquel Lee, and Josh Peck. The show was a spin-off from All That, in which Bynes had co-starred for several years. The show was cancelled at the end of 2002. Writers for the show included Schneider, John Hoberg, Steven Molaro, and Andrew Hill Newman.

Two years after the end of The Amanda Show, Dan Schneider created a new series, called Drake & Josh, featuring Drake Bell, Josh Peck and Nancy Sullivan.^[1]

Format

In spite of being designed as a sketch comedy television program, the series is set in a fictional universe in which it is broadcast as a popular television comedy, as evidenced through staged mishaps involving members of the studio audience, as well as comedic sub-plots involving Amanda's unhealthily obsessed, nerdy, self-proclaimed "Number One Fan" Penelope Taynt, who constantly devises schemes to achieve her lifelong goal of meeting Amanda (as a gag, Bynes herself portrays Penelope and the pair therefore could never be shown onscreen together). These failed schemes include Penelope's attempts at outsmarting the fictional security guard of the studio where The Amanda Show is filmed and at manipulating Amanda's castmates into helping her carry out her plans.

Aside from this, the series is formatted as a typical sketch comedy, with recurring sketches as well as a few sketches only seen in one episode. The actors also play themselves in subplots during each episode. The sketches are often pop culture parodies (such as "Judge Trudy", a spoof of Judge Judy; "So You Want to Win Five Dollars?", a spoof of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?; and "Blockblister", a spoof of the video rental shop Blockbuster) or shorts featuring humorously odd or dim-witted characters.

Recurring sketches

• Commercials – Episodes generally began with a parody advertisement for an absurd product. Examples include Lunchbay.com, an eBay.com-type website where people sold their lunches, Meatloaf Crunch, a meatloaf-themed cereal, and Sick Popples, ice pops that caused sickness when eaten.
• Judge Trudy – A parody of the courtroom show Judge Judy, the sketch stars Judge Trudy (played by Amanda Bynes), a thirteen-year-old judge, and the Bailiff (played by Gary Anthony Williams), and features a child plaintiff "suing" an adult defendant for petty grievances, such as receiving detention, being told to "please stop" or other wrongdoings. Regardless of the merit of the defendant's case, Trudy always finds in favor of the child, if necessary inventing reasons to do so, and sentences the adult to an absurd punishment. Each Judge Trudy sketch typically involved two cases, and would end with Trudy saying, "Bring in the dancing lobsters!", after which a group of human-sized lobsters, known as the Dancing Lobsters, would enter the courtroom and dance with the spectators.
• Blockblister – A parody of video rental store chain Blockbuster. The sketch involved customers trying to rent popular movies and instead ending up with ridiculous knock-off versions which were poorly acted out by the vaguely Eastern European family that owned the store.
• The Girls' Room - A TV show that takes place in the girls' bathroom of a high school, but for one episode, took place in the boys' bathroom of the same school while a flood was being remedied in the girls' bathroom. The hosts are Amber, an egotistical girl who always makes sure to remind the audience that she is popular (although this just may be in her own mind, as in one skit, a girl was asked what made Amber so popular, the girl responded that she did not know who Amber was; in another skit, Amber was not invited to the prom nor voted prom queen), Sheila, (Lee, Reagan Gomez-Preston) an aggressive girl who disposes of unwelcome guests by giving them swirlies (usually executing them in the middle stall), Tammy, an "exchange student" from Tennessee with an extremely thick Southern accent, and Debbie, an unintelligent girl who constantly states that she likes eggs in a dopey voice (played by Jenna Morrison), and constantly annoys the others, especially Sheila. Amber has a rivalry with another, much more popular girl, Danielle Spencer, who always seems to one up Amber, but usually ends up getting a swirly from Sheila.
• Totally Kyle – A short sketch starring a stereotypical, laid-back hippie surfer named Kyle Rostensan (played by Drake Bell) who tells vapid, nonsensical stories, usually beginning with the line "One time…" and uses the words "like" and "all" a lot. This was the only recurring sketch lacking an appearance by Bynes (though she introduces Kyle in a voiceover) and the only character from any Amanda Show skit to also appear on All That.
• Moody's Point – An over-the-top parody of teen dramas and soap operas from the late 90s to early 2000s like Dawson's Creek and Caitlin's Way. The segment is presented as a show-within-a-show, and focuses on Moody Fallon (played by Bynes), an emotionally exaggerated teen whose mother (played by Maureen McCormick) was lost in a "tragic hot air balloon accident" and whose odd father (played by Carey Eidel) struggles with losing a toe near the end of the series. At the end of the last episode, the screen shows the words "To Be Continued", but The Amanda Show was cancelled shortly thereafter, ending Moody's Point with a cliffhanger. Schneider had pitched an actual spin-off series called "Moody's Point" to Nickelodeon, but the show was never green-lit.
• Hillbilly Moment – Two hillbillies named Lula Mae who wears blue shorts and a red flowery cowgirl shirt that's tied (Bynes) and Eenis who wears blue overalls and a straw hat. (Drake Bell) tell a knock-knock joke which always ends with Lula Mae hitting Eenis over the head with the subject of the knock-knock joke.
• Penelope Taynt – Penelope Taynt (played by Bynes) is Amanda's self-proclaimed number one fan. Between segments of an episode, Penelope is shown implementing a harebrained scheme to meet Amanda, often with the help of Drake Bell, Josh Peck (here playing themselves) or her brother Preston (played by Taylor Emerson) who always wants a sandwich.
• Mr. Oldman – An elderly widower (played by Dan Schneider) who hates children is a victim of constant crank calls from a curly-haired character named Amanda (played by Bynes).
• Crazy Courtney – Courtney (played by Bynes) is a strange girl with large teeth, glasses, and a hat who speaks in incomplete sentences, who puts on ridiculous schemes in order to get the person to leave. Her catchphrase is a loud "Meh-heh!"
• The Dare Show – A show hosted by a girl named Sharon (played by Bynes) and her younger brother, Toby (played by Drake Bell), who claim they will accept and perform any dare, but always renege on their promise when the disgusting and/or humiliating nature of the caller's dare becomes known. The caller then taunts them for this, after which Sharon or Toby cave, perform the dare, and say "I can't believe I just did that!" Their mother (Nancy Sullivan) would then come in to stop the show, only to go through what they just did. The callers are said to come from a city in the wrong place (such as New York, North Dakota and Barcelona, Alabama).
• Cynthia Worthington – Cynthia Worthington (played by Bynes) is an aristocrat who was brought up by a very wealthy and civilized family, who appears nice, but engages in increasingly revolting behavior.
• When... Attack – A parody of dramatic crime documentaries, such as When Animals Attack!. Bynes introduces herself as a ridiculous but apparently famous character, then explains how a certain inoffensive group have been attacking people. Sketches ended with the attackers showing up in the studio. Amanda also shows no sympathy for the victims of the attack.
• Amanda's Jacuzzi – A talk show in which Amanda Bynes, in a jacuzzi asks a guest two normal questions about themselves, and then a ridiculous, nonsensical one. The puzzled guest replies "no", and then Amanda asks, "How about a plate of spaghetti?"
• Mr. Gullible – A substitute teacher (played by John Kassir in Season 1 and by Andrew Hill Newman in Season 2) is tricked into increasingly absurd tasks by his students.
• So You Wanna Win Five Dollars? – A parody of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? hosted by Tina (Bynes). The contestant, usually a character from another recurring skit on the show, who isn't very bright, is asked three questions, with the final question being worth five U.S. dollars.
• Stranded – A parody of the hit reality TV series Survivor. The contestants, usually characters from other skits, are stranded in a strange location and were required to stay and deal with one other.
• The Klutzes – A family, portrayed by Amanda Bynes, Drake Bell, Nancy Sullivan, and John Kassir, who constantly trip and fall down. At the end of the sketch, the family typically does something to destroy the building or fall out of a window. Their catchphrase is "Not a problem".
• The Extremes – a family of three who always take every little thing to an extreme. Whatever they feel, they seem to always overreact to it. For example, when eating pizza, the daughter begins crying hysterically, claiming she is sad that when they finish eating it, it will be gone. This exasperates everyone around the family. Another example is when the doorbell rings, the family goes hiding in horror as if an intruder is coming in to attack them.
• Tony Pajamas – Tony Pajamas (played by Drake Bell) is an Italian mobster; sketches were parodies of the then-popular television series The Sopranos. People almost always pronounce his name wrong.
• Crime Fighting Cheeleaders – The Crime Fighting Cheerleaders were a band of three high school cheerleaders named Katie (portrayed by Bynes), Stephanie, and Megan who arrested various criminals (e.g. bullies, thugs).
• Dooper – A restaurant that serves disgusting food run by a man (played by Johnny Kassir in Season 1 and by Dan Sachoff in Seasons 2 and 3) and his daughter Doreen (played by Bynes).
• Melody & Thad – A music duo (played by Amanda Bynes and Drake Bell) parodying Chad & Jeremy and Sonny & Cher who performed songs that were offensive and inappropriate for the occasion.
• Stop Motion Amanda – A stop motion Amanda cartoon does wacky things, often with a pet dog named Scooper or Dumples. These sketches were discontinued beginning with episode 12. The animation was done by Tom Megalis.
• The Lucklesses – A family that always experiences horrible luck, including being struck by lightning or getting money stolen. Usually when something bad happens to them, someone in the family will say "What are the odds of that?".
• The Dancing Lobsters – Two overgrown lobsters occasionally appear in any setting to dance at the end of a skit. They speak an odd lobster language.
• Miss DeBoat – Janice DeBoat (played by Nancy Sullivan) is a teacher who becomes the target of other characters and has students with talents of which she does not approve.

Episodes

Cast members

• Amanda Bynes - Herself, Penelope Taynt, Judge Trudy, Blini Blokey, Amber, Doreen, Cynthia Worthington, Moody, Crazy Courtney, Candy Tulips, Katie Klutz, Lula Mae, Cindy Extreme, Sharon, Melody, Mother Caboose, Babs Wrestleberg, People Place Owner
• Drake Bell - Himself, Carter Klutz, Kyle Rostensan, Biscotti Blokey, Jeremy Pivers, Eenis, Tony Pajamas, Toby, Thad
• Nancy Sullivan - Herself, Mrs. Klutz, Marcy Stimple, Mrs. DeBoat, Mrs. Rostensan, Mrs. Extreme, Various
• Raquel Lee (1999–2000) - Herself, Sheila ("The Girl's Room" segment, Season One), Various
• Johnny Kassir (1999–2000) - Himself, Carl Klutz, Mr. Rostensan, Gnocchi Blokey, Doreen's Dad, Mr. Gullible, Various (Season One)
• Josh Peck (2000–2002) - Himself, The Dancing Lobster 2, Paulie (Seasons 2 & 3), various

Supporting cast members

• Brian Ahearn - Various
• E. E. Bell - Barney the Security Guard, Kreblock (episode 25)
• Gregg Berger - Announcer
• Danny Bonaduce - Customer ("Blockblister" segment), Mr. McOliver ("Judge Trudy" segment)
• Matthew Botuchis - Sternum ("Moody's Point" segment)
• Ashley Edner - Rebecca Fyoomay, Various
• Carey Eidel - Moody's Dad ("Moody's Point" segment)
• Taylor Emerson - Preston Taynt
• Taran Killam - Spaulding ("Moody's Point" segment)
• Maureen McCormick - Moody's Mom ("Moody's Point" segment)
• Lara Jill Miller - Kathy
• Jenna Morrison - Debbie ("The Girl's Room" segment, guest spots on "Stranded" and "So You Wanna Win 5 Dollars"), LunchBay.com spokesgirl, Julie ("Sugar Veggies" commercial)
• Andrew Hill Newman - Mr. Gullible (Season 2), Various
• Molly Orr - Misty Rains ("Moody's Point" segment)
• Lauren Petty - Brie ("Moody's Point" segment)
• Reagan Gomez-Preston - Sheila ("The Girl's Room" segment, Season Two and Three)
• Dan Sachoff - Doreen's Dad (Season 2), Mr. Extreme
• Dan Schneider - Mr. Oldman, Announcer, Various Voices ("Stop Motion Amanda" segments)
• Francesca Marie Smith - Girl ("Little Crazy Hat Man" commercial), Girl ("Grown Up Remote" commercial)
• Jamie Snow - Tammy ("The Girl's Room" segment), Customer ("Scooper Dooper" segment), Amy Drummel/Margie Finkus ("Judge Trudy" segment)
• Radley Watkins - Various
• Gary Anthony Williams - Bailiff

Syndication

Reruns of The Amanda Show originally started airing on The N (now TeenNick) on October 31, 2007 and was dropped from the channel in March 2008, but then returned on April 4, 2009. All of the show's episodes aired. The Best of The Amanda Show also didn't air. The original TV rating was TV-Y7, but now the rating is TV-G, like all of the other shows that aired on the former TEENick block on Nickelodeon. On August 3, 2009, The Amanda Show was dropped from The N once again.

Starting July 11, 2011 on Nicktoons in the UK, it shows Weekdays at 9:00pm. Some episodes, (possibly for legal reasons), have been missed from being broadcast on Nicktoons, as of the 18th of August 2011, the following episodes have been missed: Season 1, episodes 3, 8, 11 and 12, Season 2, episodes 3, 7 and 14, Season 3, episodes 1, 2, 6 and 10. Reasons for these episodes not being shown are yet to be confirmed, although, The Amanda Show is to be repeated and so possibly, the missing episodes will be shown then.

Nickelodeon Canada began airing the series on September 5, 2011 with the exception of Season 1 episodes 8 and 12 (which featured musical guests), and Season 3 episode 11. The series was removed from the schedule in 2012.

Reruns of The Amanda Show began airing on TeenNick on October 11, 2011. Although it was originally announced as part of TeenNick's 1990s block The '90s Are All That, the series instead aired as a standalone series during the daytime. The show was pulled again on April 4, 2012 due to Bynes being arrested for Driving under the Influence. The show then returned to TeenNick on September 17, 2012 and aired in 2 hour blocks, until the show was removed again on March 17, 2013. The Amanda Show Returned To TeenNick As Part Of The Splat On June 10, 2016.

Home releases

References

External links

• Official website archived from the original on June 14, 2006
• The Amanda Show at the Internet Movie Database
• The Amanda Show at TV.com