This is one of my favorite documentaries of all time. I was a kid from the 80's and 90's, Nickelodeon was my jam ever since the very first time I saw it at my Aunt's place in Yakima, WA and the rest as they say is history. Of course, the best decade when the Network truly reigned was in the 90's and that's when it became an absolute phenomenon and easy to see why as there never a channel like it was, which was devoted to kids programming but most importantly was a prime exampling showing how TV can still be much more.
Watching this documentary gave me a good feeling as it just reminded me of one of the high points of my youth, helped me get though and make my gloomy days brighter, and how much the Nickelodeon channel in the orange years had to offer and still do. I really liked how consistent the doc is in telling some of the origin of the Network which was a rocky road up which is understandable, sometimes it takes a while for a new network and TV program to find its footing. For example, they had this strange logo that looks like the dreaded silver sphere from the horror film "Phantasm" as it's flying around to this montage of images, multicolored letters of Nickelodeon and there is that promo song that I thought was pretty good and a nice listen. If you're curious you can watch this on "Youtube" as it really is an interesting watch just to see what came before the logos, we know Nick for.
Anyway, it was a good idea they went with the orange color logo we know nick for. It really works when you think about it as it just feels like a color that just generates positive energy. I'll admit to this day every time I see that color I keep thinking of that Network. And of course, there were all those promo and bumper Nickelodeon commercials in the past which had sort of that doowop beat to them which you'll probably have a hard time getting out of your head. From those singing brontosaurs walking with snickers, a barbershop quartet that sings a rather calming tune, and just a lot of others which again you can see on "Youtube" if curious.
Even like that we have several of the original cast members years later that were involved with the network and all the programs that helped shape it into what it became. I'll just say a little on a few of the programs as there are a lot of them, and sidenote have done some reviews on several of the programs from Nickelodeon which you can check out if you want.
Double Dare: This of course was Nick's first game show let alone one of the first game shows for kids and family. Yeah, like a lot of kids that watched that show I wanted to be a contestant on that show; and I'm sure even Keanan Thompson and Larisa Olenik also wanted to as they both had positive things to say about it. I just loved those challenges, but my favorite is the obstacle course which is like the Eliminator from "American Gladiators" or even the "Warioware" video game series but live action as each of the obstacles were all a mini game by their nature. But I think what was really appealing was that it had this sense of freedom, to be messy and to simply have fun without restrictions.
All That: This is one of my favorite skit comedy shows as this was one for kids, and like a lot of skit comedies there were a lot of memorable skits and characters from Superdude a parody obviously on "Superman" but of course the fan favorite we remember the most "Good Burger". I always remember Kel with that surfer vocal tone, his character was such a dim bulb but has a good heart as he always wants to do a good job. It would be a dream if there was a "Good Burger" skit and Keanu Reeves walked in, wouldn't that be wild. But anyway, really liked what Keanan Thomson, Kel Mitchell, Alicia Reyes (who is still hot), Josh Server, and Lori Beth Denburg all had good things to say.
The Secret World of Alex Mack: Yeah, this was a pretty good show even though I saw this at a time when I was entering adolescence and steering away from Nick a little, which in a way makes the show ironically fitting and to me this was one of the orange years last hurrahs. It was like the sci-fi show "My Secret Identity" (show I reviewed). It was just cool seeing someone young inheriting superhuman powers/abilities which at the time wasn't seen much in the visual medium, but of course the show is a coming-of-age metaphor by its nature. Liked what actress Larisa Oleynik and what she had to say on her experience with the show, sidenote yeah, she's one of my celeb crushes as I thought see is cute (and still is) and on the list of under the radar actresses.
Overall if you're a Nick fan rookie and Veteran then watching this would be a good history lesson if you ever wanted to know more about the network or for the Veteran fan it would be like looking back at journal passages just to remind and take you back for a while. The orange golden era will never be forgotten as it has and always will be part of who I am and what I've became, along with other kids back then, now, and many more tomorrow.
Rating: 4 stars.
Watching this documentary gave me a good feeling as it just reminded me of one of the high points of my youth, helped me get though and make my gloomy days brighter, and how much the Nickelodeon channel in the orange years had to offer and still do. I really liked how consistent the doc is in telling some of the origin of the Network which was a rocky road up which is understandable, sometimes it takes a while for a new network and TV program to find its footing. For example, they had this strange logo that looks like the dreaded silver sphere from the horror film "Phantasm" as it's flying around to this montage of images, multicolored letters of Nickelodeon and there is that promo song that I thought was pretty good and a nice listen. If you're curious you can watch this on "Youtube" as it really is an interesting watch just to see what came before the logos, we know Nick for.
Anyway, it was a good idea they went with the orange color logo we know nick for. It really works when you think about it as it just feels like a color that just generates positive energy. I'll admit to this day every time I see that color I keep thinking of that Network. And of course, there were all those promo and bumper Nickelodeon commercials in the past which had sort of that doowop beat to them which you'll probably have a hard time getting out of your head. From those singing brontosaurs walking with snickers, a barbershop quartet that sings a rather calming tune, and just a lot of others which again you can see on "Youtube" if curious.
Even like that we have several of the original cast members years later that were involved with the network and all the programs that helped shape it into what it became. I'll just say a little on a few of the programs as there are a lot of them, and sidenote have done some reviews on several of the programs from Nickelodeon which you can check out if you want.
Double Dare: This of course was Nick's first game show let alone one of the first game shows for kids and family. Yeah, like a lot of kids that watched that show I wanted to be a contestant on that show; and I'm sure even Keanan Thompson and Larisa Olenik also wanted to as they both had positive things to say about it. I just loved those challenges, but my favorite is the obstacle course which is like the Eliminator from "American Gladiators" or even the "Warioware" video game series but live action as each of the obstacles were all a mini game by their nature. But I think what was really appealing was that it had this sense of freedom, to be messy and to simply have fun without restrictions.
All That: This is one of my favorite skit comedy shows as this was one for kids, and like a lot of skit comedies there were a lot of memorable skits and characters from Superdude a parody obviously on "Superman" but of course the fan favorite we remember the most "Good Burger". I always remember Kel with that surfer vocal tone, his character was such a dim bulb but has a good heart as he always wants to do a good job. It would be a dream if there was a "Good Burger" skit and Keanu Reeves walked in, wouldn't that be wild. But anyway, really liked what Keanan Thomson, Kel Mitchell, Alicia Reyes (who is still hot), Josh Server, and Lori Beth Denburg all had good things to say.
The Secret World of Alex Mack: Yeah, this was a pretty good show even though I saw this at a time when I was entering adolescence and steering away from Nick a little, which in a way makes the show ironically fitting and to me this was one of the orange years last hurrahs. It was like the sci-fi show "My Secret Identity" (show I reviewed). It was just cool seeing someone young inheriting superhuman powers/abilities which at the time wasn't seen much in the visual medium, but of course the show is a coming-of-age metaphor by its nature. Liked what actress Larisa Oleynik and what she had to say on her experience with the show, sidenote yeah, she's one of my celeb crushes as I thought see is cute (and still is) and on the list of under the radar actresses.
Overall if you're a Nick fan rookie and Veteran then watching this would be a good history lesson if you ever wanted to know more about the network or for the Veteran fan it would be like looking back at journal passages just to remind and take you back for a while. The orange golden era will never be forgotten as it has and always will be part of who I am and what I've became, along with other kids back then, now, and many more tomorrow.
Rating: 4 stars.