Ready or Not (1993–1997) User Reviews

Bittersweet

[greensweater · 7/10 · 6 January 2009]

Set in 90s, in the Canadian suburbs, Ready or Not centers on the unlikely friendship of two girls with opposite dispositions: the insecure, accident-prone Amanda Zimm, who tends to leap into embarrassing situations without thinking them over (Ready); and the cool, insightful, and cautious, Elizabeth "Busy" Ramone (Not).

At it's best, Ready or Not showcases a type of bittersweet realism, found in The Wonder Years and Freaks and Geeks. The girls are free to talk about pretty much anything (to quote Amanda discussing her older, 7th grade idol, Chrissy "letting a guy touch her boob for a second because it's supposed to give him a boner or something".) Even though there's the occasional after-school special message, it's saved from being cheesy with it's humor. For example, the episode where Busy's brother awkwardly attempts to bum a cigarette off of a group of older kids and obliviously declares "a guy just likes to enjoy a butt every once and a while".

However, in the last two seasons, there was a noticeable difference in tone. They could no longer go through the same embarrassing shenanigans as in the earlier episodes without looking foolish instead of naive. Things become more serious, and there is less humor to be found.

Seasons 4 and 5 also concentrates on the two girls growing up and growing apart. Amanda is bubblier, and having an easier time with boys and the social dynamics of school. Though, Busy is thrown threw a loop. She is suddenly unsure where she fits in when it becomes more apparent that Busy is Jane Lane to Amanda's Charlotte York. Through it all, Busy becomes more desolate, yet consistent. At times, it makes it really hard to like Amanda's character, her boy-crazy, social climbing ways become more apparent than ever. However, both girls work hard at staying friends no matter how different they are, and whatever the circumstances.

Sweet Show

[amcfarland-1 · 13 November 2001]

I cannot even fathom that someone just said Saved By The Bell was better and that it was more fun. Of course it was more fun, it was unrealistic, they were all "perfect" looking, (with the exception of screech of course)they hardly EVER were in a classroom and they spent most of their time at the max. How realistic is that? If someone was sent to the principle's office as much as Zac morris was don't you think they would have had a meeting with his parents a loooooooooooooong time ago? LOL geez.

I like ready or not and degrassi junior high because the kids aren't painted up. They are real looking kids with real problems. They weren't 24 year olds playing 15 year olds. They're was a kind of innocence about it's lowbudgetness. Canada seems to hit it right on the money with their teen dramas.

But hey, they also made Avonlea and Anne Of Green Gables.

1...2...3...4..5...6...Ready or Not...

[ThunderKing6 · 10/10 · 8 February 2021]

A beautiful show. A perfect show. One of a kind show.

There was Degrassi then there was Ready or Not. I was very young during the 90s so this show didn't affect me in any way. As I got older the show made so much sense.

Back when Youtube was cool. Youtube had all the episodes. I binged them all. The show was so good. The nostalgia overload prevents me from watching it again.

I got to watch these girls literally play themselves, grow and watch the families go through issues from trying on bras to divorce to going to college. It was a very nicely done show.

The show is mainly about 2 girls that are opposite of each other that are friends. Both deal with situations different and both respect each other for it. They go through home problems, dating, racism, school and job problems. Each episode is 30minutes long, and they are able to tell enough show to be satisfied. Some episodes don't have an ultimate conclusion. Some episode problems carry on, others just fade away naturally.

Despite the 2 girls being polar opposites both had a great unique chemistry. Nothing in this show seemed force. It had a mellow pacing that told a lot of stories.

I'm a dude and I enjoyed this show. I liked it because of the story, development and most important the nostalgia of looking at Toronto back in those days. Not only that, but I miss it.

Colour feel: Grey with a touch of light.

Overall, A lovely show that young children can learn from. The issues may seem outdated because they don't have cellphones. Nevertheless, they go through the same problems young children go through today.

Verdict: Here Life comes

End Of Series Finale

[boobear437 · 10/10 · 9 February 2007]

The last couple of episodes, before the show ended,were really sad as Amanda gave Busy her grandmothers ring to show that they will always be best friends since Amanda was moving. Busy got emotional and they were in an elevator and it fell down 6 stories and the girls ended up in the hospital and Busy lost the ring. In the hospital the girls suffered severe trauma and Busy broke both her leg and her left arm with many scrapes and bruises. Amanda suffered from minor head wounds a broken arm and she broke her right leg. Amanda was so upset that Busy Had dropped her grandma's ring in the elevator and she swore she was never going to talk to her again as it meant much sentimental value to her. in the end the girls both became friends again and Amanda still ended up moving........ :( Sooo Sad i wish the show was still on the air

Sweet nostalgia!

[insomniac_rod · 10/10 · 22 February 2009]

How could I forget about this show? I used to watch it when it was still on air and later on syndication. I forgot about it and since probably 2000 I haven't thought about it but now it's safe that I watched it only because I was in love with Laura Bertram. I had a huge crush on her.

Oh well, the show was excellent because it dealt with the problems of growing up and how to deal with them. The situations were like taken from my life and that's why I enjoyed and learned from it.

So this is the perfect show for puberts-almost teenagers because it displays how difficult life is while growing.

A remarkable effort. Please give a chance to this duo of Amanda and Busy and learn the real thing about the pains of growing up.

Excellent

[powerlizgirl · 10/10 · 18 July 2006]

Hi girls and boys. Greetings from Mexico, I have been looking for information about this show, any album, photos, anything like that here I cannot find the DVD edition, not in English and German. I grow up with this show, this makes me remember when I was a teenager,well until now. How can I get this DVD for México? and information about fan club of Busy because I cannot find the web, if she have. Here in Mexico this show have a lot of fans that make us to remember our old times in the Hig School, will be like a dream to have something about this. Thanks for lead this lines and I hope a answer to tell to all the fans here in México, thanks really, Get fun!

I wish I was in Canada

[QueenMakeda84 · 11 January 2005]

You Canadians really have your stuff together. You show all the oldies but goodies. This YTV sounds interesting and I would love to have that channel if it means I could watch this show. I adored this show! I cannot explain how upset I was that I didn't have the premium channels back in the day and would have to wait for Disney's free preview weekend to watch this show. Canadian based teen shows are really good at hitting the nail of teen life or emerging teen life. Mess like Dawson's Creek are ridiculous compared to this show and "Higher Ground". I loved the dynamic of the 2 lead characters. They dealt with a lot of issues you wouldn't think to address, and did it without an ABC After-School Special quality about it. It was very blunt and "this is what it is", now deal quality that I liked. Laura Bertram is a tremendous actress. I remember her from a lot of childhood shows like "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" and was just wowed at my young age by her talent. I can't even remember specific episodes, but I hope they add it to the WAM! channel. Might write a letter...lol. Seriously, it was a great dramatic show about entering adolescence and the issues we have on the way. Awesome piece of work!

USA FAN here!

[AdrienneGrayceMusic · 10/10 · 31 August 2018]

I grew up watching this show. They were my age. The topics in each episode covered almost all things that teenage girls went through growing up. It's a feel-good, coming-of-age show. Laura Bertram is such an underrated actress. She really blossomed into a beautiful girl on the show especially during the last 2 seasons. I'm lucky enough to find the episodes on youtube. I absolutely love it. One of my faves!

Love Ready Or Not!

[kennyabolton · 10/10 · 18 July 2019]

Love the since it started in 1993!Still love it today!Great show!Give it a perfect rating!Miss the show too!I wish it was back on tv to rerun!

One of the greatest TV shows from the 90s

[juanbianchin · 10/10 · 21 February 2024]

Ready or Not was the perfect example of the golden era of Tv series.

This Tv show was like watching a mini-movie with every episode. And it had it all: great music, great scripts, great direction, lovely suburban scenarios and most important: great , great acting work from Laura Bertram and Lani Billard. It amazes me how these two young actresses could achieve such a high level of spontaneity in front of the camara, making all the episodes really enjoyable and something that you can relate to your everyday life. If you were a teenage during the 90s, you are going to feel very reflected on Busy and Amanda. This is definitely a treasure from the 90s to watch and rewatch.

Amazing coming to age show

[TheCinephiliac · 8 June 2003]

Ready or Not was in my opinion one of the best teenage shows ever! The show followed two long time best friends Amanda Zimm and Elizabeth "Busy" Ramone through there years of middle school and high school. This show dealt with what every teenage girl goes through: puberty, boyfriends, first kisses, and heartbreak. Ready or Not also dealt with everyday problems. Some of them were rasicm, homophobia, eating disorders, peer-pressure, and many more.

I first saw this show on Disney channel and was immediately hooked. After it was taking off Disney I started to see it on Showtime. Watching the shows on Disney now, I am VERY shocked they ever aired this show, even though they didn't air a few episodes. The characters were amazing. Busy was the somewhat independent free thinker who didn't obsess over boys while Amanda was the complete opposite she was a boy crazy person who always wanted to fit in. The acting was incredible and I truly miss this show and the cute theme song!!

A Real Teen Show!

[famousgir1 · 17 January 2002]

Ready or Not is an about two best friends who are both quite different from each-other in every way. Amanda Zimm is Jewish. Her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother, but still sees her father. She is an only child. She is a pretty young girl who is interested in boys, drama, poetry and shopping. Elizabeth Ramone or Busy as everyone calls her is Italian. She is a tomboy who is interested in sports and playing the drums. She comes from a big family and lives with her parents who own a meat shop. She has three older brothers. Laura Bertram and Lani Billard play Amanda and Busy. They both give great performances in each episode. Rebecca Bernstein who played Nina Pepperman in a few episodes was good too. Ready or Not is a brilliant teen show which may not be on anymore, but is still so great to watch.

What Dawson's Creek should have been

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 22 July 2000]

Out of all the 'Teen shows' that I've seen this is by far the most realistic. It's not made anymore but I still watch the reruns on Trouble when I can. What sets this aside from the other teen junk out there is that they actually have teenagers playing teenagers. And they also talk like teenagers. Not like they are 65, something that Dawson's Creek is VERY guilty of.

The show is based around Amanda Zimm and her friend Elizabeth 'Busy' Ramone. They have been friends since childhood and become involved in numerous, realistic, story lines based around their family, high school and social life. Everything about this show seems real and authentic to me. It's more for girls than it is for guys but there's no shame in watching it.

If you can catch reruns of this show it's advisable to ditch Dawson and his unrealistic creek for this. It may not be on anymore but it's undoubtedly superior.

Most nineties shows aren't that great, but Ready or Not is an exception.

[headingforthemoon · 15 May 2004]

I used to watch this every so often during it's original run... I only recently began tuning in regularly. In retrospect, there are some points of the show that are kind of cheesy and laughable. For example, when Amanda got her first bra- her FATHER knew! And they talked about it so casually: "So, you're going to get a bra tonight...". Most girls at that age (she was supposed to be 12 or so then, right?) are uncomfortable discussing that kind of thing with their fathers. I know I was! :P Same with Busy. When she got her period, her dad knew about it.

But, those, and several other points aside, it was a pretty informative and 'realistic' show. It dealt with issues and problems girls face as they grow up- such as peer pressure, hazing, homosexuality, divorce and the likes, but it wasn't preachy or sugar-coated. They were approached directly and tangibly... and, unlike many TV shows, sometimes the conflicts weren't resolved within the half hour. It also encouraged individuality- something that should be stressed more, especially in today's society.

And as someone already mentioned, these girls were actually around the age they were supposed to be playing! Unlike a lot of shows, where they're all 25 year olds playing teenagers.

If you ever get a chance to watch even one episode, do it. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

great show

[JBoze313 · 11 May 2001]

This was a really great show, and I remember watching it on Showtime when it first started way back when. I'm 22 now, and would probably watch the show today, because it was light, and the humor worked really well. I don't remember everything about the show, but I do remember that it was definitely quality television, and so much better than the teen stuff on today, which is utter crap.

Ready or Not: Great Classic for all kids!

[picturetaker · 2 April 2005]

I was the same age group as the characters on this show, Busy and Amanda. They were fantastic child actors who started in Grade 6 all away to I think Grade 11 or 12 when Amanda moved away to the West Coast with her mom.

Although the show was targeted to Teen girls it also sort of targeted to boys as well and covered all sorts of topics that most kids are embarrassed to ask their parents about. Like what are Periods, Wet Dreams, Sex etc. It covered it all and tastefully and cleverly.

My most strangest memory of this show is a character called "The Liz". The Liz was in only a few episodes and was a guy trying to be an original rocker. I still remember the time Busy and Amanda first met coming back from the Zoo. They said Hi to the Liz and this guy is talking back to them in sound effects he makes. LOL that was some funny strange stuff.

I would gladly allow my kids (should I ever have any) to watch this show. It was well done, nonpolitical, and tasteful. "Ready or Not" in my opinion is one of the best shows made from Canada for teens out of all the teen shows from Canada or the World. It is much better then the famed Degrassi!

AWESOME

[ILUVTM4EVA · 15 April 2000]

THIS SHOW IS REALLY COOL. I have seen it many times. It shows how 2 different people can become best friends. I think that its a great show to watch with friends and i was sad to see the series end. :(

Cute and light hearted...last episode actually made me sad.

[Aislynn · 25 October 1999]

This show is an excellent series. I began watching it from the beginning and was addicted. Seeing Amanda and Busy go from little 7th graders to high schoolers was an interesting journey, and SOME episodes I'm surprised Disney actually aired. There are a lot of real, poignant moments and issues in this series along with the usual fluff associated with these types of shows. If you happen to catch the reruns, I hope you start watching the first season and go from there. Even I was a little sad when I saw the final episode. 4 years is a long time for a show to be on.

great TV

[laugh_dance_love · 6 July 2002]

this show was so great to watch! I still watch the reruns of amanda and bizzy going through the inevitable stages of life. although "ready or not" was mostly directed towards young girls, i think guys should watch because then they would get to know a girl's view on things since we have it soo much worse! anyway, when it comes on, don't flip through it like some annoying commercial.

A Great Show

[buffbabe23 · 13 June 2001]

I really enjoyed this show. I used to watch re-runs on Disney during the weekend. I have no idea if it is on the Disney Channel any more. Although, I did see that it was back on about a year ago. I was fortunate enough to see a re-run when I was in Canada, and I have to say, I really do still enjoy the show. It's another one of those great shows that should still be on, or at least a show like it, instead of all of these WB shows that we have now.

excellent show

[that_70s_witch · 2 January 2001]

i loved this show, but unfortunately, Australian viewers only saw a few episodes and it was gone from the channel ABC in 1996. they never showed anymore after the ones when they were pretty young. i wish they did though, because this show is so much better than Dawson's Creek, Young Americans and other teen shows, as this one is more realistic and believable. i agree that this is what those shows should be like, showing what really happens (divorce, peer pressure), rather than showing two teens all over each other.

as close as it can get

[bittersweetdream · 29 August 2005]

this is is as close as it can get to the life of a teenager growing up. in other words, it is very realistic with a few tweaks. i have been watching Ready or Not for many years and have grown up with it. it's a brilliant show that has even captured the attention of parents and teachers. there are many situations that deal with growing from a child into a teen. real situations such as family problems, friendship, crushes, wet dreams, periods, sex, drugs, alcohol etc.. it sounds awkward but that is part of what being a teenager is like. i remember being in my last two years of elementary school (the years when you begin to learn more about those awkward things) and the teachers would put on an episode of Ready or Not for us to watch. i'm guessing the program has made it's way into many school boards across North America for education reasons. there are lessons to learn in each episode.

The two main characters of the show are Amanda Zimm and Elizabeth (Busy) Ramone. they couldn't be more opposites of each other but they still manage to be the best of friends. Amanda is Jewish and very girly, emotional, and boy crazy. She comes from a broken family in which her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother. She's also a big dreamer and hopes to become an actress. Elizabeth is Italian and has a nickname... Busy, which she is called all the time. She is very much into music and plays the drums. She comes from a big family of three older brothers and two good parents. With her being the only girl in the family she grew up with all boys and is natural for her to be very tom-boyish.

The show is obviously about both Amanda and Busy and their different situations in their lives. it follows them from grade school to high school with the benefit of giving the viewer a sense of realistic teenage life. i'm sure many people can relate to at least one situation in the series. it's definitely something worth watching and is sometimes inspirational. i know it isn't very mainstream like Dawson's Creek but that's the beauty of it. it's an independent show and doesn't have the glow of Hollywood. it's very much like an independent movie. but it really is an independent program. if you're looking for glamour then watch something in the mainstream. if you're looking for something deeper and more real, watch an indie like Ready or Not!

Target audience is pubescencent girls, but.....

[BenDecho · 13 November 2001]

When this show first aired, I believe that Showtime was producing the show. As a father of a daughter soon to be a teenager, judging by the previews, I thought this show may help my daughter understand what was facing her in the near future.

In the beginning the show had some interesting plots, but soon the producers and writers forced their diverse moral values as the "norm" and that anyone (relative, parent, friend, etc.) that differed, is/was wrong.

Both girls came from very different backgrounds and religous upbringing. But some views towards inter-racial sex, sex in general, and parent/child interaction makes this show one that parents/guardians should certainly view a few episodes before permitting impressionable pre-teens watch.

Great Coming of age show of two friends

[Kristina6996 · 30 March 2006]

This show was always really fun to watch. About two completely different people being the best of friends. Parties, Boys, Fights, Rumors it was all apart of this show! Amanda is the really girlie type and Busy (beth) is her best friend and is VERY tomboyish!

I really miss watching it and wish it would come out on DVD. If I had a kids i would let them watch this show. My favorite episode is when they go to a make-out party or when Amanda thinks she's too cool for Busy and starts to hang out with the "cool crowd" and bust gets mad and starts a rumor about her around school. anyways it's a really great show!

girly but good

[LittleRascal-15 · 23 September 1999]

I watch the show on Disney almost everyday after school at 3:30 pm. It's a little girly but it's pretty funny and good lessons. It's about these two completely different but very close friends. First there is Amanda Zimm, Amanda is Jewish, is an only child and has a torn home, her parents are divorced and she lives in an apartment with her mother. She is very poetic, very open, and is boy crazy. Then there is Elizabeth Ramone, she is mostly called Busy. Busy is an Italian Catholic, has three older brothers and two good parents. She is more of a tomboy, she plays sports, and plays the drums. These girls couldn't be anymore different but there best friends getting through high school. I give "Ready or Not" 6.5/10 stars.