Radio Free Roscoe (2003–2006) User Reviews

I love this show

[petey_neesama · 9/10 · 13 August 2006]

Radio Free Roscoe, RFR, was one of the good highlights of Canadian television. But like most Canadian TV, it was short-lived as no one was willing to back it. My boyfriend and I had an RFR marathon this weekend, watching the entire four seasons. Although I've seen each episode several times, thank you Family channel!, I still love watching it. The characters are real, one can easily find themselves relating to them. It's full of all the high school drama that is oh so fun (though when going through it myself, not so much.) and you can't help but root for them in their quests for love, to be heard and understood and even accepted. It had a fairly original plot, the only similar one I can think of is Pump up the Volume, and even then it differs quite a bit. All in all, this was Canadian TV at it's finest. RFR is sorely missed, if not by many then at least by me and my boy. And although there are no new episodes, I will remain dedicated to the reruns.

Love It

[snowball_236 · 7 September 2003]

I first saw previews for this show a few months ago when I only watched Noggin because of Daria. The commercials sparked not just a curiosity but an actual hope that kids shows haven't gone down the toilet completely.

I must say that I think this may be one of the best kids shows ever created. Will McRobb, creator of Pete and Pete, is the brains behind this great show.

The best thing about this show is the plot. Four kids who attend Roscoe High School build a radio station to have their voices be heard, not to protest anything. They give advice to callers, talk about events at their school, and play music that isn't played on their local Top 40 station. No Nelly or 50 Cent on this station. (Thank God)

However, for the sake of the station's integrity they never say their real names on the air and never reveal their aliases to other people.

They express and defend their own opinions but don't come off as whiny, close-minded brats. When someone does something to compromise that right they love, they take action against it. The center of one episode was a protest against a rule banning headphone usage in school. (Which I relate to because CD players are banned on campus at my school)

As important as the station is to the show and the characters, it isn't an all-consuming factor. The characters go through the same crap that all teens have to go through like relationship trouble. Even though that idea has been done to death, this show tells kids that a broken heart is not the end of the world. And that is something so refreshing, I can't begin to tell you.

Radio Free Roscoe is a great blend of originality, empathy, and humor. There have only been four or five episodes so far but I've enjoyed all of them. I've laughed during each one, related to lots of the situations that the kids go through and it always ends with me being satisfied and wanting more.

I don't know if there are more episodes in the works or if the handful of episodes that air on Noggin are all there is. I honestly think that this is the best kids show that's come out since Hey Arnold! and Noggin has a real winner on their hands.

A fantastic program

[bowser_a · 10/10 · 21 June 2006]

I think Radio Free Roscoe is by far one of the most well-written and produced dramatic or otherwise Canadian television programs in years. You cannot help but fall in love with the show or its characters. Funny, charming, and rebellious, RFR is undoubtedly easy viewing.

The show has everything, and although the second season may have focused a bit too much on romance and less on what made the show so unbelievably popular among a demographic of fans in its first season, I still have yet to view a 'bad' episode.

RFR gives a universal message about individuality and following one's heart, despite adversity, and I would recommend it to people of all ages.

nice friendships

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 16 July 2015]

Robbie, Ray and Lily are childhood friends and outsider 9th graders in Henry Roscoe High. Lily is a musician with stage fright. Wisecracking Ray is secretly in love with Lily. Robbie gets a DJ job at the school station Cougar Radio. However he hates the prim DJ Kim Carlisle under the control of Principal Daniel Waller. He befriends mercurial new kid Travis (who lived in HongKong) to start a rebel radio station in an abandoned industrial warehouse. They are Robbie "Question Mark" McGrath, Travis "Smog" Strong, Ray "Pronto" Brennan and Lily "Shady Lane" Randall of Radio Free Roscoe.

This is 'Pump Up the Volume' with less edge, less anger and more friendship. The rebel radio idea is something that was almost past its best-before-date even before the show started. The actors are also too old to play ninth graders and I don't think the characters ever got out of ninth grade. It would be better to start even a year later as tenth graders. It's less angry than PUtV which is good for a teen TV show although it's not bright sparkly type. The best thing about the show is their friendship. Lily does need a girl friend and Audrey was never a good one. It's not until Victoria Nestorowicz shows up in season 3 that Lily got a great friend in cool beans Parker. The show needs an extra lead actress anyways. Seasons 3 and 4 are better because of that.

Boring

[elliot_gordon1 · 4/10 · 26 July 2018]

This show was well produced but just boring. The acting was OK but not better than that, the writing was not very good at all to be honest, and the romantic story lines were hammy and predictable.

Pleasantly surprised

[sssssar420 · 18 January 2005]

A couple months ago, my friend casually said "You know that Radio Free Roscoe show? It's actually not bad, I kind of like it." The commercials for it hadn't really done much for me, but I generally agree with her taste in such things so I checked it out. Yeah...I'm kind of hooked now. I seriously love Ray. He's a really great character, and the chemistry between him and Lily is great. Many people have criticized the believability of this show. Alright, obviously four teenagers wouldn't be able to hold an illegal radio station for very long without getting caught, but who wants to watch actual reality on television?? Honestly? Go watch the news if it's such a problem. It's a fun idea for a show, and I think RFR offers great and original characters and I really hope it stays on the air for a long time.

Surprise

[uwec95 · 31 October 2003]

I would like to start this off by saying I am probably not even close to being in Radio Free Roscoe's target market. I am in my 30's and male. I found this show by accident. I was flipping through the channels and caught a music video. I had never heard of "the n" before and thought maybe it was a new video station. I kept it on as I was making dinner and RFR came on next. I was busy in the kitchen so I didn't bother changing it. I eventually started watching in the kitchen and actually was laughing out loud at some of the scenes. I have since watched some of the other episodes and have enjoyed them also. They are very well-written, funny, and I think the acting is actually really good for a show full of teenagers. I realize that the idea is a little unbelievable, but I watch TV to escape reality so I don't think it's a big deal. I really hope that they continue to make new episodes of RFR since it is better than 99% of the other garbage on TV today.

Disappointing

[Livana · 23 August 2004]

This show could be better. The characters are great- but the story lines are all the same. Basically, all of the episodes are about how either someone almost leaves the station, or how the group almost gets caught. Note the 'almosts'. One thing I do like, though, is the principal. You can tell that though he wants the show off the air, he's reluctant to take serious action to do so, and that leads to some interesting scenes. The relationship between Robbie and Kim is also interesting, as she really likes him, yet is afraid of what will happen if people see their interest in each other. But besides that, the show really isn't that interesting. The-N tried to spice up the show with the Lily-Ray-Travis love triangle, but that's hardly original. I hope that the new characters in the 3rd season will help the show out.

Great show

[Cherry_Soda_99 · 15 December 2005]

I think this is one of the best shows on TV. Although it was canceled, you can still see reruns, which is great. The characters are awesome. Travis, Parker and Ray are my favorites, and the stories to all the episodes are cool. I have to say that my least favorite character is either Audrey or Bridgette. (Ironic how they both dated Travis). But, anyways, it's a cool show. I think that the writers chose some excellent topics for the different episodes, and it contains light humor, unlike Degrassi, which focuses more on serious issues. The actors (Nathan Carter, Ali Mukaddam, Nathan Stephenson, Kate Todd etc.) are amazing, and do a wonderful job portraying their characters. Strangely enough, Kate Todd shares my birthday, which is pretty cool.

a brilliant entertaining show

[atomius · 3 January 2006]

This show is certainly enjoyable to watch. Simply put it features the story of a group of high school students who create their own underground radio station after being frustrated at the official one, Cougar. They sometimes have their differences but generally come out well. the show is certainly worth watching and is very enjoyable. In Australia it is shown before Daria and i think they make a perfect match. the show is a grand look inside radio technology, the lives of teenagers in modern day America and and interesting view of school politics. I give it 9/10. Also worth mentioning is the excellent theme graphics.

RFR- Hot

[JeremysAng3L · 14 February 2005]

Radio Free Roscoe is about four high school freshman teens who start their own radio station. However, they decide to keep their identities a secret and give themselves nicknames so they can say WHAT they want WHEN they want. "Pronto" (Ray), "Shady Lane" (Lily), "Question Mark" (Robbie), and "Smog" (Travis). The show also covers the love triangle between Ray, Lily, and Travis which may become bigger once River Pierce (aka: popular senior) and Jake Epstein from Degrassi get in the picture. Also, Lauren Collins (Paige on Degrassi) guest stars on a future episode. Overall, the radio station part is quite boring. But the hot guys will keep us girls watching.

RFR = funny/interesting/well-acted

[evil_barbie90 · 5 July 2004]

I LOVE "radio free roscoe"...i have to admit that when I first saw commercials for it i thought it looked cheesy and unoriginal (think other teen show "degrassi") but then one day it was on so I decided to keep watching (since there was nothing better on anyayz....keep in mind this was at 12:05am). But now...i am sooooo HOOKED. This is nothing like Degrassi...or Clueless for that matter. It has interesting characters (played by good actors by the way) and very interesting story lines! Plus it's really funny. Sometimes I even laugh out loud. It is such a good show for teens (ages 12-16) although anyone could enjoy watching it. But seriously...when I watch the show (keep in mind that I am 16) I notice that they act, say and do things that me and my friends would do. They characters are not unrealistic or far-fetched. They are just like real teenagers. My favourite character is Ray a.k.a. Pronto...just because I think he's funny yet sweet (especially when talking about/to Lily). I think Kate Todd does a really good job playing Lily...she does it so naturally...and when she has a funny line, she says it rele well..i don't know what it is but she knows how to deliver a line (For example...her character "Lily" was trying to get people to sign her petition and she comes up to a group and shes like "hey do u like music?" and they just walk away and shes like "o...of course you don't..ur ROBOTS"...i dunno why but that was so funny!) But anyways...i think that "Radio Free Roscoe" is a cool show and that they should keep it around for a long time (I fear the day it goes off the air!).

Wonderful show.

[allnaturalrain · 10 December 2004]

Radio Free Roscoe is great. As one of the few 16-year-old girls who is not amused by the media and society we live in, it's refreshing and encouraging to see a show that supports good morals & values. I'm hoping this show will go on for quite awhile.

And for all of those who don't know: It was Robbie's idea to start their own radio station. He met Travis when they both auditioned for a spot on Cougar Radio, and didn't get it. After finding out that Travis was able to do all the intricate details it takes to get on the radio, Robbie suckered Ray & Lily into joining them since they hung out in that comfy basement-type-place already. They were awful at first but got increasingly better, etc. Hope that helps someone. Great show!

A hot,fresh, new show!

[Sante_cheer · 7 September 2003]

This show is GREAT!! i mean when i seen the trailers for it, i was like "How dumb is this gonna be?" But now im HOOKED!!! The-n, is really picking up speed with shows like; Radio Free Roscoe, Degrassi and clueless! i love Nathan Stevenson, he is soooo hot, he is otherwise known as "Question Mark" or "Robbie" I hope everyone can enjoy this good show!!

Love, Asante

A great show

[NWVG · 28 March 2004]

This show has really gotten be hooked and is the only show I basically watch consistently. A lot of people say you have to suspend your disbelief the show, but you don't really have to. You can buy a FM Transmitter for under $200 and set it up and even though there are restrictions in Canada I am sure the rules state as long as you don't interfere with anyone licensed radio station then it is allowable. The only thing that wouldn't be allowed is playing those bands music but I believe this because people download illegally all the time so I can imagine kids playing songs illegally.The story is very consistent with teenage life and most of the actors are very believable(Especially Kate Todd). The show will is already signed on for 26 more episodes so it will be around a while which I am very happy about. Good luck to the show.

Impressive show

[dan-jones · 5 July 2004]

I agree with the other commenter. The show may air on a teen network but the writing and acting have some adult appeal. Given it has some influence from the people who brought us The Adventures of Pete and Pete this is not surprising and, while the two shows are quite different, the humor and quirkiness carries over well. Definite thumbs up for the show, the cast and the writing.

I think it is an unusual and refreshing that is essentially teen oriented yet maintains a level of content that should not be alarming to most parents who watch the show with their kids. The themes aren't too heavy and stereotypes in the characters are not so blatant as to be annoying. Much like other Canadian shows, the character development offers insights into the personalities quirks of each character.

Think wannabe underground

[melikkab · 2 February 2004]

This is not the worse show I've ever seen, but that's the best review I can give it. There is nothing underground about this show. The characters are corny and cookie cutter. The whole premise of this show is kids deciding what music they want to hear on the radio. Okay... but RFR doesn't play any top 40 or would they if someone requested it, so In actuality RFR is just as judge mental as the "radio" they protest. I hate to tell whoever, but just because a band "plays" an instrument doesn't make them good or underground. Ray may be the only character even interesting and that's stretching things. Kids should stick to Degrassi. It has its contrived moments, but it's a hell of a lot more real than this show.

Wonderful, if unbelievable, children's show

[newerhaun · 24 September 2003]

First, I would just like to say that, in the tradition of "Pete and Pete," Will McRobb has truly made an intelligent, entertaining, relatable show for children and young teenagers. I thought the pilot was rather lackluster. (Let's be honest. The pilot was horrible.) But every episode since has been excellent and earnest. However, my only complaint about the show is that you have to suspend your disbelief to watch it.

Why do you have to suspend your disbelief? Not because four intelligent teenagers couldn't run a pirate radio station, but because of the inconsistencies on the show. First, I understand that the show is produced in Canada, so there is no FCC. However, Canada is a civilized, Western nation with its own system of radio regulation, so you can't just set up an antenna and start broadcasting without a license. In one episode, Ray (Pronto) even admits on the air that they are unlicensed. So, in theory, if one were running an illegal radio station, one wouldn't want to make it easy to be caught. So how can you run a pirate radio station with a call-in line?! Even if the number is unlisted, it would be extraordinarily easy for the police or any other techno-savvy person to trace it. In the episode where Principal Waller was having the graffiti investigated by the police, or at least was about to, don't you think the first thing the police would do would be to trace the phone number? In addition, if Waller really wanted RFR off the air that badly, he could just report them to Canada's equivalent of the FCC, and they would trace the phone number. And even if they were illegally tapping into a phone number that wasn't theirs, it would still be an easy matter for the police to trace where these taps were coming from, especially if RFR uses the same phone number each time.

Again, I love Radio Free Roscoe. I think it's an excellent, well-written show, and that the entire cast has talent, (especially Kate Todd, who I hope will really be going places). However, the show just doesn't make any sense. Though, I suppose you can write it off to Will McRobb's penchant for abstraction, a la Pete and Pete.

Cool show!

[whitelighter012000 · 31 August 2004]

Radio Free Roscoe is a cool show but I didn't like the episode where Lily kisses Travis. That's just plain wrong and I know all of you think Travis is great but come on people! What about Ray? I mean do you see the way Lily looks at him?

I also like the soundtrack and the theme song for the show. Every episode has a good soundtrack but I can't seem to find the information, the name of the person or band that sang that song. Like when I was trying to find a really old song that was used in the episode "Detention Redemption" "two little monkeys sitting in a tree, one is blind and the other can see..."

Maybe because the soundtrack is Canadian and maybe there are like lots of Canadian artists. Anyway, sometimes I think that Lily is really annoying because she likes Ray and just doesn't want to admit it. She also hurt Ray's feelings a couple of times and isn't even sorry about it.

Robbie is a great character too. The thought of him and Kim Carlisle together is cool...they match...but the only problem is that Kim doesn't want to have Robbie as her boyfriend because she's afraid that she'll destroy her reputation. I think Travis, Lily and Ray should thank him because without him...there would be no RFR. Remember that he started the radio station.

Lily is cool but sometimes she can just be plain annoying! She's liked so many guys before and when she thinks of Ray she just pushes him out of her mind and starts to think of other topics...but I also liked the episode where Lily finally went out for a date with Ray...I think I'm seeing a love triangle between Ray and Travis...also, she seems so self-centered...she doesn't think of anybody's feelings but her own...

Ray Brennon...boy can his parents even be more strict? This boy is funny! Lily is his crush but doesn't know how to talk to her about it...he also went out with a girl named Veronica and Lily ended up being jealous...wow that's something...anyway, Ali Mukkaddam does a really good job playing Pronto/Ray.

Travis...he's good and he went out with Amber once but kissed Lily. That's just wrong but I think that he's a great guy! Considering the fact that Ray calls him "Swami" or "Smart Dog" (which is "smog" for short) he's a cool guy...alright I admit it he's a hot guy! But I just don't like the idea of him being with Lily instead of poor Ray...

And that's my whole take of RFR...it's not that I don't like Lily it's just that she's self-centered and doesn't really care about other people's feelings but her own...don't get me wrong Lily Randall fans but I'm a LR fan too it's just that her attitude to Ray...it's not that cool...

I like it

[the_moody_youngest · 7 March 2006]

i liked this show, but not the last episode. I think the show was good how all of them were friends. Lily is my favourite. Shes a lot like me. A tomboi, she sings, she plays guitar, she has a lot of guy friends, shes tough. That is exactly like me.

When Lily became a girly girl in 1 episode, i don't think people should be like that if thats not the way they are. Follow what you like, not what someone else wants you to do.

I also like ray, hes funny, also a lot like me, a total goof ball. I wish this show didn't have to end, I really enjoyed watching it every night.

Kids are like this

[tydie_12 · 21 February 2005]

Kids under 16 these days think just like the RFR cast. Thats why this show is so popular. I don't look at the fact that they are are doing something that they are not sup-post to do( illegal ). This is what kids under 16 relate to! Kids think like this, and believe that it would be so cool to talk on a radio station! Some people try to look at the negative sides of things, but most of the time there are more positive things to look at. This show "RFR" gives kids a goal, an influence. This show does do some stuff "illegal" but the characters in "RFR" always do their homework, barely ever get detention, make a commitment! These kids are committing to something. Wouldn't you rather have your kid committed to something like a radio station rather then drugs or something else terrible? "RFR" shows it exactly like it is! this is how it is for kids in our world. Their are always going to be groups that kids hang in. This show isn't a bad thing! Its a good thing. There may be bad parts to this show, but the bad things you have to LOOK for, the kids things you can see right away. i am a fan of RFR , thats why i am so passionate about this topic. so is "RFR" good or bad? i vote good.

RFR set in Canada?

[Section31_DS9 · 12 December 2004]

Despite some of the comments here, I don't believe RFR is in fact set in Canada. In the 'Think Pink' episode, Lily made a comment about RFR not being NPR -- NPR being National Public Radio, a solely American institution. Not to say a Canadian wouldn't make such an analogy -- but not on a TV show supposedly set in Canada.

In the same episode, Lily and another character made references to what they learned about President Abraham Lincoln in their History class. Speaking as a Canadian high school graduate, I can tell you we learn shamefully little about American history at that level.

It's not conclusive evidence, but it points very strongly towards the show being set in the U.S.