Greetings, everyone! Although I try my best to respond to everyone's questions in the comments section, I figure having a page with all popular questions and their answers would be much easier--and it makes the blog feel a little more complete. Plus, I added in a few of my own questions that I'm sure are on some of your minds.
Why write this blog?
First of all, I am a writer. Therefore, I like to write. Plus, I needed some kind of discipline to keep me writing consistently.
As Told by Ginger: Reviewed! was inspired by a more famous snarky review blog site: Full House Reviewed. I was a huge fan of Full House, so naturally, I was a big fan of the blog. I was sad to see that blog end after the guy who ran it, under the alias Billy Superstar, reviewed all 192 episodes. Seeing as he wasn't reviewing another show due to the psychological trauma he endured sitting through all eight seasons (ha-ha), I developed the idea to create a review blog of my own.
The first show that came to mind was Zoey 101, a Dan Schneider original that is the television equivalent of junk food wrapped in sparkles. I had a love-hate relationship with that show. I loved it as a kid, but now I look back on it in horror. I had planned on doing snarky reviews of that show in a similar style Billy had--with plenty of sarcasm and screenshots--but I couldn't get each chronological episode necessary to view the show in-depth. Instead, I looked to another show I could easily find. As Told by Ginger came to mind next, but for a different reason--it happened to be a good show in need of praise. And because it's so underrated, I figured showing the world why it's such a good Nicktoon would be the least I could do to keep its memory alive. And here we are.
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When did you start to hate Dodie?
Dodie is an interesting little mosquito. Funny thing is, I didn't realize just how bad she was until I began this review. I knew she was horrible, but not to the extent I know of now.
My hatred for Dodie grew exponentially throughout the series, and while I can't pinpoint the exact moment or episode where I officially hated her, I will say that I never saw her as a likable character. Her desperation for popularity and willingness to get it no matter what the costs already lands her in a special place in cartoon Hell. Now, if Dodie had grown away from her obsessive behavior and developed into a caring, actual best friend during the series run, I would not hate her. But because she actually gets worse as the series goes on, she deserves all the hate she gets.
Not to mention, I still cannot figure out why Ginger keeps Dodie around for this long. It's as if Dodie has secret manipulating powers that keep their friendship from being permanently severed. That's sort of how abusive relationships are. The victim has every reason to get away, but some (like Ginger) stick around for unknown reasons.
I suspect Ginger must have Stockholm Syndrome,
And for that, I hate Dodie.
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Who is your favorite character?
Surprisingly, I'd have to say Joann Bishop.
Yes, she's on my list of most hated characters, but there is something about her that just makes her a ball to watch. I speculate that Joann is based off of a real-life person, otherwise, I find it hard to believe that even the writers can create such a multidimensional character from pure imagination. And, unlike Doctor Dave's mother, who is one-dimensionally spiteful and mean (not to mention over-the-top to the point that it's unrealistic), Joann feels like that one crotchety neighbor or family member we all know--the one who hates herself but uses everyone else as a scapegoat for her problems to avoid admitting that she herself is the problem.
She's the kind of character I want to know more about, the kind of character where I'd binge-watch her childhood just to see why she became the drama queen bitch that she is.
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Who is your least favorite character?
You may think it's Dodie, but in fact, it's Hoodsey.
I know what you're thinking--and believe me, I have an explanation. Keep in mind that Hoodsey is simply my least favorite character, not my most hated character. There is a difference.
I don't like Hoodsey because he doesn't do anything. He doesn't serve any purpose to the show other than to be Carl's sidekick. And 90% of the time, he's whining and complaining that he doesn't want to go through with one of Carl's plans for one reason or another. Put it this way--if you gave Hoodsey an episode all to himself (not a B-plot), what would his dilemma be? Does it have something to do with Carl? Scratch that idea. If it was just Hoodsey and one other character in their own plot, what would be the situation?
My problem with Hoodsey is that he doesn't have enough personality to hold up an episode on his own. If you put him with Blake or Higsby or even Jonas, either of them would be the star of the episode because their personalities are stronger and more defined. Hoodsey really doesn't have much more to him other than the fact that he's a timid momma's boy who loves to eat. Oh! How about an episode where he loses weight? Surely he's not going to do that on his own, and will be helped by some other character who will undoubtedly give him insight or something to help him achieve his goals.
I'm not trying to be mean, but he's just the most easily replaceable character in the series. In other words, the most boring. That's what makes him my least favorite.
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Why do you really hate Ginger and Darren as a couple?
It's not that I hate them dating--I just feel like they'd be better off with different people, See, Nickelodeon has this trope in nearly every show that the main character and opposite gender best friend develop crushes on each other and eventually start dating. As Told by Ginger is no exception. Also, like many other relationships in Nickelodeon shows (Danny and Sam from Danny Phantom, Ned and Moze from Ned's Declassified, Zoey and Chase from Zoey 101, etcetera), Ginger and Darren's relationship was forced for the fans' sake. They have zero chemistry, and completely opposite interests.
Not all romances happen because two characters have been best friends since birth. And not all couples who meet on a whim will break up for aforementioned best friend in the end. Perhaps Nickelodeon is trying to steer impressionable children away from jumping into a relationship, but kids are going to do as they please, so there is really no reason to shove these morals down their throats. Which reminds me...
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Do the cliches and tropes used in the show really bother you as much as you say they do? Or are they played up for laughs?
Honestly, yes, they do bother me. It's lazy writing. If the writers don't care, why should I?
As Told by Ginger is not the best show by any means, but it does stand out as a unique, good show worthy of attention because of its originality and concepts that are unheard of on other shows. With that said, I am horribly disappointed whenever a stupid cliche takes the place of what could otherwise be replaced with a different scenario with a different outcome.
One example that stands out in my mind is in "Piece of My Heart" when Darren thinks Courtney invited him to the school dance (when she really invited Will), and tells Ginger that she's just being jealous when she tries to tell him that it's strange for Courtney to ask him out, despite never showing any interest in him before.
This "you're just jealous!" trope infuriates me like no other because it's just so illogical and slows the plot down. Not to mention, it's a cheap way to create unnecessary drama. As Told by Ginger is too smart of a show to resort to cheap dramatic techniques.
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What other shows do you like?
I love this question because who doesn't like telling people their other favorite shows? From the Nickelodeon family, I hold a special place in my heart for Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Hey Arnold!, old SpongeBob SquarePants, old Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, Rugrats, Drake and Josh, Kenan and Kel, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, The Amanda Show, and All That.
In terms of non-Nickelodeon children's shows, I love Ed, Edd n Eddy, Powerpuff Girls, Arthur (yes, it's a little kid show, but the content is not infantile at all), Lizzie McGuire, and many more that'll take a list longer than you want to read. Because then I'll be tempted to explain why I like these shows.
Truthfully, I don't watch much TV anymore, not because I don't find it interesting, but because I just simply don't. I don't have Netflix or anything other than basic cable, so my daily TV is limited to shows on HGTV and whatever I catch on ABC Family or Nick at Nite and the like.
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What do you plan to do after this blog is finished?
Getting asked this question is like getting asked what I'm doing with my life now that I've graduated college. I have ideas, but no solid plan. At least in terms of blogging.
After this blog ends, I want to dedicate my time to working on my science fiction novel series I've kept on the back burner for far too long. I want to be a published author so badly that, even after almost five years, I'm still trying to get my first novel published (in between constant editing). That's a guarantee. I'd self-publish, but I'm too poor to afford an editor and cover designer.
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What if you created another review blog?
I would love to do another review blog of another Nickelodeon show--but only for a show that is acclaimed for brilliant writing/storytelling or absurdly terrible. Going for one of the extremes would be a more logical choice given both would attract fans and haters with solid opinions.
The thing is, I'm not sure how my schedule is going to be in the next few months. I'm still trying to find a full-time job and am going on interviews, so if I do get a job, a lack of time is going to impact my ability to write another weekly blog. However, the prospect is not completely off the table.
I plan to have an answer to this before I review "The Wedding Frame." But what about you guys? What would you like to see me review?
If I were to do an acclaimed show, I would definitely do Hey Arnold! or the Avatar series because they have substance that would be fun to analyze. If I were to do a terrible show, I'd go with my original plan, Zoey 101, and have a blast poking fun at Little-Miss-Perfect Zoey and her "perfect" boarding school. I wouldn't do slapstick shows like SpongeBob because the criteria I would be critiquing it on would be purely subjective. Could I really do an analysis on the humor of Patrick stabbing a bandaged Squidward with a jellyfishing net? Could I seriously analyze the intentions of Ed, Edd, and Eddy building a cardboard city in the cul-de-sac?
Shows like that are too silly to analyze seriously. I would need a show grounded in realistic (to an extent) drama where I can question the characters' motives and judge whether or not the actions they take make sense.
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Have any other questions? Ask them in the comments section!
This is a great new section, Deebiedoobie! I was imagining that you'd do some sort of Q&A thing before you finish reviewing "As Told by Ginger". I have SO many questions that I wanna ask you, because I'm one of your biggest fan, and you're so cool! You don't mind me asking mulitple questions in one comment, do you? So, from now on, I won't be asking any questions in the comment sections of episode reviews. This is where I go!
ReplyDeleteHere's some of my most wondered questions:
1: How did you became a fan of "ATBG"?
2: What's the story behind your unusual nickname?
3: What inspired you to become a writer?
4: What are your thoughts on the three major adult cartoons, "The Simpsons", "South Park", and "Family Guy"?
5: Any favorite Disney movies?
6: If there is ever a chance of "ATBG" returning somehow, what is your ideal revival?
See? Only six questions for now. Answer soon!
I must say I'm happy you like "Kenan and Kel", "The Amanda Show", "All That", and "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide". Because, coincidentally, I've said to myself that those are the only live-action Nickelodeon shows I'd sit through with no problem. Otherwise, the Nicktoons (including "Ginger", of course) are literally the only things I care about that network now. Those, and their famous, orange, shape-shifting, totally not boring previous logo.
Also, I predicted that you may like "Ed, Edd 'n Eddy", because of that picture you posted on your "Ginger's Solo" review. I think Carl Foutley and the Eds could do good business together. :)
1) Funny thing is, I *hated* As Told by Ginger at first. I honestly don't remember why. I do, however, remember as a kid only watching the theme song, and then instantly changing the channel when the show began. And then one day, I left the remote alone, and I started watching it. And I realized, "Hey, I like this show." I became a real fan after realizing it was better than a typical Nicktoon.
Delete2) I'm a very childish person. And creative. I don't know if my childishness comes out in my blog, but I say and do things around my closest friends that are considered childish. I create my own words just for the heck of it, like puppers, shmabopple (that was a fun one to spell to people), and the all-famous deebiedoobie. These words just come to me. There's no exact origin for any of them. However, deebiedoobie is my favorite, which is why it's my alias.
3) When I was in first grade (or possibly even kindergarten), I started writing my first book series entitled "Michelle's Friends" based on me and people I knew. I must have read a lot of books back then and decided I wanted to write a few myself. These stories were written in the style of journal entries of the characters' crazy adventures. I wrote dozens of them from age 5 to about 11. I even remember reading a few to my classmates. And then when I stopped writing those, I branched out and wrote more intricate stories. I submitted them to my middle school's "Writer of the Month" contest and won quite a few times. So, I suppose the fact that people liked my kiddie stories encouraged me to write more.
4) The Simpsons - School bus yellow-skinned people making social commentaries? Heck yeah! I love shows in general that do this, but the Simpsons specifically has a charm to it that's practically hypnotizing. Strangely, I'm not a major fan, but I will watch it if it happens to come on.
South Park - I really should watch this more. For a show that gets so much harsh criticism (most likely from anal-retentive ultra-conservative mothers who assume all cartoons are for children), it's actually one of the smarter shows of our generation. And every December, I sing the Dreidel Song, despite not being Jewish. It's so catchy!
Family Guy - I used to LOVE this show and its early episodes, until the writers started to run out of ideas and started getting cocky. After a while, the show just became unwatchable to me, and I officially stopped after a particular episode where Peter and Meg were sleeping together, but this was an alternate universe episode where they weren't related. It's hard to explain, but the show just became uncomfortable to watch after that point.
5) I'm probably one of the very few first-world people who hasn't seen Disney movies (I'm assuming you're talking about the Walt Disney classics). I've only seen Tarzan and Aladdin, so as of right now, Tarzan is my favorite.
6) This is an intriguing question! If As Told by Ginger came back to TV, I'd pick up where "The Wedding Frame" left off. I'd be the head writer, and using my powers, I'd make Ginger kick Dodie to the curb. Not so quickly though--I'd want there to be dramatic tension where Dodie sneaks into Ginger and Courtney's rooms one night to raid their stuff for her secret shrine. Ginger would find out, and their friendship would shatter beyond repair, leaving Dodie with a panic attack and a trip to a mental asylum. There, she would explain to a shrink why she's so obsessed with Ginger and popularity.
Also, I'd have Macie's sinuses clear up, we'd watch the Griplings learn how to live their lives as middle-class citizens, send Miranda and Mipsy to military school, have Carl and Noelle get back together and take a trip around the world with a spiritual guru friend, and have Dave Bishop divorce Joann, taking Dodie and Hoodsey with them.
What are your thoughts on "Degrassi", and is it superior or inferior to "Ginger"?
ReplyDeleteI actually have never seen a full episode of Degrassi, so I don't have an answer for that.
DeleteOkay, then here's a question you must have an answer for: how long does it take you to write an episode review? Do you write it in one day, or do you work on the review of the week for a couple of days, saving it as a draft in between?
ReplyDeleteThe process takes between 2-4 hour-long sessions of writing, watching, and taking screenshots over the course of two days. So, each episode review is (on average) the product of 3 hours worth of work. For the TV movie episodes, I'll start earlier in the week and spread it out over multiple days, but I almost never write an entire post in one day.
DeleteHere are a bunch more questions from me:
ReplyDelete1: On a scale from 1 to 10, how stressful was college life for you?
2: Who is the worst Nicktoon friend: Dodie Bishop or Patrick Star in the later episodes of "SpongeBob" (where he went from being a charmingly dumb, loyal pal, to an obnoxious sociopath who has hinted in "The Card" that he feigns his stupidity, at least according to The Mysterious Mr. Enter)?
3: Since Joann is one of your favorite characters, does that mean you see her as less unlikable than her daughter or not?
4: Do you REALLY think that there might be something mentally wrong with the characters on "As Told by Ginger", as you said in your "Easter Ham" review?
5: Do you REALLY love meatball sandwiches, as you mentioned in your "Ms. Foutley's Boys" review?
6: Aren't you aware of how similar Macie Lightfoot is to Chuckie Finster from "Rugrats"?
7: What would you do if you encounter Emily Kapnek in person?
8: Do you visit TV Tropes?
9: Any advice for aspiring writers, including myself?
I'm sorry if I'm overworking you with questions to answer. You don't have to be lengthy with your answers. :) It's too bad I'm the only one who's asking questions here. I hope Jessica Victoria will give you her share of questions.
I have no problem answering all your questions. I feel like discussion should be a natural thing between writers and readers.
Delete1) 5--There were some semesters I breezed through, while others I wondered how I was going to make it to nightfall.
2) Dodie. I don't even consider Patrick as SpongeBob's friend anymore--he's morphed into a stock character to both absorb and deal abuse for cheap laughs.
3) Joann is completely unlikeable, even more than Dodie. But her personality is so intriguing, I just want to know more about her.
4) It's a cartoon, so most of these messed up characters are going to be caricatures of real-life personalities. If they were *real* people, then yes, they'd all need to go to a shrink immediately. And someone would need to go out and test that Sheltered Shrubs water to see if that's the cause of their behavior.
5) I love meatballs, and I love sandwiches, so yes.
6) They do share a lot of similarities, yes, but the biggest difference is that Macie can be fearless from time-to-time. Chuckie will freak out if a leaf falls on his leg.
7) I wouldn't recognize her. But if she introduced herself, I'd probably make small-talk and watch her surprise to me not bombarding her with Ginger questions. I can only imagine how many people question her about the show when they meet her.
8) Totally. That's where I find and match-up cliches.
9) Your best writing will come out in the projects you're most interested in. Never be your own editor (I am embarrassed at how many obvious mistakes I find in my posts after I publish them). Don't feel bad if you don't write every day--real writers write because they like to, not because they force themselves to do it. Oh, and avoid being politically correct--I find that people who do that are cowardly, and are more concerned with possibly offending someone than getting their message out.
I appreciate your advice, Deebiedoobie. And I must admit, I DO write at my best when it's based around my interests, such as animation (including this show), whether my writing is fiction or non-fiction.
DeleteBut, of course, we're not immune to "writer's block". I don't feel much enthusiasm when I write about a topic that I have minimal knowledge from the heart on, like geology. But, you have no choices in school, right?
What do you think of these other major adult cartoons: "Beavis and Butt-head", "King of the Hill", "Futurama", "American Dad!", "Bob's Burgers", and whatever Adult Swim original?
ReplyDeleteBeavis and Butt-Head: My brother watched this show back in the 90s and introduced it to me. It's goofy and really doesn't make sense, but Daria was a spin-off of it, so I'm glad for its existence.
DeleteKing of the Hill: Never got a chance to see it.
Futurama: I love Futurama. I've only seen a handful of episodes, but from what I've seen, it's quite entertaining. I always cry at the flashback scene of Fry's dog, Seymour, when he waited for Fry to come back after he was cryogenically frozen. Poor dog.
American Dad!: I personally like this show better than Family Guy--at least, better than modern episodes of Family Guy.
Bob's Burgers: Never got a chance to see it, but I've heard good things about it.
Did you grew up watching "Sesame Street", and have fond memories of it? In addition, which do you think is the better death episode: episode 1839 of "Sesame Street", where Big Bird learns about Mr. Hooper's death; or "Losing Nana Bishop" from "As Told by Ginger"?
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's anyone in the English-speaking world who hasn't watched Sesame Street at least a few times. I know I watched it. Big Bird's reaction to Mr. Hooper's death is the better death episode--hands down, no question.
DeleteI'm giving another bunch of questions for the week, so I won't have to do it tomorrow on review day. Hope that's okay. :)
ReplyDelete1: Do you see Ginger Foutley as a good role model for girls?
2: Who are your top five favorite characters of "ATBG", in no particular order?
3: Have you ever seen videos by The Mysterious Mr. Enter (for a brief summary, he's a wise young man who
reviews and analyzes cartoons, both good ones and crappy ones, just like you)?
4: In your "Wicked Game" review, you said that it's the second time (after the holiday special) you ever
felt sorry for Dodie, but didn't you sympathized her in "Losing Nana Bishop", or did you only enjoyed her
misery?
6: Who's the worst human being: Dodie or Miranda?
7: Do you think Dodie, in addition to being a mini-Joann, might be a sociopath, or a sociopath waiting to
happen?
8: If you DO get a job at an animation studio, as you hoped in your "About" page, which one would you like, and why?
9: Are there any recent trends/fads/crazes that annoy you?
10: Will you be remembering and celebrating "Ginger"'s 15th anniversary, on October 25?
Read you tomorrow, Deebiedoobie! Oh, and if you haven't started gathering the screenshots for "Detention", remember that Funnier Moments' upload of that episode (taken from iTunes) must have some glitching somewhere. If said glitching disturbs your review in progress, go back to YouTube to get your screenshots.
1) This is a tricky question because Ginger has shown to be a prime example of how *not* to act, while other episodes show her as a stick in the mud or goody-goody. I don't really believe in cartoon characters as role models, but speaking to her as a whole, I suppose Ginger would be a good choice for people to look up to.
Delete2) Joann, Dodie (yes, I hate her too, but she's still a favorite), Lois, Carl, and Mrs. Gordon.
3) Yes, I have. That's where I first discovered his Animated Atrocities and just how awful "Arnold Betrays Iggy" from Hey Arnold! is.
4) I'm a little embarrassed that I had forgotten about that. Yes, I did feel sorry for Dodie that episode. My attention was on Hoodsey for that episode because of the speech he had to make despite his lack of mourning for Nana Bishop.
5) You skipped over #5.
6) Dodie. I don't know if I had mentioned this before, but the reason is that Miranda knows she's evil, while Dodie tries to hide that fact behind false pretenses.
7) If anything, I picture Dodie becoming one of two things: if she and Ginger remain friends through adulthood, Dodie will become increasingly possessive and obsessive with Ginger to the point where she actually begins stalking her like the paparazzi to a celebrity. Alternatively, if Ginger grows the balls to kick Dodie to the curb, Dodie will surely become just as creepy and stalker-ish, to the point where she'll be like "If I can't have her as a best friend, no one can." And heads will pop off. So, yeah, Dodie definitely has sociopathic potential.
8) I've always said my dream job is to be a writer for Pixar, since I'm interested in children's television/entertainment/etc. but I'm not willing to move to California. If Pixar moved out east, well, I'd drop my dignity and become their slave. Heh-heh.
9) I think it would be easier if I made a list of recent fads that *didn't* annoy me--memes, Uptown Funk, Gangnam Style, the "real food" movement (I hear they're shutting down McDonald's restaurants left and right), vintage clothing (not in the hipster way).
10) Ah, yes, I will be planning something special for that day.
Oh yes, I already am aware of how Miranda is an honest villian, while Dodie doesn't want to admit ANYTHING (not even the truth about her selfishness she could handle in "The Easter Ham"). Thus, Miranda is only my third most hated character, after the two Bishop broads. However, I wasn't sure if you thought so too, until now, because you never called Dodie "the biggest b!%@# on Nickelodeon," which was what you called Miranda in past reviews.
DeleteAlso, in regards of Dodie having "sociopathic potential," it's possible that she'll grow up into a psycho who'll try and frig up Ginger's life even further. Now I'm REALLY scared of Bishop! :0
But in all seriousness, can you please explain how in the world Dodie Bishop, of all people (not even Courtney or Macie)
ReplyDeleteis one of your top five favorite characters of "As Told by Ginger"? It's the biggest surprise I've gotten on this blog since when you said in your "Wicked Game" review that you felt sorry for her in that episode.
Dodie is one of my favorite characters because, like Joann, Carl, Lois, and Mrs. Gordon, she is interesting. While revisiting my favorite childhood shows, I've found that a character doesn't have to be likable to be a favorite. There is a complexity to Dodie that is not present in Macie or Courtney (though I still love them, too.) She's the kind of character you could talk about for hours because there's so much to say about her. She stands out. In fact, I don't know of many others who play both the "best friend to the main character" and "secret antagonist to the main character" card. The writers managed to create a character that I despise, yet simultaneously feel sorry for. Because she grew up as Joann's daughter, Dodie is stuck with many of her personality traits and influence. Also, because she's still young, Dodie has the potential to become a good person and not spawn a mini-her like Joann did. She just needs better guidance, a good therapist, and a smack in the face with reality. I don't know what else to tell you.
DeleteI can buy that explaination. And I must admit that Dodie IS a very interesting character to rant on, portray, and talk about in general, maybe even more so than Ginger herself. If you browse my Google+ page, you'll find more posts on Dodie than any other single character of this show. And like you once told me in the comment section of "Family Therapy", "As Told by Ginger" as a whole would be less interesting of a show without Dodie alive.
DeleteSo, if a character on a show doesn't have to be totally likable to be a favorite, then I must admit that Squidward and (post-movie) Patrick are two of my favorite "SpongeBob" characters, Peter and Brian Griffin are two of my favorite characters on uncancelled "Family Guy" (don't know about Lois, though), Angelica is one of my favorites on "Rugrats", and Eustace is one of my favorites on "Courage the Cowardly Dog"! All for the same reason as why you love/hate Dodie!
Speaking of Patrick, doesn't he also play both the "best friend to the main character", and the "secret antagionist to the main character" in the later episodes of "SpongeBob"? I know you don't consider them to be friends anymore, but still.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHappy Review Day! Here's my weekly bunch of questions for you, and please answer the one I asked you on Wednesday at 1:00.
ReplyDeleteYou're great!
#1: Which "ATBG" character are you the most like, and can relate to the most?
#2: Do you REALLY find Dodie to be EVIL, or is she actually just an incredibly insecure jerk of a girl who's in need of serious help while she's still young?
#3: Why isn't "As Told by Ginger: Reviewed!" mobile-friendly, unlike other blogs made on Blogger?
#4: Are you still planning a post ranting on Ginger and Dodie's sort-of-friendship?
#5: Since you already mentioned your favorite Courtney outfit, what are your favorite outfits worn by each of the three main girls of "ATBG"?
#6: What is your favorite season one episode of "As Told by Ginger"?
#7: Are there any other Klasky Csupo shows you like, besides "Ginger" and "Rugrats"?
#8: What are your favorite things to watch on YouTube (and I'm talking about things ORIGINAL to YouTube, not TV show uploads)?
#9: What are your favorite books
to read?
#10: You hinted before that you like "Daria", but what are your detailed thoughts on that cartoon?
#11: Any favorite Disney animated TV series?
#12: Do you really find Ginger to becoming less of a likable character as the show goes on, like you said in "Fair to Cloudy"?
Answer soon! And break a leg with your review of "As Told by Dodie"--I mean "Kiss Today Goodbye"!
1) I'm probably most like Macie personality-wise--minus the chronic sinus condition.
Delete2) Sometimes I think Dodie is just pure evil, but she does care about Ginger, even if most of the time she likes to use her as a springboard to popularity. But I believe she's young enough so that she can learn and become a better person in the future.
3) I've played around with this early on in the blog, and I figured just keeping it in desktop mode makes it easier for viewers familiar with that format to get around. There's not much clicking around anyhow, so making it mobile-friendly seems like a bit of a waste. If people request I make the blog mobile-friendly, I'll change it.
4) I'm planning on posting a bunch of short rants and top 10-type lists after reviewing "The Wedding Frame," so that will be in there somewhere.
5) I never particularly liked any of Dodie's outfits, or Ginger's actually. They're too grungy for my taste. I love when Macie wears hats, like in "Of Lice and Friends."
6) "Come Back Little Seal Girl." You're never too old for childhood cartoons.
7) Once in a while, I'd watch "The Wild Thornberrys" and "All Grown Up!" I believe they're from Klasky Csupo. I realize "The Wild Thornberrys" was probably highly underrated, though.
8) I used to watch =3 when Ray William Johnson was the host. It was my favorite YouTube series. Now, my go-to series are Nostalgia Critic, WatchMojo, The Mysterious Mr. Enter, Cyanide and Happiness (not really a YouTube original, though) CinemaSims, and basically anything related to kittens, cats, and other animals.
9) Recently, I just finished "Stay with Me" by J. Lynn, but I'm trying to get more into science fiction in preparation for my series. I'd say my favorite sci-fi books are "At the Mountains of Madness" and "Never Let Me Go." Other than that, I surprisingly don't read much.
10) Daria is what every teen dramedy should be, but is too afraid to be. As my boyfriend said when I introduced him to the show, it's "exactly how high school was--full of idiots." What I love about Daria is that it's honest without being cruel, funny without being silly, and the show has some of the best and most quotable characters. Mr. DiMartino--the insane history teacher with a pulsing eyeball, dumb Tiffany from the Fashion Club, and Trent are among my favorite characters. I especially love Daria's dry, sarcastic humor and monotonous tone throughout the entire series, and how even during extreme scenarios, she barely flinches. In a way, I'm a lot like her. Except I'm much more emotional.
11) Kim Possible, The Proud Family, and Brandy and Mr. Whiskers were among my favorites.
12) I do, but I blame that on her budding teenhood. Overall, she's really not *that* bad.
How would you compare Courtney Gripling to Rhonda Lloyd from "Hey Arnold!"?
ReplyDeleteThey're quite similar, except Rhonda has a more holier-than-thou attitude towards her family's fortune, while Courtney at least tries to show that she can be just like middle class folk. Not to mention, Courtney, unlike Rhonda, is actually a good friend and never mocks those "below" her. Rhonda, on the other hand, needs a good kick in the butt sometimes. The "Cool Party" episode in particular springs to mind. I get she's allowed to invite whomever she pleases, but the fact that some people are deemed uncool for trivial reasons is just...ugh. What a spoiled brat.
DeleteI have two questions about the families on "ATBG":
ReplyDelete#1: Do you think the Bishops are even more screwed-up than the most famous dysfunctional cartoon family of all time, the Simpsons?
#2: Would you label the Griplings an unnormal family (but not to the extent of the Bishops), considering how Courtney in particular is so sheltered in her rich, pampered environment (though she was fine living with the middle-class Foutleys for a while) that she'd probably die if she was alone in the woods? Not to mention, Courtney and Blake's dad is in jail for reasons I forgot.
1) I haven't seen enough of The Simpsons to make a fair comparison, but considering they're supposed to be dysfunctional, it makes them seem like it less than the Bishops, who are all sick in their own twisted way.
Delete2) What I find abnormal about the Griplings is, not only are they portrayed as an unrealistic rich family (heh-heh, how would I know, right?) but that TGIF episode where they allowed Ginger to stay with them, well, those scenes said it all. I feel like Courtney would do well in a middle-class lifestyle, so long as she's in an urban/suburban area. The other Griplings would perish easily without their billions (millions?). By the way, Mr. Gripling was jailed for insider trading.
Deebiedoobie? Everything's okay with you? You haven't answered any of my last three questions yet. I ain't in a hurry, though I might hold off the weekly compilation of questions this weekend. You just spend time on your review of the best episode of "Ginger" in your opinion. :) But remember what I told in last week's comment section about where to get your screenshots. Very important! Read you tommorrow!
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm still here. I've been a bit busy this week so that's why I took so long to respond.
DeleteWell, since I know you're still alive and well, I might as well give you my weekly compilation of questions tonight:
ReplyDelete#1: Even during your days off from working on this blog, do you like to watch "As Told by Ginger" whenever
you have the time too?
#2: Do you miss Courtney and Miranda, given that they're barely present during the high school era (though
you'll see Miranda this week, and Courtney the week after)?
#3: To you, is Lois Foutley the best mom not only on Nickelodeon, but in all of television animation?
#4: Do you have any favorite theatrical movies based on Nicktoons?
#5: Since Pixar is your dream animation studio, what are your favorite films by them?
#6: What are your thoughts on another Nickelodeon teen dramady, "Unfabulous" (I got into it recently, and noticed a few similarities to "Ginger")?
#7: Is working on this blog a big pain in your butt, sometimes?
#8: Have you visited FanFiction yet, and read stories based on "ATBG"?
#9: If Dodie Bishop existed, what would you do if you encountered her (this should be fun to answer)?
#10: (joke question) Can I make a Krabby Patty now?
Answer soon!
1) I'll watch some episodes I hadn't reviewed yet (way before I reach them on the blog), but that's about it. After analyzing everything I can find about each episode, it'll be a long time before I return to old episodes to watch for fun.
Delete2) In a way, I kind of do miss Miranda because she's a fun villain. I love making comments about her signature laugh and cartoonishly-diabolical nature. I miss the hell out of Courtney--I really wish the high school episodes focused more on her.
3) I can't think of a cartoon mom I love better than Lois Foutley.
4) Rugrats in Paris comes to mind as my all-time favorite. The beginning is so heartbreaking with Chuckie longing for a mother--moreso because he's only two! I also enjoy the Hey Arnold movie (I know other fans may disagree). The Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius movie pilot is fantastic. Oh, and the first SpongeBob movie.
5) Ooh, this is a good question (this is in no particular order, by the way): Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Toy Story 1, 2, and 3, Inside Out, Ratatouille, and The Incredibles. I've seen a few more, but I don't consider them to stand out enough to be a favorite.
6) I have a love-hate relationship with Unfabulous. I loved it when I was in junior high school, but looking back, I realize it had a lot of awful messages. (Trivia: Did you know Emma Roberts, AKA Addie Singer, physically abused her boyfriend? Awful!) I never cared for Addie as a singer--which is supposed to be the crutch of the show, but her guitar-playing is pretty neat. It's pretty generic as far as Nickelodeon sitcoms (Nickcoms?) go, and I didn't find any of the characters likeable, mostly because they're carbon copies of stereotypes from nearly every other show. Hmm, you've just given me an idea for a bonus post at the conclusion of the blog...
7) Yes. At least I've gotten better at screencapping, so it's not as painful as before. I used to have a long, arduous method for capturing screenshots that is just too embarrassing to describe.
8) I have, but haven't gotten around to reading an entire story yet. Bits and pieces, yes.
9) Assuming I aged backwards 10 years and was turned into a Klasky-Csupo cartoon, I'd befriend Ginger and Macie, turn them against Dodie using my logic as to why she's a despicable child, and watch as Dodie slowly slips into insanity as the only friends she has in her life fade away. I just *really* want to see her get the revenge she deserves. Alternatively, I'd walk down the school hallway, punch her in the face, and walk on by.
10) Oh, no. You've got a lot to learn before you're ready to make a Krabby Patty.
What are some of your favorite episodes of "Hey Arnold!", "Avatar", "SpongeBob", "Fairly OddParents", and "Rugrats"? BTW, I don't expect a particular order for each show's list of episodes.
ReplyDeleteHey Arnold - "Buses, Bikes, and Subways," "Helga on the Couch," and "The Journal."
DeleteAvatar - I don't remember the episode name, but it's the one where Aang and the gang finally find Appa after he was kidnapped. I actually cried. Oh, and the final episode, too.
SpongeBob - "Jellyfish Jam" and "Band Geeks."
Fairly OddParents - "Information Stupor Highway," "The Secret Origin of Denzel Crocker," and all the Jimmy-Timmy Power Hours
Rugrats - "The Mattress" is pretty funny. I don't really have favorites for this show.
Here's a trio of questions:
ReplyDelete#1: Could you agree that season three of "As Told by Ginger" is a bit too Dodie-focused compared to the first two, given that we have about FIVE episodes that focus on her to some extent ("Wicked Game", "The Easter Ham", "About Face", "Kiss Today, Goodbye", and of course, "Dodie's Big Break")? Also, could you agree that season three has the biggest cases of Dodie being a crappy friend and person than ever before?
#2: What would you rather sit through: a bad episode of "ATBG" (like the blood pressure-raising "Dodie's Big Break"), or "The Last Airbender" movie?
#3: Who's the worst Nicktoon character in your opinion: Dodie, Mr. Krabs (especially in the later "SpongeBob" episodes), Angelica Pickles, or Vicky the babysitter?
1) Normally, I don't mind when other characters dominate episodes. In this case, Dodie being front and center is really making me start to hate this show. Good thing there are only three episodes left so I don't have to hate it. And yes, I do believe Dodie has actually become worse after entering high school.
Delete2) ATBG. I've heard horrible things about The Last Airbender movie (thanks to a scathing review by the Nostalgia Critic). I really don't want it to ruin my impression of the series, so I'll gladly take a bad Ginger episode instead.
3) Dodie is hands-down the worst. Mr. Krabs is supposed to be unlikable, though he is fun to watch. Angelica is still only 3, and I blame Charlotte and Drew's neglect for her behavior. She doesn't grow up to be a bully, thank goodness. And Vicky--I've rolled my eyes at her in the later Fairly OddParents episodes. She has no depth or interesting characteristics. One episode was basically, "DIE TIMMY" and Timmy cut a hole in his floor under Vicky. He dropped in cans of Vicky food and she was absent the rest of the episode. Boring.
#1: On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you love the show you're reviewing?
ReplyDelete#2: Which season of "ATBG" is your favorite, and which is your least season?
#3: Do you really have poor memory, as you mentioned in your "Heat Lightning"? You don't seem that bad at recalling things.
#4: Why don't you credit the writers (especially creator Emily Kapnek) and directors of each "ATBG" episode you review by name, as well as list the episode's original airdate (if any)?
#5: Which "ATBG" character do you think is the prettiest (by its standards or whatever)?
#6: Time for another game of "Who's Worse?": Dodie or Princess Azula?
#7: What are your thoughts on "Gravity Falls"?
#8: What are your thoughts on "iCarly" and "T.U.F.F. Puppy", both starring Jerry Trainor?
#9: Do you have any friends (keep them anonymous) that are also fans of "Ginger" and your blog?
#10: By this point, do you know the characters of "ATBG" so well that you can be able to write them in a story of your own without having to study them before writing?
1) At this point, 6. Which is still a passing grade.
Delete2) My favorite episodes and most despised episodes are in various seasons, so I don't necessarily like one season more than another.
3) I have a strange memory. One strong example is that I can remember my boyfriend's mom's exact birthday, but I can't ever remember whether my boyfriend and I met on the 19th, 20th, or 21st of July during our college orientation. In other words, I tend to remember tiny, insignificant details more than important tasks sometimes.
4) I don't go into too much detail with this blog because it's supposed to be super casual and exaggerated for comedic purposes.
5) I'd say Leandra (probably because she looks the most human--with her mouth in the correct anatomical position).
6) Oh, this is stepping up the game, here. Princess Azula, of course! I will never forget that flashback episode where she set her doll's head on fire through firebending. That's hardcore for someone jealous of Zuko's attention. Dodie can't hold a candle to Azula (also because Azula would bend the flame). Haha!
7) Haven't seen it--but I've heard it's quite good.
8) Back in 2007/2008, I thought iCarly was cool. By the second season or so, I realized I liked Miranda Cosgrove better as the scheming little sister, Megan, on Drake and Josh. I don't blame her, though. iCarly was just too "trendy." And now all I can think of are annoying teeny-bopper preteens when I think of the show. Like, random dancing and overweight Gibby pulling off his shirt every other episode is not funny. It's childish--even for a kids' show. As for Jerry Trainor, to me, he will always be Crazy Steve.
Haven't seen T.U.F.F. Puppy, so no opinion.
9) Unfortunately, no.
10) Possibly--I have enough material for just about every major and minor character. I'm not a fan of fanfiction, so I wouldn't actually do it.
#1: So, I discovered on your profile that you're gonna be starting up a new blog called "The Lollygagger". Could you please tell us about it?
ReplyDelete#2: If "As Told by Ginger" isn't close to being your #1 favorite Nicktoon, then which one is? I'm still worrying about your supposed love for the show at risk.
#3: Would you rather: a bad "ATBG" episode, or a bad post-movie "SpongeBob" episode?
1) That's actually not going to happen. I meant to delete that blog since I don't have any interest pursuing it.
Delete2) I still love As Told by Ginger, but my #1 favorite will always be Hey Arnold!. If Hey Arnold! didn't exist, my favorite would definitely be Avatar: The Last Airbender.
3) Bad ATBG episode. Here's why: At least I know SOME thought was put into even the worst episodes, even if they don't make much sense at the moment. Mostly, I just theorize that every shoddy thing about the show is traced back to Dodie.
Right now, SpongeBob is at the point where it's so ridiculously popular, it can show almost anything, and people will still eat it up. It has lost basically all its quality after the writers realized this. No show should be invincible.
Whenever you write your reviews, do you write as yourself, or do you use an exaggerated persona (like how the Nostalgia Critic exaggerates the opinions of his portrayer Doug Walker)? The reason I'm asking you this is because I remember when you recently told me that don't see Dodie's obsession with Courtney as anything sexual, even though your eariler reviews humorously made it look like you did. Then there was your temper tantrum in your review of "Piece of My Heart" over the accusations of jealousy...
ReplyDeleteI don't completely write as myself, that much is true. I don't curse at all in real life but do in the reviews, the overexaggerated anger at the characters' choices/behavior (unless I specifically say something truly bothers me), and the fact that I tend to yell "at" the characters when they do something stupid or cruel is the extent of my character as Deebiedoobie. The sarcasm, one-liners, and writing style is the real me.
DeleteOkay, only a few questions, then I'll leave you alone to finish up your last "Ginger" review:
ReplyDelete#1: On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you enjoy working on this blog?
#2: Which episode of "As Told by Ginger" do you think helped the show grow the beard?
#3: Who's the worst at parenting: Joann Bishop, Mr. and Mrs. Turner, or the Rugrats' parents?
#4: Could you list your four ways of how you'd like to improve Nickelodeon?
#5: Trick question: who do you think is the prettiest - Ginger or Courtney? It's a trick question because you might think that they're both a bit ugly on their own.
#6: There's no way you can say that the Bishops are more screwed-up than Vicky's family on "The Fairly OddParents", is there?
I didn't even realize you left a new batch of questions.
Delete1) I'd say a 7. Some days, I wanted to get it over with because I had schoolwork to do or I didn't feel up to it, while other days, I couldn't wait to dive into particular episodes.
2) "Of Lice and Friends." If someone were to watch the series from beginning to end, episode 5 ("Of Lice and Friends") would be the episode that fully establishes the characters and their *actual* roles in the show.
3) Ooh, that's tough. But I guess I'd have to say Mr. and Mrs. Turner. The Rugrats' parents were negligent and oblivious, but they did love their children dearly. Joann is clearly not fit to be a mother of children--maybe if she had given birth to adults, it wouldn't have been too bad. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are just awful. They're honestly the reason why Timmy has fairies in the first place. If they actually took an interest in Timmy and didn't push Vicky on him every free chance they got, maybe Timmy would get to develop a healthy relationship with them.
4) Get rid of the teen shows (or at least move them to TeenNick), bring back Slime Time Live, create new shows that show how awesome it is to be a kid (and not how "awesome" it is to be a teen), and show a variety of shows like they did in the 90s--game shows, horror shows, drama, sketch, sitcom, etc. and of kids all over the world and from different backgrounds.
5) Considering Courtney and Ginger have almost the same face (Courtney has oval eyes), they're both pretty in the context of the show. But I'd have to go with Ginger, especially since she looks nice with straight hair and with her long curly hair.
6) The thing is, we don't have many episodes that show Vicky's family (I can only think of two off the top of my head). It just seems like Vicky's parents are afraid of Vicky, and have no way to stop her. So, I kind of feel bad for them.
We've clearly seen how dysfunctional the Bishops are--with Joann being a crotchety, angry, melodramatic woman, Dodie being Dodie, David being too passive and accepting of Joann's behaviors, and Hoodsey being a gluttonous momma's boy, there's more material to work off of, so the Bishops clearly win in that department.
Thanks for sharing my opinion on who's prettier. Though in my eyes, it's almost a tie between the two sweethearts. And thanks for saying that Timmy's nitwit parents are the worst. Joann may be grouchy and a bit too strict, but at least she isn't a ridiculously neglectful fool like the Turners.
Delete"Of Lice and Friends"? Really? Sure, it did fully established how crappy Dodie is, but in my opinion, either "Hello Stranger" or "Come Back, Little Seal Girl" helped the whole "ATBG" series find its identity as more than just a typical preteen girl's show.
One of MY ways of improving Nick is to reconcile its relationship with Klasky Csupo after "All Grown Up!" ended in 2008. It was bad how they screwed over the once dominate K-C back in the mid-'00s, in order to focus on the Sponge. I also see it as ungrateful, seeing as how they were responsible for that one show that put Nick into household name status in the 90s: "Rugrats".
Tomorrow is the big day! The "Hey Arnold!" review blog will go into full session!
ReplyDelete#1: So, how will you be doing the new blog? I mean, will you be doing "Downtown as Fruits" this week, and "Eugene's Bike" the next; or will you review both at the same time? They're only 11 minutes long, you know.
#2: Do you know the meaning/message behind "As Told by Ginger"'s theme song?
#3: If they existed, which "ATBG" character would you like to spend the day to hang out with?
#4: In your "Easter Ham" review, you said that you think Carl and Hoodsey's friendship might be false as well. Could you explain a little more on that?
#5: What's your favorite CURRENT Cartoon Network show?
#6: Are you one of those "Arnold" fans who prays for the "Jungle Movie" to happen someday?
#7: What are your thoughts on "Rugrats" and "Hey Arnold!" potentially getting rebooted?
1) I won't be mean and do each individual episode as a separate post. "Downtown as Fruits" and "Eugene's Bike" will be posted in the same post since they are technically shown together. This will be the format for every episode (including the half-hour specials such as "Parents' Day" and "Arnold's Christmas").
Delete2) No, actually. Please share, if you know.
3) Ooh, this is tough! If I had to choose one, it would be Laetitia Bowers from "New Girl in Town." She just seems like the most real and down-to-Earth character in the entire series. I wish she had more episodes. All the best characters get stuck with one or two episodes while Higsby gets a nice handful all to himself. Not fair!
4) Friendship is a lot more than just having someone to cause mischief with after school. To include someone as a friend is like including them as a member of your family. Hoodsey and Carl never acted like they were family, in the sense that they never really have each other's backs. When Joann forbade Hoodsey from hanging out with Carl ever again, Hoodsey basically shrugged and said, "Oh, that sucks." He *made sure* he wouldn't have any contact with Carl by shaking the batteries out of his walkie-talkie and shut the door on his face when Carl tried to bust him out. Hoodsey is more afraid of Joann catching him than he is losing Carl as a friend, and Hoodsey would willingly give up Carl as a friend if it means keeping Joann happy (happier). No real friend would do that.
Now, I'm not saying Hoodsey should just defy Joann's rules, but consider his priorities. If your parents told you to never speak to your best friend ever again, would you blindly follow their commands, or try to find a way to get your parents to forgive your friend so you wouldn't have to sneak around?
5) I don't watch new Cartoon Network shows (much like I don't watch new TV anymore), so unfortunately, I can't answer that.
6) I believe I signed a petition for Craig Bartlett to get it going again, but I know it's not going to happen. I'd love to be wrong, though. Heck, I'm still waiting on the Amanda Show's mini-drama parody series, Moody's Point, to reveal who the real Moody is after they left us hanging with a "to be continued" about twelve years ago.
7) I really think old shows should be left alone, but if they insist, there's nothing we can really do. As long as it's the same writers and storyboarders, I'm all for giving it a chance. Because anyone else will not have the same visions or style and will screw up the series.
#1: Just to be sure, of all of Ginger's crushes throughout the series, which do you prefer the most?
ReplyDelete#2: How well do you take opinions?
#3: What would you deal with anyone who hates "As Told by Ginger", especially those who are too ignorant to see how original it can be? Also, would you use your "Top 5 Best 'ATBG' Episodes" list as a weapon of defensive?
#4: Since you already said why you didn't include "Battle of the Bands" in your worst episode list, could you explain why "The Easter Ham", "I Spy a Witch", or "April's Fools" weren't at #5? And I thought "April's Fools" was your least favorite season two episode.
#5: What are your thoughts on "Courage the Cowardly Dog"?
1) I actually thought Joaquin (Love With a Proper Transfer Student) was sweet. Had he have been a *little* less eager to kiss Ginger, since he was rather hormonal, I would have fully supported them if they dated.
Delete2) I'd say pretty well. So long as they're well-argued and the person isn't spouting ignorance as a defense mechanism.
3) If people don't like As Told by Ginger because they think it's just another teeny-bopper show, I'd direct them to certain episodes to show them how unique it is. Yes, I suppose using my top 5 best episode list would be a good place to start. But if people still don't like the show or want to give it a chance, I bid them farewell in finding a show they do like.
4) A lot of factors go into deciding which episodes crack the top 5 lists. 5 is an arbitrary number, so of course that doesn't mean I only dislike 5 episodes and believe the rest are fine. It's just for formality, so I can narrow down which episodes *really* stand out as the worst. Lazy storytelling and irresponsible morals are the biggest reasons why the top 5 worst episodes are where they are.
Battle of the Bands didn't make the top 5 list because its morals in the Lessons Learned From This Episode section are too close to those in Dodie's Big Break, which was a much more irresponsible episode that could really mess kids up if they decide to be like Dodie and cheat their way to the top. While in Battle of the Bands, no harm can really be done if someone protests against uniforms alone, and ends up getting their way. Keep in mind it's what we're supposed to take from each episode that swayed my opinions of whether or not they ended up on the list.
5) "Return the slaaaaaab!"
It's a great show. I love all the characters and the villains. I should get into it more. I wonder why there weren't more horror shows for children at the time. It's hard to do, I know, as horror for adults is difficult, too. Some things that especially stood out was how some episodes would include bits of different animation styles. (There was one episode with a giant floating white head of a real person, I believe.) Granted, it wasn't one of my favorite shows, but I can appreciate it as one of the better Cartoon Network shows (Ed, Edd n' Eddy will always be my personal favorite).
Have you heard about "The Splat", a block on TeenNick that airs various classic Nick shows from the '90s and early 2000s (and "Ginger" is one of them)?
ReplyDeleteI have, though I haven't gotten the chance to check it out.
DeleteMostly spooky-themed questions this time for an obvious reason.
ReplyDelete#1: Do you have a taste in horror?
#2: What things scare you the most as an adult?
#3: Any childhood fears?
#4: Which "ATBG" character do you think is the scariest or creepiest, to the point where they almost gave you nightmares?
#5: What would you like to dress up as for Halloween?
#6: Any favorite Halloween-themed cartoon episodes?
#7: What are your thoughts on "Invader Zim"?
#8: How would you compare the haughty character of Joann to that of Squidward?
#9: Which candies do you have particular sweet teeth for?
1) I don't mind horror films--Nightmare on Elm Street and Alien are among my favorite horror series. But I find the majority of horror shows/movies are quite boring since nobody seems to know how to do horror properly. Or so I've heard.
Delete2) Having student loans that need to be paid off and not being able to get out of my parents' apartment.
3) Bees and burglars used to scare me. I believe they were acquired fears because I never specifically dealt with either. I've actually developed a bee and wasp phobia. One time, I was eating Chinese food and a wasp flew into the restaurant and landed on my food. I felt like I was going to pass out because it was so terrifying. Not fun. I still experience that phobia today.
4) Higsby creeps me out--the little runt will do anything to get attention.
5) I would love to go as Marty McFly from Back to the Future and have someone else next to me as Doc Brown. Maybe even get a dog to be Einstein. One day that will happen--I don't care if I'm 80 years old--it will happen!
6) It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. What a classic.
7) Cute show, although I couldn't get into it as much as I wanted to. I will watch it, but it's not something I'd fangirl over. Fun fact: the creator of Invader Zim, Jhonen Vasquez, originally wanted to write a darker show. Of course, he couldn't do anything too dark for Nickelodeon, but he agreed to create a cartoon (Invader Zim) for Nickelodeon.
8) Joann is essentially bitter over the fact that she couldn't have the childhood she wanted. Squidward just wants some peace and quiet for once. Both are grumpy characters who could take action if they wanted to, but choose to complain over the little daily grievances because it's more convenient for them. Strangely, despite both being characters we're not supposed to "like," I somehow feel more of a connection with them than I do with other characters. Perhaps because I'm a little bit like them myself. Hopefully I'll grow out of it.
9) Oooh. I LOVE dark chocolate. Even better if it's dark chocolate with real raspberry filling. Also, almost anything with chocolate and peanuts or peanut butter mixed together are a particular favorite. Reeses, Snickers... yum.
Hey, Deebiedoobie! Long time no ask!
ReplyDelete#1: I should have asked you this on its 15th anniversary; do you agree with my and Old School Lane's Patricia's opinion that "As Told by Ginger" is Klasky Csupo's best Nicktoon, even more so than "Rugrats"? Just wanna be sure.
#2: Who do you think is the bigger gossip queen: Dodie or talk show host Wendy Williams?
#3: What are your overall thoughts on the holiday season, and how commercial and materialized it has been in the last several decades?
#4: What are your favorite holiday specials and movies?
#5: What are your favorite and least favorite Nicktoon holiday episodes?
#6: Like what you did with "As Told by Ginger", will you review the pilot of "Hey Arnold!" as a bonus post in the future? Not to mention the three claymation "Arnold" shorts made in the late '80s.
Long time no ask, indeed!
Delete1) It depends on what you consider to be the "best." Looking back, Rugrats and As Told by Ginger are both phenomenal shows. It's hard to choose, but I have to say I'm leaning slightly towards Rugrats as being Klasky-Csupo's best Nicktoon. Mainly because I don't know how any other production company can make a show about toddlers and their adventures more watchable and tongue-in-cheek better than Klasky-Csupo.
2) Dodie. 100% Dodie.
3) You know, that's an interesting question because I just came up with a story idea based strongly on my own thoughts about the over-commercialization of Christmas. It all started when I was walking through the Christmas section of some store (I think it was Rite Aid), only to come face-to-face with a pathetically small, embarrassing selection of Hanukkah decor. I'm not Jewish, and even I feel bad for them. Honestly.
We've built up a cult around Christmas and New Year's that no other holiday can even hold a candle to, and it lasts *months* before they even get here. I'm not sure if Christmas is more commercialized now than in decades past (since I've only had 21 Christmases so far). Regardless, it's actually made me dislike Christmas a little less. Not Christmas itself, but the idea of it being nothing but stress, spending, and sentimentality all wrapped up in one big, red, sparkly bow. But you know, it might actually be somewhat of a good thing that we're so commercialized around this time, because it means the western world has enough wealth and material stuff so that we can afford to complain about it being too commercialized. I know I'd rather Christmas be over-commercialized than not being able to have anything at all like some poverty-stricken countries.
4) The original 1966 How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Eight Crazy Nights (despite how dumb it is), The Santa Clause 1, 2, and 3, and The Polar Express are among my favorites.
5) Favorites - Arnold's Christmas, Merry Christmas Drake and Josh, and The SpongeBob Christmas special. Least Favorite - None that I can actually think of.
6) I'll definitely be reviewing the Hey Arnold! pilot eventually. And if I can find the claymation shorts, I suppose I could review those too.