"iCarly" [Schneider, 2007] Season 1 [Sep. '07- Jul. '08] [TV-Y7]

This adolescent-comedy show improves on Dan Schneider's previous safe program of the same genre, "Drake & Josh," by, um, being funnier. It is also much weirder, which is primarily what holds the show, including its humor, back. Topic: a webshow hosted by the 15-year-old title character, with her delinquent, masculine friend Sam(antha) and wimp-nerd archetype Freddie [sic] behind the camera. And indeed, its weirdness will occasionally become unbearable, but usually just sits there, so to speak, being an underlying "ideology" (not aesthetic so much) of the show. Grade: B PLUS