'The Amanda Show' Starring Amanda Bynes Is Coming Back...Sort Of
"The Amanda Show" was a female-driven comedy ahead of its time.
Often, "SNL's" featured players are so good, they get their own shows.
It's happened tons of times! Tina Fey got "30 Rock," Amy Poehler got "Parks and Recreation", and Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon got late-night TV hosting gigs.
Sometimes a person's talent outshines the rest of the team to the point where they can't be held back any more and need to spread their wings into a solo career. That's what happened with Amanda Bynes. She started as just another player on "All That" but rose like a soaring eagle into her own kids' variety show, "The Amanda Show" and it's coming back!
Nickelodeon was the mecca of 90s kids' shows and, as a way to retain its millennial audience, the network has started re-releasing our favorite programs during a programming block called The Splat.
Announced in October, The Splat runs 10pm through 6am every night on TeenNick. The lineup includes old favorites like "All That," "Rocko's Modern Life," "Kenan and Kel," and many more delightful throwback shows.
When Nickelodeon announced that "The Amanda Show" will join this stellar lineup, we were like, "OMG, Amanda's coming back!"
Bang your pots and pans—it's a good day to be a television owner! Amanda's beautiful face will be back on our screens on June 10th. Now you might be thinking, "Why the hell should I care about a washed-up child star who had a gigantic meltdown for like ALL of 2013-2014?" Well, here's why you should be on your knees praising the 90s TV gods that your queen is coming back to the screen.
The Amanda Show" ran from 1999 to 2002, and was meant to be a kids' version of "The Carol Burnett Show."
If you don't know "The Carol Burnett Show," it's basically like if "Inside Amy Schumer" had more Broadway show tunes (and talent. BOOM, ROASTED). And who better to take on this challenge than the spunky little scene-stealer from "All That," Amanda Bynes?
At the time, there were very few kids' shows with a strong female lead.
Sure, "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" was happening. But other female icons of our generation, like "Lizzie McGuire" and "Kim Possible," hadn't even started yet, so even if you don't feel just Byne about it, you have to acknowledge this girl has been a trailblazer for female comedy.
Amanda showed young girls that female humor isn't as limited as we think, and that being weird is fucking hilarious.
See Penelope Taynt, Amanda's stalker, played by the funny girl herself. She was weird, she wore the same outfits every day, she said "please" all the time, she carried tazers in her laptop case. She was the weirdest character on TV and she was MARVELOUS.
Amanda even had a dope fan website at the dawn of the internet.
The website was made by Penelope in an effort to get Amanda's attention and the creepiness just oozed out of it. But we went on it—we all did! Right? Okay, maybe it was just me. Whatever—it's very clear I've grown up into Penelope Taynt, PLEASE.
While encouraging weirdness and individuality, Amanda also set the bar high with her impeccable Judge Judy impression.
Judge Trudy was the voice of justice 90s kids needed against unfair parents and teachers, with fitting punishments like sending parents to an island occupied by cannibals or pelting them with garbage.
She brought us knee-slapping versatility with sketches like "Hillbilly Moment."
Additionally, "The Amanda Show" launched the careers of Drake Bell...
Seen here as Totally Kyle.
...and Josh Peck!
And then their show "Drake and Josh" took off after "The Amanda Show" ran its course.
The fake commercials set a trend for future shows.
Sick Popples, Pass the Skunk, SUMO: All amazing fake commercials for products kids actually wanted or were grossed out enough to try.
And who could forget the parody of "Dawson's Creek," "Moody's Point"?
Poor Moody. Her mom lost forever in a hot air balloon, her father clueless and toeless, and a boyfriend named Spaulding. No wonder she was so...moody.
There are some many good memories from "The Amanda Show," so relive the glory on TeenNick on June 10th!
Enough with the article—bring in the Dancing Lobsters!