The iCarly revival was one of the best surprises of 2021 television as it adds a more satirical take on its source material. Set years after where the Nickelodeon teen sitcom ended, the Paramount+ update finds Miranda Cosgrove’s protagonist relaunching the comedy web show that made her famous back in her younger years.
The show makes for a delightful watch for nostalgic fans as well as new audiences. In an age of reboots and revivals such as Bel-Air and Gossip Girl, iCarly has come back into the mainstream conversation at the perfect time. Apart from checking out contemporaneous shows, fans of iCarly can also revisit nostalgic sitcoms that capture the Paramount original’s feel-good spirit.
Drake & Josh (2004-2007)
Stream On Hulu & Paramount+
One of the best live-action shows on Nickelodeon, Drake & Josh deals with the everyday misadventures of two misfit step-brothers, both of them having totally opposite personalities. Apart from Drake Bell and Josh Peck gaining acclaim as the titular leads, Miranda Cosgrove also drew a lot of popularity while playing Drake’s younger sister Megan.
Then, came along iCarly and its present-day revival that led to a resurgence in Cosgrove’s stardom. If the new season has drawn any new fans to the actress’ career, Drake & Josh makes for essential viewing.
Hannah Montana (2006-2011)
Stream On Disney+
The sitcom that went on to offer one of Miley Cyrus’ best roles is a beloved Disney classic. The basic premise deals with an average high-schooler who leads a double life as a famous pop star in disguise. As she struggles to hide her secret, hilarious encounters with friends and family ensued.
As iCarly’s titular protagonist revisits her stint with digital comedy, she goes through her tumultuous past when she balanced her status as just a high-school girl and as an internet celebrity. This tussle of balancing fame with privacy is perfectly captured in Hannah Montana.
Bel-Air (2022-)
Stream On Peacock
A modern-day reworking of Will Smith’s classic show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the Peacock release deals with a teenager who is compelled to shift from his Philadelphia neighborhood to a posher life in Bel-Air. But as his past catches upon him and as he struggles to fit in, chaos erupts.
Surprisingly darker and more mature than its source material, Bel-Air is a worthy update on its predecessor. Even though the change might not be that drastic, even iCarly’s reboot series added a sense of maturity with its self-aware humor and satire.
Black Mirror (2011-2019)
Stream On Netflix
A quintessential entry in the sci-fi anthology genre, Black Mirror covers it all.
It will be too dark and cynical to compare something like iCarly with Black Mirror. But episodes like the Miley Cyrus-starrer "Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too" and Bryce Dallas Howard's "Nosedive" touch upon the downside of fame on the internet, a theme that iCarly addresses albeit in a humorous manner.
Girl Meets World (2014-2017)
Stream On Disney+
A direct sequel to Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World is centered upon the daughter of the former's protagonist. Just like how Cory Matthews juggled between school and personal life in the original, Riley Matthews tries to fit in middle school while her best friends and family help her deal with her adolescent issues.
Girl Meets World works as a formulaic teen sitcom with coming-of-age tropes. The way many of the original Boy Meets World cast return on the screen will be of interest to fans of iCarly which follows a similar approach with aged characters.
Turner & Hooch (2021)
Stream On Disney+
A modern Turner & Hooch revolves around the unlikely friendship of a police officer and the dog he finds while investigating a case. As they unearth more clues together, their bond also deepens.
Not only does Turner & Hooch work as a heartwarming remake but it also provides a platform for Josh Peck to show off his "dramedy" skills. Peck, who had kick-started his career on Drake & Josh, appears in a ing role io iCarly as Carly's manager. If Nickelodeon fans wish to see his present-day acting pursuits, then Turner & Hooch can be a good pick other than iCarly.
Victorious (2010-2013)
Stream On Paramount+ & Netflix
Dealing with the inner workings of a high-class performing arts school, Victorious features a musically-gifted student striving to make it in amongst the cutthroat competition. Together with her friends, she attempts to emerge "victorious" in her high school.
Sharing the same showrunner Dan Schneider, the classic 2010s Nickelodeon show walked in the same footsteps as the original iCarly with its tonal similarities. Revisiting the high-school comedy after iCarly's new-age rendition might evoke nostalgia for Nickelodeon fans and make them ask for a Victorious revival too!
Raven's Home (2017-)
Stream On Disney+
Set years after the Disney classic That's So Raven, Raven's Home finds Raven Baxter as a divorced mother of two. While her parenting tussles make for typical sitcom behavior, the supernatural elements from the original return as one of Raven's sons shows psychic abilities.
Both iCarly and Raven's Home are different takes on their iconic sitcoms, with the characters coming back to their roots. Raven herself was a psychic in high school and now dealing with her son's newfound powers makes for a full-circle moment. As for iCarly, right when Carly's life seems to be crumbling, she decides to restart the show that made her famous.
Life & Beth (2022-)
Stream On Hulu
On the surface, Beth has good things going on in her life. The middle-aged protagonist has a stable work life, good friends, and a long-term boyfriend. However, after unexpected circumstances lead her to a mid-life crisis, Beth decides to revisit her native town and explore her strained relationship with her family. The result is a self-introspective journey that changes her life.
Most shows like Life & Beth end up using a “coming-of-age” approach for even adult characters. In Carly’s quest to revisit her digital past in iCarly, a similar theme is evoked. So, be it the high-school-going Carly or the adult one who needs to restart her life, there is significant character development to add to the heroine’s maturity.
Dog With A Blog (2012-2015)
Stream On Disney+
As the title suggests, this Disney sitcom deals with a dog whose little secret is that he can talk and even voice out his opinions on the internet through his own blog. When two of his human family get to know, some good, old situational humor follows.
The central canine is reminiscent of Carly Shay because both resort to the internet to express themselves in ways they couldn't otherwise. For Carly, her escapism comes from her comedy web series while for the dog, his blog allows him to interact with human society.