From keepsakes to photos, the way people remember their childhood varies. Growing up, especially during the 2000s, Generation Z children watched popular shows such as iCarly and Good Luck Charlie, laughing and investing their juvenile minds into familiar characters they both knew and loved. As teenagers in the modern digital world, the remembrance of these humorous shows instills feelings of innocent bliss. 

iCarly

iCarly, a popular Nickelodeon show, debuted September 8, 2007. With a whopping 4.1 million viewers upon its debut, iCarly gained major admiration among viewers. The show provided a hilarious comedic perspective on the lives of three high school best friends—Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove), Samantha Puckett (Jennette Mccurdy,) and Freddie Benson (Nathan Kress)— who hosted a popular fictional web show called iCarly after an accidental viral video surfaced on the web. Along with Carly’s older brother Spencer Shay (Jerry Trainor), the gang gets into trouble while facing the challenges of growing up as internet comedians. The fictional web show included a real iCarly website where viewers could post videos for a chance to get featured on the show. Lasting an impressive five seasons, with a total of 97 broadcasted episodes (including all TV  movies), iCarly ended on November 23, 2012. 

Drake and Josh

Three years before iCarly’s debut, Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh took the stage, releasing on January 11, 2004. The show featured recurring  Amanda Show characters Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck)who become stepbrothers during their early high school years. Drake, a laid back rock musician, and Josh, a smart straight-A- student, face numerous challenges including dodging their prankster younger sister Meghan (Miranda Cosgrove), dating, and high school life. With a total of 57 episodes across four seasons, Drake and Josh came to an end on September 16, 2007. 

Shake it Up

Shake it Up, an exciting, dance-centered Disney Channel show, debuted on November 7, 2010. The show gave viewers insight into the lives of best friends and dancers Cece Jones (Bella Thorne) and Rocky Blue (Zendaya Coleman) as they embark on their journey of dancing for the popular TV show “Shake it Up Chicago”. Although Shake it Up drew in an impressive 6.2 million viewers per episode, after three seasons and 75 episodes Disney canceled the show due to Bella Thorne’s offer to star in the indie film thriller invasion and Zendaya’s blossoming music career at the time. The show ended on 

Good Luck Charlie

Good Luck Charlie, a sitcom that provided viewers with a perspective on the Duncan family, aired on April 4, 2010. Lead character Teddy Duncan (Bridgit Mendler) gets through life as a teenager, making video diaries for her toddler sister Charlie Duncan (Mia Talerico), teaching her how to live with their special family. With theatre obsessed mother Amy Duncan (Leigh-Allyn Baker), clueless yet caring father Bob Duncan (Eric Allan Kramer) and siblings PJ (Jason Dolley) and Gabe Duncan (Bradley Steven Perry), the family perseveres through the challenges of growing up, dating, and surviving the crazy antics that come with having a large family. It ran for four seasons and 100 episodes, ending on February 16, 2014.

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, an early Disney show and the precursor to Suite Life on Deck, made its debut on March 18, 2005. The show gave viewers insight into the lives of twin brothers Zack (Dylan Sprouse) and Cody Martin (Cole Sprouse) who live in the pristine Tipton Hotel where their mom works as a singer. Zack and Cody, along with friends Maddie (Ashely Tisdale) and daughter of the hotel’s owner-London Tipton (Brenda Song) grow up, getting into trouble with Mr. Moseby (Phill Lewis) and embracing the struggles of their teen years, making memories along the way. With a total of 87 episodes and three seasons, the show ended on September 1, 2008. 

Although these TV shows remain off the air, their popularity reigns supreme, implementing into the current lives of Generation Z. Looking back, the quality of these shows provided viewers with laughter and suspense that lacks in 2019 culture. With today’s cold modern society, the social standards implemented into everyday life such as social media, influence the current TV shows of today; providing viewers with a less memorable experience.