Zoey 101 - TV-Y7

Tweens will love this fluffy California dream.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-Y7
  • Network: Nickelodeon
  • Cast: Jamie Lynn Spears, Paul Butcher, Sean Flynn
  • Genre: Comedy
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series is about kids let loose in a peer-dominated world, where privilege is a way of life. Tween viewers are going to love the California coastline, the sunny days, and easy life. Parents might cringe for the same reason.

Families can talk about whether these kids are growing up too quickly in certain ways. They are expected to problem-solve like adults and even to work (sushi-delivery boys), on top of dealing with homework and normal hormonal challenges. Is this pure fantasy, or do kids in boarding school really have it this sweet?

Message

Social Behavior:

Zoey and her girlfriends are the first females to infiltrate the boys' school. There are some strong female characters here.

Consumerism:

Everything a tween could want fills the screen in each shot.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Joly Herman

In ZOEY 101, Zoey Brooks (Jamie Lynn Spears) and her younger brother, Dustin (Paul Butcher), are new students at Pacific Coast Academy, which was formerly an all-boys' boarding school. Spears (Britney's younger sister), is no stranger to the small screen. She has been a regular on All That, Nick's answer to Saturday Night Live. She can command an audience's attention and even their empathy, but at times appears to be a showbiz kid going through the motions. Tweens are going to love her in the role of Zoey, especially because she sings the theme song, which was written by her sister. She's a fair-minded heroine, who befriends all kids who come her way, even when they're a bit awkward or geeky.

Is it any good?

3

Zoey and her peers live in an utterly unreal world, where her character confesses during a truth-or-dare type game that "Once, I burped in church." This is admitted by a kid wearing full makeup and a miniskirt. How do innocence and being expected to make adult choices co-exist in the 21st century? Let's hope that kids viewing this show go a little deeper for answers than these characters.

Nick has kept Zoey 101's plot pretty shallow for a reason: Without adult supervision, kids in the circumstances that they appear in this program would get into a lot of trouble. But besides some bickering and tricky behavior, these are pretty well-mannered kids. Fantasy? You be the judge.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 63 reviews.

3


Posted on 07/11/08 by Bibliomaniac Mom Adult contributor

Tween Magnet, But Talk to Your Kids About It!

This is a favotrite of my two tween (11, 12) daughters. I agree with CSM that the world of Zoey is very idealistic, with not many real world, tough problems that today's teens face addressed here. (Perhaps this attracts a wider audience for the network.) Like other shows marketed for a tween audience, keep in mind that the characters date and have kissing and touching as a problem focus. For example, in one episode a girl (stereotypically, the "nerdy" one) has the problem of never having kissed her boyfriend, and her friends are astonished to the point of pity for her. She spends that episode in search of her boyfriend so that she can reach that milestone. At least, however, once her boyfriend realizes what she's up to, he decides to take control so that the kiss can be meaningful, and not just any old kiss. Bottom line, wait until your kids are old enough to really start thinking about the opposite sex as attractive, and then talk to them--a lot!
5

Posted on 06/09/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

READ THIS!

While there are good things about this show, it has it's bad stuff like... -Lots of flirting, kissing, mentioning making out,saying stuff like, cute and hot.In Chasing Zoey, Lola (Victoria Justice) asks Quinn if her dress is too "sexy" for her date.In another episode where Logan spreads a rumor, Zoey and others threaten to take off the curtain while filming for the school news show. -The cast disobeys the Dean in a lot of episodes. -Mentions of bras and such (Should a younger child see or hear that?) There's a lot more, but I'll save you the time. Now, this is a great show, but think before you let your child watch. Probably not the best for a child in fourth grade or younger. Cya ppl!
5


Posted on 05/06/08 by bellagio2 Kid contributor, age 11
4


Posted on 05/04/08 by hsmgirl2008 Kid contributor, age 10

Zoey and Chase

Chasing Zoey was awesome basically nobody liked James. When Chase came him and Zoey kissed like crazy.{finaly!}
5


Posted on 05/04/08 by JoeJonasGurl4ever Kid contributor, age 11

Very good show

I love this show and I am watching Blast from the Past now. This show is one of my favorites. Very funny, verry cool. I have always loved the show but I have liked it more during the last episodes and Im upset that the show is ending. But even though Jamie Lynn is pregnant, I'll always be a fan of Jamie!
4


Posted on 04/29/08 by rosegurl772 Kid contributor, age 13

i dont know

i thought it was okay but my older bro hate it when i watch because it has bad messages. In one eposode, Logan and Zoey open coffee shops, which was against the deans rule. Somehow, I don't remember, but dean finds out about both of them had one and he brings them 2 his office. There the dean coffee machine is found (he's not supposed to have 1 either). the kids bribe him saying, "i wont tell if you wont tell" and that it...the end...everyone..no more...Bribing?? OMG
1


Posted on 04/25/08 by Thalfred Adult contributor

Ugh.

Sexual Content: People are constantly talking about dating and making out. Violence: Occasionally, people will be hurt or violence is implied. Language: Jerk, jeez, Oh my god, etc. Social Behavior: Numerous negative male stereotypes. The main characters are often cruel to others and are portrayed positively. In one episode, the main characters put a characters prized possessions into acid to get information from him after tying him up. Commercialism: Tons. Drugs: The kids seem to be addicted to coffee.
5

Posted on 04/19/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

zoey 101

hello as i write i am watching spring break up! the best! Chase is so hot!!!!! so in the movie chasing zoey will chase and zoey go out or will she keep james! chase is so better lokking
2

Posted on 02/17/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

In light of news about show's star....

I don't believe this show is no longer acceptable to tweens. Jaime Lynn Spears is pregnant and yet nobody seems to give a hoot or a holler about how many tweens look up to her. Her personal life is really souring the show. I think Jaime Lynn being pregnant sends a bad message to tweens still trying to figure out puberty and social situations.
4


Posted on 01/28/08 by eagledawn Kid contributor, age 12

My favorite TV show

I really like this show. It's creative and funny. It's appropriate for anybody me age.

See all 63 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 22 reviews.

3


Posted on 07/11/08 by Bibliomaniac Mom Adult contributor

Tween Magnet, But Talk to Your Kids About It!

This is a favotrite of my two tween (11, 12) daughters. I agree with CSM that the world of Zoey is very idealistic, with not many real world, tough problems that today's teens face addressed here. (Perhaps this attracts a wider audience for the network.) Like other shows marketed for a tween audience, keep in mind that the characters date and have kissing and touching as a problem focus. For example, in one episode a girl (stereotypically, the "nerdy" one) has the problem of never having kissed her boyfriend, and her friends are astonished to the point of pity for her. She spends that episode in search of her boyfriend so that she can reach that milestone. At least, however, once her boyfriend realizes what she's up to, he decides to take control so that the kiss can be meaningful, and not just any old kiss. Bottom line, wait until your kids are old enough to really start thinking about the opposite sex as attractive, and then talk to them--a lot!
1


Posted on 04/25/08 by Thalfred Adult contributor

Ugh.

Sexual Content: People are constantly talking about dating and making out. Violence: Occasionally, people will be hurt or violence is implied. Language: Jerk, jeez, Oh my god, etc. Social Behavior: Numerous negative male stereotypes. The main characters are often cruel to others and are portrayed positively. In one episode, the main characters put a characters prized possessions into acid to get information from him after tying him up. Commercialism: Tons. Drugs: The kids seem to be addicted to coffee.
2

Posted on 02/17/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

In light of news about show's star....

I don't believe this show is no longer acceptable to tweens. Jaime Lynn Spears is pregnant and yet nobody seems to give a hoot or a holler about how many tweens look up to her. Her personal life is really souring the show. I think Jaime Lynn being pregnant sends a bad message to tweens still trying to figure out puberty and social situations.
2


Posted on 12/28/07 by squaredk Adult contributor
4


Posted on 11/05/07 by DexterSmith Adult contributor

Zoey 101

Sexual Content (Not an Issue): Some kissing and flirting, references to "making out". Violence (Not an Issue): Some comic pratfalls and the like. Language (Not an Issue): Frequent usage of "Oh my God" and "sucks". Social Behavior (On): The main character is a strong, indepedent female character. Commercialism (Not an Issue): None. Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Not an Issue): None.
2

Posted on 06/26/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 06/09/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5


Posted on 09/21/06 by rbrucecarter Adult contributor

One of the BEST

Zoey 101 is perhaps the only television show that has ever portrayed outstanding students - those who are popular, make good grades, and have good behavior in a positive light. Usually, successful students are portrayed as "Mean Girls" and anti-heroic figures glorified. The optimism displayed here, the respect paid to what is obviously an exclusive private school, and the choices the kids make on their own - all imply parenting skills that have equipped the characters to excel in the environment. Parents are not present because it is a boarding school, but school staff are portrayed as caring, compassionate figures who are respected and worthy of respect. I have been on the set of the show, and seen first hand that they are careful to not offend people of faith - a casual expression of "geez" (slang for Jesus - taking the Lord's name in vain - was immediately stopped and will not air). Parents who are concerned that Jamie Spears is like her sister and a bad role model have nothing to fear. She is a polite, respectful, Christian young lady who was delightful to meet and well founded in her values by loving parents.
5

Posted on 09/12/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

1


Posted on 08/29/06 by abbyj Adult contributor
See all 22 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 41 reviews.

5

Posted on 06/09/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

READ THIS!

While there are good things about this show, it has it's bad stuff like... -Lots of flirting, kissing, mentioning making out,saying stuff like, cute and hot.In Chasing Zoey, Lola (Victoria Justice) asks Quinn if her dress is too "sexy" for her date.In another episode where Logan spreads a rumor, Zoey and others threaten to take off the curtain while filming for the school news show. -The cast disobeys the Dean in a lot of episodes. -Mentions of bras and such (Should a younger child see or hear that?) There's a lot more, but I'll save you the time. Now, this is a great show, but think before you let your child watch. Probably not the best for a child in fourth grade or younger. Cya ppl!
5


Posted on 05/06/08 by bellagio2 Kid contributor, age 11
4


Posted on 05/04/08 by hsmgirl2008 Kid contributor, age 10

Zoey and Chase

Chasing Zoey was awesome basically nobody liked James. When Chase came him and Zoey kissed like crazy.{finaly!}
5


Posted on 05/04/08 by JoeJonasGurl4ever Kid contributor, age 11

Very good show

I love this show and I am watching Blast from the Past now. This show is one of my favorites. Very funny, verry cool. I have always loved the show but I have liked it more during the last episodes and Im upset that the show is ending. But even though Jamie Lynn is pregnant, I'll always be a fan of Jamie!
4


Posted on 04/29/08 by rosegurl772 Kid contributor, age 13

i dont know

i thought it was okay but my older bro hate it when i watch because it has bad messages. In one eposode, Logan and Zoey open coffee shops, which was against the deans rule. Somehow, I don't remember, but dean finds out about both of them had one and he brings them 2 his office. There the dean coffee machine is found (he's not supposed to have 1 either). the kids bribe him saying, "i wont tell if you wont tell" and that it...the end...everyone..no more...Bribing?? OMG
5

Posted on 04/19/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

zoey 101

hello as i write i am watching spring break up! the best! Chase is so hot!!!!! so in the movie chasing zoey will chase and zoey go out or will she keep james! chase is so better lokking
4


Posted on 01/28/08 by eagledawn Kid contributor, age 12

My favorite TV show

I really like this show. It's creative and funny. It's appropriate for anybody me age.
4


Posted on 01/12/08 by moviecritic Kid contributor, age 15
3


Posted on 01/01/08 by MiTs Kid contributor, age 11

Okay.

This show does contain some bad language.. Can be boring sometimes.
3


Posted on 12/30/07 by cherrycoke00 Kid contributor, age 10

great show

i love how this show is like real life in a way.at points in the show i like how you can relate to the characters.
See all 41 kids reviews >
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