iCarly Saves TV - TV-Y7

Tween-friendly special has lots of online tie-ins.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-Y7
  • Network: Nickelodeon
  • Cast: Nathan Kress, Miranda Cosgrove, Jenette McCurdy
  • Genre: Comedy

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like the regular iCarly series, this TV special features plenty of plugs for the show's Web site, including a strong sales pitch that tempts viewers with promises of extra clips. That said, if kids and parents watch together, this show could prompt great discussions about Internet rules and safety, as well as issues like how fame impacts values and maintaining the integrity of your personal beliefs. Content-wise, the special is quite tame, with negligible boy/girl dynamics and virtually no iffy behavior -- although the few authority figures in the show are cast in a pretty negative light, coming off as over-protective, out of touch, and, in one case, happy to take advantage of the teens.

Families can talk about the Internet. How does it impact the way you meet and relate to people? Do you have any friends you met online? Do you and your friends communicate that way? How does using text messages, IM, email, etc. change our personal relationships? How has the Internet changed people's access to fame? Is it any easier to become famous -- or notorious -- with the Internet? Why or why not? Also, what are some of the dangers of the Internet? Do you know anyone who's been bullied or otherwise treated badly online? How did they handle it? How can you protect yourself? Remind your kids that they should never say anything online that they wouldn't say to someone's face, and make sure tweens understand your rules for using the Internet, especially regarding uploading videos and providing personal information.

Message

Social Behavior:

Adults come off as obsessive and out of touch with youth. The most accessible authority figure is Carly's older brother, but he's often more immature than she is. Carly and her friends must choose between TV fame and remaining true to their values.

Consumerism:

Multiple references are made throughout the show to its Web site, iCarly.com, and viewers are encouraged to surf the information and additional footage available there.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

A little bit of slapping, hitting, and the like, but they're obviously just for humor.

Sex

Some very mild flirting, and one reference to someone being "hot." A teen dedicates a love song to Carly.

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

In ICARLY SAVES TV, a TV station takes an interest in iCarly, the popular Web-based show created by Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove) and her friends Sam (Jennette McCurdy) and Freddie (Nathan Kress). Though the prospect of crossing over to TV is exciting at first, the teens soon grow disenchanted with the changes the new producers make to the show's format. Eventually Carly is forced to decide between her new fame and the values she holds most dear.

Is it any good?

3
For tweens already familiar with the characters and format of the regular iCarly series, there's very little about this TV special that will jump out as new. The special's content is still tween-friendly, and Cosgrove and McCurdy are again at their witty best. The only point of contention for parents may be the somewhat jaded way the special treats its adult characters, presenting them as exaggerated extremes -- an overly protective mother, an irresponsible older brother/guardian, and a TV producer who scams the naïve teens.

If this is your tweens' first introduction to this Web-integrated series, know that they'll be bombarded with reminders -- both audio and visual -- to visit the show's Web site for information, character insight, etc. Take the opportunity to have a discussion about your family's Internet rules and Internet safety in general.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/21/08 by kit kitteridge Kid contributor, age 9
4

Posted on 06/21/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

It's very funny. The parts with dino is BORING!!!! It's a little crazy when Sam beats dino with a mic but SOOOOOO!!! funny.
5


Posted on 06/17/08 by samiscool Kid contributor, age 15

i laughed.

i like sam.
4


Posted on 06/16/08 by NotEmo2 Kid contributor, age 12

Some peeps...

Some people might think that the part where Sam beats the heck out of the dino with the mic is not good for kidz. Hello!!?!?!??!? That's exactly what us kidz wanna see!!!
4


Posted on 06/14/08 by Mojo02 Kid contributor, age 12

I'm 12 years old!

Good show/movie thing
5

Posted on 06/13/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

I cracked my head open

It was soooooo funny. I just luv that episode. and ofcourse I luv ICarly.
5


Posted on 06/13/08 by Happy Guy :-) Kid contributor, age 8

This is great

See all 7 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/21/08 by kit kitteridge Kid contributor, age 9
4

Posted on 06/21/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

It's very funny. The parts with dino is BORING!!!! It's a little crazy when Sam beats dino with a mic but SOOOOOO!!! funny.
5


Posted on 06/17/08 by samiscool Kid contributor, age 15

i laughed.

i like sam.
4


Posted on 06/16/08 by NotEmo2 Kid contributor, age 12

Some peeps...

Some people might think that the part where Sam beats the heck out of the dino with the mic is not good for kidz. Hello!!?!?!??!? That's exactly what us kidz wanna see!!!
4


Posted on 06/14/08 by Mojo02 Kid contributor, age 12

I'm 12 years old!

Good show/movie thing
5

Posted on 06/13/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

I cracked my head open

It was soooooo funny. I just luv that episode. and ofcourse I luv ICarly.
5


Posted on 06/13/08 by Happy Guy :-) Kid contributor, age 8

This is great
See all 7 kids reviews >
Review It
What do your kids do online?
Surf
34%
Homework and research
19%
Download music
10%
Chat with friends
37%
132 votes