Top 5 Best and Top 5 Worst Nickelodeon Shows

Certain supporting characters are great when part of an ensemble. On their own, they can be pretty hit-or-miss. In “Planet Sheen”’s case, it’s a miss of epic proportions. Sheen brought levity with his quirky antics on “Jimmy Neutron.” As the main character, though, he’s just irritating. The show finds Sheen stranded on a planet, basically annoying its inhabitants in each episode. There never appears to be any direction to the story, as the characters remain stagnant from start to finish. Not all hit series need spin-offs, and “Planet Sheen” is among the best examples of why. It’s easier to pretend that this quasi-sequel never happened.

Growing up in the ‘90s and early aughts, no show was cooler than “All That.” It’s like “Saturday Night Live” for a younger crowd, complete with recurring gags and hilarious performances. Future stars like Amanda Bynes, Kenan Thompson, and Kel Mitchell wowed fans with their comedic charm. It was also a springboard for the latter duo’s success in “Kenan & Kel” and “Good Burger.” The sketch comedy’s legacy has endured decades since its debut. “All That” gave young talents a chance to shine, and laid the platform for Nickelodeon to invest in more live-action material. Although the show is geared toward a youthful audience, its knack for laugh-out-loud humor can delight viewers of all ages.

The 2003 video game this show is based on wasn’t exactly a critical darling. But the animated series makes it look like a masterpiece. With shoehorned moral lessons, artificial wholesome moments, and no real sources of entertainment, the show makes you wonder who it’s for. It never really makes you laugh nor does it get truly serious. Despite an impressive cast of voice actors including Patrick Warburton and John DiMaggio, everybody sounds like they’d rather be anywhere else. Considering Nickelodeon’s impressive list of shows, “Tak and the Power of Juju” should be towards the bottom of your watch list.

Released in the earlier days of the social media boom, “iCarly” follows Carly and her friends as they produce their popular web series. This framing device represented a fresh creative turn from Nickelodeon, enabling the network to tap into a wider audience. With characters of varying personalities, the sitcom has a well-rounded cast for fans to follow. Whether it’s through the gang’s latest shenanigans or the main characters’ love triangle, “iCarly” keeps us hooked. Thanks to its popularity, many A-list guest stars regularly show up, highlighting its unpredictable format. If any Nickelodeon show captured the essence of its generation, it has to be “iCarly.”

This isn’t the only time you’ll see Lucas Cruikshank on this list. The performer continued his disastrous Nickelodeon run with “Marvin Marvin.” The show is as unnecessary as the extra “Marvin” in the title. It plays out like a “3rd Rock from the Sun” for youth, with the titular alien character posing as a normal teen. While it tries to go for heartwarming themes like making friends and being close to family, the messages get lost under a mountain of unfunny material. The lack of chemistry between the cast doesn’t do it any favors either. With the brand of lazy humor and unimaginative stories that “Marvin Marvin” had to offer, it’s no surprise it only lasted one season.

If you grew up in the aughts, “Drake & Josh” likely has a special place in your heart. If you claim otherwise, then we “ain’t calling you a truther.” [Insert SB “I ain’t calling you a truther”.] The show maintains comedic mastery across its four seasons, with every episode delivering trademark gags galore. Among the most quotable sitcoms out there, it has remained alive with jokes we still remember. [Insert SB “This hot dog’s not wearing a tuxedo”.] Whether you’re suave like Drake, an intellectual like Josh, or a troublemaker like Megan, there’s always someone to relate to. “Drake & Josh” shows us how even a simple premise can go a long way. Years after its finale, it's still “picking [us] up when we’re down.”

You can’t expect much from a show about anthropomorphic ducks delivering bread. But there’s nothing wrong with a quirky premise if it has some substance. Unfortunately, “Breadwinners” doesn’t really have any. Where it’s concerned, what you see is what you get. And what we have is just a couple of ducks trying too hard to be funny. The skits don’t amount to anything, only displaying the duo’s over-the-top wackiness. Even if you’re initially amused, the heavily recycled jokes will wear you down soon enough. So, the next time you’re in the mood for some animated ducks, just stick to “DuckTales.”

It’s easy to forget that “Avatar” is made for kids considering the heavy themes it tackles. Starting off on a lighter note, it evolves into full-blown mature territory. Aang’s journey is a sprawling story of struggle, survival, and redemption. The series wows viewers with hard-hitting sequences capable of taking your breath away. Plus, unlike many Nickelodeon shows at the time, continuity is a heavy factor in “Avatar,” pulling fans into its far-reaching world. Incredibly detailed characterization means we even understand and sympathize with villains like Zuko, as it deviates from the standard good versus evil format. It’s no wonder “Avatar” and the franchise it birthed are among Nickelodeon’s greatest commercial successes.

Lucas Cruikshank’s internet character was popular enough to headline multiple films. But if it seemed nothing could top how bad those movies were, “Fred: The Show” managed to do one worse. The only thing we remember from it is Fred’s annoying voice, as he pretty much screams or freaks out in each episode. Without any real outline or premise, it’s basically about him turning the most menial thing into an absolute headache. To call this a kids’ show would be to insult young viewers, as it eschews even the smallest amount of comedic wit. If you’re ever wondering what a visual representation of the word “awful” is, look no further than “Fred: The Show.”

Many Nickelodeon shows have come and gone, but “SpongeBob SquarePants” remains on top. Not only is it reportedly the network’s longest-running scripted series by some distance, it’s one of the longest-running animated shows in American TV history. The titular character’s innocence and endless optimism are infectious, as viewers continue watching his adventures over a quarter of a century after his debut. A perfect watch for kids and adults looking for good-natured humor, the key to “SpongeBob”’s success is its ability to raise your spirits each and every time. No matter how difficult life gets, we’ll always have our friends from Bikini Bottom to make us laugh.