Recently, it was announced that Nickelodeon would be launching a new channel dedicated solely to it’s 90’s programming. And most of use who grew up during that time period with that programming could not be more excited! So it got me thinking, what Nickelodeon 90’s shows should be remade? Granted, most of these would be in need of a technological update but they were either so fun, poignant, or engrossing, that they deserve a remake.

Clarissa Explains It All

Clarissa was great to grow up with. Starting in her pre-teens and continuing through her late teen years, we saw her go through nearly everything. From birthdays and friendships to getting her drivers license and sneaking out. We saw her rebellious phases change and grow while she figured herself out like we all do during out formative years. What made the show unique was her reporting on herself style. She broke the fourth wall often, speaking to the audience in a mockumentary style sometimes overlying doodles and sketches or videos. She would also be self aware when something started going awry or even when she knew she was doing something wrong. Kids these days could use a Clarissa in their life to help them realize that rebellion isn’t always going out and stealing a car or doing drugs – sometimes its just wanting to dress “weird” and dip out on family functions to see Pearl Jam.

Figure It Out

“Figure It Out” was an amazing game show where kids got to put their talent on stage while celebrity guests – often Nick actors – would attempt to figure out the talent. Sometimes it would resort in hilarious hijinks if it wasn’t guessed during each round. This would be such a fun game show to ressurect again. There are so many popular actors especially Nickelodeon actors and millions of viewers would love to showcase their entertaining talents. To update the game, you could even incorporate a social media aspect and involve viewers watching from home to create a huge experience for every one from those on the show to those at home.

The Secret World of Alex Mack

This show featured TWO female leads – one of which was a super hero-ish character who took NO shit from anyone. We definitely need this today. I looked up to Alex for so many reasons but none of those reasons were because she could transform into goo and escape any situation. (Mostly because that seemed to annoy her more than help her) But she was an outsider who didn’t know how to life like everyone else and who had a sister who always seemed to be better at everything. It was an almost perfect show. Bring it back now with an update to the graphics because lets face it – they weren’t the best back then. It could be incredible and it could be one of the best shows out there. But make it dark, gritty, real and not some lighthearted comedy with a laugh track like Nickelodeon and Disney tends to crank out. We don’t need more shows where there are no adults and preteens running around. There was a reason the show resonated before and it just needs to capture that again.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

THIS WAS THE BEST SHOW. One of the original horror anthology series, though this one for children, and it was fantastic. Some of the scariest moments from my childhood come from staying up “late” to watch this show with my older brother and sister. It started my love for horror movies.  Bringing back the Midnight Society would only be a great move for Nickelodeon especially with the popularity of shows like “American Horror Story” on other networks. It would be easy to update this for today too. You could keep our kids meeting at the camp fire because that is a must but you’ve got haunted cellphones, or zombie invasions caused by email, or the classic tropes still work such as haunted detention because a lot of the AYAD stories still apply.

Double Dare

Last week I was at a party and someone asked “If you could be on any game show, which would it be?” and I immediately without hesitation blurted out “Double Dare!” When I was a kid I wanted to be on this show SO bad. I even wanted to be on “Family Double Dare” even though I knew we would never win that show. Plus it had Marc Summers who was THE SHIT in the 90’s. The obstacle courses looked so intensely fun and the prizes for the 90s were awesome. Now, for modern day, most of the obstacles could be the same but the prizes would be better and newer. Otherwise it pretty much sells it self as Ninja Warrior for kids.