Ginger

Granted, a series about a girl and her friends in Jr High isn't the most original thing but As Told By Ginger gives a remarkably fresh spin on it.

It revolves around the dead common girl Ginger Foutley, whose only remarkable trait is a love for writing and literature, and her friends and family. The story lines are based on notes in her dairy. They are short, anecdotal but with often with a tricky twist in it. Characters are recognizable, well rounded out and come almost all with a darker side. Themes are regular stuff like peer pressure, friendship and boyfriends, but also things like divorce, depression and backstabbing. The red wire however is coping with change and matching old regular habits with exiting new stuff. The animation is a darker and more detailed version of what producers Klasky-Csupo usually produce. Things like composition and 'camera movements' are well thought out and clearly influenced by live-action shows.

It's a series you'll love or hate. Either you think of it as over-the-top preteen chatter or you'll take the time to sit down and watch a few eps as there's much more to see. And anyone over 18 will probably be drawn in mostly be the often-present melancholic sub-tone. One of the best Nicktoons, sit back and enjoy.

I love this show a lot, ginger is not perfect but i just love the way she handles her problems. Lois is the most amazing character in the show, she single-handedly supports the family and still find time to give Ginger some advice and to keep up with Carl. Ginger's friends might not 'likable' and at times i find them a tat annoying but they're always there for her when she needs them. The way they create Courtney comes to show that the most popular might not be the happiest. This show is simply the best! MUST SEE!! 5 STARS!

I discovered this show around the time I was in middle school. If you can get past the character designs, it's a terrific show. The dialogue is very authentic and raw, I love the episodic plot framework as it allows for strong character growth. The only issue with this show is how it can be a lit too realistic at times.

For example, Ginger has Dotie, a terrible example of a friend and also a gossip. I think the point of her being there was to show in childhood your friends were not always the best and as you matured and grew they changed once you realized how bad they were. Macie is okay, but she had her moments as well.

Very nostalgic early 2000s show with some amazing life lessons, with Lois being one of my favorite TV moms across the genre.

It's a very awkward and quirky show depicting growing up. Love it or hate it, you could say were in between.

granted, as a 31 year old male, i'm not exactly in the "target audience". but i've found myself watching a lot of Nick lately (Sponge Bob, Wild Thornberry's) and happened to catch this show.

i like it a lot. the premise might be a little old, but it's funny and there's usually a lot going on to keep you interested.

if i had kids, i'd let them watch this. and isn't that what it's really all about? somebody complained in another comment the show was "morals, morals, morals". why is that such a bad thing? if you can teach good morals in an entertaining way, what's the problem?

and to people who have a problem with the voice work: Tress MacNeille...look her up.

This is a great show. The characters are written very realistically and are given more complexity than your average cartoons. It follows a young girl who is not very popular nor an outcast through junior high. Ginger is a lot closer to your average pre-teen girl than most characters in live action movies. She is smart, thoughtful and awkward. Her best friends Dodie and Marcie are real treats too. They possess all of the sweet yet annoying traits that best friends are supposed to have in junior high.

Even most of the popular kids are well thought out. Though Miranda is a typical mean, rich kid, the most popular girl in school, Courtney has her moments of kindness and gets along well with the not so popular kids. Another real treat is Ginger's family. Her single working mom's a great wide eyed adult who always knows how to deal with her kids. And her brother Carl is always getting into trouble with his best friend, Hoodsie while executing some hysterically bizarre scheme.

This is a great show! Check it out if you like smart toons!