Clarissa Explains It All

Clarissa Explains it All may have been modeled on the successes of 1) Ferris Bueler and 2) Blossom. Melissa Joan Hart really got her start on this Nickelodean comedy aimed for younger teen and some pre-teen audiences as Clarissa Darling, a teen girl who often had a few minor dilemmas to work out in each episode. If I were to watch this show now, I'd probably remark how extremely corny it is, but then again, the humor and depth (or lack there of) doesn't have to carry on with me as I get older, since that isn't the point.

Clarissa Explains It All, nonetheless had some great things going for it. For one, it was one of the rare occasions that a show was headlined by a young teen girl, and a rather spunky one at that. Few times do we see this in the early 90s, other than Blossom and later, with another Nickelodean series, The Secret World of Alec Max. Something like Zach Morris and Ferris Beuler were able to do, Clarissa often addressed the audience, usually to reiterate how things are going or to give advice for solving those problems. And they were usually minor things, like dealing with a sneaky older brother, Furgeson, or getting out of some mundane chore. Harmless things like that as rarely did Nickelodeon, if ever, touch upon anything but neutral topics (save the short-lived half-hour news program). She was a likable character and not whiny or obnoxious, although her parents were usually nerds. She had a pet aligator named Elvis, a cool neighbor named Sam, and usually programmed computer games as the ideal way of planning a solution to her problems. It was an amusing show that tried to do things a little differently than the same old, same old. And it seemed to have worked, since the show lasted three years (which is still pretty good, considering).

Nickelodeon did have a quite a few good teen and pre-teen based shows on air in the early 90s. Among them were 'The Adventures of Pete and Pete,' 'The Secret World of Alec Max,' 'Are You Afriad of the Dark?' and of course, 'Clarissa Explains It All.' Check out the show if you can. If American television continues creating garbage shows, then these kinds of shows are truly the last of their kind.

Clarissa was my favorite Nick show back in Nickelodeon's heyday. All the characters were delightfully quirky, and the show was brilliantly written with insights into what teenagers deal with growing up: school, friends, family, peer pressure, etc. The show was so much fun what with the constant fantasy sequences and Clarissa's funky, colorful outfits. It was also great to watch because Clarissa constantly acted as a news reporter on her own life, breaking the fourth wall to speak directly and relate to the audience, and writing on the screen to demonstrate her points. The laugh track was played a little excessively on this show--the "audience" seemed to laugh at everything, but that's still part of what I like about the show because it's sort of satirical, and it's all part of the show's quirky fun. "Clarissa" is also kind of Seinfeld-esque in how it deals with mundane tiopics in an amusing way. This show sort of paved the way for the Unfabulouses and Zoey 101. It also paved the way for Hannah Montana and That's So Raven. Let the 90's live in our hearts...forever.

You hit it right on the money, Cousteau. Clarissa was a cute show with other people who have to deal with the teen years (need I say more) Clarissa is a witty, fun character who, well, tells it like it is. The only thing I disagree with is that repetatedly she talked about her life being a teenage hell. She's pretty, popular, has awesome style, loving parents, and tons of revenge on Fergbreath. I'm so angry that Nickeloden took it off air and replaced it with Catdog, Butt Ugly, Martians, Spongebob, and all the other poor excuses for shows. We need Clarissa so Nickoloden will still have some sanity.

I saw a comment downing Clarissa, All i have to say to this is.. you must be young. I'm only 21 but the crap that is on tv today is just.. well.. how did you put it.. stupid. Rugrats is ok ( i liked the first two seasons best) Other than that cable isn't worth $50 a month anymore. What do I remember about my horrid childhood.. Clarissa, may not have been the most action filled, graphic intense show out there at the time but at least it taught good morals which is more than I can say about most tv out there..And yes I know I sound far older than I am.. If you still think clarssia is stupid, go out and rent "shane" or the black and white "cheaper by the dozen" even the old "parent trap" Those were low cost, cheap graphic movies as well but they are classics to everyone with character.

and Clarissa quickly became my hero. I watched it all the time. Then, there were reruns, and I watched them too ~! Hahaha! I was addicted to this show, I dunno why. It did for me what Punky Brewster did for me when I was 5. I remember Blossom being on the same time and thinking Blossom wasn't half as cool as Clarissa :)

Clarissa's room was really awesome, too. Remember in the beginning when she had Elvis, the Lizard?

I wish Nick would show reruns again...