I'll admit that I watch this show whenever I get the chance to and whenever I wake up early enough (it's on kind of early for us here in Canada) but every time I do I get even more mad at it. I do like the wide variety of characters, but the show, to me, is too unrealistic for normal standards. The school is perfect, with its Sushi Bar (yes, a SUSHI BAR) and hardly any rules (for example, the guys seem to always be allowed in the girls' dorms - wouldn't happen). Anyways, what bothers me even more is that the main character Zoey (Spears) is perfect, also. She is SO popular, everyone in the whole school seems to know her and completely love her. Example, the episode with the exams. EVERYONE asks Zoey to help her, as if she is the only smart one in the school. Please. And the episode with the backpacks, amazingly, she makes about a hundred of them with those radio things in like what, less than two days...? It always seems like she has an idea for everything, and in the end the whole cast congratulates her and loves her even more. It really bothers me a lot.
Also, on top of that all, I have to say that the acting isn't all that great. Jamie Spears, in my opinion, didn't earn or deserve the main part in this show, if the show had to be made at all. When I first saw her in All That (1995), I thought that she actually had some talent. Well, the role of Zoey Brooks turned me off. She doesn't have much emotion or facial expression in what she says or does. In the very first episode, where she plays basketball, she isn't that good at all. And of course, the coach asks her to join the team and says she is "great". Also, in the episode with the school play, guess who makes the lead role? Yup, you guessed it. Zoey. She can't act, why did she make the lead? And, WHY does every boy want to kiss her? Is she really THAT pretty? And that Nicole (Alexa Nikolas), well she isn't anything special either. Kristen Herrera, even though she left the show, wasn't very good either. All the other actors are typical and somewhat boring. There isn't much going on. I'd have to say that the best actors on the show (my opinion) are Erin Sanders (Quinn) and Paul Butcher (Dustin). They are a little more believable. And I can't stand the fact that, and this happens all the time, The actors aren't true to the age group. They are made to look older than the average grade 8 student (I think they are in grade 8).
Overall, this show bothers me a lot. A lot of it makes you want to just scream "Yeah Right" when you are watching. And I know this is only a show, so pushing the limits is common and bound to happen, but this show sticks out for me. For grade 8 thirteen year olds, they are going to want to be just like Zoey, and they can't. Because Zoey is perfect. She goes to a perfect school, has perfect clothes, is so popular, the list goes on. Not any normal girl. I'm going to give this show a 5/10. Because even though it's as unrealistic as a tween show can get, there's something about it that wants you to keep watching it. I don't mind if I miss it, but if it's on, I'll watch it. 5/10.
Also, on top of that all, I have to say that the acting isn't all that great. Jamie Spears, in my opinion, didn't earn or deserve the main part in this show, if the show had to be made at all. When I first saw her in All That (1995), I thought that she actually had some talent. Well, the role of Zoey Brooks turned me off. She doesn't have much emotion or facial expression in what she says or does. In the very first episode, where she plays basketball, she isn't that good at all. And of course, the coach asks her to join the team and says she is "great". Also, in the episode with the school play, guess who makes the lead role? Yup, you guessed it. Zoey. She can't act, why did she make the lead? And, WHY does every boy want to kiss her? Is she really THAT pretty? And that Nicole (Alexa Nikolas), well she isn't anything special either. Kristen Herrera, even though she left the show, wasn't very good either. All the other actors are typical and somewhat boring. There isn't much going on. I'd have to say that the best actors on the show (my opinion) are Erin Sanders (Quinn) and Paul Butcher (Dustin). They are a little more believable. And I can't stand the fact that, and this happens all the time, The actors aren't true to the age group. They are made to look older than the average grade 8 student (I think they are in grade 8).
Overall, this show bothers me a lot. A lot of it makes you want to just scream "Yeah Right" when you are watching. And I know this is only a show, so pushing the limits is common and bound to happen, but this show sticks out for me. For grade 8 thirteen year olds, they are going to want to be just like Zoey, and they can't. Because Zoey is perfect. She goes to a perfect school, has perfect clothes, is so popular, the list goes on. Not any normal girl. I'm going to give this show a 5/10. Because even though it's as unrealistic as a tween show can get, there's something about it that wants you to keep watching it. I don't mind if I miss it, but if it's on, I'll watch it. 5/10.