Ready or Not

This was a really great show, and I remember watching it on Showtime when it first started way back when. I'm 22 now, and would probably watch the show today, because it was light, and the humor worked really well. I don't remember everything about the show, but I do remember that it was definitely quality television, and so much better than the teen stuff on today, which is utter crap.

Set in 90s, in the Canadian suburbs, Ready or Not centers on the unlikely friendship of two girls with opposite dispositions: the insecure, accident-prone Amanda Zimm, who tends to leap into embarrassing situations without thinking them over (Ready); and the cool, insightful, and cautious, Elizabeth "Busy" Ramone (Not).

At it's best, Ready or Not showcases a type of bittersweet realism, found in The Wonder Years and Freaks and Geeks. The girls are free to talk about pretty much anything (to quote Amanda discussing her older, 7th grade idol, Chrissy "letting a guy touch her boob for a second because it's supposed to give him a boner or something".) Even though there's the occasional after-school special message, it's saved from being cheesy with it's humor. For example, the episode where Busy's brother awkwardly attempts to bum a cigarette off of a group of older kids and obliviously declares "a guy just likes to enjoy a butt every once and a while".

However, in the last two seasons, there was a noticeable difference in tone. They could no longer go through the same embarrassing shenanigans as in the earlier episodes without looking foolish instead of naive. Things become more serious, and there is less humor to be found.

Seasons 4 and 5 also concentrates on the two girls growing up and growing apart. Amanda is bubblier, and having an easier time with boys and the social dynamics of school. Though, Busy is thrown threw a loop. She is suddenly unsure where she fits in when it becomes more apparent that Busy is Jane Lane to Amanda's Charlotte York. Through it all, Busy becomes more desolate, yet consistent. At times, it makes it really hard to like Amanda's character, her boy-crazy, social climbing ways become more apparent than ever. However, both girls work hard at staying friends no matter how different they are, and whatever the circumstances.

Ready or Not is an about two best friends who are both quite different from each-other in every way. Amanda Zimm is Jewish. Her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother, but still sees her father. She is an only child. She is a pretty young girl who is interested in boys, drama, poetry and shopping. Elizabeth Ramone or Busy as everyone calls her is Italian. She is a tomboy who is interested in sports and playing the drums. She comes from a big family and lives with her parents who own a meat shop. She has three older brothers. Laura Bertram and Lani Billard play Amanda and Busy. They both give great performances in each episode. Rebecca Bernstein who played Nina Pepperman in a few episodes was good too. Ready or Not is a brilliant teen show which may not be on anymore, but is still so great to watch.

I used to watch this every so often during it's original run... I only recently began tuning in regularly. In retrospect, there are some points of the show that are kind of cheesy and laughable. For example, when Amanda got her first bra- her FATHER knew! And they talked about it so casually: "So, you're going to get a bra tonight...". Most girls at that age (she was supposed to be 12 or so then, right?) are uncomfortable discussing that kind of thing with their fathers. I know I was! :P Same with Busy. When she got her period, her dad knew about it.

But, those, and several other points aside, it was a pretty informative and 'realistic' show. It dealt with issues and problems girls face as they grow up- such as peer pressure, hazing, homosexuality, divorce and the likes, but it wasn't preachy or sugar-coated. They were approached directly and tangibly... and, unlike many TV shows, sometimes the conflicts weren't resolved within the half hour. It also encouraged individuality- something that should be stressed more, especially in today's society.

And as someone already mentioned, these girls were actually around the age they were supposed to be playing! Unlike a lot of shows, where they're all 25 year olds playing teenagers.

If you ever get a chance to watch even one episode, do it. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

I was the same age group as the characters on this show, Busy and Amanda. They were fantastic child actors who started in Grade 6 all away to I think Grade 11 or 12 when Amanda moved away to the West Coast with her mom.

Although the show was targeted to Teen girls it also sort of targeted to boys as well and covered all sorts of topics that most kids are embarrassed to ask their parents about. Like what are Periods, Wet Dreams, Sex etc. It covered it all and tastefully and cleverly.

My most strangest memory of this show is a character called "The Liz". The Liz was in only a few episodes and was a guy trying to be an original rocker. I still remember the time Busy and Amanda first met coming back from the Zoo. They said Hi to the Liz and this guy is talking back to them in sound effects he makes. LOL that was some funny strange stuff.

I would gladly allow my kids (should I ever have any) to watch this show. It was well done, nonpolitical, and tasteful. "Ready or Not" in my opinion is one of the best shows made from Canada for teens out of all the teen shows from Canada or the World. It is much better then the famed Degrassi!