Tudo em Cima

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.

Out of all the 'Teen shows' that I've seen this is by far the most realistic. It's not made anymore but I still watch the reruns on Trouble when I can. What sets this aside from the other teen junk out there is that they actually have teenagers playing teenagers. And they also talk like teenagers. Not like they are 65, something that Dawson's Creek is VERY guilty of.

The show is based around Amanda Zimm and her friend Elizabeth 'Busy' Ramone. They have been friends since childhood and become involved in numerous, realistic, story lines based around their family, high school and social life. Everything about this show seems real and authentic to me. It's more for girls than it is for guys but there's no shame in watching it.

If you can catch reruns of this show it's advisable to ditch Dawson and his unrealistic creek for this. It may not be on anymore but it's undoubtedly superior.

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 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!