Les premières fois

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.

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.

You Canadians really have your stuff together. You show all the oldies but goodies. This YTV sounds interesting and I would love to have that channel if it means I could watch this show. I adored this show! I cannot explain how upset I was that I didn't have the premium channels back in the day and would have to wait for Disney's free preview weekend to watch this show. Canadian based teen shows are really good at hitting the nail of teen life or emerging teen life. Mess like Dawson's Creek are ridiculous compared to this show and "Higher Ground". I loved the dynamic of the 2 lead characters. They dealt with a lot of issues you wouldn't think to address, and did it without an ABC After-School Special quality about it. It was very blunt and "this is what it is", now deal quality that I liked. Laura Bertram is a tremendous actress. I remember her from a lot of childhood shows like "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" and was just wowed at my young age by her talent. I can't even remember specific episodes, but I hope they add it to the WAM! channel. Might write a letter...lol. Seriously, it was a great dramatic show about entering adolescence and the issues we have on the way. Awesome piece of work!

I cannot even fathom that someone just said Saved By The Bell was better and that it was more fun. Of course it was more fun, it was unrealistic, they were all "perfect" looking, (with the exception of screech of course)they hardly EVER were in a classroom and they spent most of their time at the max. How realistic is that? If someone was sent to the principle's office as much as Zac morris was don't you think they would have had a meeting with his parents a loooooooooooooong time ago? LOL geez.

I like ready or not and degrassi junior high because the kids aren't painted up. They are real looking kids with real problems. They weren't 24 year olds playing 15 year olds. They're was a kind of innocence about it's lowbudgetness. Canada seems to hit it right on the money with their teen dramas.

But hey, they also made Avonlea and Anne Of Green Gables.