100 Things to Do Before High School
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100 Things to Do Before High School was a Nickelodeon television show that aired from 2014 to 2016. The series follows three middle school friends, CJ, Fenwick, and Crispo, as they create a bucket list of 100 things they want to achieve before they enter high school.
Premise
Three childhood best friends set off on a quest to make the best out of their final two years of middle school by making a list of 100 things to achieve before they set off to high school. Along with the list and help from their guidance counselor, they make it through the highs and the lows of middle school.
Why It's 100 Things Rocks
- The premise of creating a bucket list of activities to complete before high school is relatable and engaging for its target audience of pre-teens and children.
- CJ Martin, Fenwick Frazier, and Crispo Powers are likable protagonists who each bring their own personality traits and quirks to the show, which is unlike most nickcoms protagonist from the 2010's
- CJ Martin is the spirited leader of the trio, driven by her fearless and adventurous nature. Always eager to tackle new challenges, CJ approaches life with boundless confidence and determination. She values her friendships deeply and often serves as the catalyst for their escapades, encouraging Fenwick and Crispo to step out of their comfort zones. CJ’s empathy and strong sense of justice make her a natural leader, guiding the group through both the highs and lows of their middle school adventures.
- Fenwick Frazier is the intellectual backbone of the trio, known for his sharp mind and analytical approach to problem-solving. Highly conscientious and academically driven, Fenwick brings a cautious and thoughtful perspective to their bucket list adventures. Though initially reserved and risk-averse compared to his friends, Fenwick’s loyalty and sense of duty often push him to confront his fears and embrace new experiences, proving that there’s more to him than just book smarts.
- Crispo Powers is the energetic and spontaneous heart of the group, known for his infectious enthusiasm and love for adventure. Socially confident and always ready to make new friends, Crispo brings a sense of fun and optimism to their escapades. Despite his impulsive nature, Crispo’s loyalty and compassion for his friends shine through, making him an integral part of their tight-knit trio. His willingness to try anything once often leads to memorable, albeit sometimes chaotic, moments on their journey through middle school.
- The theme song is incredibly catchy.
- Each episode typically revolves around the trio attempting to check off one item from their list, leading to various comedic and sometimes heartwarming situations.
- Good humor.
- Pretty good acting.
- The show promotes positivity, resilience, and the idea of stepping out of one’s comfort zone to experience new things.
- It brings back the charm of previous Nick sitcoms, such as iCarly, Big Time Rush and Drake & Josh.
- Because it was created by Scott Fellows, unlike most modern Nick sitcoms, it has no laugh track. It lets the audience laugh at the jokes themselves.
- The show’s soundtrack complements its upbeat and adventurous tone, enhancing the overall viewing experience although it's recycled from Big Time Rush.
- It addresses social issues such as bullying, peer pressure, and self-confidence in a manner that is accessible and understandable for young viewers.
- The show has memorable episodes such as:
- "Start a Garage Band Thing!"
- "Run with the Bears Thing!"
- "Say Yes to Everything for a Day Thing!"
- "Stay Up All Night Thing!"
- "Meet Your Idol Thing!"
- "Find Your Super Power Thing!"
- "Sit at a Different Lunch Table Thing!"
- "Become a Millionaire and Give It All Away Thing!"
- "Get Your Heart Pre-Broken Thing!"
- "Leave Your Mark Thing!"
- The characters can serve as positive role models for young viewers, demonstrating qualities like teamwork, determination, and empathy.
Bad qualities
- The characters, while likable, sometimes fall into stereotypical roles (the overachiever, the adventurous one, the nervous one).
- The humor can be formulaic at times, relying on slapstick or predictable jokes that may not always resonate with all viewers.
- Just like Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, and Big Time Rush the cartoonish sound effects can get annoying after a while.
- It was canceled after one season. Nickelodeon did not make any announcement about the show's cancellation, leading to a lack of clarity communication regarding the end of the series.
Reception
100 Things to Do Before High School" received positive reception for its engaging premise and relatable characters, with CJ Martin, Fenwick Frazier, and Crispo Powers embarking on a series of adventurous bucket list challenges before entering high school. The show was praised for its positive messages about friendship, personal growth, and stepping out of comfort zones, resonating well with its pre-teen audience. However, its abrupt and quiet cancellation after just one season left fans and cast members, including Isabela Moner, disappointed and surprised, as many felt there was still much potential and many stories left to explore. The series currently has a 6.3/10 on IMDB.