Birstyjr Review of Unfabulous

Unfabulous (2004–2007)

Addie Singer is a normal teenager. No one's ever thought of that plot before.

[1/10 · 29 August 2006]

Fabulous-fab·u·lous adj. Extremely pleasing or successful. Unfabulous is an antonym for this word. Why was it chosen for this Nickelodeon television show? A publicity tactic? Wordplay? Maybe an accidental typo that passed? The reason becomes obvious within twelve seconds of Addie Singer's spontaneous guitar notes, original lyrics to her life's events and a voice unlike any other. Addie Singer is played by Emma Roberts who's claim to fame was being the little niece of Julia Roberts and the daughter of Eric Roberts. My theory on genetics in the Roberts family is that talent seems to skip a generation so maybe Emma's children will have a shot at the big time. This show goes for the "average teenager" angle in hopes to target an audience. A failed tactic. Addie Singer lives the television definition of normal teenage life. A nice two story house in a middle class neighborhood, two parents who have no thought of divorce, a family dog, an annoying older brother, popular girls who are obsessed with makeup and fashion that can always be brought down by the average kids taking a stand, the popular guy that she's had a crush on since elementary school that barely notices her existence because she's too nervous to talk to him and Nickelodeon has added a guitar. Another failed tactic. Addie refuses to settle for ordinary and wants to be as unique as possible though several episodes along with the running plot line are based on Addie wanting to be like everyone else. I believe that's an example of irony. Addie has two main best friends, a smart guy named Zach and a best gal-pal named Geena. How very Lizzie Maguire-esquire. Her older brother is named Ben who often quotes how much he wishes he could be like Addie. Once he even went as far as to say to his girlfriend that he wished he could play the guitar as well as his little sister. I've heard one-legged dogs play the guitar better than Addie Singer. They sing better too. Addie's time can be divided into three main categories. School where she constantly hides behind the safety of her friends. Juice which is a place where teenagers "hang out" and what a surprise, drink juice. Sounds more like preschool without coloring books. Home where she writes her songs about flushing her dead pet goldfish, wishing she was a Mexican wrestler and in her own words "tossing her cookies on a yellow bus." Frankly watching this show made me want to toss my cookies.