Greetings,
I have a confession. I love the show Drake and Josh. I know, I know. It makes no sense. At original airtime, I was older than the demographic, but I am young at heart. I believe that makes it alright.
Seriously, though, while this show was intended for the teen or tween market, it did not do what a lot of shows in this category do. It did not talk down to its audience. It did not treat these youngsters like they weren't smart. Sure, there was slapstick comedy and the writing wasn't Shakespeare, but it also wasn't completely stupid. To me, the makers of this show balanced fun and intelligence, so that everyone, kids and kids, not so much, alike, could really enjoy it. And that is why I have decided to honor them with a list of favorite episodes.
First, some show info.
Our title characters of brothers Drake Parker and Josh Nichols are portrayed by Drake Bell and Josh Peck. Portrayed perfectly, I might add. Technically, they are stepbrothers, but after the pilot, I don't recall that being brought up too much, aside from the different last names. They just considered each other brothers. At the start, Drake was the traditionally good looking, a little shallow, cool guy and Josh was the funny, lovable and, let's say it, a tad chubby one. It's okay to say that he WAS chubby, because he is not anymore. Like, he's not that anymore, something fierce. Down, inner cougar! Anyway, these two guys were, and still are, very talented. Even at their young age, they did a great job of carrying the show. Of course, it probably didn't hurt that they had a very good supporting cast.
In the periphery of the lives of Drake and Josh were a lot of recurring characters. We had friends from school, teachers and co-workers, like Josh's boss at the movie theater, Helen. She always gave Josh a hard time, but she really liked Drake, almost uncomfortably so. But I guess since he was not a minor in reality, it's okay. At home, they had their parents, who I actually like. They weren't made out to be total morons or something like a lot of shows disrespectfully do to the parents. No, they were fun, while remaining proper parents, even punishing the kids sometimes. How odd! And, of course, we have to mention little sister Megan, played by Miranda Cosgrove. As you all know, I am not a fan of kids on a regular basis, but she was amazing on this show. Hilariously devious and a diabolical little genius was our Megan. She was an absolute joy to watch. But moving on.
The Top Ten Drake and Josh episodes, away we go.
#10. "Foam Finger" (Season 3)- This is one of the episodes where we are reminded that they are stepbrothers, as it is centered around their first meeting at a ballpark. It's a bit of a Rashomon effect situation, where they each have their own version of what happened, but each one is funny in its own way. And hats off to the kids who played tiny Drake and Josh. They were pretty good.
#9. "Megan's First Kiss" (Season 4) - So Megan is growing up and has a boyfriend, and he is such a nice guy. Or is he? While this episode is obviously hilarious, we also get an uncharacteristically touching moment between Megan and her protective big brothers. It's actually very sweet and the main reason why it gets a spot on the list.
#8. "Number One Fan" (Season 2) - In the series, Drake is a guitar player with a band and is a bit locally famous. Naturally, he was the recipient of crushes, one of which came from a little girl who kind of got too crazy about him. He had to let her down easy, but, just like in the other hundred times this story has been done, that didn't work out so well. Still, the sympathy I had for the girl, having gone through somewhat similar situations myself, earned her episode a place here.
#7. "Josh is Done" (Season 4) - Drake and Josh have had several petty arguments over the course of the show, but here, Josh was pushed to his limit and decided to cut Drake off from his life. It was actually a bit serious in places, which made it really good. But if you want to talk funny, I'm just going to utter the name of a small character on the show - Clayton. If you know who this is, you'll know what I mean.
#6. "The Bet" (Season 2) - Josh is addicted to video games and Drake is addicted to junk food. So they bet each other about who can last longer without their vices. This is a story that has also been done on several shows, I'm sure, and yet I can't resist watching two males compete until their stubbornness and machismo nearly destroys them. Or gives one of them a rash. Just watch it.
#5. "The Pilot" (Season 1) - It's rare that I consider pilot episodes among my favorites for any show, but I make an exception here. It did a good job of setting up the series and what it would be about. Plus, we get to see a very interesting side of our Josh. VERY interesting.
#4. "Peruvian Puff Pepper" (Season 3) - Drake and Josh are planning to enter their salsa in a contest to win a big screen TV for their room. Megan wants to help so it can be won for the whole family. Of course, they say no. This leads to Megan being Megan and pulling off one of her most detailed pranks, one with a great payoff.
#3. "Honor Council" (Season 2)- Drake is brought before the school's honor council (kiddie court) when he is accused of bringing a teacher's car into her classroom. Seriously. This episode features Julia Duffy in the role of Mrs. Hayfer, the teacher who HATES Drake. I don't think teachers are supposed to be as obvious about it as she is. Still, this is probably the funniest I've ever seen Julia Duffy. And speaking of funny, there is a young actress here named Allison Scagliotti playing Josh's archenemy Mindy Crenshaw, who also hates Drake. She was fantastic in this episode and in every appearance she made on the show. Some of you may know her now from Warehouse 13, and she also showed up on one of my favorite shows, Destination Truth. What a gal! Oh, and by the way, yes. She did beat Josh in the science fair.
#2. "Theater Thug" (Season 3)- I could say a lot about this episode, but I will whittle down my reasons for putting this at number two by repeating three words uttered by Josh: "I ain't playin'!" Again, just watch it, and you'll know what I mean.
#1. "Josh Runs Into Oprah" (Season 4) - If there's one thing we know about Josh, it is that he looooves Oprah. Always has and always will. In this episode, his dream comes true when Drake gets them tickets and backstage passes to see Oprah, albeit, after he forgot Josh's birthday. As the boys drive through the parking lot, Josh, at the wheel, becomes distracted and literally runs into Oprah. His reaction when doing so is priceless and so is this episode.
Every now and then, I'm sure we all wish we were a different age for whatever reason. Maybe so we don't feel bad for watching a kids show while we are adults. But then I realize, who cares if I like this show? I will never be ashamed or apologize for liking something good, and this show was great.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
