My addiction to TV shows runs deep. When I get in to a show, I am in. it. So it’s not hard to imagine that, before I was obsessing over GIRLS, Orange is the New Black and Game of Thrones, I had the Disney Channel, ABC Family, and Noggin (or “The N” during the nighttime hours, obviously) on lock. My TV shows of choice ranged from cartoons (Rocket Power and Hey Arnold!) to “reality” shows, before they were reality shows (Bug Juice and Totally freakin Circus . . . how could you not love?) to plain old dramas filled with teenagers in love (Boy Meets World and Breaker High . . . including a young Ryan Gosling). But my best tv shows were the ones who featured dorky but funny, awkward yet smart, female characters who became, basically, my middle school spirit guides.
I guess I have been feeling nostalgic lately . . . but ever since I shared my favorite female TV characters, I knew I couldn’t leave out the ladies who shaped the woman I am today – full of sass, corny jokes and, most importantly, girl power.
5. Sabrina Spellman {Sabrina, the Animated Series}
I was a tad bit too young to fully jump on the live action Sabrina show, so in order to satisfy my lifelong dream of having magical powers, I watched the cartoon. While I wish Salem was a dog, Sabrina started the crop top trend before it was cool, and had Harvey, the most dreamy boyfriend in cargo pants and an alien t-shirt ever.
4. Paige Michalchuk {Degrassi}
There was once a time, back when Drake was just good ol Jimmy Brooks, that the only glimpse we Americans had into those cool Canadian high school lives was through Degrassi. Paige went through some rough patches, yes, but she was always clever and always stood up for herself in the end. I could count on her for some great humor, top notch outfits and solid one liners.
3. Sharon Spitz {Braceface}
Ah braces – I love you because you gave me a smile that is my #1 (appropriately) complimented feature on Tinder, but I hate you, because you ruined my teenage years. Braceface understood that. So young girls around the world who were matching their rubber bands to their soccer uniforms could be comforted with the thought that, hey, times might be tough, but at least I’m not catching metal objects with my mouth like her. Plus, the cast of supporting characters? Stellar.
2. Ginger Foutley {As Told By Ginger}
The summary on IMDB of ATBG (yes I did) says the show follows Ginger and her friends as they “try to fit in social life as well as in school and try to avoid any embarrassments.” If that did not sum up my middle school life, I don’t know what did. I’ll admit I recall zoning out when Ginger’s little bro took over the scenes with some science experiments, but not enough to turn me off forever. Also, any chance I have to watch Little Seal Girl, I’ll take.
1. Lizzie McGuire {Lizzie McGuire}
When I was younger, I remember going around and saying the Lizzie McGuire show was “my bible.” I know I felt really cool while saying it, but it honestly was probably true. I was obsessed. Lizzie took some true fashion and social risks (rhythmic gymnastics – hello?), and the cast additions of Ethan, Kate and Larry Tudgeman were gold. I still don’t think I have given up hope on finding my own Gordo of the new millennium . . . maybe we’ll match on Tinder.
I do now notice that four out of five of these ladies are blonde . . . perhaps it was aspirational? However we all know who I stuck with in the hair color department. So let me hear it – what female shining stars did I leave off my list?
