The Most Important Man In Tweendom?

Perhaps you've heard of the latest popular show from Nickelodeon called, Victorious. It stars Victoria Justice as Toria Vega, an extremely talented student at Hollywood Arts Academy (a school for musically and artistically gifted high schoolers - think a funny version of Fame). The show was originally first viewed in late 2009 and has been renewed for a second season which has just finished filming in late February of this year. The acting is so-so, the songs are okay and the characters are typical but the show is doing really well among kids and middle-schoolers. It's season 2 premiere was viewed by 6.1 million viewers (not too bad).

The point isn't to talk about Victorious (although the huge picture would say otherwise) but the man behind Victorious as well as many other beloved Nickelodeon television series such as Drake and Josh, Good Burger, The Amanda Show, Zoey 101 and iCarly. His name is Dan Schneider. If you are my age you may have watched Head of the Class, a television show about gifted high school students and Dan played one of the students. He starred in other series and film but he has really made his mark as the creative and producing genius behind many Nickelodeon shows. He is also the powerful mind behind making kids stars such as Jamie Lynn Spears, Miranda Cosgrove, Drake Bell, Josh Peck and Amanda Bynes. To put it in pop culture terms, what John Hughes' films were for the '80s, Dan Schneider is to the 2000's and beyond. He has had a 15 year winning streak of putting out hit show after hit show. A very impressive feat. What works for him? Focus groups, a large family of his own or is it something else?
If you guessed something else, you would be correct. Dan is a big kid himself and even his production company Schneider's Bakery alludes to this fact as his strengths lie in being able to be a confectioner of childhood memories through his shows. He is an adult who never forgot what it's like to be a kid. Some of his rules for success are real gems (seriously) such as not talking down to kids and loyalty. He respects his audience and even though his shows aren't perfect for some Christian parents (the Lord's name is uttered in most episodes), loyalty, friendship and doing the right thing are usually held in high regard.

Could there be better things to watch for kids? Perhaps but teachers, pastors and parents would do well to remember what it's like to be a kid when dealing with children.

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Greg