Zoey 101
Zoey101 2008.png
GenreComedy-drama
Teen drama
Created byDan Schneider
Starring
Theme music composerBritney Spears
Christian Karlsson
Pontus Winnberg
Henrik Jonback
Opening theme"Follow Me" by Jamie Lynn Spears
Ending theme"Follow Me" by Jamie Lynn Spears
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes61 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersDan Schneider
Bill O'Dowd (both; entire run)
Jan Korbelin (episodes 1–15)
Jörg Westerkamp
(episodes 15-65)
George Doty IV (season 4)
ProducersJoe Catania (entire run)
Bryan Spears
(co-producer, entire run)
Robin Weiner (supervising producer, seasons 1–3; consulting producer, season 4)
Tom Keniston (season 4)
Production locationPepperdine University[1]
Running time23-25 minutes
Production companiesSchneider's Bakery
Apollo ProMovie
Nickelodeon Productions
Dolphin Entertainment
Release
Original networkNickelodeon
Original releaseJanuary 9, 2005 (2005-01-09) –
May 2, 2008 (2008-05-02)
External links
Website

Zoey 101 is an American comedy-drama television series created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon and originally aired from January 9, 2005 to May 2, 2008.

It focuses on the lives of a teenage girl Zoey Brooks (Jamie Lynn Spears), her brother Dustin (Paul Butcher), and her friends as they attend Pacific Coast Academy (PCA), a fictional boarding school in Southern California.

It was initially filmed at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, then at stages in Valencia beginning in season 3. It was nominated for an "Outstanding Children's Program" Emmy in 2005.[2] Zoey 101 was the most expensive production ever for a Nickelodeon standard, as it was shot completely on location in Malibu.[3]

Zoey 101 was one of Nickelodeon's highest rated and most successful shows in the 2000s. The series won three Young Artist Awards, two Kids' Choice Awards and a Neox Fan Award. The entire series is currently available for purchase on DVD and on digital stores online, such as iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+.

Several soundtracks and video games based on the series have also been published and released. The series officially ended production in August 2007 after the shooting of its final season, which began airing five months later in January 2008. Spears' pregnancy made this season controversial. However, the show was not cancelled due to her pregnancy. It was not until October 2007—two months after the final season wrapped production—that the Zoey 101 staff learned about her pregnancy.[4]

Premise[edit]

The series centers around Zoey Brooks as she enrolls in Pacific Coast Academy, a school that previously only allowed boys to attend. Throughout the series, Zoey and her friends navigate life as teenagers in a boarding school. As the series progresses, the group of friends grows closer together.

Cast and characters[edit]

Main article: List of Zoey 101 characters

Episodes[edit]

Main article: List of Zoey 101 episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
113January 9, 2005 (2005-01-09)May 1, 2005 (2005-05-01)
212September 10, 2005 (2005-09-10)April 30, 2006 (2006-04-30)
323September 24, 2006 (2006-09-24)January 4, 2008 (2008-01-04)
413January 27, 2008 (2008-01-27)May 2, 2008 (2008-05-02)

10th anniversary revival short and possible revival[edit]

On September 18, 2015, the 10th anniversary of the airing of the season 2 episode "Time Capsule", TeenNick aired a short clip featuring Chase and Michael.[5] In the clip, it becomes apparent that Zoey and Chase have broken up and he is now seeing someone else. When Chase proposes to his current girlfriend Alyssa (Jamie Snow), Michael storms in and informs him of what Zoey said on her DVD from "Time Capsule". The DVD reveals that Zoey suspected Chase's crush on her at the time, even before she went to England, and at some point even thought about getting together with him as she considered him her soulmate, but didn't act on it until after she went to England. This causes Chase, who is still in love with Zoey, to abandon Alyssa to find Zoey, with the clip ending on a cliffhanger.

After reuniting with many of her former cast mates on All That in late 2019, with the sketch later aired on July 11, 2020, Spears revealed during a podcast in May 2020, that she was interested in developing a possible revival and that discussions had already been underway, but nothing was official at the time as many details of the potential project had yet to be confirmed.[6][7] On October 2020, the cast made a reunion on TikTok.[8]

Home media[edit]

Nickelodeon has released all 4 seasons on DVD in Region 1 (United States only). Seasons 2, 3, and 4 are manufacture-on-demand (MOD) releases and are available only through Amazon.com.

Alliance Home Entertainment has released the first three seasons on DVD in Canada only.[9][10] Season 3 was released on March 8, 2011.[11]

In Region 4, Madman Entertainment has released the first two seasons on DVD in Australia.[12][13]

As of March 2021, the complete series is available to stream on Paramount+.[14]

DVD Name Ep # Release dates
Region 1 (U.S.) Region 1 (Canada) Region 4
The Complete 1st Season 13 February 13, 2007[15] November 23, 2010[16] July 25, 2006
The Complete 2nd Season 13 August 29, 2008[17] January 11, 2011[18] September 11, 2008
The Complete 3rd Season 26 June 16, 2009[19] March 8, 2011[20] N/A
The Complete 4th Season 13 June 16, 2009[21] June 16, 2009 N/A

Soundtrack[edit]

Zoey 101: Music Mix
Zoey 101 album.jpg
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
ReleasedMarch 7, 2006
Recorded2004–2006
GenrePop rock
LabelNick and Columbia

Zoey 101: Music Mix is the soundtrack album for the series. It was released on March 7, 2006. The album features music of the pop and rock genres. By June 2016, only tracks 2, 4, 9, and 10 were available on iTunes.[22]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleRecording Artist(s)Length
1."Follow Me" (Instrumental Version) 1:23
2."Predictable"Good Charlotte3:10
3."Louder"The Piper Downs3:58
4."Calling All Angels"Train4:03
5."Mandy"Jonas Brothers2:49
6."Vacation"The Go-Go's3:00
7."Permanent Midnite"Saucy Monky2:25
8."Found Out About You"Gin Blossoms3:54
9."Highway to Nowhere"Drake Bell4:03
10."All I Want"Toad the Wet Sprocket3:17
11."It's True"Odds Against Tomorrow2:26
12."Okay"Backhouse Mike3:32
Total length:38:00

Video games[edit]

A video game titled Zoey 101 was released in March 2007 for Game Boy Advance.[23] Another game called Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco was released on September 11, 2007 for Nintendo DS.[24] Both video games were published by THQ and developed by Barking Lizards and received poor reception and negative reviews from sites such as IGN and Common Sense Media.

Zoey 101 is a mini-game collection. Players must successfully complete each mini-game, then a dare, and then a final challenge. Dares and challenges are randomly chosen from three games in the level. Players can choose to play mini-games freely in the main menu. GameZone awarded the game 4 out of 10, stating that the game was either "boring, frustrating, just plain unfun, or some combination of all three."[25] Nintendo World Report rated the game 2 out of 10,[26] while X-Play rated it one star out of five,[27] with both reviews criticizing the mini-games, graphics and music.[26][27]

Field Trip Fiasco is about Zoey and her friends taking a field trip to a park. The player controls Zoey by using the D-pad or touch screen to walk or run. The player runs around Pacific Coast Academy completing fetch quests.[clarification needed] They involve delivering things to people or collecting objects scattered around the school before time runs out. After finishing a fetch quest, the player plays a mini-game involving hosing off cars or picking up Frisbees. Zoey walks around the national park, talks to the camping club about Native Americans, goes to the library to learn about the park and takes a quiz about a national park.

Jack DeVries of IGN gave the game a 3.5/10 and criticized the game's boring gameplay, bland music and sound, and awkward controls.[28] Mike David reviewed the game for GameZone and gave it a 2.8. It was criticized for its graphics and controls.[29]

Reception[edit]

The series received positive reviews from its target demographic, scoring high with younger audiences. It was Nickelodeon's best performance for a series premiere (live action or animation) in almost eight years. The premiere of the episode "Goodbye Zoey" was the highest-rated live-action show ever on Nickelodeon, with over 7.3 million viewers. The series finale "Chasing Zoey" was the highest-rated show on all of television for all kid demos, including teens 12-17, beating out American Idol.[3] The show has an 8.2/10 on TV.com, a 6/10 on IMDb and a 3/5 on Common Sense Media.[30]

Criticisms of the show have come mostly from older audiences, and have included claims that the show is unrealistic.[31]

Awards and honors[edit]

Awards and honors for Zoey 101
Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2005 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Show Zoey 101 Nominated [citation needed]
Choice TV Breakout Performance — Female Jamie Lynn Spears Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Children's Program Zoey 101 Nominated [32]
Casting Society of America Best Casting — Children's Programming Sharon Chazin Lieblein Nominated [33]
2006 2006 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress Jamie Lynn Spears Won [34]
Young Artist Awards Best Young Ensemble Performance In A TV Series (Comedy or Drama) Sean Flynn
Paul Butcher
Kristin Herrera
Victoria Justice
Christopher Massey
Alexa Nikolas
Erin Sanders
Jamie Lynn Spears
Matthew Underwood 		Won [35]
2007 2007 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress Jamie Lynn Spears Nominated [36][37]
Kids' Choice Awards Germany Favorite Actor/Actress Won [38]
2007 UK Kids' Choice Awards Best TV Actress Nominated [39]
2007 Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Nick Show Zoey 101 Nominated [40][41]
Young Artist Awards Best Performance In A TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actress Jamie Lynn Spears Nominated [42]
Best Performance In A TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Supporting Young Actor Paul Butcher Nominated
Best Performance In A TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Supporting Young Actress Victoria Justice Nominated
Best Family Television Series (Comedy) Zoey 101 Nominated
Best Young Ensemble Performance In A TV Series (Comedy or Drama) Jamie Lynn Spears
Paul Butcher
Sean Flynn
Victoria Justice
Christopher Massey
Alexa Nikolas
Erin Sanders
Matthew Underwood 		Won
Casting Society of America Best Casting — Children's TV Programming Krisha Bullock Nominated [43]
2008 2008 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress Jamie Lynn Spears Nominated [44][45]
Young Artist Awards Best Performance In A TV Series — Leading Young Actress Jamie Lynn Spears Nominated [46]
Best Performance In A TV Series — Recurring Young Actress Erin Sanders Won
Best Family Television Series Zoey 101 Nominated
Best Young Ensemble Performance In A TV Series Jamie Lynn Spears
Paul Butcher
Sean Flynn
Victoria Justice
Christopher Massey
Erin Sanders
Matthew Underwood 		Nominated
Casting Society of America Outstanding Achievement in Casting — Children's Series Programming Krisha Bullock Nominated [47]
2009 2009 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Show Zoey 101 Nominated [48][49]
Young Artist Awards Best Performance In A TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Supporting Young Actress Erin Sanders Nominated [50]
2013 Neox Fan Awards Best Neox Kidz series Zoey 101 Won

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Austin Butler is credited as a series regular from 4x04 through 4x12.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Graphic - What Pepperdine learned in "Zoey 101"". Graphic.pepperdine.edu. August 30, 2004. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  2. ^ Emmys.com. "Primetime Emmy Award nominations for 2005". Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Zoey 101". Dolphinentertainment.com. March 9, 2011. Archived from the original on August 22, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  4. ^ Schneider, Dan (September 12, 2007). "FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions (and MY ANSWERS!)". DanSchneider. Blogspot. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  5. ^ Romano, Nick (September 19, 2015). "Zoey 101 Finally Answers Its Biggest Mystery: 'What Did Zoey Say?'". Time. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  6. ^ "Jamie Lynn Spears Confirms There Are 'Talks' About a Zoey 101 Reboot".
  7. ^ "Jamie Lynn Spears confirms "mature" Zoey 101 reboot - but it won't be on Nickelodeon".
  8. ^ Carto, Lorena (October 21, 2020). "A Virtual Zoey 101 Reunion is Coming!". V. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "Zoey 101 DVD news: Announcement for Zoey 101 - The Complete 1st Season (Canada)". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  10. ^ "Zoey 101 DVD news: Box Art for Zoey 101 - The Complete 1st Season, Release Date for Zoey 101 - The Complete 2nd Season in Canada". TVShowsOnDVD.com. May 25, 2007. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  11. ^ "Zoey 101 DVD news: Announcement for Zoey 101 - The Complete 3rd Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. May 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  12. ^ "Zoey 101 - Season 1 (3 Disc Set)". Ezydvd.com.au. July 25, 2006. Archived from the original on October 12, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  13. ^ "Zoey 101 - Season 2 (2 Disc Set)". Ezydvd.com.au. September 11, 2008. Archived from the original on October 12, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  14. ^ "Zoey 101". Paramount+. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  15. ^ "Zoey 101: The Complete First Season: Jamie Lynn Spears, Adam Weissman, Steve Hoefer, Fred Savage, Savage Steve Holland: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  16. ^ "Zoey 101: Amazon.ca: DVD: DVD". Amazon.ca. November 23, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  17. ^ "Zoey 101: The Complete Second Season: Movies & TV". Amazon. August 28, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  18. ^ "Zoey 101 Season 2: Amazon.ca: DVD". Amazon.ca. January 11, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  19. ^ "Zoey 101: The Complete Third Season: Jamie Lynn Spears, Paul Butcher, Christopher Massey, Erin Sanders, Matthew Underwood: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  20. ^ "ZOEY 101 SSN 3 DVD FF: Amazon.ca: DVD". Amazon.ca. March 8, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  21. ^ "Zoey 101: The Complete Fourth Season: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  22. ^ "Zoey 101 Music Mix by Various Artists on Apple Music". iTunes. February 28, 2006.
  23. ^ "Zoey 101". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. March 2, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  24. ^ "Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco". Nintendo.com. Nintendo of America Inc. September 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  25. ^ jkdmedia (March 22, 2007). "Zoey 101 – GBA – Review". GameZone. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  26. ^ a b Shirley, Jeff (April 9, 2007). "Zoey 101 Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  27. ^ a b Acasio, Eric. "Zoey 101 (GBA)". X-Play. Archived from the original on May 22, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  28. ^ DeVries, Jack (September 28, 2007). "Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco Review". IGN. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  29. ^ David, Mike (October 9, 2007). "Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007.
  30. ^ "What parents need to know about Zoey 101". Joly Herman. February 12, 2007.
  31. ^ Finnegan, Ciara (June 8, 2018). "7 Reasons Zoey 101 Was The Most Ridiculous Show". College Times. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  32. ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for 2005 - Outstanding Children's Program". Emmys.com. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  33. ^ "Casting Society of America, USA". IMDb. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  34. ^ "Winners Release — Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2006 Press Site". Nickkcapress.com. April 1, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  35. ^ "27th Annual Young Artist Awards — Nominations / Special Awards". Youngartistawards.org. March 25, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  36. ^ "2007 Host/Nominees Release / Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Press Kit". Nickkcapress.com. February 5, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  37. ^ "2007 KCA Winners Release / Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Press Kit". Nickkcapress.com. March 31, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  38. ^ "Nick Kid's Choice Awards in Germany / KCA Around the World / Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Press Kit". Nickkcapress.com. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  39. ^ "In full: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards UK winners — Showbiz News". Digital Spy. October 20, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  40. ^ Nickkcapress.com
  41. ^ "Nickelodeon's Australian Kids' Choice Awards / 2007 KCA Around the World / Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Press Kit". Nickkcapress.com. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  42. ^ "28th Annual Young Artist Awards — Nominations / Special Awards". Youngartistawards.org. March 10, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  43. ^ "Casting Society of America, USA". IMDb. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  44. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2008 Press Kit". Nickkcapress.com. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  45. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards – 2008 Winners List – Pictures and Video". Allie is Wired. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  46. ^ "29th Annual Young Artist Awards — Nominations / Special Awards". Youngartistawards.org. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  47. ^ "Casting Society of America, USA". IMDb. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  48. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2009 Press Kit | Nominees". Nickkcapress.com. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  49. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2009 Press Kit | Winners Release". Nickkcapress.com. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  50. ^ "30th Annual Young Artist Awards — Nominations / Special Awards". Youngartistawards.org. Retrieved January 18, 2013.

External links[edit]