During the ‘90s, Executive Producer Peter Engel dominated the tween market with Saved by the Bell, California Dreams,, Hang Time, City Guys and a few more on NBC Saturday mornings. He had a hit machine going. Dan Schneider took over Engel’s kingdom with his tween empire at Nickelodeon. His All That spun off The Amanda Show which launched Drake & Josh which had something with Zoey 101 which begat iCarly which brings us to Victorious. Schneider created the star vehicle for Victoria Justice after her co-starring role on Zoey 101 and boxing guest spot on iCarly. Where would you put such a talented young star to truly tap all her talents? How about Hollywood Arts, a high school for performing kids? This allows her to have plenty of talented supporting actors. Victorious: Season One, Volume Two brings together 9 episodes along with the “event of the summer.”
“The Diddly-Bops” have the students team up to be a band for a little kid’s birthday party. They seem to have fun being the new Wiggles. Trouble brews when Andre (Leon Thomas III) gets a meeting with a big time record producer and the guy sees his future star in the kiddie band. The real problem is that it seems in today’s marketplace, you’ve got a better chance of sales success as a kiddie act like Yo Gabba Gabba than appealing to grown ups that merely illegally download your music. “Cat’s New Boyfriend” tuns out to be Tori’s old boyfriend. Seems she really isn’t that over the guy. “Sleepover at Sikowitz” is playing with dynamite. The acting teacher invites his young students to spend the night at his place to delve into method acting. It’s this kind of activity that get many art school teacher getting mug shots. Although Victorious makes it seem like a purely innocent event.
“The Wood” brings the kids onto their own reality show. They learn the harsh lesson that artistic people should avoid such projects. “The Great Ping-Pong Scam” is a scandal involving the PE budget. Will any instructors can arrested for this misuse of funds? Jade writes her own play and produces it at a Chinese restaurant on “Wok Stars.” Things get out of control when the owner of the restaurant wants changes and a role for her daughter. “Survival of the Hottest” bakes the cast to death when they’re stuck inside an RV at the beach. Will they all reduce to bacon? Their only hope is Jade and she’s too busy partying with hunky boys.
“Wi-Fi in the Sky” has Tori doing her schoolwork over the internet while she’s stuck at an airport. Comedy comes from constant interruptions. “Freak the Freak Out” deals with kids getting banned from the hot club. They need Tori’s help to get back inside. Shouldn’t those kids be studying? Isn’t hanging out in clubs the beginning of the end for Lindsay Lohan? Victorious is a light look at life at art school so there’s no real downer episodes. Dan Schneider’s universe understands that the tweens tune in for the fun and fantasy which is why he can keep spinning off more dream worlds for his developing stars.
The video is 1.78 letterboxed on a full frame. It’s not anamorphic which is strange. The transfers look good since the show is shot on video. The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo with a mix that doesn’t let the laugh track overwhelm the dialogue. The episodes are Closed Captioned.
iParty With Victorious (69:45) was the event of the summer as the casts of iCarly mix with Victorious. Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live) has no problem with high schoolers partying in his mansion. This is an orgy of Dan Schneider’s tween superstars.
iParty With Victorious Mash-Up Performance (1:23) is a short visit to the recording studio of their mixing of the two theme songs.
“Best Friend’s Brother” (3:37) is a music video. It’s all about the Daisy Duke cut-offs in this performance.
Victorious: Season One, Volume Two keeps up the Art School fun with Tori and her friends. This show is made for the tween crowd with light humor and little anguish. Your art school experience may vary.
Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures present Victorious: Season One, Volume Two. Starring: Victoria Justice, Leon Thomas III, Elizabeth Gillies and Avan Jogia. Boxset Contents: 9 Episodes on 2 DVDs. Released on DVD: November 1, 2011. Available at Amazon.com.
