In the iCarly Season 2 episode, "i'M Wild and Crazy," Spencer announces he bought The Groovy Smoothie — one of the most iconic hangout spots from the original series. Spencer takes a walk down memory lane and envisions a new Groovy Smoothie. As Spencer's big dreams collide with Freddie's app production, hijinks and nostalgia ensue. All the while, iCarly continues to make its case as to why it's one of the best revivals on TV with its evolved, sharp sense of humor and its undercurrent of relatable heart.
iCarly is a Paramount+ revival of the Nickelodeon comedy with the same title that aired from 2007 to 2012. The original iCarly followed a young girl named Carly Shay as she balanced coming of age with a popular web show. She did so with the help of her brother, Spencer, whom she lived with, and her best friends, Sam Puckett and Freddie Benson. The Groovy Smoothie was one of the most frequented sets in the original series. Like their Pear products are a parody of Apple, this restaurant is a parody of Jamba Juice or something similar.
The iconic location is back under Spencer's managerial control. Spencer initially approached the locale intending to use it as an office space for the "Kevin" app. But, Freddie, who's acquired more personal and professional responsibilities over the years, doesn't have time to entertain the idea of reviving the restaurant as it was when they were younger. Meanwhile, Spencer can't help but get caught up in the memories of T-Bo's old food sticks. Spencer sees the run-down objects as a sign to move forward with his plan. But, Spencer doesn't want to disappoint Freddie in the process.
Then, everything becomes meta. Freddie is no longer just Spencer's old friend but represents the audience that grew up with the original iCarly. The Groovy Smoothie becomes a physical representation of the revival itself. Spencer, the series' bonafide artist, is representative of the creatives in front of and behind the camera who bring this new version of iCarly to life. Then, Millicent — one of iCarly's best additions — becomes the voice of the new generation finding the series for the first time. She tells Spencer to reinvent the Groovy Smoothie to be not what it was but what he wants it to be.
All of that comes together in a spot-on joke delivered by Jerry Trainor and Nathan Kress as Spencer and Freddie, respectively. Spencer lays out his plans for the new restaurant, to which Freddie says, "A new restaurant? They rarely fail." Spencer asks, "Can it still pander to the fans of the original?" Freddie guffaws and responds, "Of course -- how else are you supposed to succeed?" Then, the two burst into laughter, encouraging fans of the original to do the same. The duo spells out the metaphorical joke at the center of the Groovy Smoothie's reinvention, but it also hits on the magic of this revival.
iCarly doesn't use this joke only to poke fun at its audience. Instead, via Freddie, iCarly ensures that the fans are in on it. If anyone understands the meta nature of reinventing the Groovy Smoothie, that loyal audience who tuned in to Nickelodeon and followed the series to Paramount+ will. Millicent's words matter and inspire Spencer to leap into the venture, and Freddie's vote of confidence ensures him it's the right thing to do. As a result, both older and newer fans of iCarly come together to make this revival a rewarding viewing experience. Plus, iCarly still has that zany sense of humor because Spencer sticks with the name Bar F.