How As Told By Ginger Tackled Serious Topics

As Told By Ginger was never afraid to get into some more serious topics than your average cartoon, and in the case of the episode 'And She was Gone', As Told By Ginger tackles mental health. Check out the pinned comment to see this amazing NAMI fundraiser I am a part of this year with Leonhart and a bunch of other creators!
Character Art By Jerry Meehan

[@JordanFringe94]

Thanks so much for watching! From the video: Join Leonhart, myself and many other creators in raising $1 Million for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) tiltify.com/@leonhart/pokemontcg #GiveAHart

[@godforgive_me9798]

U give me nostalgic in a good way and a bad way keep goin your videos hit different on holidays like Xmas especially wen u play it on speaker it brings u back old memories and it’s great kee it up

[@lucifermorningstar8562]

Oh that's cool. My mother has worked with Nami a bunch too.

[@YakkoWarnerTower]

No problem, man you are extremely well spoken, and understanding about Mental Health issues tbh.

[@spencer11811]

do the weekenders

[@imfatkid420]

and your the best

[@moofy69]

The mother in this show was my favourite character, she was always so caring and didnt shy away from hard topics to help guide her daughter in a hard time of her life

[@klausoshaunacey8429]

Lois Foutley is one of the best moms in television, along with Linda Belcher from Bob’s Burgers and Penelope Alvarez from One Day at a Time

[@Eszra]

I adore Lois. Shes awesome.

[@kibaanazuka332]

Courtney is probably the most interesting character in the show to me because I know people like her. Person who comes from well off family but struggles internally with high expectations by parents and feelings of loneliness as they lacks true friends who love them for who they are and not what they have. I honestly love the relationship between Courtney and Ginger because Ginger treats Courtney like a normal person and as a friend generally instead of using her as a means to gain popularity. Which is probably a first for Courtney and why she became enamored in connecting with her throughout the show.

[@greengoblin6292]

Well said !

[@tommyettinger1353]

Couldn't agree more granted Courtney's dad was mostly all business until his eventual arrest for illegal business but while Claire was so invested in Courtney she kind of neglected Blake and I think Winston saw that and took a legit interest in being there for him

[@angrykatrants]

word!!!

[@ShadowYetSleepy]

Plus Courtney was a far more superior friend than Dodie was!

[@Ailana10791]

Are we talking about the same Courtney? Who always schemed with Miranda to tear Ginger down in some way in order to gain more attention for herself? 🤨

[@Dm34421]

As told by ginger handled topics better than most teen dramas.

[@Delightfulshallot]

Ned's declassified as well was a good show. Had my daughter watch it before going to middle school years ago

[@killboggins]

or so called adult dramas

[@slanetroyard92]

​@Rae same with pepper ann as well

[@teamsteed1]

Yeah it did.

[@slashbash1347]

One episode I enjoyed was the one where Dodie's grandma dies. It was good at tackling grief but it went over something that often goes overlooked; what if you don't really like the person who died? The way they dealt with that was by making it so Hoodsie never had a good relationship with his grandma, and so wasn't sad about her passing. I remember how shocking it was when Carl said that you don't have to love your family; you just have to respect them.

[@Kaboomboo]

And how it inspired Ginger to look into her family more, by looking at pictures and old home movies.

[@berrymckockiner5883]

That's interesting because most people love their family but don't respect them at all. To many people take their family for granted.

[@ChrisG667]

I loved As Told By Ginger, partly because I was literally the same age as the characters (12-14) when it aired, but because when it taught a message to kids, it never seemed condescending or babyish. It never talked down to kids like they couldn't handle concepts like death, divorce, puberty, body image, etc. without being preachy about it.

[@royshaheer]

I only watched few episodes of of it, now this video certainly gave me interest to watch this all over from start. I never got the idea until watching this essay.

[@vitlaska]

@@royshaheer You'll love the episode where Hoodsey tries to alert an officer that he dropped his pistol, and when he tries to pick it up, he accidentally shoots a family of four. It's something else, I tell you

[@shadowgoon911]

It was natural. It didn't try to force anything. They talked and acted like normal people without making things obvious. The characters responded in a way that suits their circumstances. Other shows are like how you should respond. Arthur was great in that way too.

[@Born_Banjaxed]

Ginger and Carl's relationship with their estranged father was one of my favourite throughlines. It comes up in small ways in many episodes, but when it does, the tension is PALPABLE. They subtlety suggest in a few ways that he is homeless when we first see him in the series- which is one of MANY things I only noticed when rewatching the show as an adult.

[@kibakarina13]

I have two cousins who were in the same situation. Father walking out, single mother raising. Older cousin ( 27) always feel awkward talking about her dad but can remember the memories when he was around. The younger cousin (21) gets angry and say it’s a waste of words to talk about him. Growing up they both related to Ginger n Carl, that they got me watching and I love the characters. But it’s so sweet how they can relate so easily with a cartoon :)

[@happywithdrawal]

@Ahmed Malaki the black kid you're talking about is darren. carl is the younger brother of ginger

[@kazuhasgloves]

This show was so calming yet inspiring to me? I don't know why that was but it taught me a lot.

[@aschmum]

I loved As Told by Ginger! It actually taught me a lot of life lessons as a kid. I also had a situation like Ginger’s in middle school. I was inspired by the “Concrete Angel” music video and wrote a two page fictional poem about a neglected kid who died. I asked my teacher to tell me what they thought, and you can just imagine the rest..

[@donnylurch4207]

My parents sometimes remind me of violent cartoons I'd draw in elementary school and say they had to make sure my teachers didn't see them or they'd put me in counseling. Maybe it was a little weird to draw cartoon characters I hated or KKK members being mutilated in creative ways, but I also played Mortal Kombat 1, 2, and 3 with my big brother at a very young age, so I think I was just emulating the art I enjoyed lol.

[@Born_Banjaxed]

I always wonder about Miranda's home life. 😢🤔 She never gets humanized as much as Courtney does in the show, but they imply her situation is not good (with her militaristic dad specifically).

[@isnttena]

i always wanted to see more on her story too! like what happened with her mom and what not. i know her life had to be rough her dad is a cop and a military sergeant 😭

[@msi8311]

Her dad is in the military and runs military camps she has to go to every summer. That’s where she related to Darren and they tried to escape while Ginger was at copper colored ponies camp.

[@tierefuerimmer9635]

Yeah but I think it's because the show wanted us to hate Miranda but even if her home life is not the best that's no excuse for her to mistreat Ginger

[@zippitydoodaa9571]

I absolutely hate Miranda, she was fucking psychotic asf towards ginger for no reasons she could even specify, got her arrested, framed her for the staTue incident, blackmailing, tried to get her and Darren to break up I could go on! Her dad may have been military asf but that absolutely does not justify how she treats people. I fucking hate how Courtney got it worse in the end yet Miranda never got the karma she truly deserved.

[@NeriSiren]

@@msi8311 omg “copper colored ponies camp” feels so accurate. 🤣

[@shinyagumon7015]

I still remember the episode where her little brother fell in love with an old lady who then *fucking* died while eating dinner with them.

[@tommyettinger1353]

yep Maude the prankster from the old folks home, Hoodsey also felt so left out that they were getting so close until he eventually got a crush on Macie and started to understand what love was

[@brahtrumpwonbigly7309]

Yea, this show really hit close to home. We all have had a little brother fall in loce with a grandma who dies at our house.

[@KingofgraceSARA]

That epi is based on a movie called, Harold & Maude

[@literallynoone5125]

As someone who grew up with totally absent parents, it’s shows like these that taught me values.

[@isnttena]

i honestly think that’s why i love this show as much as i do 😭 i wish i had a parent like Lois

[@stealthskater5674]

both my mom and my pop were physically there in my life but mentally they didn't behave like they wanted to be there this TV show as told by Ginger taught me the things that my mom pop were supposed to teach me but then this show taught me that when I have kids of my own I want to teach my kids the same things the parents on that show taught their kids

[@jalapeno1119]

The As Told By Ginger episode that stuck with me the most was the one where her appendix burst and she almost died. Ever since I saw that episode at like 8 years old I freak out anytime there's a pain in my stomach.

[@tommyettinger1353]

that was a good episode but the ending definitely put Darren in a bad light we had a feeling they would end up together but time constraints we just had to accept they made peace and worked things out

[@MortalAnonymous]

That and the one in Wild Thornberrys where it happened to Eliza in the middle of nowhere. Clasky-Csupo really had a thing for dire situations.

[@maryumgardner5958]

@@MortalAnonymous And Debbie almost being attacked by a shark and Marianne saving her

[@Kaboomboo]

I must be the only one that thought that episode was a bit much. I think it got a little too dramatic with the appendix bursting. I think it should've just been the break up, because that can also be pretty traumatic.

[@alize0623]

I’m not ashamed to say I rewatch As Told By Ginger every year of my life and I’m nearly 30. Good advice far surpasses the active situation (such as middle school) and can be used in all types of problems in life. And ATBG is chock full of excellent advice.

[@mewdreamer]

I love As Told By Ginger. It's such a good underrated Nicktoon. It really felt refreshing since it tackled some pretty relatable issues with a female lead. I was in middle school around the time the series started, so that made it easier for me to relate to some of the characters. I also liked how they allowed the characters to age into high school. I've been hoping that you'd talk about this series for awhile and I'm glad that you chose this episode. Ginger's poem was a really interesting way to tackle mental health issues and how people can respond to them. Episodes like this one and the many hour long specials always made me wish that the series got more love and attention.

[@naufrage0]

Only underrated by Nick. Everyone who saw it loved it.

[@kaliland9296]

This was my favourite show as a kid. Ginger felt like a real teenager and I found it so easy to relate to her, especially as someone who loved writing as a child. I found this episode dark as a child, but when I revisited as an adult, I actually found it uplifting. Sometimes you have dark thoughts, but it doesn’t mean anything is “wrong”. Some thoughts are just darker than others.

[@unknown_Fe]

This show is awesome I love how they changed clothes every episode and I can already tell this video is gonna be great

[@tierefuerimmer9635]

It's funny how I couldn't really get into As Told By Ginger as a kid since I was 8 years old when it first aired and didn't relate to any of the subject matter until early adulthood and I realized how mature, relatable, deep and wholesome some of the content really was! One of my favorites was Lois starts dating Buzz and how even though Ginger is completely fed up his obnoxious behavior, she tries to cover up her feelings for her mom's sake. I also love how Lois defends Carl and says he's like Mother Theresa compared to Buzz's sons

[@tommyettinger1353]

Buzz was probably not my favorite story arc but I agree one that really sticks in your head though was Kathleen Freeman's passing as miss Gordon you feel so bad for Carl and hoodsey he legit regrets being a troublemaker and saw how much she meant to them. Courtney is also a really deep character as the popular girl she wasn't just the snobby type like most shows she had a legit interest in the middle class despite all the stuff Miranda and mipsy were doing behind her back she never turned against ginger. Dodie though was a terrible friend goes without saying

[@tierefuerimmer9635]

@@tommyettinger1353 Courtney was still a bit of a pampered princess but you're right she was genuinely very nice and cared about Ginger. Dodie is almost as bad as Miranda if not exactly as bad as Miranda and Mipsy but Miranda is undoubtedly the most evil especially when she says things like "I knew I wanted you to disappear but I didn't know you didn't " It's like wow... you'd have to be extremely fucked up to say that to someone who you think has a mental illness. God forbid if Ginger really was depressed

[@tommyettinger1353]

@@tierefuerimmer9635 yes Courtney was pampered I agree her mom Claire definitely spoiled her with clothes,purses etc but at the same time she neglected Blake alot as well and I think thats why he hung out with Winston so much because his mom only really did things with Courtney and his dad Prescott I believe his name was, was always working

[@MrKite]

This show hit way harder than it needed to. When I was in middle school I drew a lot of violent little comics just because I thought they were funny. Everyone around thought I had anger issues and needed help. This episode speaks to me a lot.

[@POIUYTREWQ62]

The whole "You know you better than anyone else" is a great message. It isn't the cut and dry "Your feelings supersede everything else", which I think is a terrible message. It is rather, you know your feelings and who better to understand them and compare them to what others think. In this episode, people thought Ginger was depressed when she knew she wasn't. It is understandable how they came to that conclusion, but ultimately, they don't know. That is the issue with people diagnosing others. They may be a professional or trying to help; but often times, they confuse people and dare I say GL (You know the word) into making people think they are something they are not. Then, patting themselves on the back when they really just did harm. On the other side of self diagnosing and "Trusting your feelings", it is important to understand where professionals and others are coming from. If you think you are and people say you are, are you or do you just think you are / having confirmation bias? The thing with mental health is it's easy to diagnose and say you are because of either self-diagnosed or professional diagnosed. I call it "The WebMD Effect" and as for professionals....well, if you have been a part of the medical community, you know how hard it is to pin point and not generalize. The point I am trying to make is, often times the truth is inbetween, Not some nuanced or fence sitting take, but in the sense that you understand both sides. "If you want the truth, hold no opinions." Hold no preference for one side or the other and use both to come to the truth of the matter. That is true in all walks of life.

[@inkoinfinity2]

That's a pretty great way to put it

[@NeriSiren]

Yes, the underlying GL’ing! Slight tangent, but I hated how this kind of thing was handled in one of the first Victorious episodes, where Tori gets sent to the goofy counselor because everyone thinks she for-real whacked another girl on purpose in a fight scene. The counselor straight-up GL’s Tori into saying she *might* have *accidentally* hurt the other girl on purpose because she was *subconsciously* fed up with said girl’s general Mean Girl behavior. And THEN, when Tori finds out the girl was faking everything, she chooses to go through with her detention anyway, even though she has a witness who could back her up to the principal, because she doesn’t want to antagonize the Mean Girl any further and blah blah keeping the peace not rocking the boat blah blah. It’s a TERRIBLE message about ignoring your instincts and taking the fall for a bully, for the sake of superficial harmony. And this was just a few episodes before or after Tori was Taught A Lesson about trusting her artistic vision even when other people don’t connect with it. 🤨

[@j.a.4315]

One of the few cartoons my mom also enjoyed and would watch with me. Ginger's mom had such great advice that applied to many situations, and I loved that they made Courtney more than just the out-of-touch antagonist: she was goofy, but it seemed like she was a genuinely decent person which made her seem like such a real person. I feel bad for people who didn't give this show a chance. Such a gem

[@daniapfel2825]

Me too

[@hannahhengler.2585]

I love Ginger's mom so much. She gave some of the best advice.

[@RegularInvader]

Ginger suffering a burst appendix initially gave me an off reaction about trips to the hospital because it made me feel unsettling about not being able to tell if you're actually suffering from a serious illness. I never expected to experience it after my 6th grade graduation. I was considered lucky that my parents took me to the doctor after a whole day of feeling sensitive stomach-like symptoms (frequent vomiting and high fever). My appendix had barely inflamed by the time doctors confirmed it.

[@lucifermorningstar8562]

It was a pretty great show. And the intro was catchy.

[@candiigurl7893]

Even back then I thought Ginger was painfully underrated. I’ve rewatched it twice since my childhood and only gets better every time. It makes me glad to see this series get the appreciation it deserves.

[@shipper-of-heart8898]

I really like ATBG, they made the characters like, relatable in some way? Especially Ginger. She wasn't the perfect goody-two shoes protagonist a lot of shows have. There's episodes where she comes across kind of selfish or in the wrong, and she learns her lesson by the end (sometimes). Dodie I know is usually everyone's least favorite (the creator said she based the character on a (former) friend she had growing up, so it makes sense). Even Carl- he would be played off as the 'gross little brother', but he was still a good kid and at times was just trying to get some form of attention (and I think he had that pressure of being 'just like Ginger' in school).

[@wilkersonarielle]

As Told By Ginger was way ahead of its time, truly. I love this show and I want Paramount Plus to do a reboot for As Told By Ginger.

[@sixteen.candles.4644]

Way ahead

[@Culo_Sniffin_Cheezit]

No. They'd ruin the show.

[@frankiewilkinson7372]

@@Culo_Sniffin_Cheezityou have a very good point seen fairly odd parents and icarly paranount+ reboots @wilkersonarielle? Lol 😂

[@Culo_Sniffin_Cheezit]

@@frankiewilkinson7372 I heard the icarly reboot was aight. UNLIKE THE FAIRLY ODD PARENTS ONE

[@van8ryan]

I had a similar experience in High School where I tested myself with the goal of writing the "Darkest Tale" I could write. Unfortunately, my school didn't do the typical short story contest we'd done the previous year, so I just left it on the table, absent-mindedly and naively just wanting people to read it. An administrative member found it, and since she knew my mom, she took it to her and said, "Does he need to see a psychiatrist?" The conversation was short and brief, as they both talked to me and understood it was just me testing myself as an author. That was still the first time that reminded me how powerful Writing and Reading truly are, because sometimes, they will cause others to create their own images of you without ever knowing your thoughts. Always thought this episode was very cool that someone else likely had the same experiences and wrote about it for this episode.

[@MrJesse4792]

To me the reason why Ginger's mom was the most level head of anyone who read her poem is that one she is Ginger's mom and even though she works she still knows if her children would have a significant change in mood or behavior because again she is present in some form or fashion. Second Ginger's mom is a nurse and if she was portrayed as an RN, which is why I believe would be the only way she could even own a home in CT, even in the late 1990s early 2000s. So then she would have knowledge and an idea of what a person who is not only going through depression but a serious mental health crisis looks like and since she an attentive parent she did not see any jarring changes in order for her to put on her nursing cap and so she put on her mom one and told Ginger that people unfortunately will interpret her work in a way that best fits their world view but that doesn't mean that she should not open up.

[@cherryblossom7120]

She really was a good mom, ginger was lucky to have her.

[@tommyettinger1353]

Lois definitely did good as a single mom for the majority of the series where as Joanne Bishop was manipulative just like Dodie grew up to be

[@MrJesse4792]

@@tommyettinger1353 If you ever watched Married with Children Ms. Bishop is like if Marcy and Steve were to have stayed together and had kids. This is to say Ms. Bishop may be a bitch but there few moments in which the show shows her caring for her family.

[@tommyettinger1353]

@@MrJesse4792 I have watched Married with Children and it's not about her love of Dodie and Hoodsey but some of her other habits, and trying to get Hoodsey to stop being friends with Carl

[@MrJesse4792]

@@tommyettinger1353 I point out the elitist attitude Mrs. Bishop has is similar to Marcy in my opinion in that they think they know better than everyone but really just insecure woman lashing out at others. I should have made that clearer.

[@marcosdeharo9371]

"She Was Gone" was always my favorite episode because of the exposure of compassion and communication through art. And the visual representations of the poem was absolutely brilliant! the contrast of lack of color was so dynamic, it was hard for me to forget it. and I happily never did. You did a fantastic job! well fuckin done ❤

[@dragoon1090]

Definitely an underrated gem of a nicktoon.

[@Jray181818]

Not gonna lie, the finale (wedding episode) ending made me weep. I wasn’t ready for this show to end. Almost everything I grew up with in the 90s and early 00s on Nickelodeon ended in 2004.

[@williambigger1545]

I wish Spongebob ended in 2004

[@daniapfel2825]

​@@williambigger1545Me too and we can f*ck Nickelodeon for dishonorate Stephen Hillenburg

[@VideoGameAutopsy]

This was pretty much "My So Called Life" for kids. Both were ahead of their time, and both met an unfortunate, all too early, end.

[@trinaq]

I highly concur, both should have been on the air longer, and did an accurate job of depicting preteen and teen life.

[@roxassora2706]

That Simpson's episode where Lisa loses her jazz friend. The bond they had reminds me of this dog I grew to know and love. His memory haunts me, enough to make me cry.

[@chompythebeast]

This show was almost shocking as a kid. It hit so close to home on a network that I'd gone to for laughs since I was too young to do much else. I avoided As Told By Ginger as a kid because it honestly provoked a lot of unpleasant emotions in me―I didn't appreciate how unique it was, not only on Nickelodeon, but as a cartoon targeted at children but genuinely attempting to communicate at their eye level

[@SportsFan-vq9kk]

Back in the day Nick really wasn't a kids network sure it had its kid elements but still a lot of the shows were really mature and that's all thanks to Klasky Chupo.

[@mathieuleader8601]

the episode No Hope for Courtney is profound with the passing of Carl's teacher Mrs. Gordon

[@Br1ttany1992]

I actually thought Jordan was going to mention that episode.

[@BSBINC1]

I was thinking that as well as the ep about their dad

[@tommyettinger1353]

that was definitely a really sad episode while sad really showed great character development for Carl, it's not as deep but he also went through the death of his elderly friend Maude so they put in a few rough moments here and there

[@Culo_Sniffin_Cheezit]

Tbh, I hated that episode. Not the episode itself, but what happened after it. Mrs. Gordon just comes back as if nothing happened

[@KingofgraceSARA]

And Dodie & Robert Joseph's granny.

[@shotakonkin2047]

People underestimate the power of using artistic expression as a healthy outlet, people does criticize that these certain ways of expressing will only increase criminality and at first glance it may seem that way but in reality it's just a way to let yourself find a great way to process these emotions. I won't be specific but certain anime genres are oftentimes used as scapegoats in both the western and even in the eastern world for particular crimes that I won't be specific about on this comment. Not just as an outlet for these feelings but for a whole range of things, expressions of art in both written and visual forms I believe will indeed help those dealing with a whole array of disorders and conditions in the long run; could be used as a medium of meditation for the writer and visual artist in question. Much like how horror artists use their medium to invoke feelings of dread, suspense and terror. Or use videogames as a way to write poetry to it's ultimate power. Undertale is one of the best example of using a videogame as poetic expression.

[@totenbrunk]

I really dislike that the reason for not making the Helga spin-off was because it would be too similar to As Told by Ginger, which is bonkers cause Helga is such a different character imo

[@Wawagirl17]

I always heard that it was thought to be too similar to Daria. Which, as someone who's never really seen more than a few clips of Daria, I can't tell if that's accurate. But no, she's obviously extremely different from Ginger.

[@Tavera12]

​@@Wawagirl17I'd say Helga is very different from Daría as well.

[@chriscriss25]

I adored this show and Hey Arnold. Both definitely influenced me growing up. Still love both at 25

[@diannh2894]

Same

[@robby7499]

Kind of odd how I can remember shows like Rugrats or Hey Arnold! for years, but for something like As Told By Ginger I only have vague memories of it.

[@watsonholmes3903]

I am the same though I kinda remember the movie then the actual show.

[@carljackson1831]

As someone actually named Carl I was more like Ginger, always telling everyone I was fine, there was no issues despite very obviously knowing I wasn't. Didn't want to put a burden on others or feel I was being judged. That being said, I'm now 32 and try telling people that things can and do get better and I am proof of that.

[@SionBarzad15]

Another Carl here, just wanted to say it's good to hear things are better for you!

[@jordinhocharles]

Another Carl here !

[@carljackson1831]

@@SionBarzad15 thanks random Carl, KZbin didn't tell me you replied.

[@carljackson1831]

@@jordinhocharles woohoo! :D

[@Culo_Sniffin_Cheezit]

Damn bro i didn't know people were named Carl

[@sliver-fox-thot-patrol]

As someone who writes horror stories, this episode brings back memories lol.

[@trinaq]

I really loved how this show didn't talk down or preach to its target audience, but treated them with respect. The episode I remember the most vividly was the one where Ginger writes a poem, and although it's never explicitly expressed, everyone thinks that she's suicidal, even though she's not. It was such a poignant, subtle way of addressing mental health issues.

[@JordanFringe94]

That’s literally the episode this video is about

[@dadudeonthebeach2218]

Tell me you didn’t watch the video without actually saying you didn’t

[@DeadlyNyghtShayde]

I fully appreciate you acknowledging that Courtney's reaction to And She was Gone shows her reaching out and having struggles as well! It's always bugged me that that was played for a womp womp kinda laugh when yes, her issues are... Removed from a lot of other people's, they're still issues and they're still hers! The story she is telling in the therapy session is about not feeling in control of her own possessions, feeling left out and a lack of autonomy

[@alexkumaratunga2834]

This show is pretty good. Yes, it may have some duds, but it has to be recognized for all of the amazing stories it made.

[@shipper-of-heart8898]

The biggest dud I think they did was the plot line where Dodie and Macie team up with Miranda and Mipsy to break Ginger and Darren up for their own selfish reasons (albeit Macie was kinda forced into it), only for it all to be forgiven by the next episode (it is a time skip yeah, but we still should've had an in between episode to show them repair their friendship, and at least have Courtney ignore Miranda and Mipsy for a while)

[@alexkumaratunga2834]

@@shipper-of-heart8898 Oh yeah, that episode was abysmal. Could've been great if they gave us some sort of resolution to that.

[@shipper-of-heart8898]

@@alexkumaratunga2834 Yeah. I feel like a middle episode would be good where Dodie keeps trying to make it up to Ginger, who rightfully ignores her. Macie on the other hands gives her a bit of time, then approaches her and explains how they felt and she knows it was wrong to do it. Ginger forgives her quicker (because we know Macie is sort of a pushover), while she takes longer to forgive Dodie, but she does sort of realize she was flat out ignoring her friends, and Darren was also wrong for interrupting the girls hanging out together

[@SportsFan-vq9kk]

@@alexkumaratunga2834 Besides those Dud I'll say it's very good

[@kingkrelly1315]

I was obsessed with this show. I even made my own hideout based on Carl's base. This show always went deep, but I appreciated it even back then. I think this might be an underrated Nick Toon.

[@NeriSiren]

As a writer who also deals with mental illness, I related so hard to that scene with the teacher the first time I saw this episode. The way (as I remember it) she turbo-skims the poem and then instead of commenting on the writing, immediately tells Ginger she should see a counselor was so vicariously upsetting. As a pre-teen, I would absolutely have taken this kind of feedback as “There’s something wrong with you for writing such a dark poem.” I believe the teacher meant well, of course, but her delivery seemed so rushed and minimalist that of course Ginger was hurt and confused. It reminds me of the book *Nightbooks* , which is about a kid who loves all things spooky and macabre, and gets sent to the school counselor because his story for an English assignment raises concerns and he temporarily loses confidence in his writing *and* his love of dark things in general. Which is not to say that adults *shouldn’t* pay attention to students’ mental health (they absolutely should) or BOLO potential causes for alarm, but that the delivery is just as important as the message. You don’t want to leave a kid with too much ambiguity about *why* you’re concerned or they’ll naturally start running through all sorts of humiliating or disheartening possibilities in their minds.

[@angelblu27834]

As Told By Ginger is one cartoon I wish would come back. I would watch a grown up Ginger or Ginger’s teen daughter with Darren.

[@jimjam528]

Great show. Random sidenote, I really adore Ginger's mom. Definitely one of my favorite characters in the show.

[@bebespeaks7827]

Lois is really the best of all the Nicktoons moms.

[@LadyB_20]

Noelle was really a nice addition to the characters. This sgow was way ahead of its time and is relevant to this day.

[@KingofgraceSARA]

I LOVE Noelle.

[@elitettelbach4247]

As Told By Ginger was such an underrated show! I always thought the stories were great, though it did take a while to get used to the artstyle. I can never unsee the meme of Ginger with her mouth positioned correctly lmao. Also yes my dad is a huge advocate for NAMI. Great cause!

[@lasmirandadennsiewillja9435]

I watched the show for the first time as a teen and had no specific opinion. I liked it, it was okay, it was aired around the time I got home from school and was my "Okay, I'll watch this episode before I start doing homework" show but if I missed episodes here and there due to schedule changes or meeting with friends I wasn't sad about it. Then I rewatched it in my mid-twenties and oh boy, did my perception of it change. I recommend every now-adult who watched it as a kid or teen and didn't have strong feelings about it to watch it again, from beginning to end. Once you did your first steps into adulthood, with responsibilities, job insecurities, maybe a couple of failed relationships under the belt, but still remember your teen days well, the show hits differently. Every character hits differently. Every conflict does. As a teen, for example, you mostly feel the bio-dad vs stepdad conflict from the children's perspective. Or the episode where Ginger's mom works as a cleaner for a while, and the whole bonding experience it becomes. You might acknowledge the adults but you don't fully get it until you're older, even without a family. But once you can relate to adult problems, you'll appreciate the show and how every character and conflict is written so much more. When "Wow, I wish I had a mom like Ginger" turns into "But I also aspire to be an adult like this one day!" You can maybe think this as a teen but you don't feel and fully appreciate it unless you've been an adult at least on paper for a while. It's a shame ATBG is so criminally underrated and that something superficial like design choices plays a part in it (can't blame people for that, though, there are shows I refuse to watch because I hated the style and design too much). If anything should have a reboot, it's this. No rewriting necessary. Just some more up-to-date world- and character design and animation.

[@offbeatkiki]

ah, one of my all time favs

[@christianbosse_]

I remember this episode. Even though I watched them all it’s one of the few that wasn’t absorbed into my memory black holes due to neglect/abuse. This one definitely left me feeling all kinds of emotions.

[@alyissaaragon6943]

Thanks for taking my video suggestion from 3 weeks ago! I love as told by Ginger. A few episodes stick out in my mind. One of them is when Carl's teacher passes away and the show demonstrates complicated feelings about grief. Another episode was when Darren broke Gingers heart, then her appendix ruptured and she almost died. The one person she wanted to be there for her was unavailable. A lot of people have let Ginger down in the show, and Ginger would always overcome the heartache and keep doing her best.

[@hodonyassin9760]

This is seriously one of the best Nicktoons ever! It's like an animated Degrassi!

[@Kkatss]

Was just thinking how I watched this and degrassi lol

[@hodonyassin9760]

@@Kkatss Awesome 😎

[@JoshmanLP]

I loved As Told By Ginger and how deep the show went. I felt connected to the characters and the story lines the creators were telling. They had huge impacts on my life. This episode hit me hard when I was younger. Another episode that hit me hard was the one with Carl's teacher Mrs. Gordon. She was retiring and Carl did everything in her power to get her back. But then all of a sudden Carl finds out she had passed away (with also finding out that the voice actress had also passed away sadly). That episode had me in tears, like many episodes of As Told By Ginger did. Thanks for sharing Jordan. =)

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

What a great show

[@SuperTeeter64]

Can you talk about the episode where Ginger is at the hospital? That’s another great one I feel that would be great to look at. So much can be said with that one. Thanks for talking about this topic so seriously. :)

[@christopheredwards788]

A great show. Im happy you did this video. I deal with mental health myself

[@chipskylark172]

This show man…even watching this video makes me tear up. I remember this episode and I remember the episode when Carls teacher passed away. As someone who has dealt with mental health issues as a kid and as an adult this show hit so close to home. It’s so underrated and so well done. Thank you for reminding me of this episode.

[@Kakmanmartinez666]

Reminds me of the time I was in middle school theatre and we had to make our own short film. My script was about someone getting bullied to the point where they take their life and at the time I didn't understand how serious it was bc the school counselor got involved and called my mom. No one really knew how hard I was taking being harassed and ousted in school. I didn't really show it but I was really hurting when I'd come home. I got diagnosed with depression and situational anxiety that year but I didn't get medicated until freshman year of highschool. I was really articulate and could write for hours. Now i can't. With my mental illnesses going unchecked for a good amount of time (my family didn't want to let me go to trauma base therapy) it damaged a lot of my thinking and now I developed borderline personality disorder. Moreso it happened after I lost my mom and it was the trauma that pushed it. If any parents are reading this, please listen to your kids and talk to them. Please. They need you but sometimes they're afraid to ask bc they're worried you're too busy. Make time for them. They'll really appreciate it

[@SmileyJoneso_o]

The parents really looked at their baby and was like “Ginger. She’s a Fucking Ginger.”

[@albertlee2462]

There was something serene, calm, collected, mysterious, and sobering about this show. Even as a 12 year old kid, I watched this show and felt real emotions. The introduction song by Macy Gray really set the tone. The complexity yet basic structure of the structures contrasted by the school age drama. Of course, I felt like I was Ginger (we always feel drawn to main character of the show), stuck between the teenage drama of her less than cool friends, connecting with the one cool person at school, yet battling insecurities of adolescent youth. I remember watching this on the dawn of Sunday nights and it reappeared junior year of high school as it had a 5 AMish time slot for some reason.

[@eatatjoes6751]

The first two As Told By Ginger episodes I watched were Sleep on it, the famous Maude episode, the coffee episode, and And She Was Gone - the last one propelled me into wanting to write as a career and I am so glad it exists because of that.

[@jamiegreenberg8476]

I really wish this show still had reruns when I was a kid- I needed something like this as I was going into adolescence and I had no idea that this show even existed

[@snbsixteen6stars201]

Am so glad your talking about as Told By ginger

[@sairamsoundararajan5190]

This is really one of my most favorite shows of Nickelodeon. As Told By Ginger really covers real life topics that preteens and teens face

[@89cspell]

“At camp caprese, Reese, Reese, we don’t say mooses, we say meese, and we are proud, proud, proud, and so we sing our song out loud!”

[@toallthecrowdedrooms283]

This was a great episode. 30 year old here - just finished the whole as told by ginger series. This is by far the best Nickelodeon show to ever come out. So much heart in the characters and great lessons to teach kids. It was hard to follow as a kid because the shows episodes built off each other but it was awesome to finally binge thru all the episodes on paramount plus. I would be stoked if they brought it back!

[@TurbidTG1]

I'm 27 and I haven't seen this show in years! I'm gonna go binge watch the whole series now!

[@moxxiedemongamer3019]

and yet I'd find As Told By Ginger to be one of the Most Underrated Shows from Nickelodeon and yet it still tackled serious topics very well

[@Bruh_Kenzi]

As told by ginger was underrated and was best animation series that i could relate to as as whole.

[@bebespeaks7827]

I would say 21 other great show/episode in this category would be "When Carl Met George" in the PBS iconic show ARTHUR, season 13 ep 6. George, the quiet background kid who is basically a baby Moose boy with antlers and an orange shirt, is quirky and weird, joins an after-school club for homework help and meets a rabbit-animal boy with actual hair and glasses, named Carl. Carl reacts to sounds and people in odd ways and hides under a table to avoid social interaction. It's explained that he has Aspergers, which in his brain makes him overreact to things around him, and he has a lot of struggles with connecting and talking to people, and has to learn social rules of how to communicate with the world around him. Tbh, I don't recall many other characters being in this episode, besides Fern, Buster, and Prunella. I dont think Arthur was even in this episode.

[@hannahnohlgren989]

I recall the episode where Ginger is sad, I believe it was confessing her feelings, or breaking up - And she curls up on her bed in pain, thinking it is 'heart break'. Her appendix burst and she was rushed to the hospital, her mother fearing for her life. As someone whose appendix burst and due to unfortunate circumstances it was neglected and misdiagnosed to a real dangerous point. Luckily, I got proper treatment in the end and the whole thing was investigated and reported so it never happens again. It's important that adults and kids also know of this appendix infection/if it pops. I remember that one to this day because of it. ...I also remember the curious designs of their wobbly lips and narrow necks.

[@SES4L]

Anyone else been through the torture of having everyone you know be convinced there’s something tragically wrong with you, when you’re perfectly fine?

[@fullmetalmarti]

I was literally suspended for writing a horror story and had to see a psychologist to say I wasn't gonna harm myself or others to he able to go back to school. I remember being proud of my work and then just feeling like shit for being suspended. My parents knew I was a fan of horror and were pissed at the school. It's honestly funny. I never got detention or any other real disciplinary action on my record other than that 1 suspension.

[@evilmidget]

"Talk to me; I'm listening". Those words had such an impact on me as a writer to this very day. I wouldn't have a moment like that until my last week of high school. After taking the class photo in the gym, everyone left to receive their yearbooks. I stayed behind because I didn't get one (and quite frankly, I'm glad I didn't). I took in the empty ambiance of the gym, pulled up a chair to the middle of the gym, and remembered Ginger's words before she started typing. And from there, I just started writing in a notebook. Not a poem, but just whatever came to mind in that moment with each paragraph switching to a different subject. I've done a few more papers since then, too. It does my heart good when stuff like this from that part of my life still sticks with me to this day.

[@itsmefm]

I wish I could have watched this show as a kid more often, I seen very few episodes as a child so all I really remember was that fire af theme song

[@Azpec]

Oh man Jordan this was such a good video. As told by Ginger covered alot of topics that were so good for kids and teens to see and was one of my favorites growing up.

[@JordanFringe94]

Thank you so much!

[@bonnieworley1159]

Who remembers the shaving the legs moment?

[@maroonggirl]

I'm 27 and I still think about that every single time I shave my legs and armpits. Mrs Foutley was right: shaving your legs IS like eating potato chips, once you start you can't stop.

[@imanicanady1]

I’ve been rewatching this on paramount plus and I live it so much

[@claudiabenigno2796]

Did u just throw shade at Dodie for calling her "Dottie"?! Whyyyyyyyyy?! I'm in for more Dodie slander!! 😈

[@helRAEzzzer]

This aired around the same time the insane adults in my life decided I had clinical depression because I enjoyed spending time alone. I literally just got my own bedroom and was starting junior high. I was dealing with just starting to notice that I probably liked girls (THAT was extremely difficult, but still not a chemical imbalance). I wasn't properly diagnosed until about 7ish years ago, after cutting out the toxic psych workers who couldn't even be bothered to LOOK AT ME while prescribing my old meds that made my life HORRIBLE. I have trigger based mental illnesses and multiple developmental disorders, it turns out. I enjoy dark images and horror because it's fun and can be a pick-me-up when my trauma disorders do get triggered. Mental health care for children and adolescents in the decade following Columbine was an absolute mess! Over treatment and under treatment ran rampant. Ignoring what patients had to say in favor of focusing on what popular media they liked and what their (often toxic) parents had to say was the norm. I'm so glad that there is more research on how to handle this stuff for the kids who may need it today. It's still FAR from perfect for today's kids, but I'm glad that the word "balance" seems to have made its way back into the English language!

[@xlxdxm1130]

It gets really deep when they go to high school and ginger literally develops bags under her eyes

[@FritzFoxPirate]

As told by ginger was one of the best cartoons. I couldn't wait to get home to watch it. My niece and I bonded over this series in our tweens I had the exact same issue with writing stories in my school. They weren't very dark or anything (it was a project for Halloween and they asked the class to write a story so I did. I maybe only got a paragraph or two done) I don't remember all of it but I do remember is the teacher sitting down with my mom one meeting and saying something along the lines "couciling"

[@roux823]

I love this show! I tracked down an unofficial dvd set of the complete series since it is one of those shows that they won’t release an official set for. I really appreciated that ATBG respected its audience and told stories like this. I appreciated that no one pressured Carl to have a relationship with his dad. Most shows would say that’s always the right thing to do and ignore that it’s very personal and in this case not right for Carl.

[@BooksInTheVoid]

I loved this show when I was growing up. Darren and Ginger forever. I still hold so much from this show. Like the song Ginger made for Sasha. This was the show that made me love writing.

[@RinaPinxz22]

‘Twas one of my favourites growing up and watching it as an adult is still a pleasure. Great video as always!

[@Grog]

Your channel is amazing, I just found it yesterday and I've been binging nostalgia since then. Thank you Jordan! 😃

[@JordanFringe94]

Hey thanks so much! :D

[@dbrennan785]

I have been WAITING for you to talk about this show, and specifically this episode since it stuck with me so much as a kid. I hope you do more videos about this show in the future because it's such an underrated gem that still holds up today. Awesome job my dude

[@carlamitch9964]

I love as told by ginger. It's a series I can watch over and not get tired of it. An episode that stood out to me was "wicked game" mainly because we see Macie; a character not known for being wicked, join in with miranda, dodie and mipsy to try and break to break ginger and Darren up. I wish there was at least 1 episode depicting ginger, Macie and Dodie not being friends. It was strange to me that ginger completely forgave her friends right away.

[@theycallmecaaamm]

i’ve been waiting for this one !!

[@kaeg.7800]

I was just researching this show! This was my favorite show growing up and I'm glad you covered it 🌻

[@idongesitusen5764]

This was a good episode. When I first saw it I took it as just people on the outside often misinterpreting an artist's work, but as an adult I see the look at mental health clearly, (both in the A & B plots). This show is definitely one of my favorites.

[@raventheredpanda7047]

For as long as i can remember, ive been fascinated by mental illness(since my family has a history of depression and anxiety) this episode is a great way to teach that demographic about it and how it more or less works, both from gingers side and her brothers, where Ginger takes the "its happening to me" route and then her brothers "Its happening to someone else" as you said the duality of it just makes you think more on the topic and how there are things to do, if you feel like someone is struggling or yourself for that matter speak up, and someone might just listen.

[@katarinakrnjevic8183]

As told by Ginger is one of rare cartoons which there is no talking talking animals or anything supernatural happens.

[@pokelynke8232]

I remember this episode vividly and I only watched it once when it first came out. I felt bad for Ginger because this happens all the time to children that are slightly different from the other children around them. It was very common back then to do this and it was terrible. Even the dlightest bit of indeviduality is seen as unsatisfactory (even these days but in different ways then back in the 90's and 00's). While people these days are more open with their emotions and depression, it's shifted to political views and no one can have their own mind when it comes to anything these days or they get ragged on and canceled. Point being. This was a very deep episode that still holds water today. While the episodes's front running theme was depression, the underlying theme wad how people are treated for indeviduality.

[@mathieuleader8601]

I love the greyscale of the world of the poem really sets the mood

[@dahliazaylinsage]

Dude awesome! Thanks and safety to ya as always friend!!