WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Season 1 of the iCarly revival, now streaming on Paramount+.
The iCarly revival brought Freddie, Spencer and Carly back to our television screens for the first time in years. The Paramount+ exclusive has provided fans a look into the lives of their favorite characters 10 years later, showing everyone what Carly and Freddie have been up to since they got out of high school. TLDR: Spencer just got super rich.
Of course, the three iCarly originals aren't the only characters returning for the revival. In its first six episodes, iCarly has brought back several fan favorite guest characters, including a few antagonists from the series' original run.
Freddie's overprotective mother, Mrs. Benson, was a recurring guest character on the original iCarly, often showing up to embarrass Freddie and act as both an ally and an obstacle to the iCarly gang. Her appearance in the revival so far has been minimal, only physically appearing in the first episode, "iStart Over."
Though brief, Mrs. Benson shows us she hasn't changed as she still spoils and smothers Freddie. Not only that, but her overbearing love now extends to Freddie's stepdaughter Millicent, who doesn't seem to mind her grandmother's affection.
A surprising but welcome re-appearance on the revival comes from Nora Dershlit, the infamous villain of the original iCarly special "iPsycho," where she kidnapped the iCarly gang due to her intense obsession with them. She went on to kidnap the iCarly gang a second time, though years of prison and intense therapy sessions seem to have mellowed her out by the time Carly runs into her at Skybucks.
In the second episode, "iHate Carly," Carly assumes Nora is the online hater she is looking for due to their past. Nora swears she loves Carly though and promises she has reformed. The small whiff of Carly isn't enough, though, as Nora later crashes Carly's date and gets into her apartment. Maybe a third kidnapping plot is right around the corner.
Nora isn't the only recurring antagonist stopping by for the revival. Episode 5, titled "iRobot Wedding," features the infamous Nevel Papperman getting married, and the iCarly gang is invited, but only so he can shove his happiness in their faces. The wedding turns out to be an elaborate plot to trick Carly into marrying Nevel, apparently still carrying his childhood crush for her.
Meanwhile, Carly suspects Nevel's bride-to-be, Prunella, is actually a robot designed by Nevel due to her odd behavior, though she turns out to be human in the end. Prunella and Nevel actually fall in love by the end of the episode and get married, hopefully finally putting an end to Nevel's attempts to force Carly to love him.
A more welcome face comes to the revival in the form of Principal Ted Franklin. Fans of the original series will remember Principal Franklin as the kind-hearted and fair principal of Carly, Sam and Freddie's high school. He was also a big fan of the kids' web show and always supported it.
He appears in Episode 6 of the revival, "i'M Cursed," showing up at Carly's apartment to deliver letters Carly and Freddie wrote to themselves for an assignment back in school. He appears later in the episode at Carly's (unwanted) surprise party, showing that he still cares about his students all these years later.
Joining Principal Franklin in "i'M Cursed" is Duke Lubberman, the loveable "sweaty wrestler" who helped the iCarly gang hatch baby chicks in the original show. He also shows up to the surprise birthday party for Carly that Spencer is throwing. Carly, fearful of a supposed curse that always ruins her birthdays, does not want any parties or interaction with people.
In response, Spencer puts Duke on doorman duty and tells him to not let anyone out unless they're "giving birth or covered in vomit." Though his appearance is brief like Principal Franklin's, it's nice to see the revival bringing back original iCarly characters fans haven't seen for a long time.
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