Sam & Cat Premiered 10 Years Ago Today - A Nostalgic Look Back at the Hit Nickelodeon Show

Sam & Cat Premiered 10 Years Ago Today

It's hard to believe, but the Nickelodeon sitcom Sam & Cat premiered exactly a decade ago on June 8, 2013. The show brought together two fan-favorite characters from previous Nick hits: Sam Puckett from iCarly and Cat Valentine from Victorious. For kids and tweens who grew up in the early 2010s, Sam & Cat represents a major piece of pop culture nostalgia.

The Origins of Sam & Cat

Sam Puckett was played by actress Jennette McCurdy, while Cat Valentine was played by singer/actress Ariana Grande. After their original shows ended, Nickelodeon decided to spin off the characters into their own series. Sam & Cat followed the odd couple as roommates who started a babysitting business together. Although the two had clashing personalities, they somehow made it work.

The show's creation was a major career moment for both McCurdy and Grande. It marked McCurdy's first time headlining her own series as a lead actor. For Grande, it helped launch the early days of her professional acting career before her massive music breakthrough. Overall, the show was a big undertaking for the young stars.

Impact and Legacy

Sam & Cat premiered to huge ratings, attracting over 4 million viewers. It became one of Nick's highest-rated new shows in years. The series also received generally positive reviews from critics who praised the comedic chemistry between McCurdy and Grande.

In its first season, Sam & Cat averaged nearly 3 million viewers per episode. However, the next season saw a decline in ratings. Ultimately, the show came to an early end in July 2014 after only 35 episodes across one and a half seasons. Rumors circulated about behind-the-scenes tensions leading to the cancellation.

Although short-lived, Sam & Cat made a significant impact on pop culture. McCurdy and Grande gained massive exposure among younger viewers through starring on the show. It also kept the momentum going for Nickelodeon as the network entered the 2010s after a dominant 2000s run with programs like iCarly and Victorious.

Where Are They Now?

In the decade since Sam & Cat, Grande and McCurdy have taken very different career paths. Right after the show ended, Grande got to work on her debut album and quickly became a top pop star by the late 2010s. She is now a global superstar with multiple #1 hits and Grammys under her belt.

McCurdy took a break from acting for several years to focus on writing and directing. She made headlines in 2021 for publicly renouncing her acting career. More recently in 2022, McCurdy launched a solo comedy podcast and spoke openly about her experiences as a former child actor, including the challenges with Sam & Cat.

Though Grande and McCurdy have both moved on, Sam & Cat still evokes nostalgia for millions of fans who grew up watching the show 10 years ago. For a while, it represented the end of an era for Nickelodeon before the network ushered in a new generation of programming in the late 2010s into the 2020s.

Reliving the Nostalgia

Whether you loved Sam & Cat or just watched it casually, revisiting the show 10 years later is sure to be a nostalgic blast. The buddy comedy format, the wacky adventures, and the OVER-the-TOP jokes were peak Nickelodeon. And the show gave Grande and McCurdy the chance to shine as comedic actors.

So get ready to feel some major nostalgia today on the 10-year anniversary of Sam & Cat. There may never be another Nick show quite like it. Go relive your favorite #SamAndCat moments and appreciate the talents of breakout stars Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande. Sam and Cat forever!

FAQs

How many seasons did Sam & Cat run for?

Sam & Cat ran for 1 season of 35 episodes from June 2013 to July 2014. Though it was renewed for a second season, the show was cancelled before season 2 could be completed.

Why did Sam & Cat get cancelled?

There were rumors of behind-the-scenes drama leading to the cancellation. Reports indicated tensions between Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande, along with issues between McCurdy and Nickelodeon executives.

What was Sam & Cat about?

Sam & Cat followed odd couple roommates Sam Puckett from iCarly and Cat Valentine from Victorious. The duo started a babysitting business together despite their clashing personalities.

How old were Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande on the show?

Jennette McCurdy was around 21 years old when Sam & Cat started. Ariana Grande was about 19 years old when the show premiered.

How can I rewatch Sam & Cat?

Full episodes of Sam & Cat can be streamed on Paramount+. You can also purchase episodes or seasons on services like Amazon Video, iTunes, and Google Play.