Drake & Josh is an American buddy teen sitcom created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon. The series follows teenage stepbrothers Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck) as they live together despite their opposite personalities. Nancy Sullivan and Jonathan Goldstein starred as Drake's mother Audrey and Josh's father Walter, respectively, and Miranda Cosgrove starred as Drake's devious younger sister Megan. Bell performed the series' theme song, "I Found a Way", written by Bell and Backhouse Mike.
Bell and Peck previously appeared in The Amanda Show, a variety series that Schneider also created for Nickelodeon. A sketch featuring Bell and Peck arguing over a piece of shrimp prompted network executives to cast the two actors in their own spin-off, Drake & Josh, which premiered on January 11, 2004. During production of the fourth season, Bell was injured during a car accident, and filming stalled for four months during his recovery. A television film, Drake & Josh Go Hollywood, premiered in early 2006. A television special, Really Big Shrimp, served as the series finale, and the series' final new broadcast episode aired on September 16, 2007, marking 56 episodes in 4 seasons for the show. Afterwards, the network aired the one-time special Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh in late 2008.
Drake & Josh was a ratings success, garnering 3.2 million viewers for its premiere, and it consistently ranked as one of the most watched series in its demographic during its run. It won 2 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, 2 UK Kids' Choice Awards, and 3 Australian Kids' Choice Awards and was nominated for 7 other awards, including at the Young Artist Awards and the Casting Society of America. Other media include books, DVD and VHS releases, promotional singles, and video games based on the series.
Plot The series revolves around two teenage stepbrothers, Drake Parker and Josh Nichols, who live in San Diego, California, with Drake's younger biological sister Megan and biological mother Audrey, and Josh's biological father Walter. Drake is cool and charismatic, having his own band and being popular with girls, yet can be narcissistic and absent-minded, while Josh is intellectual, clumsy, and awkward; yet very loving and caring. Josh starts working at a local movie theater in the second season, which becomes a key set location for the rest of the series. Despite their opposite personalities, Drake and Josh have shown multiple times throughout the series that they care deeply about each other and have each other's backs. The two boys are often involved in comedic escapades and challenges while handling various teenage problems.
Cast
Main Drake Bell as Drake Parker: Megan's biological brother, Josh's stepbrother, Audrey's biological son, and Walter's stepson Josh Peck as Josh Nichols: Drake's and Megan's stepbrother, Audrey's stepson, and Walter's biological son Nancy Sullivan as Audrey Parker-Nichols: Josh's stepmother, Drake's and Megan's biological mother Jonathan Goldstein as Walter Nichols: Josh's biological father, and Drake's and Megan's stepfather Miranda Cosgrove as Megan Parker: Drake's biological sister, Josh's stepsister, Audrey's biological daughter, and Walter's stepdaughter
Recurring Yvette Nicole Brown as Helen Dubois, manager of the Premiere movie theater (portrayed by Frances Callier in the episode "Little Diva") Jerry Trainor as "Crazy" Steve, employee at the Premiere Allison Scagliotti as Mindy Crenshaw, Josh's girlfriend and ex-science fair rival Alec Medlock as Craig Ramirez, Drake and Josh's friend Scott Halberstadt as Eric Blonowitz, Drake and Josh's other friend Jake Farrow as Gavin Mitchell, another employee at the Premiere Julia Duffy as Mrs. Hayfer, Drake and Josh's teacher at Belleview High School Roark Critchlow as Dr. Jeff Glazer, a doctor who lives across the street from Drake and Josh, who usually charges them a lot despite not doing much Cathy Shim as Leah, an employee at the Premiere who appears in the series' fourth season Josh Sussman as Clayton, Drake and Josh's classmate at Belleview High School Johnny Lewis as Scottie, Molly Orr as Rina, and Jeremy Ray Valdez as Paul, the band members of Drake's band who appear in the series' first season
Episodes
Production Drake Bell and Josh Peck had previously acted together on The Amanda Show, created by Dan Schneider. Bell and Peck's differing personalities inspired Schneider in 2001 to create a new show starring them as characters with traits similar to their own. An unaired pilot episode featured Stephen Furst as Walter Nichols, although he was busy with another project when Drake & Josh was picked up as a series, and Jonathan Goldstein was cast in the role instead. A house in Los Angeles' Encino neighborhood was used for exterior shots of the family's home, while interior scenes were shot on a sound stage at the Nickelodeon on Sunset studios in Hollywood. Tribune Studios in Hollywood was also used as a filming location.
Production was suspended in late December 2005, after Bell's injury in a car crash, prior to which he had filmed three episodes of the fourth season. Bell's accident was the result of a driver falling asleep at the wheel and colliding head-on with Bell's 1966 Mustang, which had no seat belts or airbags, resulting in extensive facial injuries. Filming resumed in March 2006 with the episode "My Dinner with Bobo". The following month, Nickelodeon greenlit an additional seven episodes for the fourth season, and Bell and Peck signed on to direct several episodes. With the extended season, filming continued through July 2006. According to Schneider, the show ended due to a collective decision from the creative forces behind the show.
The profession of the family's mother is never revealed on the show, although Schneider had written dialogue into the series finale that would have revealed her profession at a catering business. The scene was filmed, but Schneider ultimately chose to remove it during editing. Schneider said, "On the one hand, I thought it was funny to finally reveal it, so casually, in the very last episode – there was something ironic about that. But then I decided that, because fans always seemed to have fun trying to figure it out (what 'Mom's' name and job were), it would be better to 'keep the bit going' for eternity, by never revealing it in any episode."
Release
Broadcast Drake & Josh aired on Nickelodeon and premiered in the United States on January 11, 2004. The final episode aired on September 16, 2007.
Home media Below is a list of official DVD and VHS releases of Drake & Josh.
TitleRegion 1Region 4Contains Drake & Josh: Vol. 1 Suddenly Brothers (VHS release included) February 15, 2005 2009 Includes "Pilot", "Dune Buggy", "Two Idiots and a Baby", "First Crush", and outtakes. Drake & Josh: Vol. 2 Suddenly FamilyUnreleased Includes "The Bet", "Football", "Movie Job", "Pool Shark", outtakes, and clips from U Pick Live Drake & Josh Go Hollywood (VHS release included) January 31, 2006 2010 Includes Drake & Josh Go Hollywood; episodes "Helen's Surgery" and "Mindy's Back"; bloopers; and "I Found a Way" music video. TEENick Picks Vol. 1 2006 N/A Includes "We're Married?" Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Winners Collection 2007 N/A Includes "Who's Got Game?". The Best of Drake & Josh: Seasons 1 & 2 August 21, 2008 January 4, 2016 Includes "Pilot", "Dune Buggy", "Two Idiots and a Baby", "First Crush", "Grammy", "The Bet", "Movie Job", "Football", "Pool Shark", "Smart Girl", "Little Diva", "Number 1 Fan", "Mean Teacher", "Drew & Jerry", and "Honor Council". The Best of Drake & Josh: Seasons 3 & 4 August 29, 2008 N/A Includes episodes "Alien Invasion", "Little Sibling", "Megan's New Teacher", "Foam Finger", "We're Married?", "Paging Dr. Drake", "Theater Thug", "Girl Power", "Dance Contest", "Treehouse", "Helicopter", "Megan's Revenge", "The Great Doheny", and "The Storm". N/A 2011 Includes episodes "Smart Girl", "Football", "Little Diva", "The Gary Grill", "Pool Shark", "Honour Council", pilot episode of "iCarly"
Reception The series premiere was watched by 3.2 million viewers, Nickelodeon's highest-rated series premiere in nearly 10 years. As of 2006, Drake & Josh ranked consistently among the 10 most-watched cable shows of the week, and was the top-rated live-action series among children aged 2 to 11 years old. It averaged three million viewers at the time. It proved to be popular with younger viewers. According to Schneider, Drake & Josh had its highest ratings in its final season.
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Recipient Result 2005 2005 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Show Drake & Josh 20062006 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Show 2006 Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave TV Show Drake & Josh 20072007 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Show 2007 UK Kids' Choice Awards Best TV Show Drake & Josh Best TV Actor Drake Bell 2007 Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Nick Show Drake & Josh Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Supporting Young Actress Miranda Cosgrove Casting Society of America Best Casting – Children's TV Programming Krisha Bullock 20082008 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Show Drake & Josh 2008 UK Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Kids' TV Show Drake & Josh 2008 Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Comedy Show Drake & Josh 20092009 Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Comedy Show Drake & Josh 2010 2010 Australian Kids' Choice Awards Big Kid AwardDrake Bell
Films The series received two television films. Drake & Josh Go Hollywood premiered on January 6, 2006. In the film, Drake and Josh are left at home in San Diego after their parents go on a ten-day cruise. The boys are told to take Megan to the airport so she can visit her friend in Denver, but they accidentally send her on a flight to Los Angeles instead. Drake and Josh go to Hollywood to get Megan back, but end up stopping a multibillion-dollar heist and booking a guest-spot for Drake on TRL. According to TV Guide, it was the highest-rated program on all of cable during its opening week.
Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh premiered on December 5, 2008. Michael Grossman directed the film, and Schneider returned as executive producer. In the film, Drake and Josh try to give a foster family "the best Christmas ever". The premiere of Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh broke the record of most viewers for the premiere of a Nickelodeon film with 9.10 million viewers, a title previously held by iGo to Japan.
Other media
Music Name Notes "I Found a Way" The opening theme song of the TV series by Drake Bell. Music video directed by Joey Boukadakis. Drake & Josh The Drake & Josh soundtrack from the TV series. "Makes Me Happy" From the episode "Really Big Shrimp" by Drake Bell. "Jingle Bells" From the TV film Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh by Drake Bell. "Christmas Wrapping" From the TV film Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh by Miranda Cosgrove.
Video games Two video games based on Drake & Josh have been released on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Both of them were published by THQ and released in 2007.
Game Publisher Platform North American release date Drake & Josh THQ Game Boy Advance March 15, 2007 Drake & Josh: Talent Showdown THQ Nintendo DS July 30, 2007
Books A book series based on Drake & Josh has been published by children's publisher Scholastic since 2006. The books are written by author Laurie McElroy.