I was so excited for Hollywood Arts, even after the trailers didn’t seem so promising. I don’t even think I’m going to get past the first episode, here’s why.

The whole vibe of the show is completely incomparable to Victorious. I at least expected a spin-off/sequel series to have a similar style, but if you took away the set you wouldn’t be able to tell that it was even in the same universe. I understand they had to target to a younger audience, but the og show stayed within their TV-G guidelines so I see no reason for that immediately recognizable disconnect in atmosphere. The script is so typically and modernly cringey. If anyone remembers The Thundermans, it almost feels like that, which was/is not bad at all if that fits the vibe, but for a continuation of VICTORIOUS there’s no way that you can tell me that makes sense. This was disappointing because the one thing I had hope for was the writers not taking it in that direction. Victorious was cool and edgy, especially in the beginning. Given that was the source material, it makes me question if they just let anyone write Netflix shows. I think they should all be fired.

Another thing that threw me off is the main cast. What made the original show so compelling was that it was overflowing with STYLE. WHY IS THERE NO STYLE IN THIS SHOW. The actors seem like good people, I’m happy for them, and they worked with what they got, but there’s no range. They all act with that stereotypical dumbness that you would see in a drama-short ad. I couldn’t tell you the personality of any of the characters after watching the first ep, except that Jen seems like Jade if she went on to become Miss Rachel. Also, there was a vibe amongst everyone in the Victorious main cast that made it very believable that any one of them could go on to become a “star.” They were attractive, talented, and they knew who they were. I don’t feel that with this show in the slightest, and they all lack that cool Hollywood aesthetic that I was in awe over as a kid.

Talent-wise it is laughable, especially when you think about how Liz and Ariana were casted fresh off of Broadway. None of them hold a torch even to Robbie’s vocals, which says a lot. I actually couldn’t believe what I was hearing when every one of them were singing, both the production and the vocals are terrible (better than me for sure but not good enough for something like this). It sounds like they recorded the songs on Smule and threw them straight into the show. The songs are typical emotionless TikTok pop, so to be expected but I was still disappointed.

Some of these issues aren’t exclusive to this show, as I feel like everything has gone downhill since the 2010’s, but this is an abomination to the Victorious name. As much of a disgusting person Schneider is, he sure knew how to write a show, so we should’ve let it die with his name (or at least let someone with a brain write it???)

Would love to know anyone else thoughts, and just know I’m criticizing with love and my opinion obviously doesn’t matter whatsoever, just what I was thinking after watching lmao

Okay i’mma keep it short and sweet (i tried to do that and failed lmao).

I watched the first couple episodes of Hollywood Arts and i thought the show was pretty cute. They got the vibe down and the jokes are pretty good for a SITCOM in its first season. Is is high quality art?? Ofc not but can we stop pretending like Victorious ever was ?? The acting in Hollywood Art is mid at best but like are we gonna start lying and say Victorious was full of amazing acting? Quite literally the only two people from the original cast who were good actors were Daniella and Liz but lets be so fr the show was always about crazy hijinks, and over the top storylines it was never this seriously well acted show.

Like yall GOTTA stop being overly critical and negative of every single thing that comes out. I can tell by the first two episodes how much care was put into the spin off from the showrunners and Daniella. They even got multiple original cast members back in the first 12 episodes?

Can we please let the show grow? Like i see so much potential in so many of the characters especially Pepper and Qwest. And Daniella is still as amazing as ever. Like for once i wish people would give a show a chance especially a SITCOM in the streaming era.

And they yall have the audacity to complain about shows being cancelled too soon when this is how you react to a perfectly good show? I was honestly having a blast then i came online and i was astonished at the negativity online it sucks so much.

You dont realize how amazing the singers were in victorious until you have to watch hollywood arts and realize none of them compare.

Forget ariana grande and liz gillies who were just too good to ignore, but the new tori for hollywood arts just doesnt compare to victoria justice.

When tori performed at the showcase it was like, oh wait shes actually really good. But now its like ehh, shes okay when it comes to the new girl in hollywood arts.

This show has a lot if fun nuisances despite the over acting but the talent just isnt really comparing to any degree.

Victorious songs had you replaying them because they were so good, but hollywood arts has a lot to be desired when it comes to the singing.

Context: There have been discourse over the years about Mason and Alex from Wizards of Waverly (people saying that Mason was toxic boyfriend) and Cat and Robbie from Victorious (people saying Robbie was too creepy). Thus, both ships got trashed in the revival series.

Thing is though, these were very online discussions that were only found in certain areas of the internet. The overall general public and average people on the street are completely fine with Malex and Cabbie, and I’d even go as far to say that lots of the critiques of those ships are more about how Robbie and Mason were written, not hatred for the ships themselves.

Now these shows are getting 2x as much backlash cause the alternatives they come up with are either completely jarring (Malex) or disrespectful to the original lore (Cabbie).

So, I basically started watching Victorious (idk I'm on and off) I'm on s1 mostly and by far I'm liking it sm.

I love Tori the most. I love how she handles Jade bullying. Like the alphabet fight between them was my absolute fav. And also the fake black eye... Jade is really an interesting and complex character second fav after Tori. I'm enjoying their dynamics though ngl.

Hmm...idrc about Cat I kinda find her annoying. But she's cute 😭

So, yeah I'm watching. Any advice?

Just finished the first few episodes of Victorious’ spinoff series: Hollywood arts and to be frank, it’s terrible. I didn’t have high hopes for it but went in with an open mind and immediately I was hit with an hour of nostalgia bating and content that would appeal more to brainrotted kids that need the cocomelon-style stimulation to stay alive. Many elements that should have stayed: The Slap, Pear phones, the large and detailed sets have been removed, creating that sense of forced familiarity, while still somehow managing to half heartedly pay homage the original comedic style that relied on absurd scenarios. The cast is incredibly talented and passionate about this project which makes it especially sad to see such poor execution. Unfortunately, this show seems not to be for the audience that actually watched Victorious, but for the audience that was born after it finished airing, which is something we all must make peace with. More comments coming soon once I finish the 1st season and can give a well rounded review.

Isn't kinda weird that how much childish the show is despite the fact the entire cast is older than the old cast? Its like the show was censored to hell and I watching a bunch of 20 year olds trying to make me cringe. All of this to say... Donnaaaaa

Obligatory spoiler warning for the show :

I am on the 9th episode of this show and every episode has been a delight. The characters are way funnier and more dynamic. They’ve mostly gotten rid of the cringey screaming from the original show. There are no creepy undertones anymore and despite their names, I can genuinely believe that this group is more of a friendship than the old one.

I’m not putting down Victorious; it was a great show, but this one is better. First things first I love Trina in this role. She is so freaking amazing. She’s funny and energetic and incredibly heartwarming. Her performance is so well done. And the kids are great, my favorite so far is Pepper, oh my God, she is talented. The vocal switch ups, the belting when she sings the fact that she can play pretty much every instrument and she can dance and she is really funny.

I watched all three seasons of Victorious to prepare for this show and let me just tell you now the plots are way better in Hollywood Arts; they are no less hokey, but they are way more fun. I love the character dynamics in this show. Jen and Pepper being Frenemies is just awesome. I don’t like that they’re fighting over Oscar because I don’t particularly think Oscar is all that but he is a dynamic character in his own right and thankfully, they dropped that beat like three episodes in, save one quick joke in the eighth episode when they do the dance battle.

Also, I wasn’t expecting to like Robbie and Trina together. The revisionist history is hard to overlook when you’ve seen this show, but with what they do i in Hollywood Arts it’s great.

I like Qwest, I think his name is kind of dumb, but he’s a fun character and I don’t quite like the fact that just like Andre they keep dropping him into stories with love interests and then drop the storyline. I’m not trying to be pedantic here but it’s already happened twice; I can see myself really liking him once he’s given a lot more to do.

I think the show being a lot less adult actually helps it here. It can tell more dynamic character, focus stories without forcing some drama and conflict between the people in a weird way I think this feels better because they’ve so far dropped the plot lines about cheating and toxic relationships.

I know I said Oscar wasn’t all that, but he is a better character than Beck, Andre and Robbie combined. I think he plays off the main characters the best and I hope we get more of each of these characters. Jen is the weakest of the characters but to be fair that’s because every time they try and focus on her it feels like a plot line that’s already been done. She is meant to be the Jade parallel, and I feel like they’re basically running through the to-do list for her, which is weird because the actor who plays her is so
Much more talented than that. I guess the only marked difference is that this time Jen has a mother who is neglectful and not a father, who is neglectful but a switch of parentage is really not a lot.

I have to say I enjoy her more than Jade, but she’s still the weakest character in this show because they haven’t given her much to do.

Another thing that I find enjoyable is how wholesome it all is. Trina was one of my favorite characters in the OG show and let’s not kid ourselves the show could be very mean spirited toward her. I like that this one highlights a lot of a positive qualities and gives her new ones that she’s grown.

I’d really ask anybody to give it a shot.

Yeah, this show is better. That is my opinion.

I can see her making it big after this show

I'm 7 eps in, and personally I really like the show. Daniella Monet effortlessly steps back into Trina, and she is so good in this new role for Trina. I love that being a teacher is making her a better person, and I love that the kids love her. The new cast is lovable; even when they are trying to be updated versions of the old cast, they are still their own. Emmy, Qwest, and Pepper are my favorites so far.

Robbie, Rex, Sikowitz, and Helen are delightful in the show. The Humor feels like Victorious, which is expected since Jake Farrow wrote it. It's never going to be Victorious, and I think everyone who's mad about it needs to accept that. If you want it to be Victorious, then go watch that show. It's a perfectly fine show that I'm really enjoying, and I hope it lasts past Season 1.

It's unrelated to the actual plot but Daniella has SUCH an amazing wardrobe. The heels, the skirts. She looks fabulous and has hardly aged since Victorious!

Ok, it's NOT Victorious but I am kind of liking the show after watching beyond episode 1. My least favorite things about the show are still Jen Z and Pepper. Jen Z just overacts most of the time and has the delivery of a failed Disney XD show. Pepper is trying to be post-lobotomy Cat but she just simply doesn't have the standard for that is just so high that even Ariana would struggle pulling off a likable ditz again. They should've gone with another archetype for her.

Qwest and Oscar are taking it. Very refreshing secure, vibrant and goofy male relationship that is independent of the female cast!

Loving Trina still.

I judged too early I suppose...

Not SPECTACULAR but it's pretty good.

The new cast of Hollywood Arts oddly don't follow all 7 OG main cast members of Victorious...

They follow Daniella (of course) & Matt, Leon, and Eric (Sikowitz)

They likely only follow people that they have met. Makes sense.

And while Leon is on the follow list, it likely isn't from him guest starring. Months ago Daniella took the new cast to see a Leon concert and met him VIP. Daniella posted it online at the time.

Recently the cast was at Victoria's Halloween party. But since they don't follow her (yet), I'm guessing she hasn't been on the show yet.

“Me and this frenemy who went to Hollywood Arts were after the same role. She had the hottest boyfriend. Actually, you kinda remind me of this girl. She loved scissors.” What do you guys think Jade is doing with her career now?

I just finished watching the first 12 episodes of Hollywood Arts, and honestly, I went into this expecting it to be cringey. Let’s be real: with the number of disappointing reboots, revivals, and spin-offs we’ve gotten in recent years, it’s hard not to approach another one with a healthy dose of skepticism. Surprisingly, though, Hollywood Arts has been pretty serviceable so far. It’s not without its flaws, but there’s enough here to make it an enjoyable watch.

Trina Vega carried this show, and I will die on that hill.

Her mannerisms, antics, and overall characterisation feel so natural that it’s almost as if she never left the original series. What makes Trina work isn’t just the nostalgia factor; it’s that her character still feels distinctly Trina. She doesn’t come across as a watered-down version of herself or a character who’s been brought back solely for fan service. She brings the same chaotic energy that made her memorable in Victorious, and honestly, the show benefits tremendously from her presence.

I also appreciate the callbacks to iconic Victorious moments and references, such as Karaoke Dokie, the Pear Phone, Tori’s locker, the Lockout episode, and the Big Showcase. These references feel like little rewards for longtime fans without making the entire series dependent on nostalgia. That’s precisely how you incorporate callbacks into a spin-off: respect the original show’s legacy while giving the new series room to establish its own identity.

The new cast deserves credit, too.

Oscar and Jen are the two newcomers who stood out to me the most. They have that exaggerated, expressive, almost cartoonish approach to comedy that made so much of Nickelodeon’s classic sitcom acting memorable. Their performances don’t feel like they’re trying too hard to imitate the original cast; rather, they capture the spirit of that era of Nickelodeon television. They’re expressive, committed to the absurdity, and willing to go all out with their characters. For me, they understand the assignment.

As for Emmy, I think she’s been okay as the lead, but I was hoping she’d hold her own a little more against the rest of the cast. At times, she fades into the background, which is particularly noticeable when the supporting characters have such strong and distinctive personalities. This isn’t necessarily a knock on her acting abilities, but I do think the show needs to give its lead more opportunities to stand out. When your supporting cast consistently commands more attention than your protagonist, that’s something worth addressing.

My biggest criticism, however, is the show’s Disney coded storytelling.

A lot of the storylines revolve around working together, supporting one another, and chasing your dreams. There’s nothing inherently wrong with those themes, but the execution sometimes feels a little too polished and formulaic. One of the things that made Victorious stand out was its willingness to embrace weirdness, absurdity, and characters who weren’t always trying to teach the audience a lesson. I would’ve liked Hollywood Arts to lean further into that unconventional energy instead of occasionally feeling like a Disney Channel sitcom wearing a Nickelodeon costume.

I’m also a little disappointed by the use of existing pop songs. I would’ve preferred the series to stick more closely to original songs, which were such an integral part of Victorious. The original music wasn’t just filler between scenes; it helped establish the show’s identity and gave its musical performances a personality of their own. Using familiar pop songs isn’t automatically a bad decision, but I think original music would’ve done more to distinguish Hollywood Arts from other teen sitcoms.

Overall, I’m giving the first 12 episodes an 8.5/10.

My biggest hope for the remaining episodes is that the show becomes more confident in its own identity. It doesn’t need to replicate Victorious beat for beat, but it should understand what made the original memorable in the first place: its unapologetic weirdness, ridiculous humour, eccentric characters, and original music.
Hollywood Arts has the potential to be more than a nostalgia trip. I just hope it stops playing it safe and lets itself be as weird as the school it’s named after.

It's not perfect, there's a lot missing, but it was never going to be the show we grew up with. I'm having a good time watching it though, the cast is incredibly talented, I'm enjoying the old references, and new plotlines, is it an amazing show? No! But I love the direction they took with Trina, and they took a different enough direction with the new students. Things have changed a lot since the 2010's, I went to three different high schools in that time and saw nearly the same personalities in each one, so dare I say it's not unrealistic to cast similar but also different roles.

I’ve gotten through a few episodes of the series now and I have to share my thoughts

I do enjoy the new series and think it is a binge worthy show. I like all the characters and it’s nice to jump back into this universe again.

I do think this series is better than Seasons 3-4 of Victorious but still not as good as Seasons 1-2.

I am excited for the second half of season 1!

It’s a bit ironic to me that this sub on Reddit, of all places, is talking about how they got rid of the slap, when it’s like most people use TikTok now. Not only that, every other social media app has been trying to transform itself into TikTok or trying to take parts of other social media apps so they can have everything all in one. You can scroll through videos on Twitter now. Some subs on here straight-up banned all links or any mention of Twitter, so it’s not surprising that they decided to stick to what’s relevant and decided to just avoid any reference to Twitter. It’s been ruined for a lot of people and even mentioning that you use it makes certain people upset. Which kind of makes sense considering it’s a performing art school and people there tend to be more progressive/left leaning/liberal. I think this video kind of explains my main point.

Sorry, y'all, I could only stomach 4 episodes of the show. Anybody who saw all 12, did we get any current status on Andre, Jade, Cat, or Beck? Or at least some mentions?