Top 10 Best As Told by Ginger Moments
#10: Miranda’s On-Stage Confession
“I Spy a Witch”
In this “As Told by Ginger” Season 1 Halloween special, Ginger Foutley lands the lead part of Goody Webster in the school’s titular “I Spy a Witch” musical. The always icy Miranda Killgallen, who was up for the same role, isn’t happy about being Ginger’s understudy. Having already vandalized the Nathaniel Winslow statue, she takes the opportunity to frame Ginger and get her kicked out of the play. Meanwhile, Carl desperately tries and fails to give his mom a good scare. He summons his deceased partner in crime, Maude, who not only scares Lois but also provides photographic evidence of her daughter’s innocence. The wild episode ends with Ginger and her classmates berating Miranda on stage via song until she confesses.
#9: Lois Dumps Buzz
“Ms. Foutley’s Boys”
Shortly after having her second child, Lois Foutley was abandoned by her husband, Jonas. Afraid that her mom will stay single and ultimately die alone, Ginger desperately tries to get her to date. And when Buzz Harris enters their lives, she’s determined to keep her mother in the relationship. However, Lois and Ginger don’t realize they’re both miserable living with Buzz and his unruly sons, Junior, Junior Sr., and Rhesus. While the three boys and Carl regularly destroy the Foutley home, their dad is fixing things around the house without consulting his girlfriend. Lois eventually reaches her breaking point with the disastrous relationship. Seeing her finally send Buzz and his kids packing is oh-so-satisfying, and honestly, a huge relief even for viewers.
#8: Ginger & Hoodsey’s Sleepover Saves
“Sleep On It”
When Courtney Gripling and her brother Blake decide to throw their own sleepovers for the first time, unlikely duo Ginger and Hoodsey end up looking out for each other. Miranda attempts to play the old “hand in water” slumber party prank on Ginger and almost succeeds. But Hoodsey, attending in place of Carl, overhears the mean girl tricksters and removes Ginger’s hand. He then drinks the water himself, a bad idea for a bed-wetter, and falls asleep in Courtney’s room. In the morning, Hoodsey wakes up to the party hostess and her guests ridiculing him for wetting the carpet. Ginger jumps to his defense, calling out Courtney in the process. Seeing her and Hoodsey become each other’s saviors is a touching moment we won’t forget.
#7: Ginger Stops Dodie from Embarrassing Courtney
“Of Lice and Friends”
If there’s one thing most “As Told by Ginger” fans agree on, it’s that Dodie Bishop is a terrible friend. She’s really a not-so-great person in general, which is why her becoming the new morning announcer was a big mistake. When there’s a lice outbreak at the school, Dodie announces that Ginger’s mom is the “Nit Nurse,” and later, gets her hands on a list of students confirmed to have lice. As she reads off the names over the PA system, Ginger springs into action and prevents Dodie from exposing Courtney. She not only calls her out for being a gossip, but when Dodie eventually apologizes, Ginger makes sure Dodie understands just how sorry she should be. We love to see it.
#6: Courtney Stops Miranda’s “Operation”
“Far From Home”
Season 3’s three-part premiere episode has a few different stories going on, like Ginger and Darren’s first kiss. However, it mainly centers on Ginger’s acceptance into an elite private school called Avalanche Arts Academy and Miranda’s continued animosity toward her nemesis. And because she’s always doing the most, she teams up with Mipsy and devises a plan to keep Ginger and Courtney apart for good. But when Courtney, Macie, and Dodie find out about this jealousy-fueled plan, Miranda finds herself on the receiving end of Courtney savagely using her own words against her. After they tell Ginger the truth about everything, Courtney jumps at the chance to be admired and sprints off to see her attention-seeking stalker, er… friend.
#5: Ginger’s Graduation Speech
“Butterflies Are Free”
Most, if not all, episodes of “As Told by Ginger” have emotional moments, some even in tear-jerker territory. This two-parter from the show’s third and final season sees Ginger and her classmates graduating from junior high. She’s tasked with making a speech at graduation and struggles to find something uplifting to say when she’s terrified of change and impending adulthood. But a one-on-one with her dad, Jonas, puts things into perspective. His butterfly analogy inspires Ginger to give her fellow graduates a moving send-off about transformation.
#4: Saving Courtney from a De-Bikini-ing
“The Right Stuff”
Courtney and Macie may not have a lot in common, but they both have a knack for the French language and get the chance to attend an advanced class at Lucky High School. Courtney makes an impression on her older classmates, Chantal and Andrea, who don’t like her because she isn’t afraid to stand up to them. And for being flirty with Will Patterson, Darren’s older brother. As high school mean girls do, they plan a particularly cruel prank to embarrass her at Macie’s pool party by removing her stuffed bikini top. After they threaten her to keep quiet, Macie reluctantly tells Ginger and Dodie, and together they stop Courtney from being exposed. As a bonus, Will insults Chantal and Andrea for ruining the party.
#3: Ginger Tells Off Mrs. Grimley
“Driven to Extremes”
One of our favorite things about Ginger Foutley is that she isn’t afraid to call people out on their actions, including exceptionally awful adults. While Ms. Zorski is out sick, a substitute teacher takes over the class. Mrs. Grimley is nothing like the kind, supportive educator they’re used to. She’s strict and doles out punishment essays on a whim. Ginger doesn’t join in on egging and TP-ing Grimley’s house with the other students. But after literally taking the hit, she realizes this miserable woman has no redeeming qualities. Ginger defies Grimley’s seating arrangement, challenges her to assign another essay, and lays into her for being a terrible excuse for a teacher. Naturally, the epic takedown lands her in detention. But it was so worth it!
#2: Little Seal Girl
“Come Back, Little Seal Girl”
When Lucky Junior High puts on their annual talent show, BFF trio Ginger, Dodie, and Macie agree on a skit about their childhood fave, the Little Seal Girl, but later decide on performing an interpretive dance. When Courtney and Miranda make fun of them, Ginger and Dodie back out, feeling like it’s too childish. On the night of the show, Macie performs the song and dance on her own, taking center stage. Even an unforgiving audience and a ruined cassette tape don’t stop her. Dressed in her DIY Little Seal Girl costume, she wows the crowd with a touching performance. Macie wins over the audience, including the snarky ones, and takes home the big prize. However, making up with her besties is the real prize.
#1: Ginger’s Poem
“And She Was Gone”
This Season 2 Emmy-nominated episode of “As Told by Ginger” is a favorite among fans and critics alike. When Ms. Zorski tells her students about a creative writing contest, Ginger gets to show off her aptitude for storytelling with her poem, “And She Was Gone.” But the writing is so deeply moving that a worried Ms. Zorski refers her to the school’s psychologist, Dr. Leventhal. While they’re both valid to be concerned that the melancholic character’s dark thoughts reflect Ginger’s own mental health, Lois admires her daughter’s talent and emotional maturity. The beautiful writing and visuals are two of the best things about the episode, but we can’t forget Lois’ crucial advice for Ginger, something people of all ages should hear.
Did your favorite “As Told By Ginger” moment make the list? Let us know in the comments below.