Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?
A) I am working on a second season of "iCarly" and that is definitely a lot of adventure. All the episodes are cool this season. I am happy with every one so far. There are really some super cool ones that top even our first season episodes. Also, I'm working on a CD right now. So, that's great fun.
Q) What is the premise for the TV movie iGo To Japan?
A) Carly, Freddie and Sam get nominated for doing the "Best Comedy iWeb Show." The awards show takes place in Japan so they all have to go there! This show is based on them getting to Japan and then the iWeb Awards disaster that occurs. Hopefully, people will like the turn out of the iWeb Awards in Japan!
Q) What made you originally want to be a part of the show?
A) The producer of the show, Dan Schneider, produced another show that I had guest starred on called "Zoe 101." He remembered me for two years for the role of Sam. So, when I got the script and found out it was going to work, I was freaking out because I wanted to be a part of this so badly. When I heard I got the part, I started crying, jumping up and down and screaming. I was so excited! It's just an amazing show to be a part of. I think that is what is really, really cool about it. It's not like a lot of other kids shows. It doesn't dumb-down the material for kids. It really acknowledges the fact that kids are intelligent and can follow storylines. I think that is really cool.
Q) What about your role continues to challenge you?
A) I think what is really awesome this season with all our characters is that they are really sort of changing, while still being the same. Obviously, our names stay the same because they are characters that everyone knows and loves. They have all developed though and have more layers to them this season. There is one episode where you sort of get to see a vulnerable side to Sam and that was really fun to play because normally Sam is just this sort of a brazen, rude, confident girl that no one thought had a vulnerable side to her. There is one episode where she tries to go girly for a little bit because she's a little bit uncomfortable with being the tomboy since she likes this boy and isn't sure if he likes her because she's kind of too rough and tough. It was fun to do that and try to find other sides to Sam that weren't explored at all in the first season.
Q) What was your most memorable moment from filming iGo to Japan?
A) My most memorable moment was definitely when I was holding an opossum and had to look at him like I wanted to eat him because Sam wants to eat a lot of things (I guess including opossum). Then, in the middle of the take, the opossum pooped on my arm! Everybody started laughing and some people were going, "Aw! Gross! That's disgusting!" When the opossum's trainer came to remove it from me, it attached its claws to my sweater and didn't really want to away. So, I was having this opossum yanked off of me and its poop was on my arm! I was almost in tears because it was such a crazy day. It was so much fun at the same time. It's weird saying a opossum pooping on you was fun, but something about it made me think, "Man, I'm a real actor here!" It was really cool.
Q) How long can you see yourself playing this character?
A) I think that is really amazing how the writers are dealing with everything. They did address the age issue with Sam just having a birthday. I am not sure if she turned fourteen years old or fifteen because the writers aren't positive what exact ages are. I still think it is cool that the writers address the fact that the kids are growing up a little bit as long as it keeps on going. I think the characters are able to grow and change, but still maintain their qualities and characteristics that make them who they are. I think I would do it for as long as they have the show going.
Q) Why do you think people continue to tune in and watch "iCarly?"
A) It's unique and original! There have been so many really, really spectacular storylines that you haven't seen on other shows. Also, it is because "iCarly" not only incorporates the web show, but it is also the TV show. So, you have this one side sort of where kids can aspire to be Carly or Sam and it is still accessible. It's not like there is some sort of famous person that you can't touch or dream of being since any kid can make a web show if they want to and put it out on the Internet. I think that kids feel they can relate to it and, at the same time, you get to see Carly, Sam and Freddie reacting in real life to real situations that don't have anything to do with their web show. I think there is something really great about getting to see both sides with these sort of underground famous kids who are just average normal kids that don't think anything about their fame.
Q) Where can people go to learn more about you?
A) I actually have my own official website that I made a while ago and my brother helped me update it recently. It's much better now! It is http://www.jennettemccurdy.com.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I just want to say thank you so much! I call anyone who follows me and my career "frans," which is a mixture of friends and fans. I want to say thank you to all of them because without them none of this would be possible. I know that everyone says that, but it is really true! If you didn't have people that followed you, watched you and enjoyed your work then you wouldn't be doing what you're doing. For me to do what I love doing just because people are watching me, you can't thank them enough. You really can't say enough words to thank them for letting me do what I love to do.
iGo to Japan premieres on Nickelodeon on Saturday, November 8 at 8 p.m. ET
Jennette McCurdy photos by Jon McKee
"iCarly" photos by Lisa Rose
