Amanda and Betsy
| Television series | |
|---|---|
| German title | Amanda and Betsy |
| Original title | Ready or Not |
| Country of production | Canada |
| original language | English |
| Year (s) | 1993-1997 |
| length | 25 minutes |
| Episodes | 65 in 5 seasons |
| genre | Youth series |
| music |
Asher Ettinger , Tony Kosinec |
| First broadcast | January 1, 1993 (Canada) on Global |
| German-language first broadcast |
March 5, 1994 on ZDF |
| occupation | |
| |
Amanda and Betsy (original title: Ready or Not or Premières Fois ) is a Canadian youth series that ran in its country of origin from 1993 to 1997. In Germany, the series ran from 1994 to 1997 at ZDF and later KI.KA . The series, which lasted five seasons, accompanied friends Amanda Zimm ( Laura Bertram ) and Elisabeth, known as Betsy (in the English version: Busy) Ramone ( Lani Billard ) from sixth to ninth grade.
Characterization of the series
The two girls Amanda and Betsy are very different. Amanda is an only child and comes from a Jewish family, Betsy's family is of Italian descent and Catholic. Betsy also has three brothers. Amanda values her appearance very much and can't wait to become a woman. So at the beginning of season one, she longs for her first period and urges her mother to buy her a bra. Betsy, on the other hand, is a rather boyish guy. That it is designed as a counterpart to Amanda can also be seen from the fact that, in contrast to the blonde Amanda, she has dark hair.
Despite the differences, Amanda and Betsy are best friends. Both have to cope with life at a difficult age, in the family, at school, in interaction with their peers. It is about different things that should appear as if from real life: peer pressure, smoking, inferiority complexes, jealousy, first experiences with alcohol, prejudices. Again and again it is also about sexual issues, which are never explicitly discussed. Changes happen in the lives of the two families: Betsy's mother suffers a miscarriage and later wants to leave the family, Betsy has her first boyfriend, against whom her father is prejudiced, her older brother gets engaged and finally gets married ... Amanda's parents divorce, her mother tries different relationships, which Amanda is not particularly fond of, eventually getting married. This leads to Amanda moving away with her mother and stepfather, which ends the series.
The series apparently tries to portray the everyday life of girls in early puberty realistically. In places, for example with regard to certain topics such as alcohol and sex, it has a somewhat "educational" effect, which older children in particular can find disturbing. With the two different girls, the series tries to avoid tying girls to a certain image. However, this is perceived by many as stereotyping. The series wants to convey the view of a right to free personal development. This becomes clear, for example, in the episode in which Betsy gets her menarche. The adults in the series also have their weaknesses and are not portrayed as omniscient supermen. The series conveys a tolerant worldview with regard to different origins, religion, skin color or sexual orientation (one episode features a homosexual). The characters in the series do not give up in conflict situations, but often have to recognize that there is no ideal solution.
Voice actor
| role | actor | German speaker |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda zimm | Laura Bertram | Simone Seidenberg |
| Betsy Ramone | Lani billiards | Kristina von Weltzien |
| Phyllis Zimm | Gail Chervil | Heidi Schaffrath |
| Leonard Zimm | John Lefebvre | Klaus Nietz |
| Lucy Ramone | Diana Reis | Marion Martienzen |
| Sam Ramone | Gerry Mendicino |
Peter Aust (1st voice) Horst Stark (2nd voice) |
| Manny Ramone | Joseph Griffin | Alexander Burk (1st part) Nico König (2nd part) |
| Dominick Ramone | Fab Fillipo | Marek Harloff |
| Frankie Ramone | Noah Plener | Leonhard Mahlich |
| Michael 'Monkey Ears' | Benjamin Plener | Willem Manke |
useful information
- In the series, Lani Billards character is Catholic and has siblings, Laura Bertram's character is a Jewish only child. In reality it is exactly the opposite.
- Elizabeth Ramone's nickname is “Betsy” in the German version, but her original nickname “Busy” can be read on the necklace she often wears.
- Lani Billard is currently a singer and songwriter .
Web links
- Amanda and Betsy in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Amanda and Betsy on TV series.de
