Before Selena Gomez was Alex Russo, before Amanda Bynes had her "Amanda Show," before Hilary Duff was Lizzie McGuire, there was Melissa Joan Hart as Clarissa Darling on "Clarissa Explains It All."
Many see Nickelodeon's "Clarissa Explains It All" as the first true "tween" television series whose protagonist was a young girl. Most can at least agree that the character of Clarissa would create a whole new paradigm upon which all other tween girl (and, often, boy) shows would be based.
Now she has become the basis for a whole new adventure with show creator Mitchell Kriegman breathing new life into Clarissa Darling — a little older, a little wiser, and just as much her always unique self — in the forthcoming NA ("new adult") novel "Things I Can't Explain."
Clarissa Darling the character was brash, precocious, kinda cute and wholly empowered. She even knew how to use a computer to create her own videogames, frequently starring her obnoxious ginger brother "Ferg-wad." iTechPost talked with Kriegman about how the adult Clarissa — trying to make it in the digital age — will pick up where her TV counterpart left off nearly two decades ago.
iTechPost: What is it that made you want to choose this time to come out with a "Clarissa" novel?
Kriegman: There simply wasn't the opportunity before. The CBS pilot [ill-fated "Clarissa Explains It All" spinoff "Clarissa Now"] was taken away from me as a creator, so despite the excellent casting, it wasn't in keeping with the real spirit of the original. As the '90s generation has coalesced and the audience has endured and grown, it has expressed online and to the network that the original series has become in its own way a classic. The enduring popularity of "Clarissa" and Nick's "90s Block" opened up the opportunity to reach the "Clarissa" audience in a new way.
Honestly, Clarissa was even held back a little because Nick didn't want her to grow out of the demographic too soon. So this is an opportunity to see her do all the stuff she didn't get to explore before. She's ready to burst out again.
i: Why a novel and not another series or film?
K: The huge growth and appreciation of YA novels and now NA or "new adult" has also presented a worthy avenue of reaching the audience in a manner that wouldn't be pandering. A television series would have a somewhat cynical feel for the '90s generation. Like it's a big sell that they are just supposed to be excited about. A novel is a more thoughtful way to go. People must realize by now how important this genre is. Certainly people of all ages read "Twilight" and "Hunger Games."
i: Can you reveal any details about plot and/or characters?
K: We will definitely address the main characters from the series and [Clarissa's] still close to her parents although not quite as much. And Marshall ["Dad"] and Janet ["Mom"] have their own issues these days. As does Ferguson. But the focus is on Clarissa and her new relationships and her life and how she's grown and changed. It's definitely not a rehash of the original television series. And dare we say there's a romance? Although a different kind of one, which is in keeping with her character.
Most importantly, this book marks Clarissa's shift from explaining it all at 14 years old to being up front about all the stuff she can't explain in her mid-20s. Hence the new title.
i: Clarissa was a very tech-savvy girl. Can you discuss the role technology played in the original show and how that might be a part of her universe in the new book?
K: When we did "Clarissa," the character was ahead of her time and there's little doubt that we all live in the new universe of changing technologies that has caught up with her. "Things I Can't Explain" will be part of that new environment.
i: Do you believe this will be a one-off or a full series?
K: We hope readers will love it and we'll keep Clarissa growing.
i: How do you feel the new book will stack up against similar properties out there?
K: I think this is a pretty unique, thoughtful endeavor. I don't think there's much to compare it to. It's certainly not some cynical ancillary market play. I created the show and I loved it and I'm bringing that perspective. It will live on its own merits.
i: Have you kept in touch with Melissa Joan Hart or any other cast/crew members over the years? Did any of them have any input into the book's development?
Melissa and I have been in touch a few times and Elizabeth Hess ["Janet Darling"/"Mom] as well, but this new iteration really has been floating around in my head for a long while. It really comes from the same creative source as where the original show came from. I've been dying for ages to see how the she would develop.
i: Considering she was a writer on "Clarissa," what are your thoughts about "Hunger Games" author Suzanne Collins' success and do you think the Clarissa book will have a similar reception?
K: I don't think they are comparable. Suzanne Collins' book series is a well-deserved extraordinary success. I think it's a wonderful coincidence that Suzanne wrote for "Clarissa," and we were lucky to have her and even bask in her glow.
i: Who do you ultimately believe this book is for?
Hopefully we'll satisfy and engage our Nick Kid audience of the '90s, but we will try to ensure that this book stands on its own. Bottom line is Clarissa was and has always been a compelling character that cut through a lot of artificiality with humor and intelligence. The the hope is that she can do it now in this day and time as well.
"Things I Can't Explain" is tentatively set for a Fall 2014 release.
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