Sam Puckett was an integral character in the original iCarly—Carly’s best friend and co-host on her web show who would also go on to date their friend Freddie; Sam was a large part of what made the show a success. However, when the reboot series was announced, whether she would appear in the show was questioned.
Jennette McCurdy, who played Sam Puckett, declined the invitation to reprise her character as she had retired from acting. However, there is more to this story than people tend to know.
The In-Universe Explanation For The Absence Of One Sam Puckett
In the first episode of the revival, an explanation is given as to why Sam is not present. During a conversation between Carly and Freddie, it’s revealed that Puckett has joined a biker gang.
This was also hinted at in Sam and Cat’s finale, where Sam rides off on a bike.
Carly says she cannot do iCarly without her, despite having thought about going solo for a while.
Sam is mentioned a number of times throughout the first season, but the most significant episode where Sam’s absence is felt is in iCan Fix It Myself. When Carly’s beat-up VW bug, Vin Diesel, keeps breaking down, she is reluctant to let the car go. She becomes desperate to fix it, but it cannot be.
When asked why she wants the car fixed so severely, she explains that she and Sam bought the car and had a ton of adventures in it before Sam left. Spencer then repurposes what remains of the front as new seating for the studio.
Why Jennette McCurdy Didn’t Return
Onto the real-life reason. As mentioned earlier, Jennette McCurdy had retired from acting when the offer came to reprise her role. However, there is a darker reason why she chose not to return to playing Sam.
In her book, I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette reveals shady behaviour from Dan Schneider regarding the underage talent on the original iCarly. Her book only references him as “The Creator,” but it’s not difficult to determine who she refers to. At the time, he was a top creative who had a number of shows on Nickelodeon, including the spin-off, Victorious, which would be set in the same universe.
Jennette also revealed that she was offered hush money, which she decided not to take. She added that she was forced into acting by her controlling and abusive mother, who, more or less, was living her fantasy through her only daughter.
Finally, she also revealed her rivalry with Ariana Grande and the frustration that the crew on Sam and Cat played favourites when Grande was allowed to pursue her music career while the show was in production. McCurdy couldn’t do what she wanted. If she had been approached for a movie, she would have to turn it down, etc.
