'Sam & Cat' review: Familiar tween fluff

Schneider, a former cast member of the '80s sitcom "Head of the Class," manufactures weightless confections so disarming (and innocuous) that if they have any long-term effect, it's only to hook kids on more Schneider series. "Drake & Josh," gone years now, is the "Gilligan's Island" of children's television -- still incredibly popular, and still on -- while "iCarly" was a monster over its six-year run. Not to mention: "Zoey 101" . . . "What I Like About You" . . . "The Amanda Show" . . . "All That" . . . "Victorious." And starting Saturday, you can add one more name to the Schneider hit parade.

His touch is all here -- The Abbott & Costello, or "Odd Couple" pairing among the leads; the funky (kid) neighbor; the incredibly cool (and cluttered) apartment; and most important, the absence of adult supervision. Cat is the more comical of the pair -- with the singsong voice that plays an octave higher than Grande's normal range, the flaming bottle-red hair, and cartoon mannerisms. Sam remains Sam -- still with swagger, and affected world-weariness. Their new series is filled with logical disconnects -- that's hardly a concern to the target viewer, by the way -- and lots of the same old gags (ditto).

GRADE B