iWas a Pageant Girl is the 10th episode in the 3rd season of iCarly.
Sam reveals to Carly she used to compete in beauty pageants as a little girl, and convinces Carly to compete against her archrival in the upcoming pageant. However, Sam soon ends up participating herself after learning her ban has since been lifted.
Meanwhile, Spencer convinces Freddie to join him on an indoor rock-climbing double date, but they get so caught up in a children's game that they irgnore their dates and miss everything.
Tropes:
- Ambiguous Situation: Sam insists she didn't shove LeAnne down the stairs; LeAnne tripped and fell, and Sam just happened to be nearby. Given that Sam is Sam, and LeAnne was her greatest competition, not to mention Sam's admitted hatred for the girl, many have trouble believing that. However, it's never clear if Sam was being honest or not; LeAnne herself attributes her fall to being clumsy.
- Bait-and-Switch: Sam constantly describes LeAnne Carter as being her arch-nemesis, and it's implied that she's somewhat of a competitive and vain individual. It turns out, however, that LeAnne is actually one of the sweetest characters on the show, and the only reason Sam hates her is because she is such a nice person.
- Beauty Contest: The Miss Teen Seattle pageant, which is held for the episode.
- Continuity Nod: The second girl to introduce herself during the pageant is from Yakima, the hometown of Grandpa Shay.
- Here We Go Again!: Carly and Sam arrive home from the pageant late to find Freddie and Spencer unable to guess what they are "What Am I?"; the girls reveal the correct answers ("Cheese" for Spencer, "Big toe" for Freddie), and then Freddie and Spencer start the game over again.
- Hidden Depths: It turns out Sam is a fantastic dancer.
- Loophole Abuse: Sam couldn't compete in pageants because she was banned for seven years; at the time of the pageant in the episode, turns out her ban is up, and she is eligible to compete.
- Overly Long Gag: Spencer and Freddie getting hung up on "What Am I?".
- Serious Business: Freddie and Spencer with their party game. They become so obsessed with "What Am I?" that they are focused on it instead of rock mountain climbing. Their dates, whom are very annoyed with them, leave without them. They don’t even realize and continue playing. They continue this trend for HOURS, and when Carly and Sam reveal the answers to them, the two are frustrated as hell and immediately do another round.
- Shout-Out:
- "What Am I?" is an obvious parody of Hedbanz.
- Quinn Pensky is one of the girls in the pageant.
- Unknown Rival: LeAnne has no idea that Sam resents her for beating her at every beauty pageant they participated. In fact, she considers Sam a friend.
- Wham Line: Sam realizes her ban is over and she's eligible to compete again:Christopher: You're not competing tonight, are you?
Sam:No. Don't you remember? I got banned for seven years.
Christopher: Right, but that was seven-and-a-half years ago. (smacks his hand onto his mouth, horrified at what he just said to her)
