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A new neighbor joins the redheaded brothers for their second season on Nickelodeon. The accident-prone Nona Mecklenberg (Michelle Trachtenberg) makes her first appearance in the premiere ("Grounded for Life"), where she is introduced as "the loneliest girl in Wellsville." By the end of the episode, that's no longer true as she and Little Pete (Danny Tamberelli) have become fast friends. Alas, nobody can take the place of his pet lizard, Gary, who makes his debut--and swan song--in the following adventure ("The Big Quiet'). Mona's dad, James (Iggy Pop, looking sharp in cardigan and khakis), will join the cast just in time for "Halloweenie," in which Pumpkin Eaters terrorize the neighborhood. As for Big Pete (Michael Maronna), he'll finally ask Ellen (Alison Fanelli) out in "Time Tunnel". Endless Mike (Rick Gomez), in a rare moment of kindness, will lend him his car. It won't really change things, however. Maybe some people are meant to be friends--and others to be enemies. Then there are the Wrigley parents. In the first season, Dad (Hardy Rawls) fought for road trip supremacy. Now it's about having the best lawn and catching Bob, the biggest fish in the lake. Metal plate aside, Mom (Judy Grafe) does what she can to keep the craziness in check.
As before, Big Pete narrates in that delightful deadpan, and many old favorites are back: bus driver Stu (Damian Young), math teacher Miss Fingerwood (Syd Straw), Ellen's dad, Mr. Hickle (Steve Buscemi), and strongman Artie (Toby Huss). Little Petes personal superhero will make his final appearance in the two-part "Farewell, My Little Viking." Guest stars include Gordon Gano as substitute teacher Zank ("X=Why?"), Bebe Neuwirth as McGinty the mailcarrier, David Johansen as park ranger Thorsen ("On Golden Pete"), and Chris Elliot as psychic meter man Ray ("Sick Day"). --Kathleen C. Fennessy