First lady makes appearance on 'iCarly'

[January 06, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Teen star Miranda Cosgrove says she doesn't usually get nervous about taping episodes of her Nickelodeon comedy, "iCarly," but that changed when first lady Michelle Obama taped an appearance on the show.

"I've been doing the show for a long time and I usually don't get nervous, but having the first lady on the set, I was really nervous," laughed Cosgrove, 18, in an interview Wednesday.

Nickelodeon and the White House want to show support for U.S. military families with a cameo by the first lady on the show.

On "iCarly," Cosgrove plays Carly Shay, the daughter of an Air Force colonel who is serving overseas.

In an episode titled, "iMeet the First Lady," Carly gets upset when her father's return from active duty is canceled because he is deployed again. Her friends decide to surprise her with a live feed to her father during an iCarly webcast. After Mrs. Obama sees the webcast, she praises Carly for being such a supportive daughter to a father who is serving his country.

Cosgrove said that despite being nervous about meeting Mrs. Obama, she found her quite approachable, calling the first lady a "nice, pretty normal person" who even danced with the cast during a regular segment called "Random Dancing."

"It was probably the most fun thing we did. We all just got to let loose and have a good time," Cosgrove said.

To promote the show, cast members will appear at four screening events for military families. The screenings will be held in Miramar, Calif., on Jan. 9; Groton, Conn., on Jan. 11; Fort Dix, N.J., on Jan. 12; and Alexandria, Va., on Jan. 13.

Cosgrove said the goal is to "let (military) kids know how important their parents are."

The episode of "iCarly" featuring the first lady will air Jan. 16 on Nickelodeon at 7:30 p.m. EST.

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Nickelodeon is owned by Viacom.

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Online:

http://www.nick.com/shows/icarly/

[Associated Press; By ALICIA RANCILIO]

Alicia Rancilio covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow her at http://twitter.com/aliciar.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.