Ruby's Facts Page!
I've viewed all of the episodes of "Even Stevens" Lauren was in, and this is what I came up with.
Ruby's Relationships
>> Arguably Ruby's most prominent relationship came in the form of "Dexter" (or "Dex" or "Dexy-Pooh") in "Stevens Manor." Dexter (apparently a star on the basketball tean with his 12 points) dated Ruby for 4 days.* Along with Ruby, his love also extended to ice cream.
(*Editor's note: Even with an episode about Beans becoming an alien, the "Dexter" situation could easily be the most unforgivable excuse for realism the writers ever gave. Reality would take a back seat when ANYONE would end a relationship with Ruby, let alone after only a few days.)
>> In "The Secret World of Girls" Ruby makes mention of having a summer fling at camp with Stacy Havansau's little brother, Mike. This could be considered Ruby's most successful relationship as Mike left quite an impression. If guys knew what he knew...
>> "Surf's Up" brought the "Spotted-Sand Crab Guy." Ruby was lured away at the proposition to view one of these critters up close, thus leaving Ren alone on the beach.
>> Ruby may have reported on the crushes that infected the school, but in "Starstruck" she became the victim twice. The first is credited to that pop-sensation BBMak (Christian Burns, Mark Barry, and Stephen McNally for those keeping score at home), and the second is none other than Louis Stevens. Neither worked out.
Boy a la mode
>> What attracts Ruby to a guy? His hair? His build? His smile? His taste in frozen desserts? Dexter from "Stevens Manor" had a soft spot for ice cream. And when Ruby fantasized about finally meeting BBMak she did so while purchasing ice cream.* As Ruby stated, "I eat ice cream, they eat ice cream, anything is possible right?" What is it about ice cream that makes Ruby melt?
(*Editor's Note: For those who are wondering, Ruby was purchasing strawberry ice cream.)
>> In the episode "Gutter Queen," it's Ruby's idea to go out for ice cream after they cut Ren's mother out of the ball return. If anything can be made out of all of this it's that Ruby really likes ice cream.
Ruby's Locker!
>> Despite making her rounds in school hauling her books in her arms, Ruby rarely deposits her necessitates in her locker. In fact the only episode where we see Ruby's locker is in "The Big Splash." Even though her locker is conveniently located by Ren's, the placement is perplexing. Why would Ren's locker (whose last name starts with S) be so close to Ruby's (whose last name starts with M)?
Ruby's Backpacks
>> While rarely seen, Ruby did use a backpack to carry around her school supplies. "Starstruck" began with a close-up of Ruby's pink BBMak backpack, which was later replaced with a black backpack after she was over her crush. Apparently neither of these were up to Ruby's superior-shopping standards as she wore a blue backpack in "Short Story." However, you may notice that Ruby often chose in favor of carrying her books.
>> During "In Ren We Trust" Ruby is seen slinging another backpack (this time of the color brown) over her shoulders.
Ruby's Robes
>> For those of you who care, Lauren actually modeled two different robes during her tenure on "Even Stevens." Her first robe (blue and light purple/light pink with a heart on the front) was seen in the "Quest For Coolness" and "The Secret World of Girls." This was later changed in favor of a pink number with "I (heart) boys" printed on the back. Ruby's nightwear was sans robe in "Surfs' Up" when she wore pink pajamas.
>> Ruby's nightwear makes one more appearance in the form of her pink pajamas in "Surf's Up." I'm not able to tell if they're both the same pajamas, but the color does seem to be a favorite of Ms. Mandel.
Making a Statement!
>> Sugar and spice and everything nice? Maybe, but that's not what her t-shirt reads in "Leavin' Stevens." Instead, it's "Angel + Princess = Me."
Ruby's Room
>> Ruby's room has been shown in a number of episodes. Those include "Stevens Manor," "Thin Ice," and "Starstruck." The front (and some of the inside) of Ruby's house was shown in "Starstruck."
The Forecast Calls for Frost With a Strong Breeze...
>> Ever notice that storm that followed Ruby around in "Even Stevens"? The wind seemed to only make its presence known when Ruby felt "flushed" (to keep with the storm theme) when gazing upon an attractive male. Examples? Try Louis in "Starstruck" and when she saw the twin in "Stevens Manor."
The Inquiring Mind of Ruby Mendel
>> While Ren may have been the editor-in-chief, it is no secret that Ruby wrote the gossip column for the school newspaper. This extracurricular activity stretches back to Ruby's meager beginnings as Lauren's first scene (in fact her first line ever on the show) in "Movie Madness" made reference to it.
Ruby's Calling
>> Ruby's future position at "The Globe" could be in question due to her other extracurricular activity: "The Future Beauticians Club." As seen in "Hutch Boy," Ruby was devoted to the subtleties of shampooing, even while being prone to accidents. This was learned by Ren when she received a newly stylized blonde shade, as opposed to the "subtle henna-rinse" she was promised.
Finding Her Voice
>> Despite having an angelic voice, Lauren rarely showcased that talent in "Even Stevens." In "Influenza" Lauren sings in "What's the Matter with Ren" and "Sixth Period." Her next opportunity would come during "In Ren We Trust" in which she collaborates with her cast mates on "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Her voice made one other cameo appearance in "The Even Stevens Movie" where she sang the school song at graduation.
Just For the Taste of It or the UNcola?
>> The flavor of the soda Ruby was drinking in "Hutch Boy" (and that ended up in the henna-rinse) is neither named, nor divulged on the bottle. However, with lemons decorating the label this gives the impression of it being of the "lemon-line" variety. The brand of choice for Ruby's deep-down body thirst? "Natural Soda" brand soda. Which begs the question, what is "natural" in soda?
Don't Bring That Subject Up
>> As described in "Hutch Boy," Ruby's best subject is NOT Science. She states, "I have to get to Chemistry, can you believe I'm failing?" Most of the chemistry made by Ruby was probably made outside of the classroom...
>> Oddly enough, it's Science class that Ruby most often shares with Ren. "Influenza," "Hutch Boy," "Little Mr. Sacktown," "Leavin' Stevens," and "Devil Mountain" all depict the two in the same class (perpetually taught by Ms. Linda Lovelson). It also makes a mention in "Starstruck" when they study for the subject in the middle of Ruby's BBmak quest. Maybe it's Ren who is distracting Ruby, and who is actually to blame for her hopeless grades? Nonetheless in "Movie Madness," it's not Science but History they find themselves in.
Working Girl
>> Ruby's obsession for shopping had to be financed from somewhere, correct? Well, all those fashion-savvy decisions were probably paid in part by her part-time job at "Your Toast." Her tumbles and tosses of toppings on toast elevated her to the prestigious position of "Assistant Associate to the Assistant Manager." That is until she was rudely removed due to her firing...
Brace Yourself!
>> Ren wasn't the only character of "Even Stevens" to be trapped under the restrictions of braces. In "Gutter Queens" Ruby's retainer becomes attached to Eileen's magnetic bowling ball.
Hair Today - Gone Tomorrow!
>> Ruby's hair was styled many different ways throughout the show's tenure (it switched three times in "Leavin' Stevens" alone), but one constant were her pigtails. In many episodes, including "Head Games" and "In Ren We Trust," her hair was made up in this way. And in "Leavin" Stevens" Ruby's counterpart Rhonda also had her hair made up in pigtails.
>> Credit this one to tvtome.com: In "Quest For Coolness" Lauren is wearing hair extensions at the fashion show and backstage.
Something to Chew On! NEW!
>> What are you most likely to see Ruby doing during a tough exam? Chewing! In the episode "Little Mr. Sacktown," Ruby states that she chews on stuff when she's thinking. Too bad it's Monique's pen!
Girls' Best Friend
>> While it was Ren who was Ruby's best friend (this moniker is actually bestowed upon her in "Your Toast"), Ruby had yet another amigo waiting for her at home. In "Little Mr. Sacktown" Ren makes mention of Ruby's iguana, "Jaws." It was never actually seen or mentioned again.
Catching Up with Ruby's Catch-Phrase
>> It appears as if Ruby was suppose to have a catch-phrase. She mutters "I'm dying" in "Movie Madness," "Strictly Ballroom," and "Starstruck." After those episodes her life-threatening disclosure was never revealed again. Maybe her condition improved?
>> Ruby said her sensational saying once more in "The Quest For Coolness." However, it was not meant to convey eagerness, but instead, to display how distraught she was to the complications of the fashion show. "I-I'm dying here Ren..."
Give Her a Hand!
>> In "Little Mr. Sacktown" Ruby is shown twice writing with a pen in her right hand. So unless she's ambidextrous and just hiding her penmanship with her left hand, it's safe to say that Ruby (and Lauren too) is right handed.
Ruby's Family
>> The episode "Gutter Queen" introduces Ruby's mother. Her mom's name? Babs. In what could be a reference to "Timeless" or an incredible coincidence, Babs is Barbra Streisand's nickname.
That Accent!
>> Did you know that the Brooklyn-accent used by Ms. Frost in "Even Stevens" wasn't originally part of the character of Ruby? She mastered the accent for her performance as "Young Barbra" in "Timeless," and the producers thought it would bring an "edge" to the character!
>> And no, Lauren does not have that accent in real life.
