At least in first few years before Lara Jill Miller, you could say, really blossomed into her looks and grew out of the geekiness? Granted, while Lara was playing a younger character, wasn't she still guilty of over the top facial expressions? Basically, Samantha came across as annoying in no small part because of the exaggerated mugging that Lara would often do for the camera.

Samantha was the most awkward girl-child I've seen on network television, after only Early Mayim Bialik. I didn't find Sam irritating; I found that gawkiness endearing.

Joey was the irritating kid. Lara Jill was very boyish looking, a tomboy. She played a younger character than what age she really was, so she was probably a late developer.