In today's over sexualized over exposed world, it's easy to point the blame at what's being presented in the media, and specifically to our youth. And who's usually the front-runner for getting slapped with the "your actors are setting a bad example, for our girls" stick? None other than the Disney Channel. But truth be told, I believe Disney does a great job of presenting positive role models for young girls in America. Sure, some of their stars have been alcoholics, anorexics, pornography stars, and grandma's, but that's not Disney's fault. (Some of the above descriptions are exaggerated, but you get it)
The young women chosen to star in Disney's shows are people just like you and I, and are going to make mistakes, they just so happen to be in the public eye and their mistakes are broadcast everywhere. Disney can't be with them every second to make sure they are representing the company properly at all times, what they can do however is control what is displayed on their own network, which they have done an immaculate job, as fair as representing women. Almost....actually, completely to the point of alienating young men.
In the past 10 years Disney has changed it's program's drastically. In the early 2000, featuring shows that appealed to both sexes.
The Jersey - September 24, 1999 – March 23, 2003
A show about a magical Jersey that transported a group of suburban preteens into the bodies of their favorite athlete while wearing it.
There show was majority boys, and one girl to balance them out. I believe the magical element is what made it unisex
The Famous Jett Jackson- October 25, 1998 – June 22, 2003
A show about a famous teenage actor from a small town, who moves his entire show back to his small town in South Carolina to live a "normal" life
Sound familiar to any current Disney fans? Yeah, that's because it's the same premise as Disney's oh so popular Hannah Montana. But that's irrelevant. I enjoyed this show when I was younger, although it centered around a boy who was an action superstar 1) Because he was SOO cute 2) Because they threw in the whole "best friend love story" and 3) Because he was soo cute!
But the point is this show related to both girls and boys alike, but then, there came Lizzie McGuirre, it was then I believe Disney realized they had something. One of their most popular shows, I feel like they found their definitive market. Young Girls.
From there there have been shows surrounding young boys, and that appear to market to them, but they don't ever quite hit the bar.
Shows such as:
Phil of the Future June 18, 2004 – August 19, 2006
A show about a boy whose family is from the future, however trapped in the present day.
The shows lead is in fact about a boy and his awkward fight to fit in. However, the show slowly dissolved , like most teenage shows do, into a love story surrounding him and the girl next door, "Keely Teslow", played by Aly Michalka, who from there received plenty of attention from Disney and then some. First her own film with her younger sister, and endorsement for her music career and apparently her appeal spread. Soon after she gained a leading role on the CW's Hellcat's as well as credits as the 'best friend' role in Easy A, which was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Another short lived 'masculine' show on the Disney Channel was the short lived
Cory in the House January 12, 2007 – September 12, 2008
A spin off comedy about Corey Baxter, who moved from San Francisco to Washington D.C, with his father, who was hired as personal head chief to the president
........................Alright, this show should have been called 'Raven's Little Brother'.... and really, who wants to watch an entire show about Raven's little brother. In fact, I bet if you pull up ratings, the episode that rated the highest was the one with Raven in it. I don't even know why they attempted this.
As far as current Disney goes, current being in the last four years, the only shows that have been feature that have even the slightest bit of success for a unisex demographic would have to be Phineas and Ferb, which is a received great commercial success. Probably because there's nothing else on television quite like it. It has a very unique spunk, that I can't quite describe.
The last of Disney's truly unisex live action comedy shows I would have to say was Even Stevens (June 17, 2000, to June 13, 2003). A show that truly held the appeal of the masses. It was above a slightly upperclass family in Sacramento, California, that centered around perfectionist sister, played by Christy Carlson Ramano, and a screw ball brother, played by Shia Labeouf. The only male thus far to come out of Disney commercially successful, staring in the multi million dollar Transformers series.
Cory in the House January 12, 2007 – September 12, 2008
A spin off comedy about Corey Baxter, who moved from San Francisco to Washington D.C, with his father, who was hired as personal head chief to the president
........................Alright, this show should have been called 'Raven's Little Brother'.... and really, who wants to watch an entire show about Raven's little brother. In fact, I bet if you pull up ratings, the episode that rated the highest was the one with Raven in it. I don't even know why they attempted this.
As far as current Disney goes, current being in the last four years, the only shows that have been feature that have even the slightest bit of success for a unisex demographic would have to be Phineas and Ferb, which is a received great commercial success. Probably because there's nothing else on television quite like it. It has a very unique spunk, that I can't quite describe.
The last of Disney's truly unisex live action comedy shows I would have to say was Even Stevens (June 17, 2000, to June 13, 2003). A show that truly held the appeal of the masses. It was above a slightly upperclass family in Sacramento, California, that centered around perfectionist sister, played by Christy Carlson Ramano, and a screw ball brother, played by Shia Labeouf. The only male thus far to come out of Disney commercially successful, staring in the multi million dollar Transformers series.
No comments:
Post a Comment