Disney = Girl Power Part 2

So what happened after Disney’s supposed unisex shows disappeared? They were all about the girl power. After Lizzie Mcguire (January 12, 2001 – February 14, 2004) came a slew of shows based around/about young girls, in various positions of power.

Kim Possible (June 7, 2002 – September 7, 2007)

An animated show about a crime stopping teenage girl aided by her best friend Ron, a bumbling clumsy teenage boy.

In addition to a catchy theme song, Kim Possible could do no wrong. Alright maybe she was a cartoon, but they made it a point to make her a powerful person equipped with semi-lethal gadgets and butt kicking moves. Opposite of her, was her side kick Ron, whose main attribute to the show, was shamelessly loving Kim, and his second best friend, Rufus, the naked mole rat.

That’s So Raven (January 17, 2003 – November 10, 2007)
A show about a teenage girl living in San Francisco, with psychic powers to see the future.

This comedy, whose situations were pretty outlandish and impossible, gave Raven Symoné, a great avenue to revamp her career. Before That’s So Raven, she was known more commonly for her role as Olivia of the Cosby show. Although not attracting her original fan base from The Cosby Show, she soon adopted fans of her own, from her attracted by her unique fashion sense, as well as her funny antics, reminiscent of Lucille Ball. Who of course is an original power women of comedy. 

Hannah Montanah (March 24, 2006 - January 16, 2011)

A show, starring Billy Ray Cyrus’ daughter, Miley Cyrus. It's concept: a country girl turned pop star, relocates to live a normal life, while still living the secret life of a pop star.

Another very impractical show, that was primarily built on the fact that Miley was not just an actress, but a singer. And from their an entire franchise was built. From Miley Cyrus dolls, to a clothing line, purses movies. You name it, "Hannah Montanah"  was probably on it. 

Those shows are just to name a few, but the trend definitely continued with shows such as ANT Farm, Shake it Up,  and Jessie that are currently on the air.

Other shows that may have been considered universal such as Suite Life of Zack and Cody and 

Wizards of Waverly Place, are just a facade. 

Suite Life of Zack and Cody, having two different show runs (suite life, and suite life on deck) excelled the careers of not one, not two, but three women of Disney. A show about two twin brothers who live with their mother in a hotel, then on a cruise ship, has them as the highlight, but they are most definitely out shined in the real world of stardom

Brenda Song defined the role of London Tipton. The ditzy heiress everyone loved to hate. She was self centered and a snob. But her ditziness was enduring, and she has become one of the most memorable characters Disney has ever had. Landing her more roles outside of Disney, such as in the Academy Award winning Social Network. I have a feeling there will be a lot more roles coming her way.

Ashley Tisdale playing the sensible Maddie. Before Suite Life who was Ashley Tisdale? Just another extra. However The Suite Life, at one point was shown concurrently with the very popular High School Musical, in which Ashley Tisdale was a lead. All this publicity launched her career, and she is now a star in the CW's Hellcats.








The third career is that of Debbie Ryan, who recently launched her own show, entitled Jessie. And where are the boys? Still on that Disney Cruise ship. Which, I'm sure is a nice ride, but not nearly as nice as Tisdales or Song's.


The Wizard's of Waverly Place, which appears to be about a family of wizards, is really just the Selena Gomez show. Just watch one episode, and you'll see what I mean. However, it is not unjustly so. She's beautiful and has a great sarcastic energy and charm. This is the kind of role traditionally given to boys. "The wise-cracking" sarcastic brother role if you will, however this time the roles are switched. This has also launched her career into different avenues such as film and look worthy singing career.

Disney = Girl Power Part 1

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.