Hi, my name’s Marshal and I still watch Disney Channel. (HI MARSHAL!) As someone who doesn’t fit in the key demographic, yet still regularly enjoys the programs, I feel as if the channel is in the midst of another renaissance. The Hannah Montana era was the first renaissance for the network, but as that crop of shows finished (Wizards’ finale being the end of an era), they fell into a small lull. Jessie is decent. Austin & Ally has an audience, yet is not my thing. I Didn’t Do It is one I don’t get. However, everything else is firing on all 4 cylinders.
Dog with a Blog is a ridiculous concept that works incredibly well, thanks to a strong cast anchored by some of the best on screen parents the channel has ever seen. Their weekly TBT block at midnight is attracting viewers in my age bracket, showing some of our favorite programs (like Kim Possible, Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens). Liv and Maddie has a strong following and Dove Cameron is a great find by the casting department. K.C. Undercover just started, but I’m loving the dynamics and he humor. Zendaya is a star, so another vehicle for her is always a good sign. (May I recommend you take a listen to “Replay”?)
This summer, Disney Channel is going to knock it out of the darn ballpark, with just 3 properties. Girl Meets World, the best show the network has aired since That’s SO Raven, hands down, just ended a Season 2 blowout premiere week that started May 11th.
The show’s 1st season started off slow, but it really found its footing quickly. If you want to watch one of the best episodes ever aired on Disney Channel, check out the fantastic “Girl Meets Master Plan”. It was funny, moving, and all-around a fantastic episode. Season 2 promises many more guest stars from Boy Meets World, and during the premiere week, we received Eric and Feeny! FEENY, Y’ALL! FEENY! Praise the TGIF gods! The week covered a range of topics, including people’s past, death, arguments between friendships, peer pressure, and more, but all with such eloquence and sensitivity that made them perfect. Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter continue to shine, week after week, with their impeccable timing and their attention to comedic detail (Rowan’s “Look, A BIRD!” face is genius). It is a show that you watch and go “I want to be on it!’ and I can’t wait for more. Frankly, let’s get this show some Emmy nominations, for cryin’ out loud!
Teen Beach Movie was fantastic when it premiered in 2013. The ode to Annette shown through, thanks to Maia Mitchell’s fantastic work and the cast killing it as a whole. The soundtrack was infectious (“Like Me” is an anytime jam) and the setting and plot was a fun change of pace from more recent DCOMs. Teen Beach Movie 2 will flip the scenario (The movie characters are now in the real world! HIJINKS ENSUE!) and the trailer already excites me. “Gotta Be Me” seems to be the “Surf’s Up” of the sequel, meaning the song they are really trying to push through marketing. The song and accompanying music video has been released and it is such a GET UP AND DANCE song, which makes me even more pumped for the new film. The movie premieres June 26th at 8pm.
The biggest risk of all seems like the one that will reap the biggest rewards. Disney Descendants is the newest (hopeful) DCOM franchise and the concept sounds incredibly intriguing. The famous Disney characters we all know and love had kids. Those kids are split, based on their parents. The villains are locked away on their own island, while the heroes all attend a private school. The private school is finally letting some of the villains’ children attend…what could go wrong?! The costuming is ah-mazing, the cast looks sensational (KRISTIN CHENOWETH FOR PRESIDENT), but the most exciting thing of all is the director. Kenny Ortega, Mr. DCOM himself, is taking the reins, which helps fuel the fire that this is a musical. No really announcement of this has been made, but with his involvement, it’s a pretty much guarantee. Check out the trailer and tell me your thoughts. I haven’t been this excited for an original DCOM since Tiger Cruise! It premieres this summer.
Now, can you see my point? Disney Channel is back and better than ever. I’m going to call myself the Official Disney Channel Correspondent for LP this summer, so get ready for recaps and thoughts on all the new fun. While I do that, let’s just all watch the That’s SO Raven music video some more.