With all the buzz surrounding the launch of Disney+, it might be hard to remember that there is still plenty of great Disney shows on Disney Channel and the DisneyNOW app. Therefore, I am making it my mission to make sure that you don’t forget that the second season of Big City Greens is set to debut on November 16th.
If you haven’t been watching the show, you have been missing out. So here is the basic premise: the show follows the somewhat mischievous yet eagerly optimistic 10-year-old Cricket Green who moves from the country to the big city with his family, where they don’t quite fit in. Cricket is joined by my favorite character (his older sister Tilly), as well as his father Bill and crazy Gramma Alice.
The Houghton Brothers
The show has a personal connection to brothers Chris and Shane Houghton, who are the creators and executive producers of the series. The brothers grew up in St. Johns, Michigan — a small rural town north of Lansing, which is known as the mint capital of the world. Cricket is based on Chris, to the point where he actually voices the character as well. Other characters are inspired by real-life family members and the colorful townsfolk of their hometown.
The show is also known for having some great guest stars including Fozzie the Bear in season 1. This trend continues with Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley), and Cheri Oteri (Saturday Night Live) all appearing in the season premiere. The two stories that make up the premiere include Cricket earning a role in a commercial and Bill having some trouble when he trades in his pickup truck for an electric car. But no matter what happens in the episode, the core of having a family that faces their own peculiarities and challenges gives the show its heart.
Big City Greens really hits its stride in Season 2. An example is the upcoming holiday episode “Green Christmas.” Without giving too much away, the episode features an expertly balanced mix of humor and heart that I believe will make it a Disney Christmas classic. The episode continues the fantastic guest star staple by having Christoper Lloyd as Santa and Wendi Mclendon-Covey returning as Cricket and Tilly’s mother Nancy Green.
Disney Television Animation just celebrated its 35th anniversary. Big City Greens builds upon their fantastic legacy that includes DuckTales, Gravity Falls, and Gargoyles. Seeing the social reaction of Disney+, you can see the impact and lasting impression episodic television animation can have on children. Many mentioned that their favorite series were the first thing they wanted to see on the service. I have no doubt that 35 years from now, many will look back at Big City Greens with that same fondness.
As a reminder, the second season of Big City Greens will debut Saturday, November 16th at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and in the DisneyNOW app. The show will also air every Saturday night beginning November 16 from 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel.