Disney is responsible for some of the most significant professional trajectories in Hollywood, be it Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato or the Jonas Brothers. But there’s of course, a rather controversial side to the culture that Disney shows have propagated on the screen and beyond it. Lovato, Shia LaBeouf, Zendaya and many other actors who found fame as a teenager with Disney have often talked about their difficult time grappling with the toxicity that comes with Disney fame.
But the reason many older Disney teen shows are less relevant today is because they rarely took risks in terms of storytelling, production or even casting. Plus, there were quite a lot of problematic and often hurtful depictions in the shows that make them harder to re-watch in 2020.
So Random!
This 2011 show was a spin-off of Demi Lovato’s breakout show, Sonny with a Chance. Lovato herself wasn’t a part of this show as she left Sonny With a Chance around the third season due to personal issues. Since Demi’s show was so well-received, Disney probably thought a spin-off focusing on some secondary characters could also garner a wide viewership, but that was not meant to be.
Many felt it was quite bland in terms of script and had no real substance, and when one looks back at the show now, the jokes fall completely flat. Many others felt it was an obvious cash-grabbing attempt that wanted to piggyback on Sonny’s success, which is quite cringe-worthy considering how Demi has opened up about the toxic behind-the-scenes culture at Sonny where she was relentlessly made to feel bad about her body.
Hannah Montana
The biggest reason for Hannah Montana’s irrelevance today is the fact that Miley Cyrus herself couldn’t wait to shed the image she had cultivated for the show’s benefit. It’s possible that Miley thought that she never would be taken seriously if people associated her with the sometimes vapid, teen pop star image.
But if someone watches Hannah Montana in 2020 they'd be acutely aware of why Miley would have wanted to distance herself from the show once it ended. This takes away from the show’s integrity and unfortunately, many stars have regretted being a part of teen-led shows.
Jonas
Jonas was an attempt to cash in on the popularity of the Jonas Brothers and was conceived much like a real-life, family-friendly version of Entourage. It followed the starry lives of the brothers as they managed their superstardom. This could be a time capsule for Jonas brothers loyalists, but something the series probably wouldn’t be greenlit in 2020 where substance is everything, and most of the episodes in the show were about petty, insignificant things.
In fact, comparing it to Entourage isn't that fair because that show was pretty self-aware and explored some of the most difficult and inexplicable nuances of showbiz. Jonas was canceled after two seasons and the Jonas Brothers broke up soon after.
Even Stevens
It’s no secret that early 2000s TV relied on some pretty formulaic story-telling and Disney did it more than anyone because tried-and-tested narrative styles are the safest bet for content targeted at younger minds. However, shows like the Shia LaBeouf-starring Even Stevens didn’t have much to say.
The show also trivialized some pre-teen issues, which is a huge no-no in 2020, specifically because it’s a really vulnerable demographic. Not only that, but introducing relevant issues and resolving them all in 30 minutes looks a bit laughable now because sitcom culture has become much more sensitive and topical. LaBeouf has also opened up about the darker side of his life with Disney and how it contributed to his PTSD.
Cory In The House
This That’s So Raven spin-off probably wouldn’t be greenlit in 2020. The premise is actually quite interesting, but some details feel a bit off, especially considering its timing. The show follows a Black American kid named Cory whose dad becomes the chef of the President of the United States and sees him moving to the White House with his family.
The President is, of course, a white man and the show aired its second season in 2008 as Barack Obama became the first Black President of the United States. So a white President with a Black personal chef looked quite iffy on the small screen considering America was having a landmark cultural moment at that point. That same year, the show was canceled.
Wizards Of Waverly Place
The show was obviously designed to ride on the coattails of Potter mania and while it’s an ambitious move, it’s really hard to look back at the show today without cringing at the subpar and hilarious special effects. If Disney was truly looking for an American answer to Harry Potter, it really needed to take things a lot more seriously because comparisons were bound to happen.
Plus, the show had tons of Harry Potter references and some themes, like The Wizard Cup or the Headmaster to the Wizard Council, were obviously borrowed from the Potter-verse. Plus, the show sneakily plays around with the existence of the Potter-verse with lame jokes that come off as irrelevant.
Dumbo’s Circus
Perhaps one of the most problematic Disney outings, this 80s live-action show was deemed racist for its controversial associations. The original Dumbo film, which came out in the 40s, had the same issues and more, and Disney didn’t exactly work on them up until that point, which makes this show a really hard sell as a timeless watch.
Plus, the connection between the circus and animal cruelty that has often been brought up by modern viewers has never been addressed. Tim Burton’s live-action remake did do away with the racist undertones, but the animated/puppet show definitely did not age well.
So Weird
This is the show that had many fans crying "sell-out," as it tried to push through even after some of the main leads had left, and this made for a really bizarre set-up. Moreover, the show did not seem to have a handle on its own tone and when it came out in the late 90s, it was deemed by many as one of the darkest Disney shows.
The show followed a teen called Fiona who toured with her rockstar mum and encountered paranormal developments along the way. By the third season, the show had lost Cara Delizia and Erik von Detten and somehow got even darker. Viewers just couldn’t figure out who the target demographic was for the show, making So Weird one of the most forgettable Disney shows to not age very well.
Lizzie McGuire
The reboot of Lizzie McGuire has reportedly come to a halt. The makers did not want to go all the way with the ‘adult’ angle, as they are nervous about losing touch with the generation that’s invested in the character. But the people of that demographic are grown up now and younger viewers are pretty used to intense, drama-led teen shows (hello, Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina).
Though the issue hasn’t specifically been revealed, Hilary Duff has made it clear on social media that the show is on pause because the makers want to make it family-friendly. But even the most family-friendly sitcoms, like Modern Family, The Good Place, or Black-ish, have factored in conversations about sexuality, politics and cultural milestones in a seemingly effortless way. The fact that Lizzie McGuire wants to cleanse the reboot of all that’s relevant today is a bad sign.
High School Musical
Sadly, one of the most successful teen TV shows on Disney is pretty unwatchable today. High School Musical had a peculiar adherence to heteronormativity which is really unsettling. Plus, the fact that Ryan Evans’ sexuality wasn’t addressed on the show doesn’t sit well with viewers today, especially since Lucas Grabeel has weighed in on the issue, as well.
And although the series did introduce its first gay character, the cultural impact of the original show was a lot more significant. Plus the series propagates cliquism without actually making a point about it.