Top 20 Times Disney Channel Shows Got Serious

This show has been applauded for covering a plethora of important subjects. One of its most poignant storylines revolves around Jonah’s experiences with anxiety and panic attacks. When we first meet him, he’s so cool, confident, and outgoing, but over time the deeper issues begin to emerge. What made this arc so impactful was how real it felt and how well-supported Jonah was throughout. They also do a great job in explaining what Jonah’s going through in a way that we’re sure helped countless others experiencing similar struggles. It’s great to see mental health being normalized on television, especially for such an impressionable audience.

Thanks to Maddie and London’s friendship, class differences have been a running theme throughout the show. On this occasion though, it’s Maddie who flexes her imaginary wealth to impress a guy on whom she has a crush. Naturally, things get out of control as she’s forced to keep up the charade longer than expected. Eventually though, the truth comes out. As Carey comforts a tearful Maddie, she reminds her that she has a lot to offer that is invaluable. It’s a great lesson in self-worth over material worth. It reminds viewers that the right people will like you for you and not for what’s in your bank account.

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#18: Race Identity & Racism
“The Famous Jett Jackson” (1998-2001)

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Back when this show aired, the depth with which it approached race was considered pretty groundbreaking. Set in the South, Jett gets a dose of reality when his showbiz lifestyle is juxtaposed with real issues faced by African-Americans in his small town. He stars in a TV show called “Silverstone” that shows this ideal non-discriminatory world. However, he comes to learn that the real world is very different. We also meet Kayla, a young mixed-race woman grappling with her identity. It highlighted the many battles endured on the continuous journey to equality. We imagine that it was an inspiration for countless shows that followed.

“Kim Possible” was known for breaking stereotypes, and in this case, it was with the portrayal of people with disabilities. In season two we meet Felix, who just happens to use a wheelchair. While Ron doesn’t give it a second thought, Kim is clearly uncomfortable and doesn’t know what to say. Nevertheless, the character is a three-dimensional and complex individual just like anyone else. He’s never reduced to the disability he has or even pitied. Indeed, he helps save the day, gets a love story, and even becomes valedictorian. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great step in representation. Kids with disabilities could watch Felix and see themselves and the possibilities out there.

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#16: Getting Your First Period
“Sydney to the Max” (2019-)

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If you’ve ever had a period, the memory of your first one is probably still ingrained in your mind. And for many of us, the experience wouldn’t have been all that different from Sydney’s. In this episode, when Sydney gets her first period, Olive is super supportive. But sometimes you just need someone who’s been through it to help guide the way. The conversation between Sydney and her grandma is phenomenally noteworthy. Her advice is informative, educational and highlights that no two experiences are alike. If you didn’t have someone in your life who you felt you could talk to, grandma Judy had you covered.

Yvette is horrified when she learns that her new manager has a blatant racial bias. She tries to confront her over the problem but it falls on deaf ears. Miss Hendra refuses to accept that racial profiling is a form of racism. Her response is so infuriating, especially as this is still a prevalent problem today. Indeed, in 2021 “The Guardian” reported that more than 90% of Black Americans have experienced racial profiling while shopping. Anyway, Yvette leaves, realizing that she can’t get through to the bigoted manager. But she has someone else in mind who’s sure to get the message across.

Drawing on Bella Thorne’s real-life experiences, this season one episode reveals that CeCe is dyslexic. It’s heartbreaking to see how embarrassed she feels of her learning difficulty. Sadly, there are many others who will identify with that feeling too. Fortunately, she has Rocky who is so supportive and understanding. She reminds her friend just how special she is. We can only imagine that there were plenty of impressionable viewers watching who really needed to hear that, too. Thorne said that she hoped that by addressing the subject on the show, other kids with dyslexia could see that they can do anything they set their minds to.

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#13: Gun Safety
“Andi Mack” (2017-19)

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We could easily write a whole list just about this series. But some of its most affecting episodes were the ones on gun safety. The Disney Channel teamed up with several child development experts to address this very real issue. In the first episode, Cyrus is justifiably uncomfortable when one of TJ’s friends pulls out a gun as if it's just a toy. He leaves and goes to report it, only to learn that someone else has already done so. Apparently, the plot was inspired by a real-life tragedy that affected one of the writers. A direct-to-camera PSA was shot and included with the two-episode arc.

This season three episode, directed by Raven-Symoné, covered the subject of microaggressions. Sydney and her friends realize that they’ve all been assigned historical figures to write about based on their race. Emmy then does a great job of explaining what microaggressions are and how easily they can be overlooked. Not only does the episode see Sydney confront the situation, but it also encourages an open conversation about race. The episode reminds people to be more mindful of their words and actions. It’s also a positive encouragement that you should always stand up for what’s right. After all, change has to start from somewhere.

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#11: Physical Self-Perception
“Lizzie McGuire” (2001-04)

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While preparing to shoot a music video, Gordo makes an off-hand remark about the girls’ eating habits. This proves triggering for Miranda, who develops body dysmorphia. She makes excuses to avoid eating and starves herself to the point of almost fainting. Her friends try to talk to her, but she becomes defensive. Although, eventually they do manage to get through to her. While it could have been taken even further, considering that by the time the episode ends her body image struggles are all but forgotten, it’s still an impactful message to young audiences about body image and the dangers of crash diets.

Once unimaginable, the Disney Channel has taken great strides in creating diverse characters across their shows. One of the central love stories on “The Owl House” takes place between two women, Luz and Amity. The creator of “Gravity Falls”, Alex Hirsch welcomed the news by pointing out how groundbreaking this was for the network. Meanwhile, “The Owl House” creator, Dana Terrace divulged that Luz was inspired by her own experiences as a bisexual woman. The characters are so fleshed-out and treated like real three-dimensional people. Thanks to Terrace, there’s no tokenism to be found here. This was actually a historic moment for the Disney Channel.

Raven is no stranger to tackling issues like peer pressure and smoking. So when she was told that the “That’s So Raven” spinoff wanted to address vaping, she was on board. The writers worked with Hollywood, Health & Society among other experts to develop a meaningful and informative narrative. Booker’s new friends try to pressure him into vaping. He refuses and tries to warn them of the dangers but they don’t want to hear it. When they all get caught with the pen, they pin the blame on Booker, who gets suspended. It ends with a message from the cast who reiterate the moral of the episode.

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#8: Online Harassment
“Austin & Ally” (2011-16)

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Trish is delighted to land the lead in the school play. But she’s left feeling pretty gutted after reading some nasty comments about her on the play’s website. As the hateful behavior escalates, she tries to laugh it off - but she’s utterly heartbroken. Writing as a guest blogger for Huffington Post, Raini Rodriguez - who played Trish - explained how they wanted to show that anyone can be a victim of such repetitive harassment. She also talked about drawing on her own experiences of being mistreated. Eventually, the culprit is caught and Trish reports her to Coach Simmons, who says he wishes Trish had spoken up sooner. The episode ends with a direct-to-camera PSA.

While it wasn’t the only occasion the show addressed sexism, it was certainly the most relatable. In “Rate A-Rooney”, the guys start rating the girls at school based on their appearances. This knocks their self-confidence and leaves them feeling pressured to change how they look just for a higher score. Liv fights back with a song of female empowerment called “What a Girl Is”, to remind them that they’re perfect as they are and shouldn’t change for anyone. It’s a message that many of us need reminding of from time to time. In 2016, the episode was even nominated for the Humanitas Prize.

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#6: Body Image
“That’s So Raven” (2003-07)

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Raven has a vision where she’s modeling her own dress design on a catwalk. However, she’s deflated after seeing her photoshopped body in the magazine due to not having “the look”. Although her confidence is momentarily knocked, Raven, with some encouragement from Mimi, decides to fight back against this harmful rhetoric. She delivers a powerful message on body image and looks fabulous while doing so. “The Suite Life” also dedicated an episode to challenging body standards. In a time where there was far less body diversity in the media, it was great to see our favorite Disney Channel shows championing all body shapes and sizes.

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#5: Coming Out as LGBTQ+
“Andi Mack” (2017-19)

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Following the titular character and her friends while they’re in middle school, this comedy-drama with an Asian-American lead stands out in particular for its diversity. In 2017, Cyrus made Disney Channel history as the first character on the network to directly address their sexuality. It was also the first time that a Disney Channel show featured a coming-out story arc. LGBTQ+ organizations were consulted to ensure that it was conveyed honestly and respectfully. Cyrus’ friends are all so supportive, but the biggest moment occurred when he came out to Jonah and finally said [“I’m gay”]. The episode’s writer, Jonathan Hurwitz drew on one of his own coming-out experiences to write this scene.

Riley is normally so upbeat and happy-go-lucky. So when she starts lashing out, her friends realize something must be wrong. The moment they learn she’s being made fun of though, they rush to her side. This isn’t the only “Girl Meets World” episode that tackled the issue, but the way it’s addressed this time is particularly interesting. We never meet Riley’s teaser. She’s not seen or heard, and she’s never named. However, when Riley finally confronts her, it almost looks like she’s breaking the fourth wall. Perhaps this is because her message is universal. Or maybe it’s to reflect how people use the internet to hide behind their anonymity.

Following the sharp rise of fear and/or hatred against Muslims and/or the religion of Islam in the early 2000s, “The Proud Family” sought to break down prejudices through this episode. As part of a cultural exchange program, Penny lives with a Muslim family as they observe Ramadan. As she gets to know the Zamins, her own prejudices begin to dissolve. Her family even joins them to celebrate Eid and stand with them in the face of racial harassment. There wasn’t much cultural representation in animation at the time, so this was certainly a step in the right direction. However, while the intention was good, it probably would have been approached with more cultural sensitivity today.

Charlie’s friend Taylor is coming over for a playdate with her parents. This leaves Bob and Amy confused as each swears that they’ve met the mom, but both remember different names. When Taylor arrives, they discover that they were actually both right. However, what’s great about this scene is that Taylor having two mothers isn’t made into an issue. They just laugh at themselves for not considering that option and simply move on. A Disney Channel spokesperson said that they wanted to “reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness.” They also had the approval and excitement of Disney Channel alum, Miley Cyrus.

While some shows tackled racism indirectly, “That’s So Raven” took a more head-on approach. Raven discovers that the only reason she wasn’t hired for her perfect job is because she’s Black. So, with the support of her family and friends, she goes undercover to expose the bigoted store manager. They uncover injustice, discuss the experiences of Black people, and don’t shy away from the very real and still prevalent systematic racism. Airing during Black History Month, the episode’s subplot also celebrated the achievements of Black American historical figures. They proved that a show can be educational, entertaining and provide a powerful voice that other TV shows should echo.