Top 10 Times Disney Channel Shows Got Serious
#10: Objectification “Liv and Maddie” (2013-17)
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.
#9: 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.
#8: 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.
#7: 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.
#6: Hurtful / Threatening Behavior “Girl Meets World” (2014-17)
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.
#5: 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.
#4: Islamophobia “The Proud Family” (2001-05)
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.
#3: Normalizing LGBTQ+ Families “Good Luck Charlie” (2010-14)
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.
#2: Asperger Syndrome “Girl Meets World” (2014-17)
After Farkle excels in an IQ and aptitude test, he’s brought in for further testing to determine if he’s on the Autism Spectrum. Disney “consulted medical experts to provide an authentic and accurate portrayal of the disorder.” At first, his friends are shocked, but they tell him that no matter what, he’ll always be Farkle to them. He later discovers that he doesn’t have Asperger’s, but it’s revealed that Isadora Smackle does. Though the latter could have provided a great opportunity to further educate audiences on ASD in future episodes, the message they ultimately wanted to convey here was that labels don’t entirely define a person.
#1: Racism “That’s So Raven” (2003-07)
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.
