Disney Channel shifts to new style

Far too often, teenagers of my generation bring up the disparity between “Old Disney” and “New Disney.”

Disney Channel first came to life in 1977, but the term “Old Disney” refers to the TV shows broadcast during my generation’s childhood, such as That’s So Raven, Phil of the Future, Hannah Montana, and others.

These shows were cherished segments of the monocultured late 90’s kid childhood– running home off the bus or staying up late at night (and by late, I mean 8/7 central) to watch the cliffhanger ending to the latest season of Hannah Montana. I even sentimentally remember one Friday night during my elementary school days where my friends and I all gathered together, clad in Cheetah print pajamas, to watch the premiere of Cheetah Girls 2.

We all possessed an innate fascination with the concept of these slapstick comedy-based fantasy lives, and to this day, some part of most 15-20 year old girl’s head is filled with nothing but Hilary Duff, Hannah Montana, and Miley Cyrus lyrics.

Even now, these shows are still held near and dear to our hearts.

So what changed? Now, the average high school teen will say without hesitation, Disney Channel isn’t as good.

The question I posed was: Did we just grow up? Or did the quality of kids entertainment tank?

“While I think New Disney can be funny, most of the time it’s too unoriginal,” expressed Milford Junior, Julia Schwendenmann. She feels that the main cause for this change is that Disney is trying to change with the times, saying “It’s almost like Disney has a social [agenda].”

Schewendemann feels that Disney now tries to perpetuate social ideas, such as mixed families, gay rights/couples, bullying, and others. While these issues are good for young kids to be learning about, the shows aren’t just about the entertainment anymore, and this makes them boring or annoying to older viewers.

Likewise, sophomore Jeremy Hogaboom says it’s as if Disney is trying to tone it down for younger kids to expand their viewer horizons. “There used to be an actual plot, I used to care about Hannah Montana!” Hogaboom shared with a laugh, “…Now it’s just corny jokes that aren’t funny.”

To examine a plot curve comparison, the premise of new versus old shows seems to have changed. Whereas Old Disney shows seemed to focus on original, out of the box ideas (family from the future, a secret pop star, twins who live in a hotel), New Disney seems to be the same story over and over: high school teen girl duo who like to sing/dance.

Think I’m exaggerating? Shake it Up, Austin and Ally, Liv and Maddie–same story, different title.

The new shows are just too repetitive. “I’ll still enjoy watching new Disney Channel shows [with my younger siblings],” said Scwendenmann, “But do I think the show is especially funny? No. Do I think the show is especially entertaining? No.”

At another angle, the cause of this common opposition to new Disney could just be perspective. It’s possible that cherished Old Disney shows are equally corny and obnoxious, but viewing them as a child, we didn’t see it that way.

Jordan Misaros admits that she may not want to go back and watch the old shows. “They’re all on Netflix… I’m scared to ruin the image in my mind.” Misaros says that cartoons like Spongebob are still good, but the few bits of Disney Channel shows she’s watched have been disappointing. “It’s funny… we used to find this to be so good!”

Whether it be our own aging, or Disney’s changed style, our generation seems to have grown out of Disney.