With Disney Channel’s original and longest-running sitcom Game of Thrones coming to an end, now would be a good time to take a trip down memory lane. Oh, wait. We’ve just been informed that Game of Thrones is not the same show as Duck Tales. Joking aside, it’s crazy to think that shows like That’s So Raven and Boy Meets World have been able to return to television with successful new stories. Part of the appeal is due to the fact that the kids who’ve watched these shows have been able to grow up with these characters. Raven’s Home and Girl Meets World turned out to be huge hits, so it only makes sense that other revivals might be on the horizon. Check out the list to see which Disney shows deserve another chance!
Hannah Montana
Before Miley Cyrus made a living by being Robin Thicke’s ballroom dance partner, she used to play a little known character named Hannah Montana. The show was about Miley using a blonde wig in order to transform into her pop star alter ego known as Hannah Montana. However, the catch was that Miley hid her pop star identity from everyone around her. The series would always use this central conflict for its source of comedy and drama.
It’s safe to say that Hannah Montana was a cultural phenomenon when it aired on Disney from 2006-2011. Even if a person wasn’t a fan of the show, how could they not help singing along to The Best of Both Worlds? Although the majority of the show’s plot threads were wrapped up in its final season, the mark it made on pop culture is still relevant to this day. Taking into account how wildly different Miley Cyrus’ career is today than it was so many years ago, it would be incredibly interesting to see her return to the character that made her a superstar. If nothing else, we all just need another excuse to sing along to the show’s theme song.
Wizards of Waverly Place
Imagine Harry Potter, but without all the death, nose-less bad guys, and British people. One then starts to get a pretty good idea of what Wizards of Waverly Place is all about. The show centered around a young witch named Alex and her family of wizards. Considering a witch has to earn their powers in the series, the majority of the drama would focus on Alex and her siblings fighting for supremacy. There’s also a bunch of other crazy stuff that happens along the way. Alex dates a werewolf, her dad owns a boss looking sandwich shop, and there’s a character who likes to make dresses out of rubber duckies because why not.
At the time rumors set Hollywood ablaze that J.K. Rowling went super agro when she found out that some other show had beat her to the punch for the idea of a muggle character that likes to wear rubber ducky dresses. That rumor is completely bogus and everyone should immediately erase it from their memory. False reports aside, what’s completely accurate information is that this series made Selena Gomez a household name. The show was also able to tap into the popularity of the mid-2,000’s fantasy craze in an extremely clever way. Great comedy and fantasy are timeless. So, it only makes sense that a concept as timeless as Wizards of Waverly Place should return to grace our screens.
Kim Possible
Kim Possible should be applauded for convincing audiences that naked mole rats may actually be adorable. Considered a classic by people who shop at BoxLunch (i.e., millennials), Kim Possible aired on the Disney Channel from 2002-2008. The show followed the adventures of the titular Kim Possible as she balanced high school life while being an international crime fighter. A goofy, but lovable boy named Ron Stoppable would always join Kim on her missions. The characters were aided by their naked mole rat sidekick, Rufus.
The show was sort of an anomaly within children’s animation in that it featured a lean order of eighty-six episodes over the course of its five-year run. It focused on producing quality rather than quantity. Moreover, what made the show click with viewers is that Kim was an incredibly relatable character. Although her life as a vigilante was outlandish, her high school experiences, on the other hand, were full of situations everyone had gone through at least once in their life. Kim had homework, parents, and potential boyfriends to deal with. A live-action adaptation of the series was recently made for the Disney Channel. However, there’s no doubt audiences would like to see Kim Possible back in its original animated form.
Phil of the Future
Phil of the Future proves that hairstyles from 2121 don’t look much different than they did in 2004. The sitcom centered around Phil Diffy (Raviv Ullman) and his family being sent back in time from the 22nd century. While the family was stuck in the present day, Phil would have to try and blend in within modern society. The show’s big question focused on whether or not the Diffy family’s time machine would ever be fixed so that they could return to their home. Phil meets new friends along the way and it makes his potential departure all the more emotional.
Phil of the Future was a single-camera comedy that tried to be a little more charismatic with its creative choices. The high concept nature of the series lent itself to a lot of truly funny fish out of water gags. The show also jump-started the careers of actors like Evan Peters.
The Proud Family
This is the only show that’s ever used “sugar mamma” as a term of endearment. It’s sort of amazing that a series as well animated as The Proud Family was made entirely on Adobe Flash. Admittedly, the series is pretty much plotless. The story simply followed the day to day experiences of a girl named Penny Proud while she balanced both her family and school life. Every cartoon doesn’t have to contain a high concept plot in order for it to be entertaining.
What made The Proud Family so memorable was that the characters had a fairly grounded dynamic for a cartoon. The show additionally had a vibrant art design that heightened the reality of the stories. Ultimately, these elements made The Proud Family a hit for kids and adults alike. If this show turned out this good using Adobe Flash in 2001, imagine how pristine a modern update could look.
Lizzie McGuire
Some kids just want to get through middle school without getting shoved into a locker, but then there are girls like Lizzie McGuire who aspire to be the most popular girl in school. First airing in 2001, Lizzie McGuire launched actress Hilary Duff into immediate stardom. There was nothing too complex about the show’s premise in that it typically followed Lizzie through her high school life. What made the series stand out was that it never talked down to the intelligence of its pre-teen audience. Lizzie’s will-they-or-won’t they dating drama with her friend Gordo (Adam Lamberg) created a legitimately gripping narrative for audiences to follow episode to episode.
The show was also creatively inventive when it would occasionally use animated sequences that allowed Lizzie to talk directly to the viewers. Considering Hilary Duff’s career is still in full swing with the show Younger, a Lizzie McGuire relaunch couldn’t be more relevant.
American Dragon: Jake Long
If anyone ever wondered what happened to Rufio (actor Dante Basco) after Hook, he became the voice of American Dragon: Jake Long. Similar to Kim Possible, the show followed a kid balancing everyday life with extraordinary circumstances. Specifically, the story centered on Jake’s ability to turn into a dragon and defend the mythical creatures living in New York City. Jake’s family possessed similar dragon powers and his grandpa acted as his mentor. What made everything more complicated was that Jake happened to be in love with a dragon hunter named Rose Killdragonosa. Talk about a red flag of a name.
Even though Jake Long only lasted two seasons, it nonetheless made a long lasting impression on its fans. The show’s balance of action, humor, and mysticism created a totally unique viewing experience. It also was a precursor to Adventure Time in that it also featured a talking dog sidekick voiced by John DiMaggio. Considering that the Disney Channel contains fewer animated programs than ever before, a Jake Long revival would be more than welcomed.
Disney Channel Games
Disney Channel Games was so dope. What other show could you watch Zac Efron send the Sprouse twins flopping into a dunk tank? The concept was essentially American Ninja Warrior, but for children. It was a reality-based show that had the biggest Disney Channel stars compete in kid-friendly obstacles. For example, some of the events included an inflatable obstacle course and rock-paper-scissors. The show was a blast.
Although the series only lasted from 2006-2008, it encapsulated how popular Disney Channel sitcoms were at the time. These programs had enough familiar faces to also star in what was ostensibly a filler show. However, this show ended up having a lot of viewers in its own right. The concept of Disney Channel Games is so harmless that we believe it could thrive in any era of television.
Jonas
Jonas may have had only lasted two seasons, but the image of the brothers being baked into a giant pizza will remain in our heads. Although the Jonas Brothers had been performing since 2005, the sibling group really boomed in the latter half of the decade. Some of that popularity resulted in a show simply titled Jonas.
The series was a single-camera comedy where the brothers played dramatized version of themselves. They had to deal with struggles of fame while balancing the woes of high school life. Also, the show featured original songs and music videos. The biggest shocker was that the three brothers all showcased an admirable range of comedic timing. Look, Year 3,000 was a banger in 2007 and it’s still a banger in 2019. With the Jonas Brothers making their long-awaited return in the form an upcoming album, it’s time to give Jonas the other twenty seasons it deserves.
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
We can go back and forth all day arguing if The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or Suite Life on Deck is better. But, let’s get real. It’s Suite Life of Zack and Cody all day-everyday, son! This needs to be said without irony: the concept of Suite Life was kind of a stroke of genius. The show’s simple format followed twin brothers Zack and Cody (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) throughout their day to day adventures in a five-star hotel allowed for all types of stories to be told. Furthermore, this presented endless possibilities for hilarious jokes and gags. Remember the episode where Cody pretends to dress up as a beauty pageant contestant because he likes a girl? Classic stuff and that’s not up for debate.
The show also featured a lineup of all time great side characters like the salty hotel manager Mr. Moseby. Between Suite Life and Suite Life on Deck, the show was easily one of the longest running sitcoms on Disney. We know that Cole is busy running the Southside Serpents over in Riverdale, but someone needs to give that guy a call. It’s time for The Suite Life of Zack andCody to return.
