Disney Channel, It's a Laugh Productions
Here goes - safe space, right? When I travel, a few things happen:
1. I uncharacteristically stock up on business magazines - Fortune, Fast Company, etc.
2. The moment we are at suitable altitude, I break out the laptop and get to work - not company work, my work - me time, promoting, as they say, the brand that is me.
A friend tells me the above items happen because I've got Business Class dreams with a Coach reality.
3. And lastly, when said travels lead to a hotel stay, I inevitably check out the Disney Channel. Yes, it's true, I said it. I rationalize it as a requisite of my day job to stay current with the next batch of budding tween starlets, but I simply enjoy the fluffy entertainment.
Rationalizing and considerably whiney/bratty characters aside, from the current Disney batch, I must admit I like Liv & Maddie. Dove Cameron plays the role of both title characters, Liv and Maddie. And maybe that's the fascination, it's impressive. The rest of the family is just fine and dandy, typical stories, etc. The perfect antidote for world-weary (or cross-country) travels.
My one gripe with this show that has unexpectedly caught my attention is the character, Willow. Here is a girl who has good friends and plays on the basketball team, but in every episode she's pining over the twins' brother, Joey. Pining is putting it mildly, she chases him down the hall - with him screaming and running away as fast as possible. The way many shows have a repeated device or catch phrase, these antics are repeated at least every other episode.
Let's make it clear, I understand pining, oh do I understand pining. On TV shows, pining is one of my favorite things. But chasing after a boy who is screaming, running away from you or squirming at your grasp, feels wrong. I'd like to see a better message, I'd like to see Joey find a better way to turn down a girl than screaming at her and most importantly, I'd like to see Willow have enough self-worth to move on.
I am still fascinated by Dove Cameron and her dual role on the show but these antics have gotten to the point where it's interfering with my once fluffy, happy antidote. Disney, let's do these budding tweens a solid and help support their developing self worth.