From the time of Lizzie McGuire to the final stages of Jessie, here are my top ten favorite Disney channel shows and why you should watch them.
There is not one person in my highschool that cannot recite Hannah Montana’s “The Climb,” and I can assure you of that. I am pretty sure that the song has been inscripted into every American teenager and young adult's mind. Now, I am not saying that the song isn’t inscripted into teenagers minds in other countries, but in America, it probably is. I honestly think this is my way of saying, “Miley Cyrus, please do another revival tour!” Ok, I know I am getting off topic but what other way is there to start an article without some pop culture references? From Hannah Montana to Bizaardvark, here are my top ten favorite Disney Channel shows and why you should watch them.
10. Suite Life of Zack and Cody
As Mr.Moseby said, “Would you like ‘AM’ or ‘FM’?” I can already here some of you saying, “How is the Suite Life so high up on the chart?” Well, every question has an answer. First coming to Disney Channel in 2005, Zack and Cody do everything in their power to create chaos in the Tipton Hotel’s lobby. This show came out before I was even born, catered to the now millenials of our time. I always asked myself how they weren’t kicked out of the hotel after their first week living there. This show is definitely one I could watch time and time again until they take the show out of Disney+ or I no longer have a subscription. However, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is last on my list because of its repeated use of the same plot but with a different ending.
9. Liv and Maddie
It took me about three years after Liv and Maddie aired on Disney Channel to finally realize that Liv and Maddie were NOT twin actresses. I had never been so deceived in my life! Actually, that's a lie. Parent Trap tricked me into believing Lindsey Lohan was two different people. Besides the fact, this show sits at nine on my list because of the several girl boss moments in the series - living the dream as a celebrity or as the average high school - count me in! The show begins with Liv, Maddie’s twin sister, moving back to their hometown after living out her dreams as a famous actress in a television show titled “Sing It Loud” in Los Angeles, California. From the on and off relationships that both Liv and Maddie were in, to their geeky and prankster siblings, this show has Disney Channel written all over it.
8. Austin and Ally
Am I the only person that recently found out that Austin and Ally took place in Miami Beach? Sure, the Miami Beach welcome sign may have come up on the show a few hundred times, but my ten-year-old self could not connect the dots. Taking place in a music store by the beach, shy songwriter, Ally, writes a song for singer Austin, when their best friends Trish and Dez release the song, resulting in Austin becoming a pop star! Their story continues from there on. The most memorable scene I have from the show was Trish changing her job every week because of her constant desire to try something knew. I think these scenes with Trish resonate with my need to start something new every other day - like this blog!
7. Suite Life on Deck
It’s the fact that London Tipton had a hidden closet in every aspect of the cruise ship. The Suite Life on Deck is the spin-off series of “The Suite Life With Zack and Cody” which takes place after the boys move from their apartment in the Tipton Hotel and enroll in a high school program inside a cruise ship. Alongside them, their friend and neighbor, London Tipton, is sent to the high school to improve her attendance and grades at school. I liked this show more than The Suite Life and Zack and Cody but I did miss Maddy and Arnold from the twins' time at the hotel. Thank goodness for Mr.Moseby, am I right? The show takes on following Zack and Cody’s completely different lifestyles is what makes this show so refreshing and fun.
6. Jessie
It feels like a party every day when you watch Jessie. This show takes you through the troubles and tribulations of a young nanny (Jessie) taking care of four kids in Manhattan, New York. The kids, known for having a nanny every other week, create a strong bond with Jessie, leading her to be their nanny for over four years (four seasons on the show)! Ravi, one of the kids, owns a lizard, which I think was the best character of the show. I always wished I had Luke’s trampoline bed when I was little. This show is one of my favorites and one I grew up watching. Its spin-off, Bunk’d, also has a good first and second season.
5. Phineas and Ferb
Phineas and Ferb were able to do it all. I have a portrait painted by me of Candance in the sky. Weird right? Anyways… Phineas and Ferb are based in the Empire Tri-State Area and they live in the fictional city of Danville, where they find ways to entertain themselves during the summer.
Over the summer, Phineas and Ferb create a shrinking submarine, Phinedroids and Ferbots, treehouse robots, and so much more! Their pet platypus, Perry, is a secret spy that takes down his arch-nemesis Dr.Doofenshmirtz. Candance, Phineas and Ferb’s sister, always tries to snitch on her brothers, but by the time their mother gets home, one of Dr. Doofenshirmtz's machines ends up disintegrating their invention. Perry the Platypus is one of my favorite characters on the show because of his secret life as a spy.
4. A.N.T. Farm
Ant Farm - where do I even begin with this show? To be quite honest, I have not seen this show in YEARS, but it is still a core memory of my childhood. China Anne McClain plays Chyna Parks, who is a music prodigy who comes to her new high school’s Advanced Natural Talents (A.N.T.) program. There she meets new friends such as Olive and Fletcher who are also part of the A.N.T. program. The music on this show is just exquisite and will be playing in your head all day. “Calling All the Monsters” from Monstober month in Disney Channel still plays on the radio to this day.
3. Lizzie McGuire
Lizzie McGuire aired six years before I was even born, but let’s be honest - this show is for every generation regardless of age. The show covers McGuire’s life as a thirteen-year-old going through life. This show is relatable for all middle school girls and each episode projects different situations of everyday life for your average teenage girl. Besides the shows 2000's TV resolution, this show is definitely one of my favorites.
2. Kickin’ It
Sensei Rudy was my favorite character on this show (besides Jack duh). Kickin' It centers around Jack, a teenage boy who crashes into the Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy and hesitantly becomes part of the team. There Sensei Rudy, Milton, and Jerry, both students of the Sensei, welcome him into the dojo. This show is probably the reason why I’ve always wanted to get into karate but have never gotten the chance (other than Cobra Kai). If you watched the show and didn’t have a crush on Jack, then where were you at?! Eight-year-old me swore he would be the love of my life.
1. Hannah Montana
Last but not least, coming in at first place, is Hannah Montana. No one can change my opinion on why I think that this is the best show ever to exist on Disney Channel. Besides the fact, when I was around five years old, I had a karaoke machine that had all the Hannah Montana songs installed, it was the best gift ever!
Miley Stewart is your average teenage girl during the day and a superstar at night. The show goes into detail about Miley’s two personas and the different experiences she encounters. The beach vibes are immaculate and Miley’s parallel from being a normal teen to a superstar will always baffle me. How did no one notice who she was? If I put on a wig right now, no one would believe I was a different person. Nonetheless, I highly recommend you watch this light-hearted show and Miley Cyrus recommends it too.