Long ago in a galaxy far far away, Disney Channel talked about the issues kids encountered growing up. What was probably the most honest, dynamic, and limitless example of this is a little show I grew up watching called Boy Meets World. This show was so ridiculously popular that MTV2 still shows reruns. What I appreciated so much about the drama/comedy of Boy Meets World was that it attempted to prepare kids, preteens, and teenagers for the issues they would face that came with a coming of age in a family friendly format. It stands to reason that the sequel Girls Meets World, a show that would focus on Corey and Topanga's daughter would be a refreshing mirror image of the original, but I sadly doubt it.
Over the years Disney Channel has gone downhill. After Boy Meets World came Lizzie McGuire, a much enjoyed program about being an insecure pre-teen. After Lizzie came That's So Raven, a program about a beautiful, confident young woman who has psychic visions that sometimes get her into sticky situations. Another delightful triumph for Disney. But after Raven was the beginning of the end: The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Hannah Montana. These shows were so absurdly family friendly that it actually hurt to watch. The Suite Life featured to young boys who never seemed to grow up and two young women: one a narcissistic heiress, and the other a boring cashier, each lacking affection, talent, personality, sense of humor, and wit. Neither possessed any qualities that a young girl could relate to or aspire to have themselves. And the refusal of the boys of the show to mature made them no better role models for young boys either. All in all the show was harmless enough compared with Hannah Montana, the premise of which was so absurd that it literally did not make a lick of sense. It was meant to be a show about a girl who was struggling to be two different people while experiencing the troubles of growing up. In all actuality the main character Miley aka Hannah Montana faced no issues associated with coming of age. Neither did the character of The Suite Life. Disney tabooed any and all material relating to sex, alcohol, curiosity with drugs, bullying, family tragedies, or anything else that real kids struggle with. What I appreciated so much about Boy Meets World was that nothing was tabooed. Corey's parents talk to him about sex. Corey and Shawn experimented with alcohol. Religious views and views on the lower class were featured at times. The characters ran away from home, experienced an accurate prom night, and kissed in front of a live studio audience. When the characters got older they showed us the problems we might experience when going away to college and getting married. They prepared us for the real world. But with the way Disney is now, I do not expect the same issues to be addressed in its sequel.
As I got older and faced many of my own issues I found myself remembering an episode of Boy Meets World. And whether it actually gave me guidance or not, whatever episode my situation related to stuck with me. What did Topanga do in my situation? What would Corey do? These characters stuck out to me as role models and I remembered them.
What I want from Disney are shows that talk to kids about alcohol, bullying, responsibility, sexuality (whatever that sexuality might be), and morality. If Girls Meets World accomplishes even half of what Boy Meets World did it would be a much needed refreshment. If it mirrors the shows aired in more recent years on Disney Channel, it will be a lost opportunity.
Forever the honest,
Stephanie Lato
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