Has the quality of Disney's TV programming declined? - DISboards - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

CommonTater · 08-21-2012, 12:42 PM

Well said. I imagine Walt is rolling over in his grave.

ajgenard · 08-21-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommonTater

Well said. I imagine Walt is rolling over in his grave.

Yeah and the thing with the Disney Channel is that this sea change is merely one part of a larger scheme in a company whose new suits deemed their traditional, more noble business approach as unfit to reap the amount of monies they desired.

Disney's focus was always feature films first, then the theme park(s), then television programming as a support & supplement for the other 2 arms. Dating back to the 50s they poured A LOT of money and resources into television production so the shows were nearly as well done as the films & parks. Even after launching their own channel this basic model stayed. It was wisely decided to showcase classic Disney material, new shows with Disney character spinoffs, and various syndicated shows sharing the same moral fiber - all of these promoting the overall Disney brand of family entertainment.

This business model worked for half a century and brought joy to untold millions of people of all walks of life. In the 2000s, the company's output started seeing a bit of a lull both creatively and financially - this had happened before and was nothing new to Disney. They had ridden out much larger storms before. But this simply wasn't good enough for some newly-instated decision makers at the House of Mouse. It was a perfect opportunity to push an agenda for bigger profits. In doing so, a tested and respected business model was thrown right out the window. They literally pulled a 180 and went the opposite direction by making the television arm their main focus and completely redefining their target audience.

I guess what makes me so irked about Disney is the fact they got away with a great financial scheme and didn't kill their company. Name me one other institution that turns itself on its head and comes out stronger than before.

Jericho-79 · 08-21-2012, 07:36 PM

I stopped watching Disney after Lizzie McGuire ended its run. Since then, it's been nothing but banal slapstick and juvenile "humor". A combination of bad writing and bad acting from no-talent kid stars. Lizzie McGuire was the last Disney original that didn't insult the intelligence of the audience.

I do give credit to Disney for hanging on to their programming, unlike Nickelodeon.

retrofan05 · 08-21-2012, 07:58 PM

We got the Disney Channel when I was in sixth grade. At that time, they were playing shows like: The Famous Jett Jackson, So Weird, Even Stevens, and, Jersey, and later Lizzie McGuire. I also remember them airing a late night block with old programming such as Zorro and the original Mickey Mouse Club. I watched the Disney Channel regularly for a long time through junior high, high school, even college. I'd call myself a kid at heart, because I always preferred those shows to more adult shows. The last crop of shows I watched somewhat regularly were Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Wizards of Waverly place. I think it was probably shortly after I graduated college that I finally stopped watching Disney. If I happen to flip to Disney today, it is practically unrecognizable from what I remember. The acting is so bad and exaggerated. Everyone seems to be shouting and the laugh track is so loud, you can't even hear what a character said in the first place to warrant a laugh. I loved Disney growing up and even in to my late teens and early 20's, but today, it's just unwatchable.

Regulus · 08-21-2012, 09:38 PM

I was extactic when my Cable System announced it was gatting the Disney Channel. I was more than happy to ante up an additional $5.99 a month to watch it. On Sunday Evenings they would play The Wonderful World of Disney and I no longer had to worry about the Sporting Events overrunning their schedule and cutting off the show.

I gave up on them (and all the other Pay TV Channels) a little over five years ago.

Sal · 08-21-2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommonTater

Well said. I imagine Walt is rolling over in his grave.

It must be hard for him to roll under all that ice!

I was wondering why Disney is being singled out here. Yes, it's true that their programming as a whole has declined but then can you not say the same thing for most of the other basic cable, specialty, and digital channels out there in North America? If you go down the list, TV Land seems to be the most popular case on here, but then you also have to look at MTV, Nickelodeon, ESPN, Cartoon Network, and those are just the higher profile cases. I'm sure you can find a lot more examples.

And I don't even want to think about all the rotten channels that I get up here....

08-21-2012, 12:42 PM	#16
CommonTater no longer a forum member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 09, 2010 Posts: 298	Well said. I imagine Walt is rolling over in his grave.
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08-21-2012, 07:36 PM	#18
Jericho-79 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 17, 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 133	I stopped watching Disney after Lizzie McGuire ended its run. Since then, it's been nothing but banal slapstick and juvenile "humor". A combination of bad writing and bad acting from no-talent kid stars. Lizzie McGuire was the last Disney original that didn't insult the intelligence of the audience. I do give credit to Disney for hanging on to their programming, unlike Nickelodeon.
	__________________ My shrink once told me: "Maybe life isn't for everyone."

08-21-2012, 09:38 PM	#20
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,371	I was extactic when my Cable System announced it was gatting the Disney Channel. I was more than happy to ante up an additional $5.99 a month to watch it. On Sunday Evenings they would play The Wonderful World of Disney and I no longer had to worry about the Sporting Events overrunning their schedule and cutting off the show. I gave up on them (and all the other Pay TV Channels) a little over five years ago.
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

08-21-2012, 07:58 PM	#19
retrofan05 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,111	We got the Disney Channel when I was in sixth grade. At that time, they were playing shows like: The Famous Jett Jackson, So Weird, Even Stevens, and, Jersey, and later Lizzie McGuire. I also remember them airing a late night block with old programming such as Zorro and the original Mickey Mouse Club. I watched the Disney Channel regularly for a long time through junior high, high school, even college. I'd call myself a kid at heart, because I always preferred those shows to more adult shows. The last crop of shows I watched somewhat regularly were Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Wizards of Waverly place. I think it was probably shortly after I graduated college that I finally stopped watching Disney. If I happen to flip to Disney today, it is practically unrecognizable from what I remember. The acting is so bad and exaggerated. Everyone seems to be shouting and the laugh track is so loud, you can't even hear what a character said in the first place to warrant a laugh. I loved Disney growing up and even in to my late teens and early 20's, but today, it's just unwatchable.