Are live-action kids shows getting too "safe" these days - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-30-2016, 04:35 AM

While animated kids shows keep pushing creative boundaries, and attracting older audiences as well, live action children's television (i.e. those that you see on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon or when Cartoon Network was experimenting with live-action via "CN Real") seems to be stuck in a creative rut.

Nearly all of them feel the same these days. They're overblown with silly plots and unrealistic characters. Overpriveleged teens living over-glorified lives, where everyone looks and acts like a Hollywood superstar and abuse an idiotic adult. Outside of maybe, Girl Meets World (which granted, has the older Boy Meets World fanbase on its side ) every other Disney sitcom feels like the same glorified, sterile, "Dreams come true" dreck that's plagued the network since Hannah Montana.

Most of the "kidcoms" today have arguably been becoming more cliche and are just less creative as they are just trying to do one thing without going farther than that. For example, there's Bella and the Bulldogs, which has the cliched girl joining the football team premise.

Before (roughly 1993-2004; beginning with The Adventures of Pete & Pete and/or Clarissa Explains it All and ending with Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide and the spiritual successor to Lizzie McGuire, Unfabulous) that, live action kid shows felt more grounded. The characters felt like ones you or I could relate to, especially as an angsty middle schooler, and the stories felt genuine and real. They it felt like they weren't afraid to take risks. In effect, they felt like the creators really cared about making a quality show, rather than a quick buck.

bgva · 05-30-2016, 01:10 PM

That pretty much sums it up. I'm not some old guy who thinks everything from my childhood is better, but the Disney sitcoms are pretty horrible. Overacting and ridiculous plots galore. The fact that they're for teens doesn't excuse bad writing.

The stuff from the 90s on Nick and Disney were a lot easier to relate to, and hold up a lot better. Dunno why the current shows feel so dumbed down now.

05-30-2016, 04:35 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,216	Are live-action kids shows getting too "safe" these days While animated kids shows keep pushing creative boundaries, and attracting older audiences as well, live action children's television (i.e. those that you see on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon or when Cartoon Network was experimenting with live-action via "CN Real") seems to be stuck in a creative rut. Nearly all of them feel the same these days. They're overblown with silly plots and unrealistic characters. Overpriveleged teens living over-glorified lives, where everyone looks and acts like a Hollywood superstar and abuse an idiotic adult. Outside of maybe, Girl Meets World (which granted, has the older Boy Meets World fanbase on its side ) every other Disney sitcom feels like the same glorified, sterile, "Dreams come true" dreck that's plagued the network since Hannah Montana. Most of the "kidcoms" today have arguably been becoming more cliche and are just less creative as they are just trying to do one thing without going farther than that. For example, there's Bella and the Bulldogs, which has the cliched girl joining the football team premise. Before (roughly 1993-2004; beginning with The Adventures of Pete & Pete and/or Clarissa Explains it All and ending with Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide and the spiritual successor to Lizzie McGuire, Unfabulous) that, live action kid shows felt more grounded. The characters felt like ones you or I could relate to, especially as an angsty middle schooler, and the stories felt genuine and real. They it felt like they weren't afraid to take risks. In effect, they felt like the creators really cared about making a quality show, rather than a quick buck.
	Last edited by TMC; 05-30-2016 at 11:17 PM.

05-30-2016, 01:10 PM	#2
bgva Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 10, 2015 Location: VA Posts: 413	That pretty much sums it up. I'm not some old guy who thinks everything from my childhood is better, but the Disney sitcoms are pretty horrible. Overacting and ridiculous plots galore. The fact that they're for teens doesn't excuse bad writing. The stuff from the 90s on Nick and Disney were a lot easier to relate to, and hold up a lot better. Dunno why the current shows feel so dumbed down now.