Raven-Symoné is Leaving "The View" to Develop "That's So Raven" Spin-off

[JamesG]

Raven-Symoné To Exit "The View" for Disney Channel's "That's So Raven" Spin-off
by Elizabeth Wagmeister
10/27/16


Another host is set to depart "The View". Raven-Symoné is leaving the ABC daytime talkshow by year’s end to develop a spin-off of her comedy series "That’s So Raven" for Disney Channel, Variety has learned.

Symoné will relocate from New York City to Los Angeles for the spin-off, in which she’s set to star and serve as an executive producer. She will reprise her role as the psychic Raven Baxter, who was last seen as a teenager on the show that ran on Disney Channel from 2003 to 2007.





As for "The View", Symoné’s departure is not a surprise. She was already being phased out this season, only appearing about once a week. But with the show having endured a revolving door of host changes in the past few years, ABC sought to find a low-key exit for the actress. It’s understood that Symone’s departure will be addressed at the start of today’s edition of "The View".

Symone’s departure comes as "The View" has made an effort to focus more on national politics given the extraordinary course of the presidential race. Brought on in 2015 the be the show’s millennial voice, politics have never been Symoné’s forte, so she’s gotten less screen time while other contributors such as Jedediah Bila and Sunny Hostin have been more prominent.

With eight co-hosts currently rotating through "The View", it’s unlikely Symoné will be replaced.





Insiders say ABC has been looking for ways to trim down the panel, which currently features seven other players, in addition to Symoné with Joy Behar, Candace Cameron Bure, Paula Faris, Sara Haines, Bila, Hostin and moderator Whoopi Goldberg.

In fact, on a recent episode, Goldberg even made the point that she hadn’t seen Symoné in a long time.





On the untitled "That’s So Raven" spinoff, Symoné’s Raven is now a divorced mother of two pre-teen kids, one of whom has inherited her ability to catch glimpses of the future.

"That’s So Raven" marked Disney Channel’s first multi-camera comedy, and when it premiered, was the highest-rated Disney show among Kids 6-11 and Boys 6-11. The show has proven to have legs for Disney Channel in reruns, even a decade after it ended, averaging 1.1 million total viewers in recent midnight airings.

“Raven’s brilliant style of fearless comedy was a driving force for Disney Channel’s success around the world. Her performance in ‘That’s So Raven’ is timeless. We now have our eyes on the future with her, and we’re looking forward to telling more stories for a new generation with an adult Raven Baxter raising her young family,” said Adam Bonnett, exec VP of original programming for Disney Channels Worldwide.



The "That’s So Raven" spin-off is being developed by writing and producing partners Scott Thomas and Jed Elinoff, who most recently created Disney Channel’s "Best Friends Whenever".

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/rave...ff-1201901900/

[JamesG]

Meet Raven's 'Confident' Psychic Daughter and 'Young Donald Glover'-Type Son
by Andy Swift
November 8, 2016


New details are beginning to trickle in about Disney Channel’s upcoming "That’s So Raven" spin-off, and it sounds like the apple isn’t falling far from the Baxter family tree.

TVLine has learned that casting is currently underway for Raven’s daughter Nia, a tween described as “bold, confident and driven,” although those positive qualities “often get her in over her head.” Despite taking things too far, Nia always has the best intentions; she “believes in helping people and doing what’s right, even if it gets her into trouble.”

(Gee, does that sound like anyone else we know?)





When the series begins, Nia is just starting middle school, a difficult transition made even more complicated by the fact that — wait for it — she’s suddenly having psychic visions.

Nia’s younger brother Booker is described as being a sweet, naïve mama’s boy — a “true innocent who is in no rush to grow up.” That said, once he’s aware of a situation, “he’s surprisingly adept at turning the tables and standing up for himself.”

Casting directors are specifically looking for a “young Donald Glover” type.

http://tvline.com/2016/11/08/thats-s...sting-details/

[king of comedy]

Best of luck to her.