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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Monday, January 31, 2005

Lizzie McGuire



Lizzie McGuire is a show on the Disney Channel that ended its run, but lives on in reruns. Overall, it is a fairly uplifting show for its targeted junior high school demographic, and one others can enjoy as well. [Good targeted fiction is enjoyable enough that other age groups enjoy the show too -- for instance, many young people like The Golden Girls, perhaps because of its bofoonish tone.]

The parents, for instance, are likeable characters with the dad played by one of the stars of Revenge of the Nerds. The 1980s guys who watched that movie can now see one of their um idols playing a dad just like many of them now are. This is one of the more successful examples of stars of yore now playing the dads to new generations of fictional characters. The use of a cartoon character to portray the thoughts and worries of the lead character also is a nice touch.

[As an aside, wouldn't it be nice if more shows and movies took the p.o.v. of the average housewife/woman? Desperate Housewives doesn't quite do it. In fact, many underrepresented character types come to mind -- how about a movie or show about an ordinary minister or priest, one a bit less sugary than Seventh Heaven (a nod of respect to the show all the same)?

A little known movie like The Favor (with Brad Pitt in an early supporting role) was worthy of some respect, if not that successful in the end, because it examined the mid-life crisis of a regular mom and her unmarried friend. Is this to be only the realm of little know indie films and movies on Lifetime? It also had a scene that took place outside of a church -- it is remarkable how The Simpsons is one of the few shows that make religion a fairly unremarkable part of the plot now and again.]

The show lost its way as the star grew into her teenage years, the first year or so being more down to earth. Lizzie herself appears more innocent and ordinary, while the later episodes suggest a more "in crowd" flavor that is not true to the character. The theme song also is sweet, including how they are "faking it," taking every day as it comes along, struggling along the way (thanks closed captioning!). I'd add that the Miranda character, who for some reason disappeared in the final season (also not in the movie), is a bit too giddy.