Serious issues discussed in Disney’s new show “Andi Mack”
March 29, 2017
Sisters Bex Mack (Lilan Bowden) and Andi Mack (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) have a moment sharing memories on Andi’s bed.
Just when Disney seemed to have ran out of ideas, Terri Minsky, creator of the Disney Channel classic “Lizzie McGuire,” came in with an idea so bold even she didn’t think Disney would go for: an adult-themed show called “Andi Mack.”
Andi Mack (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) seems like your average middle schooler, with the pilot episode ushering her into her teens with the big 13 underway. Friends Buffy (Sofia Wylie) and Cyrus (Joshua Rush) are by her side as her sister Bex (Lilan Bowden) comes to visit. For the moment, all seems more than well until a big secret slips because of Andi’s curiosity and Bex’s negligence.
Bex tries desperately to bond with Andi. After getting her to take a step forward with her crush, Andi gets mad at Bex for pushing her to do so. Bex decides she was in the wrong for not being able to help Andi and decides she should leave.
In a midnight confrontation, Bex reveals the big secret and Andi understandingly flips, bringing in the episode’s end shortly after. By the time the ending credits roll, everything in the air and questions are coming in faster than that which can be answered.
Not only is the series already about identity, but this slice-of-life is about real-world controversies and hot topics that real teens have to deal with even at young ages.
Minsky revealed her inspiration for the story was from Jack Nicholson’s real life story of having found out the woman he grew up with as his sister was his mother.
With premonitions about the gravity of the subject for concerned parents and the levity it would take to balance it out for a Disney show, Minsky’s greenlight was not taken lightly. Scheduled to air on April 7, Disney already released the first episode on Youtube, presumably to see how it would be received.
All things considered, this show seems like it’s going to be successful. With a nearly all Asian-American cast, a character “coming to terms with their sexuality” and the aforementioned plot twist involving teen pregnancy- Disney openly embraces the progressive terms on which this show is being broadcast, paving the way for more shows daring enough to discuss heavy topics such as these.
anonymous • Oct 13, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Why are you praising diversity in this article, yet you are a self-proclaimed Trump supporter? I’m not attacking you, I’m simply curious as to your mindset. Great article though.
Rachel Bullock • Oct 18, 2017 at 10:18 pm
Hello,
I see you’re under anonymous- I would formally greet you otherwise, but despite that, I welcome you and want to take the time to thank you for your feedback! : )
Getting right to it, I actually never praised diversity in this article directly, I simply noted “this show seems like it’s going to be successful” as “Disney openly embraces the progressive terms on which this show is being broadcast, paving the way for more shows daring enough to discuss heavy topics such as these.”
As a journalist, this entertainment article had room for review and assessment, but I mind the opinion aspect, which I kept out of the article.
I simply reviewed the show as a highly anticipated upcoming series and assessed with progressive themes that there is room for this show with modern audiences.
As for diversity, I welcome it completely. Race and gender have had rocky roads in entertainment.
Diversity, however, is not every writers goal, and when it’s forced for ratings or to appease SJWs, I can tell. It affects the product more than people realize, in my opinion, so changing established franchises is when it crosses the line for me (like the Ghostbusters reboot for a popular example which I wrote an article about specifically on this topic).
That’s why I think diversity’s fine, but make sure it’s not infringing on original creative decisions that have been previously made in anything established.
After all, despite popular belief, there are many successful, original, good, and diverse creations in the media (TV, movies, etc) in representing non-white and/or non-male leads.
Andi Mack is an original series with an original cast and if that was the intent of the creator to represent this particular ethnic group and gender as a lead, it’s her artistic decision and I applaud her for taking it and not only applying it to the structure of the show but the plot and subtly holding its own rather than employing some agenda.
That being said, I don’t review these shows as myself with my own biases, I watch as a consumer and as a journalist.
I look for originality and good execution of concepts. I think, genuinely, it will be successful and based off the attention it’s garnered between audiences and critics alike- I feel that I was correct.
Despite my openness to diversity on the screen, I was bipartisan in my review. As a journalist, I had to be.
As a person, and I think this is an important aspect not many people fully comprehend, I have various political views. This is addressing the latter aspect of your inquiry.
I can be generalized as a republican, because that’s how I identify politically. It means I’m generally more prone to concur with more conservative values than not, want to protect my religious freedoms over contemporary social freedoms, and want to put more power in the states than the federal government.
But there’s more to political opinion than your party.
For one, I can hardly be called Trump’s biggest supporter. I preferred him over Hillary though, because she wouldn’t protect my personal values and rights whereas Trump ran under the ticket that would or at least showed he considered.
Now policies.
Again, regarding entertainment it’s based on content and execution for me rather than my party’s supposed opinions. I am my own person and people have different opinions based on their experiences (and this is often aligned with but not always the same as a similar/contradicting political view).
Me- I like a good movie and an immersing experience which shows or movies will either fail to do or bring great success in achieving.
Take this into consideration as well . . . on more technical terms, that is. Straying from entertainment and more into hard, more politically involved policy.
Simply said, as a biologist and environmental advocate, I feel like my party has lost moderation between business regulation and programs that protect our air and water as well as regulation of the climate with possible fossil fuel abuse.
Therefore, I can’t say I align all with the generalized views, because I don’t. I have individual values as an individual.
To close, I hope this clarified a lot for you. I want to promote truth, justice, and of course offer my opinions (as unique as most of them are in this especially liberal state and school) on current events as we all navigate this intense political climate.
I wish you all the best and hope you continue to pursue knowledge and understanding in this often confusing and increasingly complex world.
Thank you so much again for your comment. I appreciate the compliment as well, your inquisitiveness has proven just as “great” and I’m glad you’ve taken time to not only read a couple of my pieces on the site but to absorb them and compare them to each other.
You have a bright future and I hope you consider journalism as a part of it. We could use more people like you sharing your voice.
Thank you for your time. : )
Ashley • Jul 3, 2017 at 9:18 am
When does season 2 come on
Rachel Bullock • Oct 18, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Hi Ashley!
Season two premieres at 8 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) on the 27th.
Let me know if you ended up tuning in, what you thought and if you’d like to see a review of the next season as well.
We’d be happy to have someone cover it if that’s what our peers want. : )
Thanks for the feedback!