The "Disney Effect"

Some parents take a stance against their children watching pg-13 movies, MTV, the Simpsons, or any other mature programming. What they don't seem to comprehend is that their innocent children are still not protected from obscene culture. The parent who washes their child's mouth with soap does not even realize that Disney has aired several shows with at least a little swearing. An episode of That's So Raven from about five years ago featured Raven saying "Oh damn" several times as she slid down a staircase. This phrase is quite easy to separate in the scene from the "Oh snap" that is Raven's trademark phrase. ABC "Family" shows a lot more than most feel comfortable with even hearing from passerby in day-to-day life. (ABC Family is partnered with Disney).

Disney stars seem to have a exhibit a pattern that I like to call the "Disney Effect".

1. Rise to fame even though they unheard of two weeks ago.

2. "Hit" TV show, contract usually landed via someone previously affiliated with Disney Channel.

3. Record deal, "Hit" CD, usually vocally altered a great deal before marketed.

4. Disappearance or scandal (the disappearance happens rarely, I believe Hillary Duff was the most recent one.)

5. Explain away said scandal. "I'm just dressing like every other 16 year old" "I'm so sorry, I had a moment of bad judgment (that I will exhibit five more times before I go to rehab.)

6. New TV show or CD

7. Scandal #2

8. Ad campaign for random product to "break away from Disney and establish myself as a mature actor/actress"

9. Scandal #3(if even that few)

10. Rehab

11. Has-been status. Usually coupled with an obsession for attention.

I'm not saying all Disney stars go this route, just the vast majority of them. More on this later.