'Hannah Montana" is a kiddie comedy about a schoolgirl who secretly doubles as a pop star. It debuted last year and has endeared itself to children.
April 24, 2007 (Press Release) --
At the official Web site, you see the raves posted by 8- to 11-year-old boys and girls.
"Do you have fun being a rock star on your show?" one kid asks. Another: "I love your music and style!"
The non-parental adult TV critic in me suspects this is corny idol worship of a famous young actress portraying a famous young singer.
But the show, which is starting its second season with new episodees this week, is actually fine for what it is. It's a kindly family half-hour (though pretty white) that contrasts well to incomprehensible and deafening shows aimed at kids' baser instincts and parents' wallets.
Onstage, Hannah is a pop star. At home and at school, she is just Miley (Miley Cyrus, 16). Her dad Robby Ray (Billy Ray Cyrus) used to be a country singer, but he quit when his wife died. Now he writes songs for Miley and manages her.
Because I'm an adult, I didn't laugh much at the old-school sitcom jokes set to absurd laugh tracks.
The best "Hannah" joke I've heard came last year. Aunt Dolly (Dolly Parton in a cameo) explained why her mobile phone was in her hair: "Well, honey, when your pants are as tight as mine, you gotta have somewhere to put your phone."
But there are a lot of sweet and not saccharine moments between Miley and her dad. In Friday's episode, he helps comfort Miley when she worries throat surgery will destroy her voice. There's more light-comic tenderness when Miley's dead mom (guest star Brooke Shields) comes back to life in her dreams to calm Miley's fears.
All of that calm, loving support -- especially now on TV -- melts my heart just enough to forgive Disney for selling "Hannah Montana" iPod coverings for $40 apiece.
This is a rarity for me. Normally, I'd be inclined to pick apart a series like "Hannah Montana," since it's a mostly unfunny comedy that kind of inherently glorifies celebrity, and the production values are weak.
Plus, why does the title sound like a stripper's name?
But I'm a sucker for such shows that are pure of heart (or as pure of heart as Disney can be).
And while it's no "Everybody Hates Chris," which is probably the best family show on TV, I understand why parents would approve. "Hannah Montana" doesn't seem to be a corrupting influence on children, and that's the real rarity.
Source: http://www.msn.com
Posted by Doug Elfman
"Do you have fun being a rock star on your show?" one kid asks. Another: "I love your music and style!"
The non-parental adult TV critic in me suspects this is corny idol worship of a famous young actress portraying a famous young singer.
But the show, which is starting its second season with new episodees this week, is actually fine for what it is. It's a kindly family half-hour (though pretty white) that contrasts well to incomprehensible and deafening shows aimed at kids' baser instincts and parents' wallets.
Onstage, Hannah is a pop star. At home and at school, she is just Miley (Miley Cyrus, 16). Her dad Robby Ray (Billy Ray Cyrus) used to be a country singer, but he quit when his wife died. Now he writes songs for Miley and manages her.
Because I'm an adult, I didn't laugh much at the old-school sitcom jokes set to absurd laugh tracks.
The best "Hannah" joke I've heard came last year. Aunt Dolly (Dolly Parton in a cameo) explained why her mobile phone was in her hair: "Well, honey, when your pants are as tight as mine, you gotta have somewhere to put your phone."
But there are a lot of sweet and not saccharine moments between Miley and her dad. In Friday's episode, he helps comfort Miley when she worries throat surgery will destroy her voice. There's more light-comic tenderness when Miley's dead mom (guest star Brooke Shields) comes back to life in her dreams to calm Miley's fears.
All of that calm, loving support -- especially now on TV -- melts my heart just enough to forgive Disney for selling "Hannah Montana" iPod coverings for $40 apiece.
This is a rarity for me. Normally, I'd be inclined to pick apart a series like "Hannah Montana," since it's a mostly unfunny comedy that kind of inherently glorifies celebrity, and the production values are weak.
Plus, why does the title sound like a stripper's name?
But I'm a sucker for such shows that are pure of heart (or as pure of heart as Disney can be).
And while it's no "Everybody Hates Chris," which is probably the best family show on TV, I understand why parents would approve. "Hannah Montana" doesn't seem to be a corrupting influence on children, and that's the real rarity.
Source: http://www.msn.com
Posted by Doug Elfman
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