That's So Raven - TV-G
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Disney Channel Cast: Raven Symone, Orlando Brown, Kyle Massey
Genre: Comedy
Available on: 
DVDDownload
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Raven is a good role model. She can see the future, which makes for klutzy situations. Overall, she's a conscientious teen who's very involved with her family and friends. Raven's focus, like many teens, is on clothes, shopping, and boys, but not excessively. The show has typical teen dating, flirting, and crushes, but no sex.
Families can talk about Raven's psychic powers. The series treats her ability to see the future as quite plausible -- as opposed to make-believe -- and younger kids may be confused. How do kids think they'd cope with a similar ability? Would it be fun or problematic? Families might also talk about what makes Raven such a positive role model.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Betsy Wallace
THAT'S SO RAVEN centers on a clairvoyant teen whose visions of the future usually spur a very unpredictable chain of events.
Disney loves the formula of taking a normal kid and giving them something extraordinary or magical to contend with. And That's So Raven successfully fits the mold.
Raven (Raven-Symone) is an energetic, expressive teen, who successfully exaggerates comedy. Along with sidekicks Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol) and Eddie (Orlando Brown), Raven always seems to be running in and out of trouble -- and learning a valuable lesson. Issues surrounding friendship, jealousy, crushes, sibling rivalry and parents are commonplace.
The writers and actors aren't quite up to the demands of drama, though, and -- as virtually every story tries to weave Raven's dreams into the stuff that family and friendships are made of -- the series often gets too basic for its intended preteen audience.
Naturally, conflicts are swiftly resolved and everyone comes out the wiser. Trite as the show may be, Raven, her mischievous little brother, and her parents are all good role models and comedians who can shine when given good material.
Tweens and teens might also want to check out Hannah Montana and Phil of the Future.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSome dating, flirting, and crushes, but no sex. |
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Social BehaviorRaven is African-American and has friends from different ethnic backgrounds, including a best friend who is white. |
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CommercialismRaven is nuts about clothes and shopping. |
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