That's So Raven

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Clairvoyant teen will have kids seeing Raven!
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

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.


What's the story?

THAT'S SO RAVEN centers on a clairvoyant teen whose visions of the future usually spur a very unpredictable chain of events. 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.


Is it any good?

 

Disney loves the formula of giving a normal kid something extraordinary or magical to contend with. And That's So Raven successfully fits the mold. 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.


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What families can talk about

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.


This review was written by Betsy Wallace
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
That's So Raven
Sexual Content (Not an Issue): Some kissing and flirting. Violence (Pause): A heavy amount of slapstick humor, but never any injuries. Language (Not an Issue): None. Social Behavior (Not an Issue): None. Commercialism (Not an Issue): None. Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Not an Issue): None.

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Adult
April 30, 2011
 
The best family sitcom I've ever watched!
This show is awsome because it has a positive message to the auditions. My favorite character is Raven because she has good role model and work hard. I give this show a 5 star!

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Teen, 14 years old
March 4, 2011
 
Amazing Show!
i Realy Used to LOVE That's so Raven! Raven is a beeautful positive girl who likes to have fun but can buckle down and Get to work. Shes a Good rolemodel for young girls. Teaches good morals. :)

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Adult
May 16, 2011
 
Cute
Too bad this show doesn't play on disney anymore! Great clean, cute and funny show for all ages! ABC kids still has it playing every morning.

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Teen, 15 years old
November 28, 2010
 
Wonderful!
This show is awesome compared to the other Disney sitcoms. It teaches good morals directly without making it cheesy. Raven often gets in to trouble, but its in order to help out the people around her. Her brother's a bit of a money grubber, but that's used in a comedic way. Like others say, Raven squeals alot, but in a strange way its funny. Her and her friends have eachothers back and actually care about eachother, no racial discrimination, except for one episode where Raven didn't get a job because she was black, but that was a part of the good morals. Raven's an excellent role model for kids, although sometimes she lies, the truth comes out later and she of course gets punished. This show is full of laughs and fun for ages 4 and over.

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Teen, 15 years old
September 11, 2010
 
A Disney Show With the Most Laughs and Lessons!

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Teen, 15 years old
October 16, 2010
 
A great show with GOOD morals
It's on ABC kids right now-by the way. And I can say this was one of the best Sitcoms Disney ever tried to pull off. Raven is a funny girl with potental talent. Sure she sqeals a lot, but in a strange way, she makes it funny! She gets herself into totally strange situations, but hey, its fun when its on THIS show! Her friends are pretty tight, caring for eachother and whatnot. They actually show respect for themselves and others (although there are some fights) It got stranger as it went along, but some episodes I could easliy tolerate. They actually spoke out about REAL problems too, like, smoking, stealing, obesity, and racisum. Those things are more important than a girl with a blonde whig sneaking off to Flordia and getting let off the hook. Raven is down right funny, all of the characters are. And oddly enough "Oh Snap" is a cute catch phrase! One episode talked about Raven not having 'the look' -aka, scary skinny. At first she was very upset but later gained the confidence to say "Hey, this is me, like it or not" She's an excellent role model for kids, and she's one of those celebs that still have their head on streight (Thank-You-Raven!) It makes me mad when people don't like her just because she's not as skinny as all of those other girls. Does it matter? And besides she makes it look good, you dont have to suceed in the world by being plastic and bony. This was the first Life-Action show I liked. Loved it ever sinse. I definitly would recomend it to kids, its FAR better for them.

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Teen, 15 years old
May 1, 2010
 
Good for Tweens
Raven is a independent person who is good for Tweens and she was a great hit to me.

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Adult
December 24, 2009
 
Funny and positive
I think this show not only interesting but also it relays a positive message to its viewers.

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Kid, 13 years old
August 23, 2009
 
Perfect for kids.
I really love this show. Its funny, good for kids, and really one of the best shows Disney Channel. Even my dad liked it when he saw some episodes!

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This review was written by Betsy Wallace
This review was written by Betsy Wallace
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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