Way before Miley Cyrus cut off all her hair and came in like a wrecking ball, she had a very successful Disney Channel show.
We all miss the old Disney Channel. With new episodes premiering every Friday night, in front of our TV with a bowl of popcorn was the place to be. We couldn't wait to catch the newest episode. Here are a few of the oldest, and best ones.
1. Kim Possible
Not only was Kim a kick-ass spy with a catchphrase, cool gadgets and an arch-nemisis (Shego, Drakken etc), but she also was a super hot cheerleader who could rock crop tops and cargo pants. ALL in high school. Bravo, Kim. Bravo.
2. Lizzie McGuire
We identified with clumsy Lizzie McGuire as we watched her struggle through her awkward years, hanging at the Digital Bean with Gordo and Miranda and longing for the adult things of life, like owning a bra and getting a kiss from Ethan Craft. Lizzie may not have been a spy, but she certainly had a nemesis. Kate Sanders' best line? “What’s your email, Lizzie? Lizzie@BigGiantLoser.com?”
3. Even Stevens
Every character on this show was a riot. Over-achieving big sister Ren, Donnie the football playing older brother, Steven's bacon-loving neighbor, Beans, Crazy Coach Tugnut, Twitty and Louis's ridiculous bumbling adventures, Tawny the individualistic feminist, and the over-involved Principle Wexler. This show was literally gold, especially the musical episode (we went to the moooooon, in 1969!). The show was so good that Disney Channel even made a movie of it.
4. Phil of the Future
5. That's So Raven
6. The Proud Family
The Proud Family had quite a few sassy characters of its own. There was the sassy Dijonay Jones (whose vertical ponytail must have been part of her ploy to gain Sticky's affections), Sugamama (Penny's boss-ass grandma), the Gross Sisters (gross because they were blue?), bitchy LaCienega Boulevardez (who declared herself in a higher class cause she was really rich and latino), and Oscar Proud (Penny's over-protective man, who ruled that Penny wasn't allowed to date until she was married). The theme song was even sung by Destiny's Child!
7. Hannah Montana
Way before Miley Cyrus cut off all her hair and came in like a wrecking ball, she had a very successful Disney Channel show. And we're talking OG Hannah Montana here, none of that Hannah Montana Forever shit. Miley Stewart was cute, sweet, had a great family (with her actual dad even starring as her dad in the show) and group of friends (until Lilly and Oliver started dating...talk about a third wheel). But most importantly, she was a popstar in disguise. Lucky you, Miley. You get to record albums AND learn Algebra just like a normal teen! Achey Jakey Heart will always be my favorite episode; how could she have let him go?!
8. The Suite Life of Zach and Cody
Zach and Cody live a suite life in the Tipton Hotel, where their mother performs as a singer at night. They befriend Maddie (the poor girl who works the candy counter), London (heiress of Tipton Hotels), Arwin (the loony hotel engineer who wants to bang Zach and Cody's mom), Muriel (the old and delusional hotel maid who pretends to be a 24 year old named Britney online), and Mr. Moseby (the hotel manager always trying to catch the twins in their mischeif). Not only did we get to watch these adorable twins grow up, but it also was probably the only show to have a smart blonde and a dumb Asian character.
