Whenever you think of Disney Channel shows in the 2000s, which ones come to mind? Do you think of "Even Stevens," "That's So Raven," or "Kim Possible?" If so, you would certainly be correct. Those are valid examples. However, my favorite Disney Channel show from this era is "Lizzie McGuire." I started watching this show when I was in fourth grade, and it made a big impact on my life. I related to a lot of the things Lizzie was going through, and I was captivated by the theme song and the animated Lizzie character. Along with the relatability of each episode, the two other reasons why I loved this show were Hilary Duff's acting and the relationships Lizzie had with Gordo and Miranda.
First, the relatability of each episode really impressed me. The show discussed topics that almost every preteen girl experiences such as having their first bra, or developing their first crush. The show did a great job of not exaggerating these experiences, and captured the genuine emotions Lizzie and her friends felt about them. I also liked how at the end of each episode, Lizzie learned a valuable lesson. She always learned that you should never change yourself, and just do what you feel is right. I thought that was a great aspect of the show. She learned to stand up for herself, and become more assertive.
Second, Hilary Duff's acting was fantastic. She really had a down to earth quality about her, and made her role unique. I also appreciated how when she wasn't doing the show, she still remained a positive role model and maintained an innocence about her. She was someone I started to love for awhile because of those beautiful personality traits, and the hard work she put into her character. To this day, I think she could pull off doing Lizzie McGuire again, but a more grown up version of her.
Third and lastly, the relationship she had with Gordo and Miranda was awesome. They all got along really well, and it was nice to see that friendly relationship. Too often, the media portrays the negative parts of being a pre-teen or adolescent, so it was refreshing to see a group of people who actually cared for each other. Gordo was a great guy. I thought that he and Lizzie should have been together as a couple for the entire series. But regardless, she had such a close connection with him. Miranda was also really cool. She had a very honest and direct attitude, and her fashion sense screamed the 2000's. I admired her confidence.
Overall, this show was a wonderful masterpiece. It was the first show I could fully grasp and understand when I was a kid. I still enjoy watching re-runs on YouTube. Hopefully one day, we will get a revival. Until then, we can enjoy listening to Hilary Duff's latest record, "Breathe In Breathe Out," and go on BuzzFeed to search for "Lizzie McGuire" quizzes.
