A while ago, I read an article on MTV’s Snapchat that touched on the subject of Disney Channel regulations stating, “Apparently, Disney Channel has a show rule that programs can’t linger on a kiss for too long. A lot of the time, you only get to see the end of the kiss, usually because another character will walk past the smoochers and block most of the action. Thankfully, when Jake and Miley had their first kiss in a 2006 episode [of "Hannah Montana"], they pre-dated that regulation, so fans were able to see the entire kiss from start to finish. Unfortunately, when Lilly Truscott (Emily Osment) and Oliver Oken (Mitchel Musso) started dating and kissing in 2009, the rule was strictly enforced. Rewatching episodes now, you can clearly see the difference in time length between the two couples, which is a bummer for Loliver fans, yet Jiley ones lucked out.”
This had me thinking about the nostalgia all '90s kids have for Disney Channel and Nickelodeon had back in the day, and if these make out sessions had any sort of effect on us today. First let’s take a look on the differences between the kisses the kids of today watch and the kisses we, who grew up in the late '90s and early 2000s, grew up with.
“Suite Life of Zack and Cody”
“Austin & Ally”
It seems as though I grew up watching kids make out on Nickelodeon, which I’m guessing never took on the same regulations as Disney Channel. There was always the random make-out session on Nick, who can forget...
...The kids on "Zoey 101"
..."iCarly"
..."Victorious"
And last, but not least, "Drake & Josh." I’m pretty sure half of this show was kissing.
I’m not sure if this is just me looking for another reason to hate on current kids shows and wanting to make a joke of the next generation, or if it’s just me missing my childhood. But the topic also got me wondering about how if they censor even heterosexual teen romances, it really would be a big leap to see homosexual romances on children's television, considering the backlash “Good Luck Charlie” got from featuring a pair of lesbian moms. Nevertheless, I don’t think my childhood would’ve been complete without Drake Parker making out with strangers or Troy and Gabriella’s constantly interrupted kisses.
Also does anyone remember this…
And...this.
Nickelodeon really did not give a rat's ass about regulations, and "Drake & Josh" really was a gift. I am truly sorry for the kids who had to grow up without it.