| That's So Raven | |
|---|---|
The That's So Raven intertitle. |
|
| Format | Family/Teen sitcom Fantasy |
| Created by | Michael Poryes Susan Sherman |
| Starring | Raven-Symoné Orlando Brown Kyle Massey Anneliese van der Pol T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh (seasons 1-3) Rondell Sheridan |
| Theme music composer | John Coda |
| Opening theme | "That's So Raven (main song)", by Raven-Symoné, Orlando Brown and Anneliese van der Pol |
| Ending theme | "That's So Raven (instrumental)" |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 100 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Michael Poryes (season 1) Sean McNamara David Brookwell (seasons 1-3) Marc Warren Dennis Rinsler |
| Location(s) | San Francisco, CA (setting) Sunset-Gower Studios, Hollywood, CA (taping location, season 1) Hollywood Center Studios, Hollywood, CA (taping location, seasons 2-4) |
| Camera setup | Videotape; Multi-camera |
| Running time | approx. 23 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Disney Channel Original Productions (entire run) Brookwell McNamara Entertainment (seasons 1-3) That So Productions Warren & Rinsler Productions (both; season 4) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Disney Channel |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Original run | January 17, 2003 – November 10, 2007 |
| Status | Ended |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Cory in the House (2007-2008) |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
That's So Raven is an American television sitcom. The show premiered on Disney Channel on January 17, 2003, and ended on November 10, 2007, and continues to appear regularly on Disney cable and broadcast outlets. The show spawned Disney Channel's first spin-off series: Cory in the House. It is Disney Channel's longest-running live-action series, airing 100 episodes over 4 seasons, and the highest-rated series ever to air on Disney Channel in first-run. The series was nominated in 2005 and 2007 for Emmy Awards for outstanding children's programming.[1]
The original idea pitched for the show was a modern-day sitcom with a teenage twist, revolving around a re-creation or revival of the comedy stylings of I Love Lucy. The pitch concept was retained, but producers added the idea of giving the main character a supernatural ability that would get her into curious situations. The show is set (but was not produced) in San Francisco and revolves around teenager Raven Baxter, played by Raven-Symoné, her friends Eddie (Orlando Brown) and Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol), and her family members focusing on brother Cory. The title character draws on her talent, ingenuity, psychic powers and a variety of disguises to get into and out of amusing adolescent and pre-adolescent situations.
Reruns of episodes currently air on Disney Channel, the ABC Kids Saturday morning segment of Disney-owned ABC broadcast network in the United States, in Canada on Family and VRAK.TV, and are also available on DVD.
Contents |
The name for the main character changed several times prior to production, starting with Dawn Baxter in a show named The Future Is On Me. Names changed to Rose Baxter in a show called Absolutely Psychic but finally settling on Raven Baxter when actress Raven-Symoné won the lead part, with the show titled That's So Raven. Ms. Symoné originally auditioned for the role of the best friend, Chelsea, and is credited simply as "Raven" throughout the series.
The show filmed a pilot episode in 2001 and first season in Summer 2002 which premiered on Disney Channel UK that September. Disney Channel waited until the new year before premiering it in the United States on January 17, 2003.
That's So Raven was responsible for many firsts for Disney Channel: the series was the highest-rated series in the history of Disney Channel and the first series to garner more than three-million viewers; the longest-running original series in Disney Channel history (and first Disney-produced series to reach 100 episodes); the first Disney-produced series to produce a spinoff (Cory in the House); first Disney Channel sitcom, and one of only four live action original series, where the lead and most of the supporting main characters are minorities (The Famous Jett Jackson, Cory in the House and Wizards of Waverly Place being the others).
In addition, it was also the first Disney Channel sitcom to be shot on videotape, to use a multi-camera format, to be shot in front of a studio audience or use a laugh track, and to use the simulated film look created by FilmLook, Inc. (all of which has become standard on all Disney Channel comedies, though a 'filmized' appearance will be given to all of the channel's videotaped sitcoms produced from 2009 onward, as the live-action Disney Channel Original Series begin being produced in high definition).
The first three seasons were produced by Brookwell McNamara Entertainment. Raven-Symoné received a producer credit for the show's fourth and final season. It became the first Disney Channel series to create a spin-off, Cory in the House, which followed her younger brother, Cory, as his dad becomes the head chef for the President of the United States, causing the two of them to move to Washington D.C.
In the fourth season of That's So Raven and on Cory In The House, Victor states that Tanya (T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh) is in England as a lawyer. The show shot its final few episodes in January 2006, but they weren't shown until a year later, with the series finale shown in March 2007 and the second-to-last episode shown that November.
The show's title theme song was written by John Coda, who also composed the music cues to signify scene changes and commercial breaks for this series as well as Even Stevens. It was produced by Jeffrey "Def Jef" Fortson and Christopher B. Pearman and was performed by Raven-Symoné, Anneliese van der Pol and Orlando Brown.
Each season had opening credits composed of various clips from the episodes of that season. Season two followed the guideline when it first premiered, but once season three premiered, the opening credits from season two were replaced with the opening credits from season three, with some clips from season two episodes being shown in the season three opening. The season three opening credits are still being used in season two episodes.[2] Each season also made an exception to the guideline by showing a few clips from the previous seasons, most of the time when it was needed. For example, if the group of clips being shown was of the characters dancing, then a clip of a character or characters would be shown.
Each opening sequence, before going to the title card, always ended with the main cast being together (in clips that were not part of any episode). Seasons one, two, and three were of the Baxters sitting on their living room couch, and season four was of the Baxters (with the exception of Tanya), Eddie, and Chelsea coming down the Baxters' living room stairs.
At the end of the opening credits, Raven stands next to the title card and says, "Yep, that's me." This remained in season four, except with a new addition. Raven's catchphrase "Oh, snap!" was dubbed in right before she says, "Yep, that's me."
Raven-Symoné performs most of the theme, while Brown performs a rap near the end of the theme and some scattered vocals in the beginning of the theme. Van der Pol sings the show's title in the chorus. A full-length version of this theme was heard in a music video which aired a few months before the show's U.S. premiere and also can be heard on the show's first soundtrack, released in 2004.
In Disney Channel Asia, an Asian version of the show's theme song was made. The music video debuted on January 17, 2007, back-to-back with the 100th episode of That's So Raven.
The show is the longest running Disney Channel Original Series, with its popularity extending the show's contract from 65 to 100 episodes. The last episodes produced were "The Way We Were", but then the crossover called "Checkin' Out" was produced as part of That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana. Although it was chronologically the last episode, it did not air last; instead, "When There's Smoke" aired last.
| Season | Episodes | Season premiere | Season finale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | January 17, 2003 | September 12, 2003 |
| 2 | 22 | October 3, 2003 | September 10, 2004 |
| 3 | 35 | November 5, 2004 | January 20, 2006 |
| 4 | 22 | February 10, 2006 | November 10, 2007 |
| Actor | Character | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Raven-Symoné | Raven Baxter | 2003–2007 |
| Orlando Brown | Eddie Thomas | |
| Kyle Massey | Cory Baxter | |
| Anneliese van der Pol | Chelsea Daniels | |
| Rondell Sheridan | Victor Baxter | |
| T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh | Tanya Baxter | 2003–2005 |
| Actor | Character | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Abdoo | Señorita Rodriguez | 2003–2006 |
| Frankie Ryan Manriquez | William | 2003–2007 |
| Adrienne Bailon | Alana Rivera | 2004 |
| Lil' J | Devon Carter | 2004–2006 |
| Ashley Drane | Muffy | |
| Andrea Edwards | Loca | |
| David Henrie | Larry | 2004–2007 |
| Bobb'e J. Thompson | Stanley | 2004–2006 |
| Anne-Marie Johnson | Donna Cabonna | 2006 |
| Jodi Shilling | Tiffany | |
| Sydney Park | Sydney | 2006–2007 |
The That's So Raven franchise has been modeled after fellow Disney Channel hit Lizzie McGuire. Raven has a clothing line, DVD releases, novels, bedroom sets, a perfume, a GirlTalk board game,[3] three video games[4] and two soundtracks, That's So Raven: Songs from and inspired by the hit TV show and That's So Raven Too!.
In February 2005, That's So Raven toys were featured in the McDonald's Happy Meal. In April 2005, a doll based on Raven Baxter was released[5] and another was released the following year.
In September 2005, the show also spawned a fragrance and an MP3 player. That same month, the clothing line was shipped to Macy's stores. As of 2006, That's So Raven merchandise has made $400 million.[6] The show released its fourth DVD in July 2006, entitled Raven's Makeover Madness. Sales have reached an estimated $650 million.
That's So Raven has spawned three video games:
(Released December 7, 2004)[7]
Episodes:
Special features:
(Released August 17, 2005)[8]
Episodes:
Special features:
(Release December 6, 2005)[9]
Episodes:
Special features:
(Released November 1, 2005)
Episode:
(Released July 18, 2006)[10]
Episodes:
Special features:
(Released January 16, 2007)[11]
Episodes:
Special feature:
(Released January 28, 2008)[12]
Episodes:
Cory in the House is the first Disney Channel spin-off and premiered on January 12, 2007. It was the one chosen out of the many pitched and proposed spin-offs that were to have aired after the completion of That's So Raven, including one about Raven going off to college. Originally Raven-Symone was offered her own spin-off, but she denied it, therefore Disney Channel decided to give the spin-off to Kyle Massey.
The storyline involves Cory and his father Victor adjusting to life in Washington, D.C.; Victor has received a job as the Head Chef to the President. The show takes place while Raven is attending fashion college and Cory's mom is still in London.
The series is similar to its sister show, That's So Raven. Cory has two best friends, one a boy, Newton Livingston III (Jason Dolley), and one a girl, Meena Paroom (Maiara Walsh). Note that in That's So Raven, the main character also has two best friends, one a boy and one a girl. Cory attends a middle school in Washington, D.C. Also in the series, the president's daughter Sophie (Madison Pettis) constantly pesters Cory, like Cory did to Raven in That's So Raven. Cory also participates in crazy situations in which he learns a moral lesson and will most likely get punished. Candy Smiles plays in Cory's love-life multiple times, and Stickler continuously spies on Cory, Newton and especially Meena.
In one episode, Raven-Symoné guest starred as Raven Baxter, who came to show designs of new tour guide uniforms to President Martinez (John D'Aquino). Unfortunately, she has a vision of a clock falling on the President, and tackles him, earning the Secret Service a chance to chase her around the grounds. Cory poses as his sister to display the uniforms, modeled by Newton and Meena. Raven is discovered outside the Oval Office window, and chased, until she actually does save Mr. Martinez from the clock. The episode ends with the credits sequence for That's So Pooshnick, a show from Meena's country about a psychic girl who can see the past and always ends up messing up trying to stop the vision from happening again.
Raven-Symoné guest stared on an episode of Sonny With a Chance entitled "That's So Sonny", that premiered on August 29, 2010 on Disney Channel.
In the episode, Raven portrays Amber Algoode, president of the Chad Dylan Cooper (Sterling Knight) fan club. As Chad's fan club reaches the one million member mark, the numbers mysteriously begin to dwindle. Amber, being Chad's biggest fan, goes undercover for him and disguises herself as different people to get to the bottom of things (reference to That's So Raven). She eventually returns to Chad, saying that Sonny (Demi Lovato) is to blame because no one wants to see him dating her, which is why less people like him now. Amber does everything she can to get Sonny out of the picture in order to keep Chad on top, that is, until everything goes down hill and Chad fires Amber as his fan club president and instead gives Sonny the job. Now, Amber must go to great lengths to gain back Chad's respect for her, as well as get her job back.
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