Suite Life on deck gave odd message

[5togetherWDW]

This past weekend, we watched much of an episode of the Suite Life on Deck - just before Meet The Robinsons on the Disney Channel. (Although we own the DVD, we love the movie and my children were excited by the commercials.) In any case, we joined the Suite Life show in progress; but, what I saw left me both curious and concerned.
When we joined the Suite Life, one of the characters was being convinced that he needed to live in the real world, not through an online game. Ok. BUT, they went on to convince this teen that he should arrange a meeting with his online girlfriend ?????
Sure enough, they met. It turned out that the girl was indeed a female teen and was, in fact, perfect for him, and they started dating in the real world . . ...
Did anyone here watch this whole episode? Was there some warning or explanation at the begining of the show?
What we saw seemed like a very inappropriate message. I ended up sputtering through the begining of the movie, as I didn't want my children believing this was safe . . ..

[KylesMom]

You know, while I didn't watch that particular episode, I haven't liked the message they've been sending since they switched from the original show (Suite Life of Zach & Cody) some time ago. As this show is clearly targeted for a "tween" market (and not a "teen" market), I would have to totally agree with you! I usually don't have anything negative to say about the various Disney shows that DS has been watching the past several years, but this one is no longer a welcome part of programming in our house. Maybe I've gone totally overboard, but in my opinion each situation (and attitude) has gotten a bit more outlandish than the last. I used to tolerate the show because I thought the Mom brought alot of good things to the table, but not anymore!

[wdw_bound]

Add our family to the list of those who tune Zack and Cody out. Even when they were at the Tipton, I had issues with the appropriateness of the antics. The final straw for me was the episode where they and a coed group of friends sneaked into visiting Dad's suite, knowing he was out, to play spin the bottle. Of course, they were caught before anything happened, but, seriously, do I need to explain that plot to my 10 year old???

[Ian]

Yeah, you know ... just lately I've kinda felt like all Disney's tween shows have pushed the envelope a bit as far as content.

I agree that Suite Life is the worst offender, but Hannah Montana has been getting pretty ... err ... advanced lately, too.

[LauraleeH]

Um, the last episode I watched was when the boys snuck in the show to see their teacher dancing...I'm 21 and thought it was inappropriate to watch

[sportsguy2315]

The final straw for me was the episode where they and a coed group of friends sneaked into visiting Dad's suite, knowing he was out, to play spin the bottle.

Ah yes, this was the one and only Zach and Cody episode I have seen. I'm 20 and I was uncomfortable watching it knowing it was on Disney Channel. Sure, when I was younger watching shows like Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens, there were story lines involving crushes, but nothing more (Which is how it should be kept on TV for kids, IMHO).

[pink]

Ah yes, this was the one and only Zach and Cody episode I have seen. I'm 20 and I was uncomfortable watching it knowing it was on Disney Channel. Sure, when I was younger watching shows like Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens, there were story lines involving crushes, but nothing more (Which is how it should be kept on TV for kids, IMHO).

I feel the same way. I remember Lizzie McGuire being about her getting her first bra, dealing with an embarassing sweater her mom made her wear to picture day, things of that nature. Hannah Montana is like a sexed up version of Lizzie and I don't think it is a good idea. I remember Gordo (yes, I am embarassed to still remember the name) kissing Lizzie on the cheek in one episode and it being kind of scandalous in my kiddie mind. But now today Hannah is making out with her boyfriends, very different.

[5togetherWDW]

It isn't a show we usually watch. I'm not fond of preteens acting like they are on Friends and tend to forget the show exists, as it is simply of no interest.
But, what we saw on that part episode - having them tell the boy to meet up with a cyber girlfiend - seemed such a dangerous message, I was truly hoping I misunderstood. The idea that any company, but especially Disney, would be suggesting this as appropriate is scary . . ..