In an attempt to relive the good television of the 1990s, the Disney Channel is rebooting the well-loved television series “Boy Meets World.”
“Boy Meets World” followed the lives of Cory Matthews played by Ben Savage, his best friend Shawn Hunter played by Rider Strong, and Cory’s girlfriend Topanga Lawrence played by Danielle Fishel. The trio tries to survive the trials and tribulations of high school while learning valuable life lessons from their always present teacher Mr. Feeny.
In the reboot, Savage and Fishel will reprise their roles as Cory and Topanga. The show is set 10 years in the future, and Cory and Topanga are married and have two children, Elliot and Riley. Riley is their youngest daughter and the focus of the new show. Cory will be taking the Mr. Feeny role as he teaches history at Riley’s Middle School.
As a huge fan of “Boy Meets World” and a kid of the ‘90s, I am saddened to say that I am less than enthusiastic about this reboot. The thing that worries me the most is that Disney Channel is the station that picked it up. Disney Channel has produced hits such as: “Hannah Montana,” “Lizzie McGuire,” and “That’s So Raven.” Those are all perfectly good programs in their own right but none of those shows have touched on real issues the way that “Boy Meets World” had.
The thing that had set “Boy Meets World” apart from normal programming intended for children/teens is it did not treat the audience like they were stupid.
The character Shawn Hunter was raised in a trailer park and didn’t feel smart enough to finish high school. His father popped in and out of his life and later passed away.
In an episode in season four, a father was abusing his young daughter so Cory and Shawn both let her stay at their homes at night to protect her. I could not see the current programming on Disney Channel showcasing issues like those. The most the characters on the Disney Channel have to deal with is a zit on picture day or what to wear to their school dance. In a recent episode of the Disney Channel series “Shake It Up,” the title character Cece fakes a leg injury in order to avoid participating in gym class and a supporting character has to take care of a neighbor’s dog, which proves to be difficult. That is what constitutes as conflict on the Disney Channel.
I know I’m one of the few people who think that this reboot is a bad idea, but I am not looking forward to seeing my favorite John Adams High couple, Cory and Topanga, get turned into the quintessential clueless Disney parents who are barely on the show and who always seem to get duped by their kid.
One of the things I loved about “Boy Meets World” was that the kids were never smarter than their parents. In Disney Channel shows, the children always seem to make snarky remarks to their parents and they find a way to of being punished.
Cory’s Parents Amy and Alan were a great example of strong parental figures that were caring and had a strong moral backbone.
Hollywood just keeps kicking nostalgia while it’s down. “Boy Meets World” is one of those shows that should never be touched. It is a program that I hold in high regard and has stood the test of time.
I don’t want to see Cory teaching a history class. I want to see him as I saw him 10 years ago, goofing off in Turner’s classroom and hanging out at Chubby’s. I am a little interested to see Corey and Topanga on my TV screen again outside of watching them on ABC Family reruns, but I am not interested enough to actually watch. Although Corey and Topanga are returning, I will not be.