Today brings the one-hour television premiere of Disney Channel’s new series “Andi Mack” created and executive produced Terri Minsky (creator of “Lizzie McGuire”).
The warm, relatable and funny stories of “Andi Mack,” geared towards kids, tweens and families, center on the most important things in any young person’s life – family, friends and the journey of self-discovery.
Newcomer Peyton Elizabeth Lee stars as Andi Mack, a girl whose life goes from routine to roller coaster overnight. In the serialized story, Andi is contemplative and artistic and sheltered by overprotective parents. But on the eve of her 13th birthday, Andi’s free-spirited older sister Bex returns home with a revelation that changes everything, and sends Andi on an uncharted course of self-discovery. At least she’s in good company; her best friends, Cyrus and Buffy, are also figuring out their places in the world. Along the way, Andi learns that sometimes the unexpected is what makes life great.
Andi was raised in a loving yet overprotective home. Now, with Bex’s encouragement, she begins to step outside her comfort zone, particularly when it comes to approaching the most intriguing guy at Jefferson Middle School — Jonah Beck, whom she quickly realizes is dating a high school girl, Amber. Andi proves that her greatest strengths may be how she accepts life’s unpredictability with optimism. She also finds solace by tapping into her creativity in her backyard hideaway, the Andi Shack.
This is an important show on many levels. First, I currently have a 13 year old son in eighth grade and this has been an incredible year of transition for all of us as our teen is becoming a young man and also exploring life outside everyone’s comfort zone! I relate to so many things in this series as well, we have been very over protective and are now watching our son push boundaries that make us very nervous, even though most of them are age appropriate.
This show also tackles multicultural issues. This is also important for my family. My son is part Latin and he has two dads. Anytime a TV show reflects a non homogenous situation, I am personally thrilled because we can identify as not being the “norm” if there is even such a thing these days!
To provide a tool for parents and families, the national non-profit Common Sense Media, who has given the series a rare 5 out of 5 star review, just launched a video viewer’s guide called “Conversations about Andi Mack,” that features a Youth Development Expert, Dr. Yalda T. Uhls of Common Sense Media discussing the themes represented in the series including self-expression, acceptance, communication and optimism. The conversations include tips and suggestions from Dr. Uhls, and insights and personal experiences from families on how to use the storytelling in the series to initiate and navigate through meaningful conversations with your family.
Time to set the DVR and watch this show as a family!!!
I read the show title and immediately thought of the Nick show, The Secret World of Alex Mack!
I also heard that they’re bringing That’s So Raven back, I think it’s titled Raven’s Home or something like that.