That's So Raven is an American television fantasy teen sitcom that was created by Michael Poryes and Susan Sherman, and aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between January 2003 and November 2007. The series centers on Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné<!---Raven-Symoné is referred to by her mononym for consistency throughout this article, even though she was credited in the series solely as Raven. Please note that Symoné is not her surname.-->), a teenager with hidden psychic abilities. Episodes show Raven experiencing visions of future events; she must also deal with the social and personal issues of her youth. Raven often misinterprets the events she foresees, and intervenes to prevent a vision from coming true or to protect her friends and family, although her intervention often causes the vision to come true. She uses her skills in fashion design to create elaborate disguises she wears during these schemes. Raven's secret is shared with her best friends Eddie Thomas (Orlando Brown) and Chelsea Daniels (Anneliese van der Pol), along with her brother Cory (Kyle Massey) and parents Tanya (T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh) and Victor (Rondell Sheridan). The series explores supernatural elements, family, friendship, and adolescence.
The Walt Disney Company created the series as its television network's first multi-camera sitcom after the success of its earlier single-camera comedy series such as Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire, the former of which executive producers David Brookwell and Sean McNamara concurrently worked on. Their joint company Brookwell McNamara Entertainment produced That's So Raven, which premiered on January 17, 2003. The series concluded on November 10, 2007, after becoming the first program on the network to reach 100 episodes, and ended because the actors were aging beyond the show's target teenage demographic. All four seasons of the show have been distributed through digital download and on the streaming service Disney+.
That's So Raven enjoyed high viewership on broadcast television in the United States, and gave rise to the development of merchandise, soundtrack albums, and video game adaptations. Television critics praised Raven-Symoné for her physical comedy in what is considered her breakthrough role. The series received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Children's Program in 2005 and 2007. A spin-off entitled Cory in the House, which stars Massey and Sheridan, aired on Disney Channel for two seasons from 2007 to 2008. Raven-Symoné, van der Pol, Sheridan and Keymáh reprised their roles for the spin-off Raven's Home, which aired for six seasons from 2017 to 2023.
Premise
left|thumb|170px|alt=A mid shot of a woman with mid-length brown hair, wearing a black, translucent dress. She is posing at a press event and smiling, looking away from the camera. Behind her is the corner of a brick wall.|[[Raven-Symoné, pictured in 2010, serves as the program's central focus during its four-season run.]]
Raven Baxter is a high school student who has a secret psychic ability that allows her to experience short visions of future events. Often, she finds herself misinterpreting the events she sees, resulting in trouble for herself, her friends and family.
The series explores the fantasy of wanting a supernatural power children may experience. Raven often intervenes in situations to prevent a vision from coming true but she does not regularly try to control her ability or take advantage of it. Her visions sometimes represent a self-fulfilling prophecy. Many of the program's stories take place in the high-school setting. The creators pitched the concept to network executives under the working title The Future is On Me and later as Absolutely Psychic. The series was initially expected to premiere in early 2002 but the whole first season was filmed before it aired on television.
Casting
210px|thumb|Cast members (L-R, above): [[Kyle Massey, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, Rondell Sheridan, (below): Orlando Brown, Raven-Symoné and Anneliese van der Pol.]]
The program and its primary cast were announced in November 2001; Raven-Symoné was revealed to be portraying the titular character Raven; she had previously worked as a child actor on the sitcoms The Cosby Show and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. Marsh cited her humor and commitment to comedy as a reason for her success. She is credited as "Raven" throughout the series. Within the show's storyline, it is explained Tanya has traveled to England to pursue higher education.
Writing
Poryes believed it was important to write the scripts with honesty rather than talking down to the young audience. Prior to the renewal, a musical episode of Even Stevens was aired in 2002; its success among the show's audience led network executives to ask Brookwell and McNamara to also produce a musical episode of That's So Raven. The musical episode of That's So Raven, entitled "The Road to Audition", was aired as part of the second season in July 2004. The success of the musical format on both Even Stevens and That's So Raven gave executives confidence in the appeal and interest of the musical genre, and inspired the development of the television film High School Musical. The announcement marked the first time an original Disney Channel series would exceed three seasons and the first to reach 100 episodes for syndication.
Production of the series finished in January 2006, and by August, president of Disney Channels Worldwide Gary Marsh stated it was unlikely any further episodes would be produced. The program's success led to two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for Outstanding Children's Program, in 2005 and 2007. Alston said the success of That's So Raven led to Disney Channel changing its approach to original programming. He praised the chemistry between Raven-Symoné, Brown and van der Pol, which he attributed to their real-life friendships. Alston cited the episodes "A Goat's Tale" and "Out of Control" as the ones that best represent this dynamic. Raven-Symoné was widely recognized for her charisma and physical comedy in the series; Massey's "knack" for physical comedy was also praised.
Awards and nominations
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable mw-collapsible"; style="width:99%;"
|+ List of awards and nominations received by That's So Raven
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Recipient(s) and nominee(s)
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|Artios Awards
|2005
|data-sort-value="Paul Jensen, Joey" rowspan="2"|Joey Paul Jensen
|rowspan="2"|Outstanding Achievement in Casting: Children's Television Series Programming
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|2006
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="4"|BET Awards
|rowspan="2"|2004
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Outstanding Comedy Series
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2005
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Outstanding Comedy Series
|
|-
!scope="row"|British Academy Children's Awards
|2003
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|International
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|Genesis Awards
|2005
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven (for "A Goat's Tale")
|rowspan="2"|Outstanding Children's Programming
|
|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|2007
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven (for "Fur Better or Worse")
|
|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|Gracie Awards
|2004
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Outstanding Children/Adolescent Program
|
|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|2005
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Outstanding Female Lead in a Comedy
|
|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="10"|NAACP Image Awards
|2004
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné" rowspan="3"|Raven-Symoné
|rowspan="3"|Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|2005
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="Seaton, Eric Dean"|Eric Dean Seaton
|Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
|
|-
|rowspan="4"|2007
|data-sort-value="Massey, Kyle"|Kyle Massey
|rowspan="2"|Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4"|
|-
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné" rowspan="2"|Raven-Symoné
|
|-
|Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Outstanding Children's Program
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Outstanding Children's Program
|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="9"|NAMIC Vision Awards
|rowspan="2"|2004
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Best Comedic Performance
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven (for "Dissin' Cousins")
|Children's
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2005
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné (for "He's Got the Power")
|Best Comedic Performance
|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven (for "Road to Audition")
|Children's
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Best Comedic Performance
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Best Children's
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2007
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|North Star Award
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven (for "The Four Aces")
|Best Children's
|
|-
|2008
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Best Performance – Comedy
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="6"|Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
|2004
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné" rowspan="3"|Raven-Symoné
|rowspan="3"|Favorite Television Actress
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|2005
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Favorite Television Show
|
|-
|2007
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné" rowspan="2"|Raven-Symoné
|rowspan="2"|Favorite Television Actress
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|2008
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|Primetime Emmy Awards
|2005
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|rowspan="2"|Outstanding Children's Program
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|2007
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="5"|Teen Choice Awards
|rowspan="2"|2004
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Choice TV Actress: Comedy
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Choice TV Show: Comedy
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2005
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Choice TV Actress: Comedy
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Choice TV Show: Comedy
|
|-
|2006
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Choice TV Actress: Comedy
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
!scope="row"|Writers Guild of America Awards
|2007
|data-sort-value="Swisher, Deborah"| Deborah Swisher (for "Fur Better or Worse")
|Children's Episodic & Specials
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="7"|Young Artist Awards
|rowspan="2"|2004
|data-sort-value="Massey, Kyle"| Kyle Massey
|Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress
|
|-
|rowspan="3"|2005
|data-sort-value="Malpede, Christopher"| Christopher Malpede
|Best Performance in a Television Series – Guest Starring Young Actor
|
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|
|-
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné, Orlando Brown, Kyle Massey and Anneliese van der Pol
|Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series
|
|-
|data-sort-value="Raven-Symoné"|Raven-Symoné
|Michael Landon Award – Contribution to Youth Through Television
|
|-
|2006
|data-sort-value="That's So Raven"|That's So Raven
|Best Family Television Series (Comedy)
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|2007
|data-sort-value="Massey, Kyle"| Kyle Massey
|Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor
|
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|}
Other media
Merchandising
That's So Raven became a successful merchandising franchise during its run; the show's merchandise includes a series of novels, dolls, board games, lunch boxes, jewelry, a fragrance and a clothing range. A line of video games was also developed; Soundtrack albums That's So Raven (2004) and That's So Raven Too! (2006) feature recordings by some of the cast and guest performers. By 2006, merchandise based on the series had grossed over $400 million.
DVDs
{| class="wikitable"
! Name !! Release date !! Episode(s) featured !! Special features
|-
| style="text-align: left; top" | Supernaturally Stylish
| style="text-align: center; top" | December 7, 2004 (US)
May 21, 2007 (UK)
| style="text-align: center; top" |
- "That's So Not Raven"
- "If I Only Had a Job"
- "He's Got the Power"
- "Boyz 'N Commotion"
| style="text-align: center; top" |
- Supernatural Music Video
- That's So Raven Music Video
|-
| style="text-align: left; top" | Disguise The Limit
| style="text-align: center; top" | August 16, 2005 (US)
July 2, 2007 (UK)
| style="text-align: center; top" |
- "Art Breaker"
- "Country Cousins: Part 1"
- "Country Cousins: Part 2"
- "The Grill Next Door"
| style="text-align: center; top" |
- Master Of Disguises featurette
- Selected Scenes Visual Commentary
|-
| style="text-align: left; top" | Raven's House Party
| style="text-align: center; top" | December 6, 2005 (US)
| style="text-align: center; top" |
- "Four Aces Club"
- "Too Much Pressure"
- "Double Vision"
- "Opportunity Shocks"
| style="text-align: center; top" |
- Bloopers
- Radio Trivia Game
- Bonus episode
|-
| style="text-align: left; top" | Raven's Makeover Madness
| style="text-align: center; top" | July 18, 2006 (US)
| style="text-align: center; top" |
- "Pin Pals"
- "Dues And Don'ts"
- "Adventures In Boss Sitting"
- "Hook Up My Space"
| style="text-align: center; top" |
- So You Think You Know Raven? game
- Bonus episode
|}
Spin-offs and adaptations
In 2005, Disney ordered a film adaptation of That's So Raven alongside the program's fourth-season renewal, which was planned for a 2007 release.
The network ordered a spin-off series entitled Cory in the House starring Massey and Sheridan in May 2006; this was the first time Disney Channel had developed a spin-off of an original series. Another spin-off, which is entitled Raven's Home, was first reported in October 2016; Raven-Symoné and van der Pol were both revealed to be reprising their roles as Raven and Chelsea, respectively. Raven-Symoné is an executive producer on the series, which premiered on July 21, 2017. Sheridan is featured as a guest and returns as a regular character for the program's fifth season; Keymáh also guest-stars in the fifth-season finale. The sixth season premiered in April 2023. An Indian adaptation of the series entitled Palak Pe Jhalak premiered on Disney Channel in India in September 2015, and incorporates Indian culture and languages.
Notes
References
Bibliography