Disney’s tween stars are artificially colored and corn syrup sweetened product. They can be a treat, but with little nutritional value to them. Who knows their actual value until they have left the Disney machine? That’s not to say the company is bad – they give young hopefuls a start. After that it’s up to them.
I couldn’t make it through the original High School Musical. It just seemed like a watered-down Grease rip-off with forgettable overly-dubbed songs, but that stuff isn’t meant for me. It’s more of a kid’s show. I don’t really agree with that sort of focus-group entertainment, but it’s harmless fun for kids and it rakes in the cash. The Muppets never had to speak down to any audience to entertain. Neither have the traditional Disney animated films.
I wish they would raise the bar, but to be honest – they really don’t have to. MTV doesn’t play music videos, Disney Channel doesn’t play cartoons and all the cable news channels have become tabloid infotainment. It’s the culture. I dare not blame the Disney kids for any of it. Theirs is a short contribution to that machine until they gain the clout to make better choices.
Again, I just hope the Muppets are visiting this demographic to make new fans rather than becoming part of the junk food filling. Even if they dabble a little bit, Segel’s movie will snap them right back to where they belong.