For a long time now, Disney Channel has been bad. Bad writers, directors, and worst of all, actors. This show manages to defy that rule, and comparatively speaking, is wonderful.
I will be spending this review talking about what the show has done right, rather than why I enjoy it.
The characters are much more believable than any other Disney show. While they remain funny, they also seem like they could be people you'd find in real life, and you enjoy TV much more when you don't find yourself constantly questioning the characters existence. For example, many Disney shows use the "Dumb character" gag, but feel the need to play him up as the worlds STUPIDEST PERSON. This show has a slower character, but he still remains funny, bearable, and plot relevant. Basically, he can still have good one liners while still being likable as a character. The leading girl (Older) is good too, she isn't played as the super popular or unpopular girl like most Disney shows do, you feel she's somewhere in the middle of the social chain. She actual acts like a teenage girl, not a boy obsessed monster, or super-nerd. She goes through normal teenage issues and the few serious plots are well handled. The parents are done the best. THEY ARE ACTUALLY PLAYED AS COMPITANT PARENTS. That is my biggest issue with Disney parents, they are always either never there, or incompetent at their job as parent. The parents in GLC are stern, but understanding at times, they actually seem like good parents. They even manage to be funny at times. Charlie and Toby are cute, and to be honest, I could care less for the other, unmentioned son.
The comedy isn't based around laugh tracks and overacting, or funny accents, or goofy unrealistic situations like EVERY OTHER Disney SHOW. The comedy come from character interactions in realistically funny situations, which is the same type of comedy that made Arrested Development the amazing show it is. Obviously GLC is nothing compared to the genius of AD, but the comedy is good enough to be reminiscent of the show, which is shocking.
All-in-all, the acting is decent, the comedy is shockingly decent, and the characters are good. This is the best show currently on Disney.
I will be spending this review talking about what the show has done right, rather than why I enjoy it.
The characters are much more believable than any other Disney show. While they remain funny, they also seem like they could be people you'd find in real life, and you enjoy TV much more when you don't find yourself constantly questioning the characters existence. For example, many Disney shows use the "Dumb character" gag, but feel the need to play him up as the worlds STUPIDEST PERSON. This show has a slower character, but he still remains funny, bearable, and plot relevant. Basically, he can still have good one liners while still being likable as a character. The leading girl (Older) is good too, she isn't played as the super popular or unpopular girl like most Disney shows do, you feel she's somewhere in the middle of the social chain. She actual acts like a teenage girl, not a boy obsessed monster, or super-nerd. She goes through normal teenage issues and the few serious plots are well handled. The parents are done the best. THEY ARE ACTUALLY PLAYED AS COMPITANT PARENTS. That is my biggest issue with Disney parents, they are always either never there, or incompetent at their job as parent. The parents in GLC are stern, but understanding at times, they actually seem like good parents. They even manage to be funny at times. Charlie and Toby are cute, and to be honest, I could care less for the other, unmentioned son.
The comedy isn't based around laugh tracks and overacting, or funny accents, or goofy unrealistic situations like EVERY OTHER Disney SHOW. The comedy come from character interactions in realistically funny situations, which is the same type of comedy that made Arrested Development the amazing show it is. Obviously GLC is nothing compared to the genius of AD, but the comedy is good enough to be reminiscent of the show, which is shocking.
All-in-all, the acting is decent, the comedy is shockingly decent, and the characters are good. This is the best show currently on Disney.