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That's So Raven is an American cable television teen sitcom/fantasy style show. The show premiered on the Disney Channel on January 17, 2003, and ended on November 10, 2007. The show spawned Disney Channel's first spin-off series: Cory in the House. The series was nominated in 2005 and 2007 for Emmy Awards for outstanding children's programming.

The show is a modern-day sitcom with a teenage twist in the vein of I Love Lucy. Producers added supernatural abilities that Raven, the main character, has that would get her into curious situations. The show is set (but was not produced) in San Francisco and revolves around teenager Raven Baxter, played by Raven-Symoné, her friends Eddie (Orlando Brown) and Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol), and her family members focusing on brother Cory (Kyle Massey). The title character draws on her talent, ingenuity, psychic powers and a variety of disguises to get into and out of amusing adolescent and pre-adolescent situations.

Reruns of episodes aired on the ABC Kids Saturday morning segment of Disney-owned ABC broadcast network in the United States until August 27, 2011. Reruns currently air in Canada on Family and VRAK.TV, with some episodes also available on DVD. No announcement has been made as to whether the show will get complete season releases on DVD or Blu-ray. That's So Raven is still popular in syndication, earning more than any other Disney Channel show.

The series continued in continuity with it's two successful spinoffs, Cory in The House, and Raven's Home.

Production[]

The name for the main character changed several times prior to production, starting with Dawn Baxter in a show named The Future Is On Me. Names changed to Rose Baxter in a show called Absolutely Psychic but finally settling on Raven Baxter when actress Raven-Symoné won the lead part, with the show titled That's So Raven. Symoné originally auditioned for the role of the best friend, Stacey[3] but was changed due to ratings. Raven-Symoné is credited simply as "Raven" throughout the series.

The show filmed a pilot episode in July 2001 and first season November 9, 2001-Summer 2002[4] which premiered on Disney Channel UK that September. Disney Channel waited until the new year before premiering it in the United States on January 17, 2003.

That's So Raven was responsible for many firsts for Disney Channel: the series was the highest-rated series in the history of Disney Channel and the first series to garner more than three-million viewers; the longest-running original series in Disney Channel history (and first Disney-produced series to reach 100 episodes); the first Disney-produced series to produce a spinoff (Cory in the House); first Disney Channel sitcom, and one of only three live action original series, where the lead and most of the supporting main characters are minorities (The Famous Jett Jackson and Cory in the House being the others).

In addition, it was also the first Disney Channel sitcom to be shot on videotape, to use a multi-camera format, to be shot in front of a studio audience or use a laugh track,[citation needed] and to use the simulated film look created by FilmLook, Inc. (all of which has become standard on all Disney Channel comedies, though a 'filmized' appearance will be given to all of the channel's videotaped sitcoms produced from 2009 onward, as the live-action Disney Channel Original Series begin being produced in high definition).

The first three seasons were produced by Brookwell McNamara Entertainment. Raven-Symoné received a producer credit for the show's fourth and final season. It became the first Disney Channel series to create a spin-off, Cory in the House, which followed her younger brother, Cory, as his dad becomes the head chef for the President of the United States, causing the two of them to move to Washington D.C.

In the fourth season of That's So Raven and on Cory in the House, Victor states that Tanya (T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh) is in England as a lawyer. The show shot its final few episodes in January 2006, but they weren't all aired until a year later, with the series finale airing in March 2007 and the second-to-last episode shown that November.

Opening sequence[]

The show's title theme song was written by John Coda, who also composed the music cues to signify scene changes and commercial breaks for this series as well as Even Stevens. It was produced by Jeffrey "Def Jef" Fortson and Christopher B. Pearman and was performed by Raven-Symoné, Anneliese van der Pol and Orlando Brown.

Each season had opening credits composed of footage from the episodes of that season. Season two followed the guideline in first-run broadcasts, but once season three began airing, the opening credits from season two were replaced with the opening credits from season three in reruns. Each season also made an exception to the guideline by showing footage from the previous seasons, most of the time when it was needed. For example, if footage being shown was of the characters dancing, then footage of a character or characters would be shown.

Each opening sequence, before going to the title card, always ended with the main cast being together (in clips that were not part of any episode). Seasons one, two, and three were of the Baxters sitting on their living room couch, and season four was of the Baxters (with the exception of Tanya), Eddie, and Chelsea coming down the Baxters' living room stairs.

At the end of the opening credits, Raven stands next to the title card and says, "Yep, that's me." This remained in season four, except with a new addition. Raven's catchphrase "Oh, snap!" was dubbed in right before she says, "Yep, that's me."

Raven-Symoné performs most of the theme, while Brown performs a rap near the end of the theme and some scattered vocals in the beginning of the theme. Van der Pol sings the show's title in the chorus. A full-length version of this theme was heard in a music video which aired a few months before the show's U.S. premiere and also can be heard on the show's first soundtrack, released in 2004.

In Disney Channel Asia, an Asian version of the show's theme song was made. The music video debuted on January 17, 2007, back-to-back with the 100th episode of That's So Raven.

Episodes[]

Main article: List of That's So Raven episodesThe series is the longest running Disney Channel Original Series, with its popularity extending the show's contract from 65 to 100 episodes. The last episodes produced were "The Way We Were", but then the crossover called "Checkin' Out" was produced as part of "That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana". Although it was chronologically the last episode, it did not air last; instead, "When There's Smoke" aired last.
Season Episodes Originally aired
Season premiere Season finale
1 21 January 17, 2003 September 12, 2003*
2 22 October 3, 2003 September 24, 2004
3 35 October 1, 2004 January 16, 2006
4 22 February 20, 2006 November 10, 2007

*Three season 1 episodes were left unaired until season 2 episodes began airing.

Characters[]

Main article: List of characters from That's So Raven
That'sSoRavencast

The cast of That's So Raven (seasons 1-3), (From left to right, above): Kyle Massey (Cory Baxter), T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh (Tanya Baxter), Rondell Sheridan (Victor Baxter), (From left to right, below): Orlando Brown (Eddie Thomas), Raven-Symoné (Raven Baxter) and Anneliese van der Pol (Chelsea Daniels).

Main characters[]

Abandoned film project[]

In 2010, to promote her latest film Vampires Suck, Anneliese van der Pol revealed in an interview that a That's So Raven film had been written but never happened. "The storyline saw us going to France. She was going to start a fashion line in France. Eddie and I were going to fly out and meet her. Of course, something tragic happens. We have to rescue the situation.", van der Pol admitted that Raven's schedule at the time was booked solid for a year and the possibility of the film seemed unlikely. "But no, It's not ever happening. If I hear something, I will be the first to sign on.", van der Pol commented on reprising her role of Chelsea Daniels.

Merchandise[]

The That's So Raven franchise has been modeled after fellow Disney Channel hit Lizzie McGuire. Raven has a clothing line, DVD releases, novels, bedroom sets, a perfume, a GirlTalk board game,[6] three video games[7] and two soundtracks, That's So Raven: Songs from and inspired by the hit TV show and That's So Raven Too!.

In February 2005, That's So Raven toys were featured in the McDonald's Happy Meal. In April 2005, a doll based on Raven Baxter was released[8] and another was released the following year.

In September 2005, the show also spawned a fragrance and an MP3 player. That same month, the clothing line was shipped to Macy's stores. As of 2006, That's So Raven merchandise has made $400 million.

Spin-offs[]

Cory in the House[]

Cory in the House is the first Disney Channel spin-off and premiered on January 12, 2007. It was the one chosen out of the many pitched and proposed spin-offs that were to have aired after the completion of That's So Raven, including one about Raven going off to college. Originally Raven-Symoné was offered her own spin-off, but she declined it, therefore Disney Channel decided to give the spin-off to Kyle Massey.

The storyline involves Cory and his father Victor adjusting to life in Washington, D.C.; Victor has received a job as the Head Chef to the President. The show takes place while Raven is attending fashion college and Cory's mom is still in London.

The series is similar to its sister show, That's So Raven. Cory has two best friends, one a boy, Newton Livingston III (Jason Dolley), and one a girl, Meena Paroom (Maiara Walsh). Note that in That's So Raven, the main character also has two best friends, one a boy and one a girl. Cory attends a middle school in Washington, D.C. Also in the series, the president's daughter Sophie (Madison Pettis) constantly pesters Cory, like Cory did to Raven in That's So Raven. Cory also participates in crazy situations in which he learns a moral lesson and will most likely get punished. Candy Smiles plays in Cory's love-life multiple times, and Stickler continuously spies on Cory, Newton and especially Meena.

In one episode, Raven-Symoné guest starred as Raven Baxter, who came to show designs of new tour guide uniforms to President Martinez (John D'Aquino). Unfortunately, she has a vision of a clock falling on the President, and tackles him, earning the Secret Service a chance to chase her around the grounds. Cory poses as his sister to display the uniforms, modeled by Newton and Meena. Raven is discovered outside the Oval Office window, and chased, until she actually does save Mr. Martinez from the clock. The episode ends with the credits sequence for That's So Pooshnick, a show from Meena's country about a psychic girl who can see the past and always ends up messing up trying to stop the vision from happening again.

Raven's Home[]

Best friends, Raven Baxter and Chelsea Daniels, now divorced mothers, are raising their kids in a house together. Their house is turned upside down, when they realize one of Raven's children's inhibits the same physic abilities as their mothers.

Gallery[]

External links[]

List of Disney Channel Original Series
1997-1999 Flash ForwardThe Famous Jett JacksonBug JuiceSo WeirdThe Jersey
2000-2009 Totally CircusEven StevensIn a HeartbeatLizzie McGuireThe Proud FamilyTotally HoopsKim PossibleTotally in TuneThat's So RavenLilo & Stitch: The SeriesDave the BarbarianPhil of the FutureBrandy & Mr. WhiskersAmerican Dragon: Jake LongThe Suite Life of Zack and CodyThe Buzz on MaggieThe Emperor's New SchoolHannah MontanaDisney Channel GamesThe ReplacementsShorty McShorts' ShortsCory in the HousePhineas and FerbWizards of Waverly PlaceThe Suite Life on DeckSonny With A ChanceJONAS
2010-2019 Good Luck CharlieFish HooksShake It UpTake Two with Phineas and FerbA.N.T. FarmSo Random!Disney's Friends for Change GamesPrankStarsJessieAustin & AllyGravity FallsCode: 9Dog with a BlogMickey MouseLiv and MaddieWander Over YonderI Didn't Do ItWin, Lose or DrawGirl Meets WorldK.C. UndercoverStar vs. the Forces of EvilBest Friends WheneverDescendants: Wicked WorldStuck in the MiddleWalk the PrankBizaardvarkElena of AvalorMilo Murphy's LawMECH-X4Rapunzel's Tangled AdventureAndi MackDuckTales (2017)Big Hero 6: The SeriesBug Juice: My Adventures at CampStar Wars ResistanceCoop & Cami Ask the WorldSydney to the MaxFast LayneJust Roll With ItAmphibiaGabby Duran & the Unsittables
2020‍-2029 The Owl HouseDisney Fam JamZombies: Addison's Moonstone MysteryDisney's Magic Bake-OffUltra Violet & Black Scorpion
Currently Running Bunk'dRaven's HomeBig City GreensChibi Tiny TalesSecrets of Sulphur SpringsThe Ghost and Molly McGeeThe Villains of Valley ViewChibiverseHamster & GretelMarvel's Moon Girl and Devil DinosaurKiffSaturdaysHailey's On It!Pretty Freekin' Scary
Upcoming Cookies & MilkPrimosStuGoZombies: The Re-Animated Series
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