That's So Raven
That's So Raven is an American supernatural sitcom that originally ran on Disney Channel from January 17, 2003 to November 10, 2007. Set in San Francisco, the series stars American actress Raven-Symoné as Raven Baxter, a teenager with psychic abilities who draws on her ingenuity, talent as a fashion designer, and a variety of disguises to get in and out of amusing adolescent and pre-adolescent situations. Orlando Brown and Anneliese van der Pol co-starred as her best friends, Eddie Thomas and Chelsea Daniels, alongside Kyle Massey as her mischievous younger brother Cory and T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh and Rondell Sheridan as her parents, Tanya and Victor Baxter, respectively.
That's So Raven was the highest-rated program on Disney Channel during its initial run, and was the first series in the network's history to produce 100 episodes. It was nominated for numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Children's Programming in 2005 and 2007. Since its conclusion, That's So Raven has inspired two spin-offs: Cory in the House starring Kyle Massey, which ran from 2007 to 2008, and Raven's Home starring Raven-Symoné and Anneliese van der Pol as Raven and Chelsea raising their children together, which began airing in 2017.
Overview
Raven Baxter, a teenage girl, receives psychic visions of future events when in deep situations. Attempting to make these visions come true frequently results in trouble and hilarious situations for herself, her family and her friends.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, Chelsea. Raven-Symoné was credited simply as "Raven" throughout the series.The show filmed a special pilot episode on April 12, 2001, and the first season was filmed from November 9, 2001 – June 2002.
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 second longest-running original series in Disney Channel history, the first Disney Channel series to reach 100 episodes, the first Disney Channel series to produce a spinoff and one of the first two live action original series where the lead and most of the supporting main characters are minorities
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, and to use the simulated film look created by FilmLook, Inc.
The first three seasons were produced by Brookwell McNamara Entertainment. The company later left at the end of season 3, being replaced by Warren & Rinsler Productions. Raven-Symoné then received a producer credit for the show's fourth and final season, with the credit being called "That So Productions". 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 became 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 is in England studying to be 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. 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. When originally broadcast, season two followed the guideline, but when season three began airing, the opening credits from season two were inexplicably replaced with the opening credits from season three for daytime network rebroadcasts and subsequent syndication.
Each opening sequence, before going to the title card, always ended with the main cast being together. Seasons one, two, and three were of the Baxters sitting on their living room couch, and season four was of the Baxters, 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. Anneliese 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. It also aired in China on CCTV as 那是因此掠夺. Raven-Symoné appeared in every episode of the series along with Kyle Massey, who played her little brother Cory. Orlando Brown appeared in 99 episodes of the series and Annelise van der Pol appeared in 97.
Episodes
The series is the second-longest running Disney Channel Original Series, with its popularity extending the show's contract from 65 to 100 episodes. The last episode produced was "The Way We Were", but then "Checkin' Out" was produced. Although it was chronologically the last episode, it did not air last; instead, "Where There's Smoke" aired last.Crossover with ''The Suite Life of Zack & Cody'' and ''Hannah Montana''
The episode "Checkin' Out" is the first part of a three-way crossover that continues on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and concludes on Hannah Montana. Raven Baxter meets Zack and Cody while visiting the Tipton Hotel to do a photo shoot promoting a fashion line for boys. During her stay, Raven upsets Cody with a psychic vision and London Tipton refuses to take interest in one of Raven's clothing designs until Hannah Montana arrives and shows an interest.Cast and characters
Main
- Raven-Symoné, portrays Raven Lydia Baxter, the main character. Aged 14–17. A precognitive teenager. She has a sassy attitude and a grand personality, and is well known for her style. She also loves fashion and designs her own clothing. She has friends and a loving family, and she goes to public school. However, on various occasions, she gets "psychic visions" about what may or may not happen later. She is only able to "see" a small segment of some future event, and she frequently errs on what it really means, in which case her attempts to change these events only end up making it happen or making it worse. Her main catchphrases are "Oh snap!", "Ya nasty!", "How y'all doin'?" and "Oh, no he didn't!". She abruptly says, "I'm okay!" if she falls down in one of her disguises, and if big guys throw her, she tells them to do it "gently!", in addition, when she disapproves of something, she exclaims "Gotta go!". When she makes an appearance on Cory in the House, her father exclaims, "You didn't get kicked out of design school because they don't give out refunds!", which shows she is attending design school. Raven is also a master of disguise, which fits in with her trouble-making antics and passion for becoming a fashion designer, like her idol, Donna Cabonna, whom she worked for as an intern. Raven Baxter is extremely allergic to mushrooms, and her favorite drink is orange juice. According to Chelsea, her favorite gemstone is diamond, her favorite vegetable is corn, and her favorite animal is stuffed. Often referred to as Rae, Raven does not enjoy nature or camping. She has appeared in every episode of the series, along with her younger brother Cory. In the second spin-off, Raven's Home, Raven eventually married her first love Devon but they got divorced. In between that time, they had two children Nia and Booker - latter of whom, shares Raven's ability to see into the future.
- Orlando Brown portrays Edward "Eddie" Thomas. Aged 14–17. He is Raven's male best friend. He is an aspiring rapper, and is a guard on the school basketball team. He is like a "big brother" to Cory Baxter and was commonly portrayed as playful, ambitious, loyal, girl crazy and quick to jump to conclusions. Occasionally, he says "Told ya! Told ya twice!" after he tells Raven not to do something that they both knew she would do. Another common catchphrase of his is "Holla!" after he finishes talking to his friends or girls that he likes. His parents are divorced, which is mentioned several times throughout the series. It is also said that he has a little brother. In one episode, Eddie and Raven not only start to develop romantic feelings for each other but they also kiss on the lips at two separate times; however, by the end of the episode, they decide to remain friends. Eddie has appeared in every episode except Juicer Consequences.
- Kyle Massey portrays Cory Baxter. Aged 10–13. Cory is Raven's younger brother who sometimes acts as the main antagonist of the series. He and Raven often argue, but in the long run, they care deeply for each other. Even as he gets older, he claims that playing pranks on Raven is one of his guilty pleasures. Cory has two best friends, William and Larry. Together, the 3 boys form the band Cory and the Boys, with Cory as the drummer and lead singer, while Larry is the guitarist. William starts out playing the clarinet and then plays the keyboard. The band has one song: "Feelin' the Love". Cory is an aspiring businessman. He is shown to be obsessed with money and often creates "get-rich-quick" schemes behind his parents' backs, in which he always gets into trouble. Cory also has a close relationship with his pet rat, Lionel. Earlier in the series, he had a crush on Chelsea. In the third season starts a relationship with Cindy. His catchphrases are "Cha-ching" or "You Know How I Do.". He and Victor are the main characters in the spin-off series Cory in the House. He has appeared in every episode of the series, along with his older sister Raven.
- Anneliese van der Pol portrays Chelsea Daniels. Aged 14–17. Often referred to as Chels, She is Raven's female best friend. She is an environmentalist, vegetarian and closet artist. She is portrayed as being clumsy and dimwitted ; at times, her stupidity is so potent that she is frequently oblivious to what should be obvious and unable to discern sarcasm from sincerity. She usually uses the catchphrases "That makes more sense!" or '"This is awkward!" She also likes to make jokes, which only she would laugh at. Despite her apparent lack of common sense and intelligence, she has a few surprises up her sleeve—such as occasionally knowing certain "smart" things, which usually tends to surprise everyone else. In Season 1, it is revealed that Raven and Chelsea's friendship goes all the way back to when they were in pre-school, but she was also shown to be dimwitted back then because she did not notice Raven blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. It should also be noted that Chelsea was just as caring when she was young as she is now because one of her unfulfilled wishes on that same birthday was to stop global warming. She is quite similar to Newt in personality. She is very passionate in saving the environment and caring for the animals, and also much more spiritual compared to Raven who can be materialistic, though it occasionally leads to troubling events like the three friends disputing over a goat and nearly turning herself and Raven into cows. In earlier episodes, Cory has a huge crush on her and unsuccessfully pursues her. Occasionally, Chelsea refers to a specific relative, Cousin Earl, at times. Her parents are Therapists. She also has a dog named Sam. Chelsea is present in every episode except Mother Dearest, Smell of Victory, and Saturday Afternoon Fever. In the second spin-off, Raven's Home, Chelsea is a divorced single mother with a son - Levi, and both of them go to live with Raven and her 2 kids after the divorce.
- T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh portrays Tanya Baxter Tanya is the mother of Raven and Cory, and wife of Victor. She is a firm, but fun and caring mother who, despite the antics of her children, is always there for them. She halted her studies to raise her family, but decided once the children were older to continue studying law. Before that, she briefly worked as Raven's English teacher at the request of Raven's school principal. Her catchphrase is "Momma like!" She has a very competitive nature to her personality. It's learned that her mother, Viv, is also psychic. In season 4, Tanya is not present; it is said that she has gone off to England to attend law school. On Cory in the House, she is still in England and she does not visit Cory and Victor but is mentioned. In the pilot episode of Raven's Home, it is revealed by Booker that Tanya is still living in London going to law school.
- Rondell Sheridan portrays Victor Baxter, the father of Raven and Cory, and husband of Tanya. He starts out as a chef in a restaurant, but he later opens his own restaurant, "The Chill Grill". His biggest rival is Leonard Stevenson. In Cory in the House, he gets a job as the President's chef and it is unknown what became of his restaurant. His catchphrases are "Here comes the pain!" and "I'll go pack!" in Raven's Home he appeared as a guest star.
Recurring
;Devon Carter, played by Lil' J
;Alana Rivera, played by Adrienne Bailon
;Bianca, played by Erica Rivera
;Muffy, played by Ashley Drane
;Loca, played by Andrea Edwards
;William, played by Frankie Ryan Manriquez
;Larry, played by David Henrie
;Ben Sturky, played by Joshua Harto
;Chantel, played by Drew Sidora
;Stanley played by Bobb'e J. Thompson
;Sydney, played by Sydney Park
;Donna Cabonna, played by Anne-Marie Johnson
;Tiffany, played by Jodi Shilling
;Cindy, played by
;The Juicer, played by Dan Mott
;Freckles, played by Jake Carlis
Reunion
Eight years after the series ended, there was speculation and rumors that the series would get a second spin-off or revamp. On August 14, 2015, a reunion with Raven and her former co-stars happened on The View, where they discussed all things about the show and past times. Crystal Keymah and Sheridan were not present, but got a special mention from Symoné herself.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 Girl Talk board game, three video games and two soundtracks, That's So Raven 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 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 had made $400 million.
Soundtrack albums
- That's So Raven
- That's So Raven Too!
Series novelizations
- What You See Is What You Get – Smell of Victory & A Dog by Any Other Name
- Rescue Me – Driven To Insanity & Mother Dearest
- In Raven We Trust – Test of Friendship & Saturday Afternoon Fever
- Step Up – Dissin' Cousins & Party Animal
- Family Affair – If I Only Had a Job & Teach Your Children Well
- 2 Good 2 B True – To See or Not to See & Ye Olde Dating Game
- Tell It Like It Is – Campaign in the Neck & Separation Anxiety
- Dueling Divas' – A Fight at the Opera & The Parties
- Showtime! – Wake Up, Victor & A Fish Called Raven
- Psyched – Psychics Wanted & Saving Psychic Raven
- Boyfriend Blues – Four's a Crowd & Blue in the Face
- Be Mine – Hearts And Minds & Close Encounters of the Nerd Kind
- The Real Deal – That's So Not Raven & Run, Raven, Run
- Over the Top – Out of Control & He's Got the Power
- Rebel Raven – Clothes Minded & Spa Day Afternoon
- Superstar – Radio Heads & The Road to Audition
- House Party – Hizzouse Party & Leave It to Diva
- Queen of Hearts – There Goes the Bride & Royal Treatment
- Raven Rocks – A Goat's Tale & Boyz 'N Commotion
- Extreme Fever – Extreme Cory & When There's Smoke
Video games
- That's So Raven, Game Boy Advance
- That's So Raven 2, Game Boy Advance
- , Nintendo DS
Reception
Home media
Volume releases
Other releases
Name in other countries
Spin-offs
''Cory in the House''
Cory in the House is the first Disney Channel spin-off and it 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 the spin-off, but she declined it, therefore Disney Channel decided to give it to Kyle Massey.The storyline involves Cory and 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 Tanya 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, and one a girl, Meena Paroom. Note that in That's So Raven, the main character also has two best friends, one a boy and one a girl and Newt and Meena's persona's are similar to Chelsea and Eddie. Cory attends a middle school in Washington, D.C. Also in the series, the president's daughter Sophie 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's.
It is implied the episode of That's So Raven, "When 6021 Met 4267", that Cory and Victor did move back to San Francisco.
In the episode "That's So in the House", Raven came to show designs of new tour guide uniforms to President Martinez. 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.
Stanley and the Juicer have also made special appearances on the show as well.