A Single Controversial Line Got an Episode of This 15-Year-Old Disney Sitcom Taken Off the Air (& It Makes Absolute Sense)

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Reflecting on my beloved TV shows, some timeless classics such as “Lizzie McGuire” and “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” instantly come to mind. However, for me, specifically as a Gen Z individual, “Shake It Up” was the must-watch series. This show not only brought a plethora of famous talents like Zendaya and Bella Thorne into our living rooms, but it also made growing up appear much more enjoyable.

To be honest, the series isn’t known for preaching complex life lessons or tackling adult themes. Instead, it emphasizes entertainment and portrays its main characters positively. However, a single dialogue from Season 1 came close to getting the entire production shut down, and it was an ex-Disney star who caused the controversy.

“Party It Up” Made Good Use of a Common Sitcom Trope

In Season 1, Episode 7 titled “Party It Up,” we find ourselves joining Rocky and CeCe as they receive invitations to their first adult gathering. However, they understand their parents wouldn’t approve of them attending alone. Thus, they concoct a scheme to slip away secretly. CeCe uses her influence over Duece and Ty to convince them to babysit Flynn while she and Rocky live it up. The night unfolds smoothly, and the duo make their grand entrance at Gary’s party with lofty aspirations. However, things take an unexpected turn when they discover that their presence at the party was merely a ruse to have them serve the guests instead.

In the heat of excitement, I couldn’t help but notice two charming waiters as they were preparing to leave. The evening became a whirlwind of flirting and fibbing about my age. But then, Officer Jones, Cece’s mom, unveiled our secret gathering, and in her authoritative tone, decided to mete out punishment: we were to clean her entire house. So, it seems that the lesson about sneaking out without permission was well learned, albeit with a bit of household scrubbing involved.

Written By Directed By Original Air Date IMDb Score
Jenny Lee Shelley Jensen December 12, 2010 6.9/10

Shake It Up portrays growing up as an exhilarating experience, brushing aside the challenges such as turbulent teen emotions and school bullying to create the idea that once viewers reach adulthood, all their dreams will come true. This may appear deceitful, but it’s a common approach for pre-teen shows. Even series like Netflix’s Alexa & Katie, which are more emotionally engaging, attempt to convince their young audience that the teenage years are the best. As a result, it becomes understandable why characters like Rocky and CeCe would be interested in flirting with boys and attending parties. In essence, Shake It Up is not the most enlightening children’s program out there, but it provides its audience with a false sense of hope and some humor.

This “Party It Up” episode effectively sets the show apart on its own. Though the storyline might be slightly simple, it allows the young actors to truly excel. The humor is plentiful, creating opportunities for talented individuals like Adam Irigoyen to deliver intricate character portrayals. Naturally, discussing “Shake It Up” without mentioning the dance skills of its cast would be incomplete. Even in this episode, the actresses present a well-structured dance routine that fans can easily imitate. In summary, while “Shake It Up” may not appeal to everyone, it’s harmless and offers a few over-the-top jokes and catchy pop tunes.

A Throwaway Comment Led to a Wealth of Backlash

A year following the airing of “Party It Up”, Disney chose to take down the episode for a second look, as former Disney star Demi Lovato spoke out against its portrayal of eating disorders. In the initial broadcast, a character in the show remarked, “I could just eat you guys up! Well, if I ate.” This line sparked immediate criticism from Lovato, who stated emphatically, “Disney Channel, EATING DISORDERS ARE NOT A JOKE.” She reminisced about the earlier days of Disney Channel and pointed out that shows like “That’s So Raven” and “Lizzie McGuire” did not promote such harmful themes. Consequently, Disney swiftly eliminated the controversial line, and now only the revised version is aired. On streaming services like Disney+, viewers can only access the censored version of “Party it Up.

To certain viewers, this might appear rather intense due to it being said by an unidentified supporting character. However, it’s worth noting that Demi Lovato has openly battled eating disorders, a struggle she has been transparent about with her fans. At only 19 years old in 2010, Lovato sought treatment at a rehab facility for her disorder and has since been on a challenging path to sobriety. Given her significant role in Disney’s success, it seems the company was particularly attentive to Lovato’s thoughts and feelings.

Beyond her appearances in the Camp Rock movies alongside the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato also shone in the hit sitcom Sonny with a Chance. On this show, she portrayed the lead character, Sonny Munroe, who was widely acclaimed for her sharp humor. These roles served as a launchpad for her music career, where she released chart-toppers like “Skyscraper” and “This is Me.” Since then, Lovato has graced numerous popular TV shows and films, demonstrating that she’s more than just a Disney star.

Looking back, Demi Lovato, Zendaya, and Bella Thorne were icons for many young girls during the 2010s, demonstrating resilience and grace even amid personal challenges. “Shake It Up” was their platform to shine, particularly in dance and acting performances. So, it’s understandable that Demi Lovato taking offense at an inappropriate line indicates Disney’s commitment to safeguard her legacy and steer clear of any unnecessary drama.

Disney Has a Difficult History With Lovato

Demi Lovato, much like other Disney stars, has voiced criticism towards the company for alleged poor working conditions, particularly during her time as a child actor. It’s no secret that these issues have been ongoing, and it appears they date back quite some time. However, Lovato elevated these concerns, revealing them to be more than mere unpleasant experiences but rather systemic problems. In 2024, she released an enlightening documentary titled “Child Star,” where she delved into the ups and downs of being a public figure at a tender age. This platform not only allowed her to expose her suppressed emotional turmoil but also shed light on the less-than-ideal aspects of childhood stardom in television.

It’s true that Lovato didn’t participate in “Shake It Up,” but some viewers felt she was justified in criticizing an episode because referencing eating disorders, which can be associated with models, is not suitable for a Disney Channel sitcom. At the time, Zendaya and Thorne were young actors, so they shouldn’t have been exposed to such discussions. However, it’s only now, in the more socially conscious 2020s, that these issues can be easily spotted by fans and critics.

Disney, despite its vast success and numerous awards, sometimes fails to grasp its target audience, just like any other business. For instance, the show Shake It Up was primarily intended for 9-12-year-olds, yet some might argue it was geared towards an even younger demographic. Characters like Rocky and CeCe, despite their fame as dancers, seem to exhibit immaturity typical of children younger than themselves. They often resort to childish humor and find it difficult to comprehend the seriousness of situations.

For instance, when girls are interacting with older boys, they may not grasp that these guys hold more power and autonomy. In essence, these portrayals can appear overly simplistic, reflecting young kids’ perceptions of teenagers. However, it should be noted that “Party It Up” is a lighthearted piece of fiction primarily intended to amuse the youth without complications. Consequently, it was commendable that the company took action, spurred by one of its prominent actors.

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2025-05-28 22:51