So Random!

Alright, so this show came after Demi Lovato supposedly left the show, Sonny with a Chance. In order to save the show, they bring us a show based off of the show that the Sonny character acted in on Sonny with a Chance. And man, they made a big mistake.

First off, it's Disney Channel! The clean, politically correct kids network. I'm sorry, Disney Channel, but you're just not cut out for shows like this. I can see Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network doing this (in fact, they have, and both of those shows were piles of crap), since they have an "edge" to them, but not Disney Channel. But this was during a time when Disney Channel was pumping out shows like this, like Prank Stars. So, this show seems awful literally right from the start.

First off, the performances. They're annoying as hell. The most annoying of performances comes from that weird guy who looks like he's too old for the show. He kind of creeps me out, too.

Second, the "skits". Sometimes, you'll get an original one, like The I'm Going to Marry Zach Feldman Show, but most of the time, you just get "skits" built around pop-culture. Don't believe me? Well, in every episode, they would always make a Harry Potter joke. Repetitive much, repetitive? Yeah, we get it! You don't like Harry Potter! Please move on! More annoyances include a game show parody with nothing but pop-culture references as the guests (like Willow Smith, Fred, and some other guy); MC Grammar (get it? Ha ha! Wait, nothing was funny) and The Biggest Loser Ruins Your Meal, which reminds me...

Third, the "jokes" are too darn predictable, the most predictable one being from The Biggest Loser Ruins Your Meal, where a cop says to an inmate that this is going to be his "last meal ever" (and he does say it in emphasis). Then, we cut to a 90-degree angle, where it only shows the inmate's back and the side of his face. He's the only one there, and he spends the whole time cheering. When I first saw this, I knew what was coming. Going by the way how he's just standing there, and his meal is just sitting there, where ANYONE can grab it, I knew that something was going to happen to it. And sure enough, something did happen to it! Two joggers who claim to be from The Biggest Loser come and you guessed it, take it away! See what I mean? I could go on for hours about this show, but since it's canceled (thank God!), this is where I end my review.

Overall, it just wasn't the right move for Disney Channel. I know they were trying to be like that, but their channel was already established as a too clean network.

The only thing that's bad in this show is that Chad Dylan Cooper is now in the cast of So Random. Chad would NEVER associate himself with the randoms. PERIOD. But yeah, other than that it's like SNL for tweens (so incredible, obviously).

I"m wondering why the Disney channel would cancel a show that was intelligently funny and enjoyable to watch. I personally did several episodes over the year, with my two daughters, and truly felt that the show had a definite future. All the actors on the show where very talented and played the various roles very well, especially Doug Brochu, Brandon Smith, Allisyn Arm, Tiffany Thornton, Sterling Knight, Matthew Montgomery and Damien Hass . Very unfortunate to see this one canceled. It's funny that other shows that have stayed on for years on the Disney channel, that did not equal in entertainment value compared to this one, were renewed, but this one was not. I don't get it.

After a very lame start "So Random" began to figure out what it wanted to be and has quietly moved toward becoming a Disney version of Nickelodeon's "Roundhouse" (1992-1994).

"Roundhouse" was a classic sketch comedy show for adolescents; with skits, music, and dancing showcasing a group of relatively unknown young actors and dancers.

Although "So Random" lacks some of the originality of "Roundhouse" ("Tantrum Girl" is a weak reprise of "Ask Ashley" from "All That" and "Kid Lawyer" is an improved Judge Trudy" from "The Amanda Show") the writers have managed to inject enough new material into each episode to keep it fresh.

It has come a long way from its "Sonny With A Chance" origins; a show that was slowly straggling on its Demi Lovato – Sterling Knight focus. It had become increasingly obvious that Brandon Smith and Allisyn Ashley Arm were "Sonny's" comedic strength and extremely frustrating that they were relegated to supporting roles. Both are far better utilized on "So Random".

Arm (who looks like Saoirse Ronan playing Amanda Bynes) also benefits from frequent pairing with new cast member Audrey Whitby. These two girls have a natural comedic chemistry that produces a lot of synergy when they play off against each other.

It's no coincidence that the quality improvement has coincided with Whitby's increasing screen time. She has created an obsessive teen character (Julia Peters) with her own television show (The I'm Going To Marry Zach Feldman Show) in the tradition of "Wayne's World". With Arm as her cameraman the screen is filled with extreme close-ups of the manic Julia and her breathless dialogue, which compare favorably with television's best classic comedy segments.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Let me start off by saying I hardly ever enjoyed Sonny with a Chance. The characters themselves were underdeveloped and very one-dimensional. This being said, when I found out that Disney was going to begin airing the actual variety show from Sonny with a Chance, I was extremely hesitant to watch. I'm nineteen; I grew up on Nickelodeon's All That, a show that's truly one of the best kid shows ever aired. This coupled with the whole Disney versus Nick fight many people continue to argue over had me underwhelmed and uninterested.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this show. It's funny, and the new members they've brought to the cast are nothing to scoff at. It definitely has potential to turn Disney's falling ratings around, but there are still several things that I feel prevent the show from really bringing Disney back.

The sketches, while funny, are very similar to All That sketches. Tantrum Girl is equivalent to Ask Ashley. The Spanish sketch is similar to Pierre Escargot. What will be Disney's downfall is trying too hard to create a great show. If Disney's writers can stop trying to imitate a hit 90's series and make So Random their own, this show could really do well. Now that All That is coming back to Nickelodeon though, it's definitely going to be hard for Disney to have a variety show. You can say all you want about So Random being wonderful, but go take a look at Youtube and watch some original All That. So Random has some major growing to do if it's going to keep enough interest, especially with All That airing again. All in all, this show has a great deal of potential.