Jessie

I watch this show with my kids (2 and 11) and they love it! The music is catchy and the characters are pretty funny. They are always in some kind of crazy mess only rich people can get into and their means of cleaning it up are entertaining as well. The only objection I have to this show is I don't like how Zuri is portrayed as being so ghetto. Wasn't she raised by her adoptive parents? Wouldn't she sound like the rest of the family? All that neck action and "mmmm-hmmmms" upset me. My kids are biracial and I don't need any help exposing them to these stereotypes. Most African Americans don't speak and behave in such a manner and I'm sure this particular young girl wouldn't being that she isn't around anyone who speaks or acts in that fashion. Otherwise the show is cute. Just thought I would throw that out there. Disney, if you see this review, please consider revising Zuri's attitude to reflect the life she lives on the show. I mean, China doesn't even act like that on Ant Farm so I really can't see where you are going with that character... Thanks.

Fish-out-of-the-water sitcom about rural Texas teen Jessie (Debby Ryan) who moves to Manhattan to take a job as an au pair.

Another one from It's a Laugh Prodcutions, which also supplied The Disney Channel with both Zack and Cody shows. Now, "The Suite Life on Deck" was not was exactly appointment television, but it looks like an Alan Ayckbourn comedy compared to "Jessie." Ryan was perfectly fine as backup to the Sprouse twins, but lacks the charisma necessary to carry a show. The direction lacks sharpness, the writing is rote and the cast shows little comic timing. With a few episodes under its belt, "Jessie" will find its sea legs, but no matter how you slice it, this show doesn't have a lot going for it. I doubt this is ever going to be more than a mildly pleasant time waster.

This is my six-year-old daughter's favorite show ever. My son who is thirteen admits to really liking it too, so the three of us have a good time watching it together. Of all the shows of the Disney Channel, this is the best by far. It's smart, cheeky, and funny enough for parent who might be watching the show with their kids. It also gives its characters enough credit to allow them to be serious and to grow and change. This is a big step for Disney because so many of the characters in their TV programs are rather one-dimensional.

The plot set-up of rich kids being cared-for by the nanny ( Jessie ) and the butler ( Burtrum ) rather than their rarely-there parents is old. There really aren't too many exciting things to be done with it. It works here because you like the characters and their relationships. The kids all need fleshed-out a bit, particularly the teenage daughter Emma. All the characters need to take a few risks, and I hope they do.

Filled with magic and entertainment, Jessie is one of the better Disney shows currently airing. All of the actors/actresses are lovable and very talented. Debby Ryan does really well depicting a 18 year old nanny who is not only trying to figure her own life out but also teaching and influencing the Ross children. In addition, all of the characters are unique. Yes it is true that they seem to fill a stereotype. Zuri appears to be the sassy African American girl. Luke is the player boy who has bad hygiene. Emma is the ditsy blonde girl who seems only to be into fashion. Ravi is the typical Indian character with the accent. These are facts. But the way all of the character fit together makes the show great. As individuals, each are not interesting but together they create a situation that is both enchanting and enduring. The jokes are also humorous. As a person outside of the demographic I found that some of the jokes were for people of my age and other jokes were for kids. I think this is a good thing (to blend comedic elements). I have watched many Disney sitcoms and I firmly believe Jessie is one of the better ones.

This show made my teenage years a little less stressful. It was the first show on Disney Channel I enjoyed watching since The Suite Life on Deck, and I stopped enjoying watching that in February or March of 2010. Until about eight months ago, Jessie has never been my #1 show, though I didn't hate it like I did most other Disney shows back in the year it aired (with the only exception being Austin & Ally). Even though I'm a boy, since Emma and I are in the same grade, I can understand the problems she goes through in life. The acting from the kids is really good, and I like that they have Debby Ryan as practically a mentor for this show. I'm 17 now and the show recently started its last season, so thank you Jessie for helping me through my teenage years!