Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Honors Doogie Howser, M.D.

September 9, 2021September 9, 2021

By Zach Johnson

The coming-of-age dramedy Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., which premiered on Disney+ September 8, is, of course, inspired by the hit medical series Doogie Howser, M.D.—something that will no doubt be immediately obvious to fans who watched the original drama, which aired on ABC for four seasons from 1989-1993. For starters, the theme song—a fresh take on the original—is performed on ukulele by Hawaiian artist Jake Shimabukuro.

“There were a few key things I remember from growing up watching the show, and one of them was definitely the theme song,” Kourtney Kang, creator and executive producer of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., recalled last month during the TCA Summer Press Tour. The reimagined theme song was always part of her vision, which is why Kang feels “lucky” that Shimabukuro helped make her dream a reality: “He is the best ukulele player in the world!”

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. follows the adventures of Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) as she juggles a nascent medical career with the everyday trials and tribulations that come with being a teenager. With the support of her caring and comical family and friends, she is determined to make the most of this time and forge her own path.

In addition to referencing the original theme song, another element Kang was keen to borrow from Doogie Howser, M.D. was creating a BFF like Vinnie Delpino (Max Casella), who famously felt so at home with Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris) that he would climb through the young doctor’s window rather than use the front door. It’s a quirky tradition that Steph Denisco (Emma Meisel) continues in Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. “As we were looking for the perfect house for the Kamealoha family to live in, in Hawai‘i, I kept saying, ‘It has to be two stories,’” Kang said. “Steph loves her so much that she’s climbing up two stories to crawl through this window. It’s just not the same if it’s a one-story house.” Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. also updates the journaling scene from the end of each episode of Doogie Howser, M.D., with Lahela recording video diary messages about her day.

As for how Lahela gets the “Doogie” nickname? Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. is set in a world in which Harris was an actor who played a character named Doogie Howser on television. “Apparently, this is a thing that happens sometimes to young doctors,” Kang explained. “They get nicknamed ‘Doogie,’ so we thought it was fun that she gets nicknamed ‘Doogie.’”

Lee said she had “not personally spoken” to Harris, but she “would love to” do so one day. “We need to connect Peyton and Neil!” said Kang. “And yes, we have been in touch with Neil. I worked with him for nine years on How I Met Your Mother. He is so wonderful. As soon as this all started coming together, we reached out. He has been so supportive of this project and so lovely. We were trying to get him to come out in season one and do something with us.” For a number of reasons, it didn’t work out. But hope is not lost, said Kang: “He was like, ‘In season two’—if there’s a season two—‘I would love to come out.’”

Although Doogie Howser, M.D. creator Steven Bochco passed away in 2018, his widow, Dayna Bochco, and his son, Jesse Bochco, continue his legacy by serving as executive producers of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Jesse said he was “blown away” by Lee, and Dayna praised the creative team behind the new series, saying, “Steven would love these people.”

“We felt very confident going forward because they were always respectful of what Steven had done and were also respectful of the ideas behind the concept: a child prodigy who doesn’t fit in either world,” Dayna said. “He would have loved the show. I know he would.”

New episodes of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. stream Wednesdays on Disney+.

The Ron’s Gone Wrong Creators Discuss Technology, Relationships, and the Heart of Friendship

September 9, 2021September 8, 2021

By Jim Frye

Ron may be wrong. But in the end, it’s all right.

Ron’s Gone Wrong, a new animated feature coming out this October from 20th Century Studios and Locksmith Animation, explores what happens when every kid in the country gets a B-Bot—a walking, talking, digitally connected device that is supposed to be their “Best Friend Out of the Box.” But when awkward middle-schooler Barney gets a broken B-Bot named Ron, he has to move past his own insecurities and try to teach it what true friendship is… before it ruins his social life forever.

The specter of over-reaching technology and what it means to our culture is central to the story of Ron’s Gone Wrong. People are connected to their phones, their social media, and their technology in ways we never dreamed a generation ago. It’s into this setting that the creators of Ron’s Gone Wrong have cast their net, telling the story of Barney and Ron, two very different “people” (Ron’s a B-Bot) who crush through their barriers to explore true friendship. Who are our true friends? Can technology substitute for actual relationships? And what does it all mean in today’s society?

The creative team behind Ron’s Gone Wrong recently gathered to talk about their film and how its themes of relationships, technology, and the intersection of the two are so timely with what’s going on in our world today. We heard from writer/director of Ron’s Gone Wong and co-founder of Locksmith Animation, Sarah Smith; director Jean-Philippe Vine; producer and co-founder of Locksmith Animation Julie Lockhart; co-director Octavio Rodriguez; and scriptwriter Peter Baynhamn.

PETER BAYNHAM: “The frustration with technology is that on an hourly basis I want to smash something up! You just get things that make your life better and I become instantly dependent on them and then I’m furious when they won’t work. So, it’ll be terrifying to depend on a device for friendship, because I know, just at the moment it doesn’t work, I would be melting down in a small corner somewhere.”

JEAN-PHILIPPE VINE: “Our movie really talks about friendship and what is a good healthy friendship and how messy that can be. I really connected to it, especially as a parent because my oldest son was really struggling with friendships in his pre-teen period and kind of really struggling with which group he belonged to. And it helped me as we worked with Barney, the main character, and just thematically—this idea that a good friendship has conflict and that’s okay. And that’s a good thing; that’s a healthy friendship. I think that’s a beautiful idea, so I connect with that.”

SARAH SMITH: “My passion as a movie-maker is wanting to do movies that actually talk to stuff that really matters to kids. And I was very aware of my own daughter, as every parent is. At some point your kid comes home and says, ‘They all had someone to play with at recess except me.’ You feel like ‘Oh my God,’ and then you remember having that experience yourself. It’s like the universal problem we all have of feeling like everyone else has it down except us, and at the same time being super aware of how technology made all that really even more complicated for kids. I literally remember sitting on a sofa with a glass of wine watching her, thinking, ‘We have to make that movie for kids, because kids don’t understand that maybe what their experience is online, maybe there’s different.’ Then it became a kind of journey to try and find how could you put the idea of our online relationships into a fun, animated format. And the answer is, the idea that there’s a device out there that replaces your phone and your iPad, but it runs around and talks to you.”

SARAH SMITH: “We watched all of the robot movies. And all of those movies have one thing in common—they’re either the evil baddy or they’re the goodie. And in a way this movie’s not really so much about the robot A.I. idea, it’s not about that kind of Artificial Intelligence. It’s actually about something which kids have in their homes. It’s about the way their iPad talks to them. It’s really about social media and the online experience.”

PETER BAYNHAM: “Ron just wants to help you and wants to learn. And that, therefore, then teaches Barney about friendship. So, Barney sets out to teach Ron friendship, and in the end Barney’s the one who gets the real lesson, and Ron’s the one who teaches him.”

SARAH SMITH: “The movie is the not saying that technology’s bad or even good. The thing is, it’s here to stay, and there was a time at the beginning when I thought I wanted the end of the movie to be that all the B-Bots were gone, and the kids were back in the playground looking at each other and relating again. And then eventually someone said to me, ‘You know that’s not going to happen, right?’ And we realized we needed to make a more challenging movie, which is about how do we—as parents, as children, as kids growing up in a world in which this is all they’ve ever known—how do we learn to live with the tech?”

Ron’s Gone Wrong opens October 22.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

September 9, 2021

By Zach Johnson

We’re not saying we make our plans around what to watch… but we’re not not saying that! This Friday, Disney Channel will present an all-new episode of Disney’s Magic Bake-Off that’s themed to one of our favorite films: The Lion King! That same day, the sensational, swashbuckling film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will join the Disney+ library. On Sunday, ABC will broadcast all-new episodes of Celebrity Family Feud and To Tell the Truth, while Freeform’s movie marathon will include another fan-favorite: The Game Plan.

Disney’s Magic Bake-Off—Friday, September 10, at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
Be prepared! In this episode, co-hosts Issac Ryan Brown and Dara Reneé help guide the contestants as they bake spectacular cakes inspired by The Lion King. Baking influencer Jocelyn Adams joins Disneyland Resort pastry chef Gracie Gomez as the kid bakers showcase the majestic animal kingdom and the beauty of Africa in their delicious creations.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides—Friday, September 10, on Disney+
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, director Rob Marshall’s 2011 action-adventure introduces Angelica (Penélope Cruz), a ravishing pirate who shares a dubious past with Captain Jack Sparrow (Disney Legend Johnny Depp) and forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge—aka the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane)! Jack soon finds himself on an unexpected journey to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Along the way, he must use all his wiles to deal with Blackbeard and his crew of zombies, not to mention Angelica, some enchanting mermaids, and crews of Spaniards also looking for the fountain.

Celebrity Family Feud—Sunday, September 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
The Nanny co-stars Fran Drescher and Charles Shaughnessy will reunite and battle it out for their chosen charity: Cancer Schmancer, which Drescher founded. In the next game, country music star Jessie James Decker, former NFL player Eric Decker, and their family take on NBA star Chris Bosh and his family and friends. The Decker family will play for Graham’s Foundation, while “Team Bosh” will play for the Boys and Girls Club of America.

The Game Plan—Sunday, September 12, at 8:30 p.m. ET on Freeform
Famous quarterback Joe Kingman (Dwayne Johnson) is shocked when Peyton (Madison Pettis), the 8-year-old daughter he never knew existed, shows up on the doorstep of his not-so-kid-friendly bachelor pad. But as an all-important game nears, Joe starts to realize the most meaningful win he can achieve is the heart of the little fan who counts the most.

To Tell the Truth—Sunday, September 12, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
D’Arcy Carden, Brad Garrett, and J.B. Smoove make up the celebrity panel. Join the party this week with an explosive group that features the Hollywood Sign caretaker, a NASCAR tire changer, the prettiest pie winner, a manure specialist, and a master piñata maker!

Marvel Launches All-New Marvel Unlimited App

September 9, 2021September 9, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Marvel Unlimited really lives up to its name!

Today, Marvel relaunched its award-winning digital comics subscription service, Marvel Unlimited. The fan-favorite app offers members access to over 29,000 issues of classic and newer titles. From the roots of Marvel’s iconic characters to the ever-evolving universe behind its blockbuster films, games, and series, the app boasts over 80 years of storytelling!

Want to follow all the adventures of your favorite Super Heroes and Villains? Need a curated reading guide? Curious about a comic creator? Marvel Unlimited has you covered!

That’s not all! As part of the relaunch, Marvel Unlimited is also introducing its exclusive Infinity Comics: full screen high-resolution vertical comics designed for phone and tablet. There are currently 27 Infinity Comics available on the app, with over 100 issues planned by the end of 2021. The comics, which live in universe, come from top Marvel creators including Gerry Duggan, Geoffo, Dax Gordine, Jonathan Hickman, Declan Shalvey, Nathan Stockman, Kelly Thompson, Lucas Werneck, Alyssa Wong, and Skottie Young, among others. Infinity Comics will feature series including Amazing Fantasy, Black Widow, Captain America, Deadpool, Giant-Size Little Marvels, It’s Jeff, Shang-Chi, Venom/Carnage, and X-Men Unlimited. Take a peek at just a few of the Infinity Comics covers in the gallery below:

“The goal for Marvel Unlimited has always been to provide the best digital experience for our fans by giving them direct access to all of their favorite Marvel comics,” says Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Entertainment. “With this relaunch, we’re bringing fans an even richer experience with Marvel stories designed in a vertical format for the first time. Our new Infinity Comics give our creators a chance to tell stories in entirely new ways, and we’re looking forward to connecting our fans to those stories in the months to come.”

Marvel, working with Technology teams in Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED), is relaunching Marvel Unlimited with new capabilities to dramatically improve how fans discover and read comics. The app now offers unlimited downloads, so fans can dive into new stories anytime and anywhere. The app also features best-in-class speed and search tools, greater stability, and personalized reading guides based on user preferences. Other new additions include content sharing capabilities outside of the app, an annual plan app subscription option, and new comic titles added weekly. New titles are added as soon as three months after they’re in stores.

“These updates and a focus on personalization will allow us to reach a new generation of Marvel fans and enhance the experience of current fans,” says Doug Vance, VP of Product and Marketing, DMED Technology. “When we redesign apps like this from the ground up, we align with business goals of our different partners and subsidiaries of The Walt Disney Company with the ultimate goal of growing our audience and digital subscriptions while also delivering an even more visually immersive experience.”

Marvel Unlimited, available to download on both iOS and Android, now has multiple subscription tiers for members to choose from. There is a monthly tier for $9.99, an annual subscription for $69/year, and an annual plus subscription for $99/year. The new annual plus subscription comes with the benefits included in monthly and annual tiers, as well as an exclusive membership kit, invites to in-person events, and 10% off ShopDisney.com. Marvel Insider loyalists will also benefit from the new in-app integration. Members can earn points, see their progress as they consume, and get rewarded for returning to the app.

For the latest updates, follow Marvel Unlimited on Facebook and Twitter.

Director Aphton Corbin Talks Pixar SparkShorts’ Twenty Something

September 8, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Picture it: You’re a filmmaker, and you’re given six months to pull together a team and create an animated short. No real “rules” apply—all you need is the passion to tell a story and a clever, resourceful approach.

That’s the premise behind Pixar Animation Studios’ SparkShorts program, where Pixar’s up-and-coming animators are paired with a producer and given the chance to make something totally personal and unique, exploring fresh new storytelling techniques along the way. SparkShorts is responsible for several beloved Pixar shorts, including Oscar^® nominees Kitbull and Burrow. And this month, Pixar is releasing two brand-new SparkShorts, beginning with Twenty Something—which premieres on Disney+ this Friday, September 10.

Directed by Aphton Corbin, Twenty Something demonstrates that adulting can be hard; some days you’re nailing it, while other days, you’re just a stack of kids hiding in a trench coat hoping no one notices. Gia, our Twenty Something protagonist, finds herself in this exact scenario the night of her 21st birthday. All told, sometimes—as the short hilariously, vividly confirms—you’ve gotta “fake it ‘til you make it.”

D23 recently attended a special virtual look at the short, presented by Corbin herself; here are a few memorable highlights:

On when she was asked to participate in the SparkShorts program:
“I’ve been at Pixar since 2016,” Corbin explains, “and I worked on Toy Story 4 and Soul… While I was working on Soul, I was asked if I wanted to direct my very own SparkShort. I did what many of you might’ve done: I panicked. ‘What were they thinking?’ I felt like I had been at the studio for such a short time; were they asking the right person? After hyperventilating for what felt like months, I decided to dig deeper into my imposter syndrome. I like to draw comics, especially when I’m feeling insecure, and this comic I drew back in 2018 [dealt with those feelings]… After I was given this opportunity to direct a SparkShort, that [insecure] feeling crept back up again—feeling like an adult one minute [and] feeling like kids stacked in a trench coat the next. Something about this idea clicked… So, the first part of my journey was taking that [comic] idea and turning it into a fleshed-out story.”

On the process of brainstorming the story, and starting work with the short’s producer:
“After I finished my time on Soul, I went on vacation and tried to [storyboard] the whole idea from beginning to end,” she says. “I placed my main character, Gia, in an office setting, and came up with how an entertaining story would unfold. After time at the office, she and her friends would go to a club and continue shenanigans there. But something about this story didn’t feel right,,, it felt like the story didn’t really take off until Gia entered the club with said friends. Given my more introverted personality, the awkwardness of going out to the club felt so relatable and a better location to tell the story. So, I scrapped my boards, which was a hard thing to do—but I realized it was necessary.”“To make the film run smoothly, I had Erik Langley, my fearless producer extraordinaire,” Corbin continues. “We didn’t know each other before this experience, and we both were new to our respective leadership positions. Erik immediately got to work, scheduling out a ‘game plan’ for how this film would be made.”

On why she decided to make the short in 2D:
“In order to pull off this crazy idea, I knew I was going to need to make this a 2D film,” she explains. “Since we’re a SparkShort, our budget is a little smaller. And if I was going to pull off a movie with dialogue and all of these extra characters—in the club setting, too—it was the route to go. It’s honestly my first love; I got into animation because I loved drawings, and seeing those drawings come to life [is a] super special moment. And I was encouraged by seeing amazing 2D SparkShorts that had come out before, like Burrow and Kitbull, and I knew it was a path for me.”

On some of the short’s visual inspirations:
“I was really inspired by older, ‘vintage’ cartoons—specifically in the ’60s and ’70s; trying to get some of that charm and that appeal into the design. But it didn’t just stop there. Yingzong [the short’s character design artist] had design a whole slew of background characters, with both adult and baby forms, [which are] important in Act 3 of the short. So, it really put her to the test—and she delivered in an amazing way.”

On the challenges that came with, well, everything about 2020:
“We were feeling really confident and ready to get started with animation,” admits Corbin, “and then COVID-19 global pandemic [hit] and we thought, ‘What are we going to do?!’ We weren’t sure it was going to happen, as the [Pixar] campus completely shut down and we all had to go home. We scrambled onto Zoom and brainstormed a ‘work from home’ plan. Led by [SparkShorts production supervisor] Mike O’Brien and [producer] Erik, our ‘offline’ work flow started to gain traction, and we were determined to make our film happen. Adjustments were made, [our] haircuts were postponed,” she says, laughing, “but we kept motivation up and moved forward into animation.”

“I knew I was going to need a very skilled animation supervisor,” she adds. “I picked Lucas Pacheco, who is a friend from school and a very skilled animator; I knew he’d be perfect for the job. Lucas assembled an awesome team of equally amazing animators to work from home and rally together to create this short. Lucas was instrumental in creating model sheets for all of the characters, complete with expression sheets and style guides,,, Lucas did an amazing amount of work, and earned himself the title of ‘fluid animator,’ as he volunteered to take on most of the liquids [seen in] the short—including projectile baby [spit-up] and a huge amount of tears,” Corbin explains, chuckling.

On seeing the finished product:
“Ultimately, we had to get to sound editing and ‘last looks,’” the director says. “And we were able to head into [Pixar Animation Studios] for a socially distanced sound check… it was our first time meeting [in person] in several months—and like a magical, perfect scenario, somehow all the colors worked and it sounded great. And like that, the production was finished. I’m extremely thankful to have the chance to work on this film. As you can see, it was a huge amount of work and it speaks to my amazing team. It was such an exciting [project], and I can’t wait for everyone to finally see it!”

The Pixar SparkShort Twenty Something debuts this Friday, September 10—only on Disney+!

Disney+ Runs Amok with Second Annual Hallowstream Celebration

September 8, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Do you believe in magic?

Disney+ is brewing up another year of spooky programming for Hallowstream with exciting new originals and beloved Halloween classics. Starting September 24, enjoy your favorite Halloween-themed episodes and films in the new Halloween collection on the streaming service. Disney+ will debut three original programs—LEGO^® Star Wars Terrifying Tales, Muppets Haunted Mansion. and Just Beyond—as a part of the All Hallow’s Eve celebration.

Premiering October 1, LEGO^® Star Wars Terrifying Tales is a seasonal celebration of the villainous dark side of the Star Wars galaxy—just in time for Halloween. After the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Poe (voice of Jake Green) and BB-8 must make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar where they meet the greedy and conniving Graballa the Hutt (voice of Dana Snyder), who has purchased Darth Vader’s castle and is renovating it into the galaxy’s first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel. While waiting for his X-Wing to be repaired, Poe, BB-8, Graballa and Dean (voice of Raphael Alejandro), a plucky and courageous young boy who works as Graballa’s mechanic, venture deep into the mysterious castle with Vader’s loyal servant, Vaneé (voice of Tony Hale). Along the way, Vaneé shares three creepy stories linked to ancient artifacts and iconic villains from across all eras of Star Wars. As Vaneé spins his tales and lures our heroes deeper into the shadowy underbelly of the castle, a sinister plan emerges. With the help of Dean, Poe, and BB-8 will have to face their fears, stop an ancient evil from rising and escape to make it back to their friends. Watch a trailer for the Halloween special here.

The Muppets’ first-ever Halloween special, Muppets Haunted Mansion, will premiere Friday, October 8, on Disney+. The brand-new special will feature a star-studded Muppets cast, celebrity cameos, all-new music, and spooky fun for families to enjoy together. Muppets Haunted Mansion takes place on Halloween night, when Gonzo is challenged to spend one very daring night in the most grim grinning place on Earth… the Haunted Mansion!

All eight episodes of the supernatural anthology series Just Beyond will premiere Wednesday, October 13, as a part of the Disney+ Hallowstream celebration. Inspired by the writings of R.L. Stine, the series tells astonishing and thought-provoking stories of a reality just beyond the one we know. Each episode introduces viewers to a new cast of characters who must go on a surprising journey of self-discovery in a supernatural world of witches, aliens, ghosts, and parallel universes.

Kick off the celebration early by watching the latest episode in Marvel Studios’ first-ever animated series, What If…?—premiering today on Disney+. In this eerie episode, The Avengers are infected by a zombie plague, and the surviving heroes must search for a cure.

2021 Halloween Collection Featuring Fan–Favorite Spooky Content
In addition to the Disney+ original content premiering in October, the Halloween collection will feature a lineup of memorable films and Halloween-themed episodes from fan-favorite series. Celebrate the spooky holiday at home with classic films Halloweentown, The Haunted Mansion, Hocus Pocus, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Twitches, and many more. The new Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps will also be available starting Friday, October 8, on Disney+.

Below is a full list of content included in the Halloween collection, which will be available to all Disney+ subscribers September 24:

Movies and Series
Bride of Boogedy
Can of Worms
Don’t Look Under the Bed
Edward Scissorhands
Frankenweenie (2012)
Gargoyles
Girl vs. Monster
Gravity Falls
Halloweentown
Halloweentown High
Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge
Hocus Pocus
Invisible Sister
James and the Giant Peach
Just Beyond (All Episodes Streaming Wednesday, October 13)
LEGO^® Star Wars Terrifying Tales (Premieres Friday, October 1)
Maleficent
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire
Mr. Boogedy
Muppets Haunted Mansion (Premieres Friday, October 8)
Phantom of the Megaplex
Return to Halloweentown
So Weird
Spooky Buddies
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
The Ghosts of Buxley Hall
The Haunted Mansion
The Scream Team
The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror (I–XXX)
The Simpsons Horror Collection
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Twitches
Twitches Too
Vampirina
Wizards of Waverly Place
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
ZOMBIES
ZOMBIES 2

Shorts and Specials
Captain Sparky Vs. The Flying Saucers
Frankenweenie (1984)
The Legend of Mor’du
Lonesome Ghosts
Mater and the Ghostlight
Toy Story of Terror!
Trick or Treat
Vampirina Ghoul Girls Rock!

Haunting Episodes
WandaVision – “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!”
What If…? – “What If…Zombies?!”
The Muppet Show – “Vincent Price”
Behind the Attraction – “The Haunted Mansion”
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse – “Houseghosts”
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse – “Once Upon an Apple”
Prop Culture – “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Earth to Ned – “Night of the Living Ned”
The Incredible Dr. Pol – “Pol-tergeist”
America’s Funniest Home Videos – “Scared Silly, Trick or Treat, and a Home Wrecking Rodent”
America’s Funniest Home Videos – “Tricks & Treats, Costume Party, and Baby Monsters”
America’s Funniest Home Videos – “Halloween Classics, Magic Mishaps and Spiders”
America’s Funniest Home Videos – “Halloweenies and Creepy Crawlies”
America’s Funniest Home Videos – “Halloween, Instant Karma, and Scared Stupid”
America’s Funniest Home Videos – “Halloweenies 2012 and Second Guy Bites It”

Disney Channel Halloween Episodes
A.N.T Farm – “Mutant Farm”
Big City Greens – “Blood Moon Part 1 / Blood Moon Part 2”
BUNK’D – “Camp Kiki–slasher”
DuckTales (2017) – “Terror of the Terra-firmians!”
Even Stevens – “A Very Scary Story”
Girl Meets World – “Girl Meets World of Terror”
Good Luck Charlie – “Scary Had a Little Lamb”
Goof Troop – “Hallow–Weenies”
Gravity Falls – “Summerween”
Hannah Montana – “Torn Between Two Hannahs”
Jessie – “The Whining”
K.C. Undercover – “All Howls Eve”
Kim Possible – “October 31st”
Lab Rats – “Night of The Living Virus”
Liv and Maddie – “Haunt-a-Rooney”
Lizzie McGuire – “Night of the Day of the Dead”
Mickey Mouse (Shorts) – “Ghoul Friend”
Phil of the Future – “Halloween”
Phineas and Ferb – “Terrifying Tri-State Trilogy of Terror” (Parts 1 and 2)
The Proud Family – “A Hero for Halloween”
Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure – “The Wrath of Ruthless Ruth”
Raven’s Home – “Switch-or-Treat”
Recess – “Terrifying Tales of Recess”
Shake It Up – “Haunt It Up”
Sonny With a Chance – “A So Random Halloween Special”
Star vs. The Forces of Evil – “Hungry Larry / Spider with a Top Hat”
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody – “Ghost of 613”
The Suite Life on Deck – “Sea Monster Mash”
That’s So Raven – “Don’t Have a Cow”
Wizards of Waverly Place – “Halloween”

Disney Junior Halloween Episodes
Doc McStuffins – “Boo-Hoo to You! / It’s Glow Time”
Doc McStuffins – “Hallie Halloween / Don’t Fence Me In”
Doc McStuffins “Mirror, Mirror on My Penguin / Hide and Eek!”
Fancy Nancy – “Nancy’s Costume Clash / Nancy’s Ghostly Halloween”
Goldie & Bear – “Witch Cat is Which? / Trick or Treat Trouble”
Handy Manny – “Halloween / Squeeze’s Magic Show”
Henry Hugglemonster – “Halloween Scramble / Scouts Night Out”
Henry Hugglemonster – “Huggleween Moon”
Imagination Movers – “A Monster Problem”
Imagination Movers – “Haunted Halloween”
Jake and the Never Land Pirates – “Escape from Ghost Island / The Island of Doctor Undergear”
Jake and the Never Land Pirates – “Night of the Golden Pumpkin / Trick or Treasure!”
Jake and the Never Land Pirates – “Phantoms of Never–Nether Land / Magical Mayhem”
Jake and the Never Land Pirates – “Pirate Ghost Story / Queen Izzybella”
Jake and the Never Land Pirates – “Tricks, Treats, and Treasure! / Season of the Sea Witch”
Little Einsteins – “A Little Einsteins Halloween”
Mickey and the Roadster Racers – “Goof Mansion / A Doozy Night of Mystery”
Mickey and the Roadster Racers – “The Haunted Hot Rod / Pete’s Ghostly Gala”
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – “Mickey’s Monster Musical” (Part 1 and 2)
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – “Mickey’s Treat”
Miles from Tomorrowland – “Ghost Moon / Stormy Night in a Dark Nebula”
Muppet Babies – “Happy Hallowocka! / The Teeth-Chattering Tale of the Haunted Pancakes”
Out of the Box – “Trick or Treat”
Puppy Dog Pals – “Return to the Pumpkin Patch / Haunted Howl-oween”
Sheriff Callie’s Wild West – “The Great Hallow”
Sofia the First – “Cauldronation Day”
Sofia the First – “Ghostly Gala”
Sofia the First – “Princess Butterfly”
The Lion Guard – “Beware the Zimwi”
Vampirina – “Hauntleyween / Frankenflower”

Meet the Characters of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.

September 8, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Sure, not all of us are teen geniuses—but that doesn’t mean that Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha and her friends and family aren’t going to take us on relatable, heartfelt adventures in the new Disney+ original series Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. The series, inspired by the 1989 sitcom Doogie Howser, M.D., follows Lahela as she tries to navigate her unusual coming of age. Before you tune into the new series, debuting on Disney+ Wednesday, September 8, meet Lahela, her ‘ohana, and her pals:

Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee)
It’s already tough to be a 16-year-old, juggling school, crushes, and all the chaos teenage life brings—now try doing all that and being a prodigy with a budding medical career! Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha faces that challenge with determination, relying on the support of her silly and sweet family and friends to help her find the balance between teen genius and complicated high schooler.

Kai Kamealoha (Matthew Sato)
Speaking of Lahela’s family—her brothers Kai and Brian Patrick are key to keeping the teen genius grounded. “We’re the ones who can bring her back down to 16,” Sato explains. “She’s doing all these crazy things like surgeries and heart transplants, and she needs someone to remind her that she’s still a teenager.”

A free spirit, Kai is Lahela’s older brother, but despite being ahead of her in years, he’s fallen behind when it comes to life plans. “He is the older sibling of a sister who is doing all these insane, amazing things, and he doesn’t even know what he wants to do when he grows up,” Sato says of his character.

Brian Patrick Kamealoha (Wes Tian)
The younger of Lahela’s brothers who keep her down-to-earth, Brian Patrick is sociable and curious, ready to discover the wacky world around him. Tian describes Brian Patrick as, “the adventurous type. He’s just trying to find something to do—he’s exploring.”

“He has this crazy imagination,” adds Jason Scott Lee, who plays the father of the Kamealoha siblings. Brian Patrick’s curiosity and imagination offer ample opportunity for wacky hijinks while his sister is busy at work being a teen genius

Benny Kamealoha (Jason Scott Lee)
It wasn’t hard for Lee to slip into the character of doting father Benny: “It’s very similar to my life now, because I have three kids at three different stages of life,” he explains, “And you have to constantly juggle to give them a certain kind of attention when you’re one-on-one.” Between free-spirited Kai, precocious Lahela, and adventurous Brain Patrick, Benny certainly has his hands full parenting three very different kids. But with his big heart and extra warmth, Benny always makes sure to keep his kids connected to what matters most.

Dr. Clara Hannon (Kathleen Rose Perkins)
Teen-parent relationships are notoriously tricky, and Lahela and Dr. Clara Hannon have their work cut out for them. Dr. Clara isn’t just Lahela’s mom—she’s also her boss, the supervisor at the hospital where Lahela works! Even though Dr. Clara is the one in charge, it doesn’t mean she’s only there to teach. “She’s got a lot of lessons to learn still!” Perkins says of her character, adding, “People have to grow, and it doesn’t stop when you turn 40.”

Steph Denisco (Emma Meisel)
“Who wouldn’t want to be Steph and be goofy and wear fun clothes and be Lahela’s best friend?” Meisel asks—it’s hard to argue with that logic! Meisel describes Steph as the “yin to Lahela’s yang,” as they are best friends who have known each other since childhood. Meisel adds, “[Lahela’s] such an analytical thinker and then Steph is this right-brained, artsy girl who’s in love with love.”

Charles Zeller (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman)
Charles Zeller is a fish out of water, a Chicagoan doing his residency on the island of Oahu. “He is so excited to be there,” Chapman says. “He’s living the dream. He is very much the eyes into the island from the mainland viewers. The audience will get to learn along with him.” Much of his insight into island life comes from his friend, a fellow resident at the hospital, Noelani Nakayama, who helps the fun-loving Charles adapt to his new home.

Noelani Nakayama (Mapuana Makia)
In contrast to Charles, Noelani is “as local as they come,” says Makia. She describes Noelani as “a fun, vivacious, happy-to-be-there doctor.” When she isn’t working as a doctor, she’s fostering her friendship with Charles, teaching him a little bit about culture in Hawai’i, his new home during his residency.

Watch Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. starting Wednesday, September 8, on Disney+.

Dancing with the Stars Season 30 Celebrity Cast Revealed

September 8, 2021September 8, 2021

By Zach Johnson

The time has come to lace up their dancing shoes…

Dancing with the Stars will return for its milestone 30th season in less than two weeks… and we just learned who else will be joining previously announced celebrity contestants Suni Lee and JoJo Siwa on the dance floor! The rest of all-star cast was just announced live on ABC’s Good Morning America. Take a look at the legendary lineup below, and be sure to tune in for the two-hour season premiere on Monday, September 20, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

The celebrity cast of Dancing with the Stars includes:

Country singer Jimmie Allen
Spice Girl Melanie C
Christine Chiu (Bling Empire)
Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210)
Melora Hardin (The Office)
Social media star Olivia Jade
Matt James (The Bachelor)
Amanda Kloots (The Talk)
Martin Kove (Cobra Kai)
Gold medal Olympian Suni Lee
WWE Superstar Mike “The Miz” Mizanin
Kenya Moore (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)
Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby
NBA player Iman Shumpert
Pop star JoJo Siwa

The cast appeared live from Disney California Adventure Park to announce the exciting news. “This is a great opportunity,” Moore told Disney Legend Robin Roberts and Lara Spencer on Good Morning America. “It’s live, you know? You can’t mess up. You’re on the dance floor. You have to remember your moves and give it all you got. You have one shot.” Like Moore, Green said he is “all in” this season. “I’m just trying to keep the bar as low as possible so there’s no expectations,” the TV star joked. “Then I have nowhere to go but up.”

Rigsby, who was previously a professional dancer for recording artists such as Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry, said he’s “using muscles I haven’t used in a while” in rehearsals. Luckily, Rigsby added, “I’ve built up the endurance on Peloton in my cycling classes—so I’m ready!”

To find out how the entire cast is preparing, watch their Good Morning America interviews:

Host and executive producer Tyra Banks will be back in the ballroom this season, as will judges Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli. The landmark season will also feature Dancing with the Stars’ first same-sex couple. “JoJo is going to be paired with a female pro dancer, who will be revealed on the premiere on September 20,” executive producer Andrew Llinares announced during the show’s recent TCA panel. “We are so, so excited that JoJo is doing this and for everyone to experience this on the show.”

Speaking of pro dancers, the following fan-favorites will return in season 30:

Brandon Armstrong
Lindsay Arnold
Alan Bersten
Sharna Burgess
Cheryl Burke
Witney Carson
Artem Chigvintsev
Val Chmerkovskiy
Sasha Farber
Jenna Johnson
Daniella Karagach
Pasha Pashkov
Gleb Savchenko
Emma Slater
Britt Stewart

Curious about the pairings? Us, too! Tune in for the season premiere, when all will be revealed. Big things are in store for that episode… and beyond! “Behind the scenes, we’ve been putting so much of our energy into making sure this entire season is so special,” Llinares promised. “Our attitude is that every week should be an event in its own right.”

Last fall, ABC’s Dancing with the Stars ranked as the No. 1 entertainment series in its two-hour time slot among Adults 18-49. The series, produced by BBC Studios’ L.A. production arm, finished among last season’s Top 5 most-watched unscripted series with Total Viewers.

Get a Sensational Sneak Peek at the Expanded France Pavilion and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT

September 7, 2021

By Emily Amato

On October 1, the newly expanded France pavilion at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort will open, just in time for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. The pavilion, and the experiences it brings, mark a milestone in the EPCOT transformation that brings to life the magic of possibility and imagination for guests of all ages. Join us for a sneak peek of all the scrumptious new details!

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
The anchor of the pavilion’s expansion is the whimsical attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, inspired by the beloved film Ratatouille and its tiny star, Remy. The experience is family friendly, with no height restrictions, so both kids and kids-at-heart can join the adventure. You’ll feel like you’ve shrunk to the size of the “Little Chef” himself as you race through Gusteau’s restaurant to create a dish with Remy. The scenes, props, and characters featured throughout the attraction nod to key parts of the film.

The attraction’s entrance resembles a Parisian theater, with a classic marquee featuring hand-laid gold leaf and nearly 200 lights! After entering the theater, the queue will take you on a journey where you’ll encounter a French artist’s loft created especially for the EPCOT attraction, modeled after the art studio seen briefly in Ratatouille, with a canvas that comes to life. Next, you will spot the iconic Gusteau’s restaurant sign, where the chef himself reminds you “anyone can cook!”

Continuing through the queue, you’ll shrink down to size as you find yourself atop Paris’s gorgeous rooftops. Colorful rat-shaped vehicles that travel on a trackless system transport you from the rooftops, through a skylight, and straight into Gusteau’s kitchen. You’re then taken on a grand adventure through the kitchen, the dining room, and more—all from a “rat’s-eye view.”

The attraction is truly a feast for the senses! Combining movement, 3D technology, larger-than-life sets, and the smells of a restaurant, the 4D experience brings you right alongside Remy. The trackless vehicles travel in sets of three, taking different paths through the adventure, so you’ll want to experience it more than once to discover all the details. A popular scene is in the pantry, where you’re surrounded by oversized food, including a massive ham that hangs from the ceiling that weighs 2.7 tons and a fish that’s 26 feet long!

We won’t spoil too many more of the surprises, but do keep an eye out for a hidden Mickey Mouse and a quick glimpse of a Pizza Planet truck!

La Crêperie de Paris
All that scurrying around Gusteau’s on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure can work up an appetite! You won’t want to miss La Crêperie de Paris, a traditional crêperie with a menu inspired by the Brittany region of France and renowned chef Jérôme Bocuse. The table-service restaurant serves savory galettes and sweet dessert crêpes, along with Brittany’s famous hard ciders.

Just like in Brittany, both the galettes and the crêpes are cooked on a “billig,” allowing the batter to be spread out with a small rake and cooked at a high temperature so they are very thin—almost like lace. The savory galettes are made with buckwheat imported from France, with a variety of delectable fillings.

Eric Weistroffer, Executive Director of JBI, LLC at the France pavilion in EPCOT, explained the importance of the buckwheat, saying, “Buckwheat is the most important ingredient for the galettes, so we import it from France. Buckwheat is a gluten-friendly flour that is actually part of the rhubarb family.”

La Crêperie de Paris serves six varieties of the savory galettes, from the Classique (ham, egg, and Swiss cheese) to the Ratatouille (tomato, zucchini, eggplant), a nod to the “Little Chef” himself. While Weistroffer couldn’t choose a favorite, we enjoyed every last bite of the Classique and can’t wait to return to try the Savoyarde with Raclette cheese, onions, and imported Bayonne ham, which Weistroffer mentioned is the only type of ham imported from France to the United States.

On the sweet side, the crêpes are similarly thin, made from scratch and filled with tempting delights. They include five varieties, from the traditional Gourmande with house-made hazelnut chocolate spread, to the Pomme with caramelized apples and caramel beurre salé.

A meal at La Crêperie de Paris wouldn’t be complete, though, without enjoying Brittany’s traditional hard ciders. From the sweet doux to the less sweet brut and demi-sec, these ciders are imported from France, made only with apples from the Brittany region, and pair perfectly with both the savory and sweet crêpes. While you sip on a hard cider, be sure to take in your surroundings. The décor is a nod to Brittany—with some distinctly Parisian twists—including the stone on the interior walls and the blue glass windows. Even the staff costumes are inspired by traditional crêperies, including the striped shirts and the red hat, known as a miki, traditional to Brittany’s fishermen.

While we highly recommend taking some time to enjoy the table-service experience, we know a day at EPCOT can be hectic. But don’t worry—you can still enjoy an amazing galette or crêpe! Crêpes A Emporter at La Crêperie de Paris is a quick-service location at the front of the restaurant, located along the newly expanded pavilion’s promenade. The walk-up window serves three savory galettes, four sweet crepes, soft-serve ice cream, and an assortment of ciders and wines.

France Pavilion Expansion
Now, both Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and La Crêperie de Paris are truly incredible new offerings, but we’d be remiss not to tell you about how amazing the newly expanded France pavilion is. It is a stunning place, and we can already see ourselves sitting there, soaking in the sights and sounds of Paris, whenever we visit EPCOT after October 1.

The expansion more than doubles the size of the existing France pavilion, and the transition from one to the other is not only seamless, but dreamy. You’ll walk along the waterside pathway near the EPCOT International Gateway in a stroll reminiscent of the Seine River, then enter a French market street called Allée des Marchands (“Alley of the Merchants”) through an art nouveau-style archway that evokes a Paris Metro station.

One of the first things you may notice is La Créperie de Paris, with its blue façade, typically found in the Brittany region of France, but as you move under the ornate, cast-iron arcade in the center of the pavilion, the world is transformed.

“The arcade serves as a transition from real-world France to the fantastical world of Remy’s France from Ratatouille,” Walt Disney Imagineer Matt Beiler told us. “The facades feature a bolder color palette and crooked, exaggerated architectural details. We’ve applied the Pixar concept of ‘crookedology’ to bring to life the fanciful, whimsical interpretation of Paris from the film.”

Just beyond the arcade, before reaching Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, is a Ratatouille-inspired fountain that really steals the show. The three-basin fountain is adorned with rats holding bottles and flutes of champagne that spew water. And to top it all off? Remy, of course—wearing his classic French toque and holding a cooking spoon. C’est magnifique!

Once you’ve soaked in all the fantastical elements, take a closer look around the expanded pavilion. You’ll be surprised to find that rat motifs adorn railings, lamp posts, benches, and more. Our personal favorite touch? A few rat prints scattered on the ground of the attraction queue, surely left by Remy and his friends rushing to and from Gusteau’s!

You can find many other Easter eggs from the film throughout the pavilion. Upon exiting Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, you’ll find Chef Skinner’s scooter and Chef Colette’s motorbike, making for fun photos for fans of the movie. Along the Allée des Marchands you can peer into La Cave d’Ego, a wine shop owned by the famed food critic Anton Ego, with wine bottles displayed in the window holding special significance to the Ratatouille story in both film and Disney Parks. Also along the Allée, you can spot the health inspector’s office—the same inspector who plays a critical role in the film.

Merchandise
Can’t get enough of the “Little Chef”? There’s plenty of new merchandise inspired by Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at the newsstand in the expansion. One unique new item will allow you to bring Remy home with you with an Interactive Chef Hat that brings the “Little Chef” to life. Apparel, accessories, and a Remy-inspired ear headband round out the collection that will help remind you “anyone can cook,” even after you’ve left EPCOT.

There are so many exciting new things happening at EPCOT as part of the Park’s transformation, but the newly expanded France pavilion is a treat. From the attraction, to the scenery, to the dining experiences, you’ll be transported to the whimsical, magical world of France. Merci for coming on this journey with us!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

September 6, 2021September 3, 2021

By Zach Johnson

ABC News’ weeklong coverage to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks will include a special edition of 20/20, Women of 9/11, airing Wednesday, among other planned programming. Also on Wednesday, Disney+ will debut the original series Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. and add all three seasons of Pepper Ann to its library, while Freeform will broadcast the can’t-miss finale of Good Trouble. Last but not least, Disney+ on Friday will debut an original short, Twenty Something, from Pixar’s SparkShorts program.

Women of 9/11: A Special Edition of 20/20 with Robin Roberts—Wednesday, September 8, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC
For the first time, several women whose lives changed forever on September 11 tell their stories of survival, pain, and redemption in a two-hour documentary special, hosted and executive produced by Disney Legend Robin Roberts. From the heroic first responders and workers who risked everything at Ground Zero to the miracle survivors, all of the women are bonded in trauma, grief—and, after two decades—remarkable strength and resilience.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.—Wednesday, September 8, on Disney+
Set in modern-day Hawai‘i, this coming-of-age dramedy—inspired by the hit medical series Doogie Howser, M.D.—follows Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a 16-year-old prodigy juggling a budding medical career and life as a teenager. With the support of her caring and comical ’ohana and friends, Lahela is determined to make the most of her teenage years and forge her own path. Guiding Lahela (and also complicating things) are her career-driven mother, Dr. Clara Hannon (Kathleen Rose Perkins), who’s also her supervisor at the hospital; her doting father, Benny Kamealoha (Jason Scott Lee), who helps keep her connected to what matters most; her free-spirited older brother, Kai Kamealoha (Matthew Sato); her gregarious younger brother, Brian Patrick Kamealoha (Wes Tian); her best friend, Steph Denisco (Emma Meisel); her surfer crush, Walter Taumata (Alex Aiono); and her fellow colleagues at the hospital, Dr. Lee (Ronny Chieng), Charles Zeller (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman), and Noelani Nakayama (Mapuana Makia).

Pepper Ann (Seasons 1-3)—Wednesday, September 8, on Disney+
Who’s that girl? What’s her name? Is she cool? Is she lame? Find out when all three seasons of the animated series, which aired as part of Disney’s One Saturday Morning on ABC from 1997-2000, join the Disney+ library. The series follows the adventures of Pepper Ann (voiced by Kathleen Wilhoite), a quirky 12-year-old girl who’s caught in that awkward place between childhood and adulthood. The cast also includes Danny Cooksey as Milo, Clea Lewis as Nicky, Pam Segall as Moose, Jenna von Oy as Trinket, and April Winchell as Lydia.

Good Trouble—Wednesday, September 8, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform
In the 90-minute summer finale, “Closing Arguments,” Callie (Maia Mitchell) questions her choices as Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) interviews for a new coding job. Meanwhile, Malika (Zuri Adele) considers a tempting offer away from DPN; Gael (Tommy Martinez) is forced to put his priorities into perspective; and Alice (Sherry Cola) has a tough decision to make.

Twenty Something—Friday, September 10, on Disney+
From Pixar Animation Studios’ SparkShorts program comes Twenty Something, an original short from director Aphton Corbin and producer Erik Langley. Adulting can be hard: Some days you’re nailing it, while other days, you’re just a stack of kids hiding in a trench coat hoping no one notices. Gia finds herself in this exact scenario the night of her 21st birthday. This story explores the insecurities of growing up with a “fake it till you make it” mentality.