TV Review: The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that most adults will probably find this popular Disney program annoying and flashy. Though kids will love the fantasy aspect that comes with the notion that living in a hotel is the answer to all home-life problems, the twins' popularity among their peers seems to be for the wrong reasons at times, and adult characters' behavior leaves a lot to be desired.
- Families can talk about the fact that this series is, indeed, a fantasy, and that money doesn't necessarily make life easy. Would your kids want to live in a hotel? What would be the advantages and disadvantages?
- Is there any part of Zack and Cody's life that real kids can relate to?
- Kids: Would it be fun to have be a twin?
When their mom lands a singing gig and they get the keys to a suite high in the sky, it's an invitation for twin brothers Zack and Cody (played by real-life twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse) to party and run amok around the swanky Tipton Hotel. The boys are occasionally chaperoned by cute candy counter girl Maddie (Ashley Tisdale), who also fills the role of babysitter.
The show's premise could allow for some soulful moments, but the series errs on the side of the boys' fun life. Cheesy lines and predictable circumstances are plentiful, but kids love the video-game lifestyle the boys live -- jumping in elevators and hiding on a passing luggage cart to escape trouble, and so on.
While there are always more compelling programs for kids this age to enjoy, the popularity of the twins has proven that they'll be blaring on your TV screens well past their tween years.
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