What Has Gone WRONG with Disney Channel!?

Updated on November 28, 2012
D.M. asks from Aurora, IL
37 answers

How can I contact Disney Channel?, I looked at the website and could not find a contact area. I will not let my children watch the shows any longer and will be utilizing the block! on my cable settings. I was very dissappointed and still am to be watching and during a show break a clip from Phineas and Ferb came on showing the character Doofenshmirtz in ONLY mens briefs (correction-actually underwear, not boxers) dancing about or something. I refuse to become immune to this kind of junk, nor will my children watch it. To those who want to say that it is just a cartoon, well EXACTLY! It is a cartoon and should have some set of standards when it is geared towards children! It is disgusting for a cartoon or anything otherwise to show children a grown man in briefs- naked basically- GROSS. I would like to contact them so any information on this would be most helpful! Thanks

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the responses that were helpful and also those who included the information asked for!
To answer some, yes I have blocked many channels and I will continue to do so because I do monitor what my children watch. Why I would like to contact Disney, well it is my right to do so, just as some people felt it their right on this forum to be sarcastic, judgemental, and not really read my question and get the point. Do I think that every episode of Phineas and Ferb is "bad" or gross- no. I have high standards for my family and if some do not like it- oh well that is your problem, let your children watch what you want, and I will take care of mine. I do love the blocking feature on my cable! Last thanks for all the helpful tips from some! Not sure why so many are not reading this through, but do not assume that I do not speak with my children or any mother who chooses to adhere to higher standards for children programs does not speak with their kids about what is on TV. I do! . I am sure the many Mothers who are strict with what their children watch are also speaking with their children about what is right and wrong with a program, and why they do not want the kids to watch it This has been fun and interesting to read what many have written. Also, a little unfortunate that some miss the point that what children watch does have some kind of impact, and it is up to each parent to set standards and follow those. We are all not the same, I am not nasty towards any mother who do not mind certain shows. So please act like adults and in the future do not be nasty to mothers who hold a different set of standards for their children. Hopefully all lead to a safe, happy, and loving environments. I know mine does!

Featured Answers

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J.G.

answers from New York on

OK, I don't like the Disney "tween" shows (with the kids acting all precocious and obnoxious) and I thought that's what you were getting at.

But you are really that upset about Doofenshmirtz in his underwear? Seriously??

19 moms found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree that the Disney channel HAS changed - and not for the better. However, why do you need to contact them? Just don't watch it. Simple solution. And if enough people quit watching it that will be message enough.
That being said, I don't see what the big deal is about him in his briefs. No different that if he'd been in shorts. And, for the record, I think Phineas and Ferb is hysterical.

18 moms found this helpful

R.A.

answers from Boston on

I think someone else put in the actual address to contact Disney.

I haven't watched the Disney Channel in a long time. I wouldn't worry about seeing a Cartoon character in men's briefs. To me, it's the same as seeing them with swim trunks on. Everyone wears underwear. Even Cartoons!

To each their own though. Stick with PBS then . They've got great kid shows.

13 moms found this helpful

More Answers

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

What exactly are you going to say when you contact them? You're offended by underwear and partial nudity? Are you also offended by National Geographic magazine? Perhaps you should contact them and tell them to censor their photos. How about Fruit of the Loom commercials? How about the beach? You'd better censor the beach! There are scantily clad humans on the beach!

Kind of ridiculous, don'tcha think?

I happen to like Phineas and Ferb. I love how respectful they are to adults on the show. I love how they use science, logic, and critical thinking to have fun. I love that they show kids how to use their imagination and be creative. I enjoy the silly humor, and so do my 10 and 11 year old boys.

You don't get to be the cartoon police for everyone else. If you want your children to watch softer, more age-appropriate TV, stick with Disney Jr. or Nick Jr. Block the channels you don't approve of. Don't try to take away the shows the rest of us enjoy.

ETA: I love the snotty implication that everyone who doesn't agree with you has low standards for their children.

Here's a thought: Get rid of cable. If you really have such high standards, why are you allowing them to watch TV at all?

29 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Exactly what is disgusting about a man in his underwear? I think most would answer it is your ability to see what is underneath them because they are clingy. Can't do that with a cartoon. Now if they had him dancing around and drew in the bulge I would agree you had a valid concern. As it is, I see nothing wrong with that cartoon.
______________________________________________
There are several shows that I don't approve of that are on the children's stations. I don't block any of the stations. My kids know what shows they are allowed to watch and they know they will lose a week of TV if they are caught. It is a parent's responsibility to parent, not a network. Sure it would make your life easier if Disney would remove all the programs you don't like but that wouldn't exactly be fair to my kids.

What I mean is what if the shows I don't allow are the shows you approve of? So then I complain to Disney and get those removed, you complain and get the rest removed, what is left? If you don't like a show don't allow your children to watch them, seems easy to me.

23 moms found this helpful

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

Isn't it up to you what your kids watch? Why do you need to contact the Disney Channel? That's YOUR job. If you don't want them watching that channel, then block it.

Honestly, I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. Your kids would see worse if you took them to the beach or pool. What's wrong with a cartoon character dancing in mens' underwear? I don't get the harm in that... but again, your choice. I just don't know why you want to reprimand the Disney Channel for something that YOU find inappropriate. That's like suing Little Debbie because you don't like their brownies.

22 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I'm not exactly sure how this would be any different than seeing the packaging in men's underwear section in Walmart. Bodies are just everywhere. I guess I don't see the big deal really. We see much more real nudity during a day trip to the beach- men in speedos, women in string bikinis, etc. I just don't make a big deal which would just draw more attention to it. Sorry- I wish I could relate to your fury.
To answer your question- they could probably care less what you think. Utilizing your parental controls are your best bet in this case.

18 moms found this helpful

M.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

not to make light of your anger, but doesnt your husband walk in underwear around the house? Under wear are not revealing at all, and unless you sexualize it, its no worse than a bathing suit, or shorts with out a shirt. Only YOU find a grown man in underwear gross. I dont think there is anything wrong with someone in there underwear dancing, unless its suggestive. If he was dancing romantically then its bad, if he is dancing for fun... not bad. Its you who is making it too much more than it is. If you dont want Phineas or Ferb on then dont watch it. If you dont like Disney Channel, then block it. If you dont like anything like that then dont watch TV. Its the parents that have to be sure what are kids are watching is appropriate to our standards. NOT the networks. Agreed most programming is going to the dogs with explicit implications, and sexualization. So I dont let my kids watch most of it, But Phineas and Ferb is not one of the ones I ban.

16 moms found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Washington DC on

I agree wholeheartedly! But you need to expand your list to other companies!

Kermit - streaker!
Big Bird - exhibitionist!
Bugs Bunny - nudist!

I think we should require that animals at the zoo also wear clothing. Their udder nakedness and unshamedness is embarrassing!

14 moms found this helpful

M.B.

answers from Tampa on

I agree with aunt Mel and Jo. Here in FL men wear speedos to the beach and my son chuckles at them, I do too lol. But I don't cover his eyes and then lecture the men how there is kids at this beach and how dare he dance around. It's reag no different. My son loves phineas and ferb. To me it's still one of the better cartoons on today. He thinks he can do anything from watching that show. Block the channel and move on.

14 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Really? It's YOUR job to monitor what your kids watch. And a cartoon character in underwear is offensive? Well don't take them to Disney World because Donald and Daisy don't wear pants at all. GASP!

Really...shield your child too much and you'll end up with more problems then them seeing a cartoon character in underwear one time. Sheesh!

13 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Yup... we don't let our kids watch the Disney Channel either. I'm not personally worried about a man in his underwear (my kids have seen their dad in his underwear and I think it's just fine). My issue is with the content of the programs. Anyway, not sure Disney will care, but if you still want to contact them:

The Disney Channel
3800 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505
###-###-####

13 moms found this helpful

☼.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Of all the things that I believe that the Disney Channel has wrong these days, a cartoon character wearing underwear (which we all do) is the least of it. Underwear is not gross.

12 moms found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Sorry, I think you're funny. Kids think it is hilarious to see someone dancing around in their briefs. It's not nudity or obscene. This show is imaginative and funny and we will continue to watch it.

And I thought "I" was strict about which shows the kids could watch.

11 moms found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

You can complain, but as Jo said below...people complaining removes a show I actually let me kids watch. While I am NO WHERE near paranoid as you are about a cartoon character in boxer, I am also not as paranoid if it were a human in boxers.

They see less when they go swimming at the pool. What's the difference or do you censor the pool too?

You need to set standards in your home for what you are comfortable with. Don't turn on Disney. We don't watch Nick or Nick Jr. Doesn't mean those shows should be taken away from the kids who are allowed to watch them.

Which none of this answered your question...

10 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

You can contact them, but like anything your child watches, you should watch it with them and decide if it's right/wrong for your family. My mom didn't like Beetlejuice when I was a kid and I don't let my 4 yr old watch things like Family Guy. But while I don't mind Phineas and Ferb, you do. So I turn off Family Guy (which isn't a kid show anyway) and you turn the channel when Phineas and Ferb come on. There are other shows I don't like for various reasons so we use OnDemand often. It is my job to make sure the content is OK, regardless of what channel it is on. I don't leave it to the channel to have my child in mind all the time.

9 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Um, kids find underwear hilarious. They always have and probably always will. I take it you have yet to be exposed to the Captain Underpants book series? Oh my you will LOVE that, lol!!!

9 moms found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

I'm a huge prude, and obsessively regulate what my kids watch, but "Phineas and Ferb" is ok by me, and I watch every episode with my kids. Doofenschmirtz in his undies? Well, I take my kids to the pool every week, and there are a few men in Speedos there, so they see as much real-life flesh.

I don't let my kids watch the other Disney shows that are geared to older children, but P&F is a great show, in my opinion.

ETA: I'm the lady that ranted on here a few months ago about the "Brave" previews that showed the guy flashing his behind to a group while shaking his butt and saying "Feast your eyes!"

9 moms found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Sacramento on

Not much different between a grown man in tights and a cape.

8 moms found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Columbus on

First, I applaud you for caring what your children watch; unfortunately, you seem to be the minority these days!! I gave up cable tv years ago because of all the junk on there; seems you can't even trust the Disney Channel or even their movies any more!! The few times I would let my kids watch tv when they were little, I would monitor what they watched and/or just put in a movie that I knew was ok!

But....to your question.....after clicking around I finally found what you need on the Disney website in their Frequently Asked Questions section:

"How do I contact Disney Channel regarding programming suggestions or concerns?

For questions and concerns on Disney Channel programming, please call our 24-hour Audience Relations line at 1-###-###-####. You will be able to leave a sixty second message with your question or concern. Also available at this number are instructions for sending an email or postal letter to Disney Channel, information about the Disney Channel website and information on how to show the Show Schedule for Disney Channel programming. Messages will be reviewed on a daily basis."

Hope this helps!!!!

Good luck!!

6 moms found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I think it started to change when they merged with ABC. Phineas and Ferb had one show where the promo was 'Dr. D had a 'bromance' with x (the mean kid, can't think of his name). Which just freaked me out everytime they showed the commercial, which was ALOT! - an adult man being infatuated with a kid. I just saw red alarms everywhere!

5 moms found this helpful
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A.G.

answers from Houston on

I agree with you. Don't lower your standards. You want your kids to develop an intelligent humor, not an immature one.

5 moms found this helpful
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V.P.

answers from Columbus on

My kids don't watch a lot of the things their friends watch -- mostly, we're too busy to watch tv - they read, play, have extracurriculars and clubs -- when we do watch, it's old shows like Dick Van Dyke and MASH or it's on PBS. I think most of what's on TV nowadays is pandering to kids, lacks any real value, and most of all, I can't stand the loud, cloying commercials that go with kids shows. Most days the TV only goes on for news.

That being said, I would never in a million years voice that to the TV company -- I vote with my feet and simply don't watch. There are a lot of people who don't share my views, who have kids that get these shows as rewards for doing good things, who are sick or sad or have other reasons they deserve or get to watch. If the cartoons include fart jokes and smart mouthed back talk, we don't watch it because we choose different values. But that's my job and my choice as a parent. They are free to air what they wish; I am free to choose not to show it to my kids. Why it goes beyond that for you, I don't know.

4 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I don't know.
It's like the old ad execs from Loves Baby Soft are running the channel.
'Because innocence is sexier than you think' was an ad campaign almost MADE for pedophiles

http://www.polyvore.com/creepy_ad_for_loves_baby/thing?id...

Can't kids shows be entertaining without being gross?

4 moms found this helpful
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A.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

For real? Sorry, but I think Doofenschmirtz is hilarious. It's a cartoon. Nothing lewd in my opinion. I'm sure cartoon characters have been reduced to their underwear for years. You have a right to your opinion though. If you don't like it, why not cancel your cable or just turn it off.

4 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Contact your cable provider if you're unhappy with any of the programming.

EDIT: Honestly, though, monitor what your children are watching better. Stick with Nick, Jr and Disney Junior, especially if your children aren't old enough for anything else. My eldest is 12 and likes the tween junk that's on but I don't allow it and she knows my reasons why. Therefore, the TV is on less often. I don't feel the need to complain to the network because of it because TV is not central in our lives. I encourage my children to read and engage in activities that lead to critical thinking.

4 moms found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from Salinas on

I thought you were going to have a very valid complaint about the tween drivel they run seemingly 24/7.

My kids were never really into Disney channel so I didn't have to fight that battle but when I have seen it Phineas and Ferb was the last show I objected to. It's not a grown man in his underwear BTW, it's an image of a cartoon character in his underwear, big difference in my book!

Better get the kiddos off Disney right now because trust me it gets a lot worse than what you're describing. There are lots of real quality shows on TV. Try Animal Planet, PBS, the History Channel or Nat Geo. Or maybe a good old DVD so you have control over whether or not they see a cartoon guy dancing around in his underwear.

4 moms found this helpful

J.A.

answers from Indianapolis on

My daughters see me in all different stages of undress. They also see Daddy in his boxer briefs when he's changing. It's a cartoon. Lighten up.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from New York on

Not sure, but please know that you are not alone! When I was a kid the Disney channel primarily showed cartoons, Mickey Mouse Club and the occassional "special".

My husband was flipping through the channels the other evening. It was right after dinner, so MAYBE 7:00pm... and couldn't believe the topic of the show (iCarly, I think). At that hour, young children are awake and likely enjoying their "half hour" of t.v.- at least that's what's happening in our house. My 4 yr old really doesn't need to know about "making out".

3 moms found this helpful

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

Good for you!!! Disney won't care if you contact them and they've been heading this way for quite some time now.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Unfortunately, most of what is on TV is for entertainment purposes only. Honey Boo Boo Child is on THE LEARNING CHANNEL. Surely, nobody is learning anything from that family!

Cancel Disney, if you can. And, just turn the TV off. My kids watch little to none--there are so many other/better things to do!!!

2 moms found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Not sure how old your kids are, but mine only watch Disney Junior, and not the regular Disney channel. It's a lot more mild and the shows don't have commercials. It's definitely geared toward the 6 and under set though, so if yours are older, it might be too babyish.

For the record, I hate Phineas and Ferb and won't let them watch it. : )

2 moms found this helpful

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

I seriously doubt you (or even a bunch of people) are going to get Disney to change its programming. I would use the channel button, or on/off switch instead.

Not everybody has the same standards. I was always fairly picky about what my kids watched. But if I didn't like something, we just turned it off. There are even more channel options today than there were back then.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Nothing is wrong with the Disney channel. They are just keeping pace with the decline in our fellow citizens values and morals. Think about it, if a business wants to stay in business they need to give the people what they want...same goes for Disney.

As you can see below, most people have no problem with a man dancing around in his underwear on a childs show, so you and a few other moms, including myself, are definately in the minority when it comes to not approving of this type of conduct in cartoons.

I've not contacted Disney to tell them why we don't subscribe to their channel any longer and I don't plan to. My children don't watch TV very often and when they do it's either on NetFlix or a DVD that we've purchased for them, not Disney.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

When I first saw your title, I thought it was going to be about all the "tween" shows on there, and how the characters behave, how it portrays parents as clueless dorks and the kids as sarcastic smart alecs, how they are all rather silly and unrealistic. Phineas and Ferb is harmless, IMO. I mean, there's the popular kids' book series Captain Underpants - with the main character drawn in his *GASP* underpants! You didn't mention your kids ages, but maybe the preschooler shows on Disney Jr. are more what you are looking for.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

briefs cover more then a swimsuit, or as much as, and to any normal kids it is just underwear, no big deal beyond being a bit funny if seen in public. In fact the under 5 set likes showing theirs off daily to see if their buddy has superman or batman or some other favorite!

In all things you watch on TV you have to judge if a show is good for your family or not. We have never let our kids watch Sponge Bob. NEVER. And they are now 10 and 13. LOL. It's fine to say "you can not watch X, but you can watch Y." That's one reason we love our DVR, we only let our kids watch recorded shows, they fast forward through commercials as an added bonus so the whining for stuff was much less then from other kids their age when they were younger.

1 mom found this helpful

E.A.

answers from Erie on

This is why we don't have cable or commercial tv. We stick with Netflix and Hulu, when the kids were little they only watched PBS. My problem was with the commercials, though, since we've allowed them to watch shows like that as well as the Simpsons and more recently (now that they are older) Family Guy and American Dad. All of those are great for teaching what satire is. I think most of the kids' shows now are stupid, and I refuse to pay the kind of money they charge for cable. I don't agree with your opinion, but I agree with wanting to have some control over what they watch, and that's how we handled it.

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