I've had the pleasure of reviewing the first season of Raven's Home, the spinoff of the highly successful (and entertaining) That's So Raven. It's been neat comparing and contrasting elements of each show - especially Raven and Chelsea's characters. To be honest, it's difficult to find much difference in them between then and now. They're the same characters we've known and loved for over a decade, just a little older and with kids.
...wait wait wait. This is supposed to be about That's So Raven!
Right. Today, i'm thrilled to be reviewing an ICONIC episode of That's So Raven which has stood out to me all these years. Even watching it again for this review, I still laughed out loud at times and sang along with the catchy "Bring Victor Back" performance that yours truly, Liz Anya, performs in an attempt to save her father's job.
Yup, that's her.
Raven also learns an important lesson in this episode about not letting life's road bumps get you down. She realizes this when she doesn't get the role of Dorothy in the school production of The Wizard of Oz - after she went through all the work of designing such a... unique... skirt for herself to wear!
Victor doesn't approve. Speaking of him, Tanya is away visiting her parents so he's playing Mr. Mom. His first duty? To get Cory to change out of this 'fashion statement':
He's also come up with an interesting pickup line to go along with his beach themed outfit. Raven tells him that if anything he'll get beaten up at school for wearing the duck. Cory is instructed to get changed.
Victor makes a comment about having to get to work as there's new management at the restaurant he works at, Augustine's (he doesn't own the Chill Grill just yet!).
Before she leaves for school, Raven has a vision of Mr. Briggs, Victor's new manager, firing him. Uh oh.
At school, Raven, Chelsea and Eddie are in the drama room awaiting the casting announcement for the play. Can we just take a moment to appreciate these gnarly early 2000s outfits?!
I miss the toques and the camo. And the camo toques.
Nevertheless, Eddie and Chelsea get their roles of choice - Scarecrow and Wicked Witch of the West, respectively. Kayla, a (snarky) student sitting beside Raven, gets the role of Dorothy - but not before Señorita Rodriguez calls out Raven's name, she thinks she got the part, but it was actually just Señorita making sure Raven was in class. Geez.
They hate Kayla.
At Augustine's, Mr. Briggs doesn't like Victor's artichoke because it's too big and will cost him too much money to make.
Oh, by the way, here's Mr. Briggs:
He has a slight case of RBF (i'll let you Google that definition).
Raven, still worrying about her earlier vision, shows up at the restaurant and encourages Mr. Briggs to keep Victor employed while chasing him around. Mr. Briggs reassures Raven that Victor is a great chef in an attempt to get her to leave. It works. On her way out, Raven bumps into Victor and quickly comes up with her reason for being at Augustine's - to tell him she didn't get the role of Dorothy but she's okay with the news.
After Raven leaves, Mr. Briggs proceeds to make a snide remark about her - ultimately leading to her vision coming true as Victor, a good father, doesn't let the comment slide.
Back at the Baxter Residence - MAN, I MISSED SEEING THIS PLACE! - Raven, Chelsea and Eddie are rehearsing for the play. Raven, who has the role of Wicked Witch of the East, has prepared a performance. Chels and Eddie are skeptical.
Before things get too out of hand with Raven's theatrical ballad, Eddie ushers Raven off of the table and reminds her that her role is to lay under a house (if you haven't seen The Wizard of Oz, The Wicked Witch of the East is just a pair of legs underneath a house that was lifted up during a tornado. The Wicked Witch of the West is her evil sister who has a much larger role).
That looks about right!
Raven is unhappy, and Victor walks in, early from work, heading to the kitchen. Raven's concerned, justly. Victor is cooking soup-a-la-can.
Victor admits that he lost his job during a fight with Mr. Briggs. Raven feels responsible.
In Raven's bedroom, Ray and Chels are talking about whether or not Raven should feel as guilty as she does. Cory sure thinks so. He starts measuring Raven's room in preparation for Victor kicking her out when he finds out she got him fired. Raven's NOT having it!
The next day, Raven reappears at Augustine's, attempting to convince Mr. Briggs to give her father his job back. He tells her not to be a kiss up.
Moments later a famous trio walks in; Mr. Briggs dropping everything to assist them. Raven's inspired, in true Raven Baxter fashion.
The sassiest, most famous group you will EVER meet! Mr. Briggs has no idea who Raven is, Raven forcing Eddie to come up with her name. In a moment of haste, Liz Anya is born.
When he still doesn't recognize the group, Chelsea utters one of the most legendary lines in television...
"DO YOU CARRY A LUNCHBOX?"
Still gets me. Every. Single. Time.
The group sits down and Liz (Raven) demands that Victor prepare her usual. Mr. Briggs worriedly says that he no longer works at Augustine's. Liz LOSES HER MIND, calling her friend "JLo" to share the news and passes the phone to Mr. Briggs.
Apparently JLo is a prepubescent boy.
Victor lurks in the background of the call, Cory saying that his voice is changing. Oh, it changed alright. And then changed right back.
Liz walks around, pointing out that someone's artichoke is too small. A waiter asks Liz if she'll sing a song off of her new album... wait, what?! How?! Okay. Sure. I guess if I saw someone I thought was a celebrity, I might ask them the same thing. I don't think this would happen though:
To the tune of "When The Saints Go Marching In", Liz/Raven parades around the restaurant criticizing the quality of people's food while singing about re-hiring Victor. Towards the end of the song, a familiar face walks in and the three are shook:
Señorita Rodriguez is in the building! Liz quickly finishes her tribute to Victor, holding the mic to Mr. Briggs.
He'll bring Victor back!
Seemingly, it appears as if Raven has successfully gotten her dad his job back. The three try to make a break for it through the kitchen, where they crash into a waiter and come out looking like this:
Mr. Briggs sees right through those wigs. He kicks the group out, and they speak to Señorita Rodriguez who compliments Raven's singing voice. Raven is hopeful that she'll reconsider her casting choice for Dorothy, but alas, the decision made was final.
At the house, Victor and Mr. Briggs are having a yelling match over the phone and Victor learns what happened at the restaurant. He's not mad at Raven. The two have a talk about how when one door closes, another one opens - and that nothing should keep either of them down. I don't think Victor will be down for too long...
According to Raven's latest vision, this will be a thing. Or the Chill Grill. But, ya know, whatever.
In the Bayside Drama Room, Raven explains to Señorita Rodriguez that she isn't going to let not getting the role of Dorothy keep her down. She's taken the opportunity to design costumes for the students in the play!
I want a ticket to the show! Not coincidentally, Kayla doesn't have a costume. Actually, Kayla's not there at all. Raven is clearly still a little salty.
Also, remember how Cory tried to move Raven out of her room?
Revenge is a dish best served small. Isn't he just the cutest munchkin?
And with that, i'm reminded of why I loved this show so much growing up. It's funny! The humour isn't dumbed down with the assumption that kids can't understand mature ideas. The comedy transcends generations, and now I want to binge watch every season all over again. Also, why did Disney never capitalize on 'DO YOU CARRY A LUNCH BOX?' lunch boxes with a picture of Chelsea on them? Wow. They missed out on that opportunity big time. (Although... i'd still totally buy one if they decide to reconsider!)
If you enjoyed That's So Raven, I bet you'll LOVE Raven's Home! I'm reviewing episodes each week right here on SpoilerTV, and would love for you to join me as we embark on the remainder of the season! I always tweet out links to the reviews when they're live; you can find my Twitter handle in my Author Box below. :)
Until next time!
