Disney Reboots Shows To Avoid Paying Actors?
Disney is facing yet another controversy as Joey Bragg, the star of Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie, recently accused the company of employing cunning contract clauses to evade fair compensation for cast members on its original shows.
During an appearance on the Cash Cuties podcast, Bragg revealed that Disney reboots its original series after three seasons to avoid paying actors their full minimum wage. On Twitter, Discussing Film posted a snippet from the interview in which the 27-year-old star mentioned that his series Liv and Maddie underwent a name change to Liv and Maddie: Cali Style following its third season.
Joey Bragg, star of Liv and Maddie on the Disney Channel, explains the companies constant reboots is done to avoid paying actors what they deserve.
Joey Bragg explained that Disney follows a policy of not paying its actors the full Writers Guild of America (WGA) rates for the initial three seasons of a series. Instead, the actors receive only 88 percent of the scale. While the compensation reaches 100 percent after the third season, Bragg disclosed that Disney reboots the series with a different name, preventing actors from obtaining their rightful full pay.
It’s no secret that Disney reboots its shows frequently, even highly popular series like Hannah Montana. The show, which premiered in 2006 and stars Miley Cyrus, garnered an impressive average of 5.5 million viewers per episode during its third season. Despite its immense success, Disney proceeded to reboot the show as Hannah Montana Forever for its fourth season, lending some credibility to Joey Bragg’s accusations.
The Suite Life of Zach & Cody is another example of Disney’s trend of rebooting popular series. The show premiered in 2005 and stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse as twins living at the Tipton Hotel with their single mother, a lounge singer at the establishment. Despite its massive following, Disney chose to reboot the series after its third season, resulting in the creation of The Suite Life on Deck, which also ran for three seasons before being canceled.
Other famous Disney reboots after three seasons that support Joey Bragg include Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zach & Cody.
These Disney reboots are not only a slap to the face of the dedicated actors who pour their heart and souls into a series with dreams of continuing their roles in subsequent seasons, as highlighted by Joey Bragg, but they also risk damaging a show’s continuity and storytelling when rebranded under a new name.
The creative direction of the characters and plotlines may shift, causing a disconnect with viewers who have grown attached to the original series. Additionally, reboots can lead to viewer fatigue and disinterest, potentially resulting in a decline in viewership over time.
Disney reboots have frequently destroyed once popular shows and alienated audiences, but Bragg’s accusations explain why they keep happening.
The recent accusations against Disney come at an unfavorable time for the company, especially amid the ongoing WGA (Writers Guild of America) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strikes.
As discussions about workers’ rights and fair compensation gain momentum, it is clear that media companies like Disney must take a hard look at their practices and prioritize the well-being and fair remuneration of the talented individuals who play a vital role in their success. Only by implementing such measures can Disney’s enchanting magic be fully appreciated by all those involved in the captivating world of entertainment.
