- (Bex) I'm not your sister. I'm your mother.
- That's Disney? Wow, what a premise
for a Disney show.
- (Cyrus) And I'm gay. - I guess that was the right time.
- ♪ (industrial intro) ♪
- (Cyrus) Last night, when we were watching
Andi and Jonah. - What is--
- I actually do watch this show. Oh my God.
I remember this.
- This is Andi Mack. I love this show.
- (Cyrus) You asked me am I happy for Andi.
- (Buffy) Yeah? - (Cyrus) And I said "Yes,
I'm happy for Andi." - Oh, I know this part.
- (Cyrus) But I'm also not happy.
- Why?
- (Buffy) Are you jealous? - Drama.
- (Buffy) Cyrus, do you like Andi?
- Oh, he was so scared.
- (Buffy) You like Jonah. - Oh.
- (Buffy) You like Jonah. - Jonah's a boy, right?
He's gay!
- (Buffy) You like Jonah. - You would never see this
in a Disney channel show when I was watching Disney Channel.
- This scene gives me goosebumps.
These kids are really good.
- (Cyrus) I feel weird. - Aw.
- (Cyrus) Different. - You're not different, Cyrus.
Come on.
- (Buffy) You've always been weird.
- Weird is good.
- (Buffy) But you're no different.
- I like that.
- (Buffy) You're no different. - There's the message there,
right, isn't it? There's nothing wrong with you.
- This is sad, very emotional.
- (Cyrus) I'm glad I talked to you.
- It's also the right thing to do.
- Ooh. - (Cyrus) The thought
of telling anyone else. - (Buffy) You'll be okay.
I promise. - Oh, wowzers.
Those waterworks are starting to come.
I hate when people that are gay and lesbian,
they say that they're different, but they're not really different.
Is this a try not to cry challenge, 'cause if it was,
I would have lost immediately.
- I haven't been watching a lot of Disney shows
since when I was younger, but then I heard about this show,
the concept of it, I liked, so I started watching it.
I'm so happy.
- It's beautiful. I think especially kids
of a lot of ages are struggling with who they are.
If I were in that boy's position or whatever,
I think I would see a lot of hope with this.
- (Andi) So how did it go? Did you tell him?
- This is the clip that went viral that I've seen
on Twitter everywhere.
- (Cyrus) It wasn't the right time.
- (Andi) That's okay. It'll happen.
- Cutie patooties.
- The other kids seem to be very supportive.
- (Bex) You'll know when it's the right time.
- (Jonah) Cyrus, help. I'm not recognizing
anything here. - Oh God, is that Jonah?
He's so cute.
- (Cyrus) That of course, it Aunt Ruthie's kugel.
That's your classic bagel and lox.
That's gefilte fish, skip that and I'm gay.
- I guess that was the right time.
- (Cyrus) And I'm gay. - Okay.
He seized the moment.
- I love that. He spit it out.
- (Jonah) Okay, cool. - That's a really good kid.
- We all wish it could be so easy.
It's usually not that simple in real life.
- These aren't the kind of shows I grew up with.
There's a getting used to factor of something on TV
like this for this age group, but as a human being,
you can just relate.
- I've lived in a very liberal area for all of my life
and so Disney Channel has this reach across
all kinds of different political backgrounds
that to see something so casually like that
is something completely different for a kid
that might be living in a more conservative city.
- (FBE) So before we get started, we're reminding the people at home
that we filmed this in Southern California,
so a lot of the opinions aren't necessarily gonna be
everyone's thoughts on this topic.
- Yeah, we definitely have more of a liberal show here
and that's what a lot-- I always see those comments.
- (FBE) So, we have some more to show you
in a little bit, but those were clips from the Disney Channel
show, Andi Mack. - Oh, really, Disney?
Well congratulations, Disney. I'm glad they're dragged
into the 21st Century.
- I'm a little surprised. I don't know if they were
pressured into it, 'cause I know the LGBT community,
they have a real, real strong force in society.
- (FBE) Have you heard of it? - No, I have not heard of it before.
- Yes, I know that. I know that.
- I've watched season one because I think actually
my brother was the one that told me about the show
and he's six years younger than me and so we started watching
season one together.
- (FBE) Is this what you normally see from characters
on Disney TV or shows that are kinda geared towards kids?
- No, absolutely not, but it's about time.
- On YouTube, I see some gay stuff,
but none of the official shows like that.
- This is a completely different Disney that I--
I grew up with all the Disney characters, Snow White
and all of that. They're following the curve
in where society's going.
- For a lot of kids, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon
are huge parts of you formative years,
in elementary school, middle school, where that's
all the TV you're watching is children's programming
and so to finally see yourself represented as a character on that
feels amazing, 'cause finally it's someone that you can relate to.
- (FBE) There's some who feel that kids should not really
be shown things like this when they're young.
Why do you think that some adults don't want kids
to know about people who are maybe gay?
- I don't know. I think kids should be seeing this.
It's perfectly fine. If you're allowed to see
a boy and a girl, they're allowed to see
a boy and a boy.
- Some adults have really strict rules like,
you can not be gay. That's final.
And I'm thinking, go ahead.
It doesn't matter.
- I feel like the people that don't like gay people
and everything else, it's probably because they
didn't learn when they were young. I'm glad my parents taught me
that everybody can live their life and I do remember
when I was young, I did a gay video
and they're like, "If you had a friend
that was gay, would you accept it?"
And I went, "No." Let me clarify something.
I was only five years old, okay? I did not know anything.
Honestly, in my head, I was like, "What the heck
is this dude talking about?" Benny was there and I was like,
"What is he talking about. Get some sense in your brain."
But now I understand it because my parents taught me.
- (FBE) What do you think of Disney's decision to have storylines
about a young person who is gay openly discussing it
in a children's program from a family brand like Disney?
- I think it's gutsy. I'm sure there's plenty
backlash going on.
- They kind of played it off like they did it on TV first,
so it's not as big and then maybe in the future
they might do it on one of their big movies or something.
- It could be a little more realistic with the--
'cause it's conflicts. That little boy is just comfortable.
Usually a little boy that knows he's gay in middle school,
they're not comfortable like that.
- If my kid was watching the Disney Channel,
I wouldn't think to maybe monitor or see
what it is that they're watching, 'cause I'm gonna assume
Disney Channel, what's gonna be on there
that's gonna be controversial. Parents might be taken off guard.
I don't think the kids will. So I think it's brave,
I think it's amazing.
- It represents children, pretty much, and you wanna see
representation, whoever you are. You wanna be represented.
- Kids have been gay for the longest,
ever since time began, most likely
and it's just something that's connecting to these
younger kids now that they're gonna see it and be like.
"I'm not alone. I'm not the only one."
They're not gonna feel weird.
- (FBE) So, forget what adults say.
We wanna know for you, a kid in 2019,
what do you think when you see a character talking
about being gay on a show for kids?
- I think it's surprising, but I don't think it should be
a big deal because the more we act it's a big deal,
then the more in real life, you're like, "Oh my gosh,
this is such a big thing." When it should be like,
that's just how the person is.
- I think it's okay. I really am proud of the writer
for finally expressing that.
- Everybody should just accept it and move on in life,
'cause it's nothing big. It's not like the end of the world's
happening because he's gay.
- (FBE) Some adults express concern this is too mature
a topic for young people. Some perhaps due to it
being homosexuality, but for some, the general idea
of topics around sexuality at a young age has brought up
controversy. - I think it's sexuality.
I don't think it's homosexuality. It's a very gray area
and it's all per the individual to say what is right
and what is wrong for them or their kids.
- (FBE) So, even if you were in support of this being
in a children's program, can you see any validity
in the concerns that some people have?
- I think it's honestly bull [bleep].
Nobody goes, "Oh no, they shouldn't be showing kids that.
What? You shouldn't have crushes in the third grade."
But what's not okay is having a girl like
another girl in the third grade.
That's where we draw the line, apparently.
- Some would, but I think that's only if it's overly
sexualized. These are kids,
they're not overly sexualizing it.
- People feel like sometimes that the lifestyle of somebody
homosexual is learned and it's influential
and it makes people go more towards that lifestyle.
I understand people's concerns especially with people
that are on the right and real conservative
and everything, but that's not realistic.
You got all kind of people in this society.
- If the parents did their job appropriately, then we wouldn't
be even having this discussion, but we have to have TV shows
and we have to show people how to do this
because there are parents who think that way.
If your kids is asking questions at six, you need to answer
the question age appropriate. I don't understand.
- Absolutely I can see validity, so for those parents,
don't take your kid to see it or don't let you kid see that.
I think parents should exercise their own individual controls,
but to be honest, I don't know.
I find it incomprehensible that some kid is gonna see it
and quote unquote "turn gay" 'cause they're watching this,
but don't try to prohibit or limit other people
from seeing it. That's where I draw the line.
- (FBE) So though the major news that came out
from Andi Mack has been this storyline, the show deals
with a lot of other topical issues all geared towards
a younger audience, so we have some more
to show you now starting with a clip
from the very first episode, which is also kind of
the initial premise of the show. - Yes, oh my God.
The first episode's great. It's so dramatic.
I love Andi Mack.
- (Andi) Is that you? - Whoa.
- (Bex) That's you. - This show's so dramatic.
I love drama on Disney Channel.
- (Bex) I'm not your sister. - Oh crap.
- (Bex) I'm your mother. - That was unexpected.
- (Bex) I'm your mother. - I'm surprised they showed this
in the first episode.
- That's Disney? Wow, what a premise
for a Disney show.
- (Andi) You're my what? - That's what I would have said.
"You're my what?" Are you kidding me?
Jesus, I'm telling Mom on you. Oh, wait.
- (Andi) Mom! - (Bex) No, please.
She's gonna be so mad. - (Andi) She said she's my mother.
- To find out your mom is your grandma
and then your sister is your mom, that's crazy.
- (Andi) You all have been lying to me
for my whole life. - Ooh, girl.
Andi, you better talk to them.
- She should be on a Jerry Springer episode.
I don't understand. Who makes up that kind of lie?
- These are things that do happen in life.
That's probably a good idea that this be approached as well.
I'm really surprised that Disney had the balls to do this.
- Aw, Jonah.
- (Jonah) Help! - Wow.
- (man) Drink. - (Jonah) I thought I was dying.
- (man) You've had a panic attack. - Why is he having
an anxiety attack?
- That's such a scary experience.
- (man) Panic attacks can be very scary,
but the symptoms are temporary. Remember that
if it happens again. - (Jonah) It's going
to happen again? - (man) It might.
I treat kids younger than you who have them every day.
- (Jonah) I can't go through that every day.
- I like that they have an adult that's accepting
about that.
- (man) Your friends aren't going to think any differently
about you. - (Jonah) Yeah, they will.
I think differently about me. - (man) But they care about you.
They can help you if you let them.
- (Jonah) I'd rather just go home. - Oh wow.
Panic, yeah, anxiety. My daughter's battling
anxiety every day.
- Especially after when my mom passed away,
my anxiety attacks would get really bad where
I would just be sitting on the floor not knowing
what to do. So you have to go
to counseling my senior year of high school
and it really did help. I'm just grateful this show
is showing all that.
- I come from the brush it under the rug generation,
so no, it is good. I definitely see the value
in everything you showed. They're all good topics
kids should be exposed to.
- Kids are gonna have different issues and learning
disabilities or just different experiences that it feels nice
to have characters that include everyone,
'cause then it's a character that you can relate to
and you kind of get advice from this.
- (FBE) Do you think a kids show talking about this
would have been allowed to be made or aired
specifically for kids' demographic maybe earlier when you
were growing up? - No, no, no.
We weren't ready for it. We weren't ready for
a lot of things.
- To be a kid at that age in the '70s or the '80s
saying, "Yeah, I'm gay." That would cause a storm,
a firestorm.
- They sorta kind of touched on it in a very after school
special kind of way. A very special episode.
At that time, I didn't think that it would be in
a kids' show. I couldn't see it
because it hadn't really happened, but I'm happy to see it.
- (FBE) From what you saw, is this a show you'd be okay
with kids watching? - It would depend on the age.
I think a discussion with parents any time's the right time.
- Yeah. I think I would.
- Of course. I think the more the better.
More information is better.
- Yeah, they can watch it. If it's reflected on the screen
or the TV show, then that's reflecting reality.
- Absolutely. My kids, I'm trans,
so my kids and my grandchildren, I think they are respecting
of the humanity in each person that they meet.
- Absolutely, but you know what?
I'm one of those parents that was like,
"Ask me a question." Oh my gosh, my kids
ask me questions all the way to school, honey.
And I'm driving like... But I answered those questions.
- (FBE) So often times, adults will have a lot
of opinions about what is shown to you as a kid,
but seeing these clips today from the show,
do you think that kids should see these kind
of storylines? - Honestly, I do,
but I'm guessing that the parents aren't showing them
'cause they're nervous about something.
- I think they should, 'cause it can teach them
about it more. It can just help them
in the long run to understand it more, 'cause that way
if someone's like, "I need help.
I don't know what's happening." You could be the person
that could help them out.
- I understand because you're like, "I don't want
my kids to learn about this now.
She has to be an adult to learn this."
I mean, that's your opinion, adults.
Just wait until you see your karma. They're gonna end up
learning about it sooner or later, might as well
show them when they're little.
- I know people wanna be protective of their kids.
They don't want them to be watching something
super inappropriate, but that's nothing.
That's a Disney Channel show. I'm sure the producers
of Disney Channel, if they thought that that was bad,
they wouldn't put it on TV.
- (FBE) So finally, do you think that shows made for children
will over time have more storylines like you saw today
and more diverse characters such as being LGBTQ+
and even go further, or do you think that they
should limit what type of characters are portrayed
for kids? - Well I don't like putting limits
on anything.
- A lot of children's programming will become a lot more open
'cause then otherwise, you're gonna have such
a sheltered world.
- There should be somewhat of a limit,
especially more adult content, you need to--
with age, you will grow with new TV shows
that hit those topics, but I think having exposure
to more types of people, diverse groups of people
and just having that representation, I think is definitely gonna
help shape kids to just have a better understanding.
- Definitely in the future, there are gonna be more
because as time goes on more people are more accepting,
but I feel like there should always be a couple shows
that don't have anything to have to do with that,
just fun hearted shows that don't teach you about
what a panic attack is.
- This is where they're getting their influence from,
so they need something that's gonna also
teach them a lesson, not just be the bubblegum stuff,
so I feel like this trend will continue.
- I feel like there's gonna be more storylines
and if there's a limit, I will do a protest
and have everybody sign the paper and bring it
to the Disney Channel studio and be like,
"This is bajillions of people that signed this paper.
You better bring back storylines."
- I remember the old television series where they couldn't
even have a man and a woman, even if they were married,
sitting on a bed together, so yes, things have changed
and they're going to continue to change becuase society
is gonna demand it. People aren't gonna watch
shows that no longer reflect society as it is
and I think this stuff reflects society,
at least society as I see it anyway.
- ♪ (industrial outro) ♪