If you haven’t already guessed from my blog and social media, I’m a massive fan of all things Disney: the movies, the merchandise, the parks and the shows. Getting Disney+ has not only saved me from boredom and from going crazy (or crazier!) during this lockdown, it has also enabled me to rewatch the Disney shows I loved as a kid.
I’ve already raced through Hannah Montana (I’ll link that post at the end of this one, if you fancy a read) and, yesterday, I finished watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Like my previous ‘Jen Rewatches‘ post, I’ll talk through the characters then let you know which episodes are my personal favourites.
From 2005 to 2008, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody documented the life of twins, Zack and Cody, and all the shenanigans they get up to whilst living at The Tipton Hotel. The show had chaos, comedy but also some cute moments too, plus a spin-off show (The Suite Life on Deck) and a movie – which I don’t ever remember watching! As a twin myself, I loved this show so it made sense to make this my second show to rewatch – sometimes with my own twin!
The Characters
Zack and Cody Martin
The series revolves around Zack and Cody Martin, twin brothers. When I first watched this series, I loved the two of them. I think I liked them so much because I’m also a twin, so I completely understood the dynamic between them – they had each other’s backs but also weren’t afraid to get on each other’s nerves from time to time. I gravitated towards Zack when I first watched it but, on second watch, I think I like them both.
Of course they were annoying sometimes and the (slight) adult in me just wanted them to stop messing around but they were funny, mischievous but also had some sweet moments with each other and other characters. I always thought – being the slightly older twin – I was Zack but, on my most recent watch, I’ve realised I’m actually as awkward, interested in cooking and nerdy as Cody!
Carrie Martin
Trying her best to keep the boys out of trouble – and herself in a job, as a singer at the hotel – is the boy’s Mum, Carrie. I only have to ask my Mum how hard it was for my parents to take on twins to realise that it must be even harder for Carrie to do it on her own (though the twin’s Dad does appear in a few episodes of the show). The trend with Disney parents is usually have them a tad overbearing, always interfering and cracking jokes – which means you end up losing interest.
Thankfully Carrie isn’t the perfect Mum that TV shows seem to state are the only Mums that exist. She doesn’t cook (or at least she doesn’t cook very well), she worries about money and she struggles to keep her boys out of trouble. Watching the show again made me realise she’s definitely one of the best Disney show parents, as some of her jokes were actually funny and you can tell she definitely loves her boys.
Maddie Fitzpatrick and London Tipton
Maddie, the candy counter girl and London, the rich, spoiled heiress, seem like they’d be the most unlikely characters in a show like this – and, on the face of it, it doesn’t seem like they’d be likeable either. I remember loving them both though, Maddie was smart and funny while London was ditzy and self-centred.
Watching this show again, I still found the two of them funny and I definitely think they added a lot to the storyline – plus the switching of the stereotypes of smart Asians and dumb blondes is brilliant, I reckon. I just wish Maddie didn’t appear less as the show went on, because her replacements were never as entertaining.
Mr Moseby
Trying to reign the boys in, keep Mr Tipton off his back and his guests happy, Mr Moseby is the hotel manager. I remember not really caring for his character when I first watched the show.
On my most recent watch, I realised he’s actually a great character. He wants to keep things in order, and the boys in line, but it’s the moments when he fails to do so that are hilarious.
There are several secondary characters in the show, like Esteban the assistant night manager, Arwin the engineer and the various friends – and girlfriends – of Zack and Cody. Esteban always made me laugh – and still managed to when I rewatched the show. Sometimes Arwin was funny but, when I watched this again, I just found his character annoying and it seems a bit mad that Zack and Cody’s Mum would let them hang around a man whose inventions always go wrong – in the most dangerous ways!
My Favourite Episodes
Series One
★ “Hotel Hangout” – Obviously I had to mention the first episode in the series. It’s a great start to the series, introducing us to the twins and their wild antics.
★ “The Fairest of Them All” – This is (in my opinion) one of the funniest episodes of the show. It’s such a weird premise for an episode but it’s hilarious watching Cody wobble around in heels!
★ “Cody Goes To Camp” – Whilst the episode itself isn’t great, watching London learn to drive still remains the funniest thing ever.
Series Two
★ “French 101” – I love the subplot in this episode, with Esteban learning to fight. I also think the French conversations are quite funny – probably because I would end up making a mess of the words just like Cody!
★ “Heck’s Kitchen” – I completely forgot the whole plot of Cody being interested in cooking (and being pretty good, too) but I love how chaotic this episode is from start to finish.
★ “The Suite Smell of Excess” – They always do a parallel universe episode on Disney shows but I love this one – having no rules as a kid would’ve been really fun, if chaotic!
Series Three
★ “Super Twins” – This episode was really far-fetched but I loved the idea of the twins getting super powers and Mr Moseby being the villain. Gold.
★ “Sleepover Suite” – This episode is mad from the outset but I know I definitely would’ve loved a sleepover in an heiress‘s room. Imagine. The. Clothes.
★ “Lip Synchin’ in the Rain” – I just loved the running joke in this that Maddie obviously had to play Sharpay, and nobody understood why.
What have you been watching recently? I’d love to chat in the comments 😊.
For the first post in the “Jen Rewatches” series:
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Reminds me of my childhood
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Me too 😂!
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This was such a great post! 😄 I’ve been re-watching The Suite Life too as it was one of my favourite shows as a child. It’s so interesting watching it back as an adult, where before I thought Carrie was annoying now I think she’s amazing!
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I was exactly the same! She’s actually a great Disney parent 😂
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Just stumbled across your blog and it’s so much fun! This made me so nostalgic. Can’t wait to read more from you! 🙂
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Aw thank you, glad you like it. Watching it had the same impact on me. Thank you, that’s lovely to hear 😊.
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