Exclusive: Raven-Symoné On Directing Disney Channel’s ‘Sydney to the Max’ Episode
Very recently, BlackFilmandTV.com correspondent Kage Taylor had the opportunity to speak with multitalented Raven-Symoné ("Raven's Home") on directing the latest episode to season three of Disney Channel's popular daughter/father comedy "Sydney to the Max". The “Sydney to the Max” episode “Do the Write Thing” is available on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.
Sydney Reynolds is a 12-year-old girl who lives in Portland, Oregon with her father Max and her paternal grandmother Judy as she navigates life in middle school with her best friend Olive. Each half-hour episode includes a flashback segment set in 1992 that details 12-year-old Max and his friend Leo, who both work at a shopping mall arcade owned by Leo's father. Both segments show Sydney and young Max getting into similar situations.
The series stars Ruth Righi as Sidney Reynolds, Ian Reed Kesler as Max, Caroline Rhea as Judy Reynolds (in both decades), Ava Kolker as Sydney's best friend Olive, Jackson Dollinger as young Max, and Christian J. Simon as young Max's best friend, Leo.
Returning guest stars include Cassidey Fralin as young Alisha and Julia Garcia as Emmy. Additional guest stars include Rizwan Manji as Vice Principal Virmani, Arjun Sriram as Pete, Paul-Mikél Williams as Ned, Jama Williamson as Ms. Anderson, Grace Lu as Roxanne, Cali Dicapo as Callie and Josh Duvendeck as Mr. Ames.
In "Do the Write Thing," Sydney suspects her teacher Ms. Anderson has assigned everyone in her class historical figures to write about based on their race. When Sydney talks to her classmates, they confirm her suspicions and explain how uncomfortable they felt when they received their assignments. The students agree it’s time to stand up for themselves and elect Sydney as their spokesperson to talk to their teacher. In the '90s, Vice Principal Virmani arranges for a local reporter to interview Leo about his work as founder and president of the school's computer club, the same club he encouraged his buddy Max and his cousin Alisha to join. Leo provides a great interview and highlights of his work and is excited until the story runs, incorrectly featuring a picture of Max with the title of Club President.