"Hannah Montana: Livin' The Rock Star Life!" (Vol. 1) [2006]

The peak of Miley Cyrus' reign back in the Disney Channel days.

During my high school days, it was Hilary Duff who was the face for Disney®. After high school, yeah, it's her: Miley Cyrus.

I likely don't need an introduction for 'Ms. Wrecking Ball' after the crazy things she has done up to this point. From a movie to short blonde hair, and from near-marriage to twerking with Robin Thicke, I'm sure her fans have something to say about everything she's has done, post-Disney. Okay then, what's with this review of Hannah Montana? I'm willing to bet many have forgotten she was a Disney star, so for those who miss the elegant, decent Miley, you're in luck. (I myself preferred Hilary Duff.)

The series circles around a young girl leading a double life; She's a pop star but has a "normal" life to live despite the hang-ups over the fact that she's famous. Miley Stewart also tries to maintain friendships with her classmates at Seaview Middle School when it comes to secrets, telling the truth and learning more about each other. Miley and her best friends, Lilly and Oliver, occasionally team up to embarrass their competition—hot, popular snobs known as Amber and Ashley. We also learn of Miley's family, namely her father Robby Stewart and her brother Jackson Stewart.

First episode involves Miley's class in a little competition: raise as much money as you can in a fundraiser to help the less fortunate. Looking to win against Amber and Ashley, who have won back-to-back, Miley, Lilly and Oliver learn how difficult it is going door-to-door. To win against the girls, Miley, performing as "Hannah Montana," promotes their fundraiser after her performance to which she receives a ton of donations from fans. However, both Miley and Lilly feel for their fellow classmate Sarah who has dedicated her personal time receiving donations the honest, yet hard, way. In that case, the girls decide to give up their donations, which would've have won them over Amber and Ashley, and lent it all to Sarah. Meanwhile, after Jackson and his dad play basketball, Cooper warns that his dad allowed him to win because of mismatch. Jackson didn't take it well and demands that he competes with his dad in every which way...until he realizes he can't help but accept losing to a water-bottle drinking competition running to the bathroom.

Second episode involves Miley happily selling out all her tickets to her concert. At school, she develops a crush on Johnny Collins but gets butt-out by Amber and Ashley, who both try to flatter Johnny. Lilly suggests that Miley unveil her secret: she's the Hannah Montana, but is too ashamed to admit it, after she witnesses the admiration expressed from Oliver.

"I'm sorry. It's just that...I don't like Hannah Montana."
- Miley

Miley, is that the reason you've been doing what you've been doing?

Anyway, Lilly finds that Miley is hiding something; However, Miley feels that spilling the secret would mean that Lilly would admire Hannah Montana but not her herself. When it came to Johnny Collins, Lilly suggests she spill the beans in order to impress him, giving her an advantage over the snobs Amber and Ashley. Miley realizes it when Collins himself lines up to receive an autograph expressing his praise and admiration for Hannah. After autographs, both Lilly and Oliver break into Miley's dressing room only to find that Hannah Montana is...Miley. Lilly was upset she didn't find out earlier but Miley repays by showing her something top secret: her closet! Looking at Miley's closet is sure to turn every teenage girl more green than an environmentalist. As the two girls eventually make up, Miley offers her scarf to Oliver who's insanely excited to receive an official item of hers.

Third episode nearly correlates with the second. This time, Oliver finds out the truth about Miley, except now that Oliver feels he has a chance, Miley implements something we all don't like: chewing gum. Thinking his hand was kissed, or licked, by Hannah Montana, Oliver later finds out that it was her dog that did the licking, embarrassing himself in front of his friends. The moment Miley finds that Oliver is going the distance for a chance to date Hannah realizes that he, too, won't take the truth well. Chewing up, Miley sees that chewing licorice-flavored gum should sway Oliver away, making her look like a slob. After guessing games, Miley removes the Hannah Montana wig and unveils herself. Taking time to soak it all in, Oliver is fine with it and stays best friends with Miley.

Fourth episode seems straight-forward as well. Developing a huge crush on ninth grader Jake Ryan, Miley finally scores a date with him. Learning what he's all about, Miley finds that Jake doesn't like Hannah Montana, yet persuades him to attend a Hannah Montana concert. Oliver and Lilly work with Miley at the concert hall, only to learn that Jake prefers hip-hop music over pop. Desperate, Miley, or Hannah Montana, goes back on stage to perform a free-style hip-hop song. The audience gets sour after such a strange performance. On the other hand, Jackson gets a holler from Olivia who finds out that she's Cooper's sister. Being the protective brother he is, he accuses Jackson into trying to hook up with Olivia...until he judged too hastily witnessing Olivia making out with the pizza guy. Back to Miley, and when the concert draws to a close, Miley is left defeated trying to sort out the happenings with her date. As her and Lilly sort it out, Miley's dad steps in to give some meaningful advice, namely this one:

"Someday she'll find a guy that likes everything about her. Won't be anything left to change."
- Robby Stewart

That speaks for itself.

Well? Just another simple kids show that had a decent run on the Disney Channel. Amid Miley's controversies, this show worked just fine for children. However, like we do here at Showsotros™, we dig into any hidden meanings/messages and see what they tell us.

First episode stood out a bit: no how difficult going door-to-door is, especially since no one today will fall for any sneaky tactics just to get someone to take out their wallets, we take for granted on how much effort and time is required to help the less fortunate. While others are more serious about helping than others, we need to realize the time and dedication one puts into helping poor folks from falling off the Earth—giving them time/a chance to live and experience life. Unfortunately, there are those who help for bragging rights and pure selfishness. I'm sure you probably knew that.

Oh, by the way, the man who played Mr. Corelli? That's Greg Baker—former co-host of As Seen On, along with co-host Matt, better known as "The Vault Guys." It aired on Game Show Network back in the late nineties but it wasn't a game show; More like a series documentary showing celebrities appearing on game shows, and scarce classics that never reached air time. Nice seeing Greg still in show business.

Second episode is all about acceptance. However, the message this episode portrays doesn't have any personal connections with us regular citizens; This may as well be a personal message directed at Demi Lovato—star of Sonny With A Chance. Why? Demi stated that her circle of friends increased the moment she rose to fame. Having undergone rehab, she mentions that most of her friends weren't around helping her, leaving only a handful to stick around making sure she's okay. This tells us one question: how close are your friends? In this modern world, the quality of friendship has decreased (I say this a lot). People are much different in person than how they express themselves online. Doesn't matter if social media websites like Facebook try to make the internet an open, honest place; There'll always be a boundary, big or small, between ourself and the person/people on the other end. Do you like someone because of how they look on the pictures they share, or how they really are in person? Not everyone is famous, so using the online variable fits with this equation I'm explaining.

Third episode very much is near-similar to the second. Only difference is how well one can handle the truth. No matter how painful it may be, we're all going to know eventually. In that case, I want to know the truth why we're here—seriously.

Fourth episode is something many young teenagers think about: relationships. We can't impress everybody, and even if your partner has different interest from you, there's nothing you can do to abide/change that. It's who they are. Only problem is most teens, especially girls, won't realize this until they're much older. Robby Stewart (Bill Ray Cyrus) said it best: Miley will find a nice guy who'll accept her and everything about her. Good thing Robby didn't mention money; Miley has enough.

Not too bad for a first volume. Yes, this was my first time sitting down and watching the DVD. I don't know what else to say but I suppose if Miley was more well-behaved, she wouldn't be where she's at today. Does that make it good?

This is for you, Miley.

Kris Caballero

Founder of KCU Network and KCU Plus, Kris has been writing since he started blogging in late 2005. Officially back to doing computer programming, Kris enjoys reading books on Mathematics, Quantum Computing, Philosophy, plus playing old video/MS-DOS games, digital video archiving, listening to sports, public radio and classical music.

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