Bizaardvark - Should You Let Your Kids Watch It? A Set Visit and Review!

Disney Channel's newest series Bizaardvark is sure to be a hit. I attended an early screening and got to visit the set of Bizaardvark to share a behind-the-scenes look.

Can I be honest for a second here? As soon as I turned 30, I instantly felt an atmospheric shift. I like to think I'm young and hip (see, even that sounds old!). Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'm a little out of touch with today's youth. I have 3 "teenage" nieces and a nephew and sometimes I just do not understand their lingo. Likewise, I feel like they're growing up too fast, and I don't get why Minecraft is a thing.

That's why I was a tad nervous about screening Bizaardvark during my trip to Los Angeles. I'd read that this Disney Channel live-action comedy show was about two 13-year-old best friends. They write funny songs and create music comedy videos for their online channel, "Bizaardvark." But, what if I didn't get the jokes? Or, what if the dialogue felt a little too old? Would I feel comfortable watching it and would I want to encourage others to watch it? 

Images courtesy of Disney Channel/Craig Sjodin

Bizaardvark

I sat down with a group of other bloggers to watch the show and was relieved almost immediately. Right away, you meet Paige (Olivia Rodrigo) and Frankie (Madison Hu). You can tell they aren't like other girls, both in this series and on other shows on TV. The girls are bright, witty, and silly. Most importantly, they aren't the run-of-the-mill fashion or boy-obsessed tweens that you may see on other programs. Despite feeling like oddballs, Paige and Frankie are a perfect match and play off one another extremely well. I soon came to realize that these girls are exactly like my nieces who make funny videos with their friends. I'm blown away by what they can achieve with their iPads and the same rings true for Bizaardvark.

Concept of the show

During the first episode, you learn that Paige and Frankie are budding bloggers on a quest to become online stars. They have hopes of becoming Vuuugle (think YouTube) sensations. Once they reach enough subscribers they can start producing their videos at Vuuugle headquarters. Then, they'd be among the likes of Dirk (played by real-life Vine and YouTuber Jake Paul) and Amelia (DeVore Ledridge). Unfortunately, they get off to a rocky start. When they're on the brink of giving up, the girls get picked up by a pint-sized agent. Bernie, played by Ethan Wacker, brings a lot of laughs to the show.

Image courtesy of Disney Channel/Craig Sjodin

Bizaardvark is entertaining and funny (without being corny). It also gives you a fresh perspective on how important social media is right now. The producers and cast do an excellent job of keeping the content age-appropriate for younger viewers. For example, even when dealing with heavier issues like feeling left out there is still some levity. It's not a bit boring for adults either. The cast is fantastic, especially Wacker, who I think steals the show in many of his scenes.

Bizaardvark Set Visit

We also got to tour the set and interview the actors and executive producers of Bizaardvark and watch a rehearsal. This was my first time visiting a set and the sheer volume of lights, props, and set pieces were astounding. There is so much that goes into making a series, especially one as fun as Bizaardvark.

Vuuugle

Vuuugle headquarters is like every kid's wildest fantasy. It's the coolest hangout ever, complete with a lounge and hot chocolate bar. It's the most epic creative studio space. Every prop or costume that you can imagine is there so the kids can get creative for their Vuuugle videos. Like the series, this cool new environment is bright, vibrant, and exciting to see.

Overall Impression

I think kids are going to love Bizaardvark. The series is high-energy and the cast is totally enjoyable to watch. I'm sure my nieces are going to become obsessed with Bizaardvark. That's why I was sure to grab a photo with the cast. Hoping that scores me some cool points!

You can check out my full interview with the Bizaardvark cast too!

Update for Series Ending

Bizaardvark aired on Disney Channel on June 24, 2016. Unfortunately, the series ended on April 13, 2019. There were 63 episodes and it lasted for 3 seasons.

What happened to Dirk?

As mentioned above, Dirk Mann was played by Jake Paul. The character ran the channel Dare Me Bro! Paul left Bizaardvark after season 2 and the character was not replaced.

Where can you watch Bizaardvark?

You can watch Bizaardvark on Disney+. Alternatively, you can stream Bizaardvark by renting or purchasing on Google Play or iTunes. Stream it on Hulu, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video for a small fee.

You'll probably also like Disney Channel's Stuck in the Middle. Check out my interview with exclusive photos of the Stuck in the Middle cast. You might also enjoy Disney's Channels Bad Hair Day. You can read my exclusive interview with Leigh-Allyn Baker and check out my Bad Hair Day review.