That's So Tanya

Of Disney Channel's vast collection of programs a few popular shows seem to stand out. Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Even Stevens, to name a few. But one significant show set the stage for teen sitcoms everywhere. "That's So Raven" was the name.

You remember. It starred former Huxtable, Raven Symone, as we go through her wacky I Love Lucy-esque life as a teenage psychic. It also starred Family Matters alum Orlando Brown as Raven's friend Eddie, Belle on Broadway's Beauty and the Beast Anneliese van der Pol as her friend Chelsea, and newbie Kyle Massey who's performance as Raven's brother Cory garnered him a two-season spin-off.

The cover of T'Keyah's second book

But parents are most always involved in shows like these, where family can be found at it's core. Dad of the Baxters, Victor, is a chef with his own restaurant "The Chill Grill" and can often be found giving advice to his children. He is played by Rondell Sheridan. However, the mom's story is much more interesting.

You see, actress T'Keyah Crystal Keyah who plays the firm mother of Raven mysteriously left the show in it's fourth and final season, leaving the kids with one on-screen parent. The story was that she halted her law studies to raise her children and when they were old enough [in Season Four] resumed law school in England.

Funny backstory, I'd say. But what really happened to the real life Tanya Baxter?

T'Keyah and her Disney family

Doing my avid investigative searching stuff, like Sherlock, I deduced that T'Keyeh quit in a dispute quit the directors and producers feeling that the show and her character were going nowhere. My sources? TV.com had a page of her credits and a facts list which stated he reasons behind her absence in the fourth season. So...

Of course, she's moved on now and since her leave from "Raven", T'Keyeh has acted in roles on Teen Titans and Jury Duty and functions as the Artistic Associate of Stage Aurora Theatrical Company, Inc. located in Jacksonville, FL and the Consulting Director of Bronzeville Community Theatre Company in Chicago, IL. Yep. She's done a lot. She often performs and directs at these venues so check her out if you live in the area.

All in all, T'Keyeh proves no one can be a Disney Mom forever.

Be prepared, because tomorrow we talk about our first non-Disney Channel mom, the mom of ABC's Full House. Anyone who enjoyed TGIF can remember this show someway another. So come on back tomorrow! See you then!


For more about T'Keyeh and her ongoing projects, check out her website at http://www.tkeyah.com/

Mom of the Future

If your from my younger generation (of the early 2000's) you can remember an old Disney Channel program "Phil of the Future". Set in the strangely unrealistic 2004, the Diffy's of 2121 must fit in to life in a new time period when their time machine breaks down and strands them.

Barb Diffy and the family of the future

It stars Ricky Ullman, current star of a State Farm Insurance commercial, as the kid who seems to find fitting in easy due to his quick friendship with Keely, portrayed by the half of sister singing duo 78violet.

Of course, there's the wacky parents that round out the main cast. Difficultly fixing the time machine is Lloyd Diffy. And adding to the craziness is lazy but interested matriarch Barb Diffy.

Now, the show unfortunately ended after two seasons in 2006. But, we ponder the question... where is Barb Diffy? Yep, we gotta ask the tough questions around here. Where is this 22nd century housewife now?

Well, the actress portraying her, according to Wikipedia and IMDb, is Lise Simms. Born 1967, and at the age of 45, she boasts guest credits on MADtv, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Friends, and Quintuplets and a spectacular recurring role as Connie Wayne on soap opera The Young and the Restless.

Where is she now? Recently, she has married Terry Rhoads, fellow actor known for roles in That 70's Show, NCIS, Hannah Montana, Pizza Man, and even guest starring with his wife on "Phil of the Future".


Lise Simms' headshot

Lise balances her new marriage as well as currently hosting a geneology-based reality show on the BYU Television called The Generations Project. Recent roles she has also covered since "Phil of the Future" have been on iCarly where she portrayed the school faculties' odd fashionsta Mrs. Linda Peeloff, ER as an emcee, and the CGI adventure Snow Buddies as Meg. Yep, she's done all that.

And she runs marathons!

Wow! Who knew the mom of the future had so much accomplished. It's amazing life after being a Disney Mom.

Now stay tuned soon for a investigative look at the "Where Are They Now" of Tanya Baxter, the mom of That's So Raven and her odd disappearance in Season 4. Coming soon....

Welcome to Old Disney Moms!

Hello, Disney fans and whoelse is reading. Welcome to a brand new blog that will have the world entranced and mystifyied. We call it Old Disney Moms.

Wondering what this is all about. Well, have you wondered what ever happened to the moms in Disney Channel series and Walt Disney movies? No. Either way, you'll know now!

We'll go from the old moms of the 60's Disney flicks, to the recently canceled Disney series of the 2000's. So stay tuned to find some fun information and some nice memories you'll soon uncover from your brain.

One of Disney's most iconic [step]moms.