As crazy as it sounds, social distancing is actually bringing people together!
From the cast of Lizzie McGuire hosting a table read to the gang from Austin & Ally reuniting on Zoom, stars from another hit Disney Channel series Good Luck Charlie came together for a sentimental cyberspace reunion with Entertainment Tonight to reminisce about their experience playing the Duncan family.
All of the beloved comedy’s stars tuned in to the reunion, including Bridgit Mendler (Charlie), Bradley Steven Perry (Gabe), Jason Dolley (P.J.), Leigh-Allyn Baker (Amy), Eric Allan Kramer (Bob) and Mia Talerico (Charlie), who is now — wait for it — 11-years-old.
Each shared their favorite memories on set, working with Talerico when she was only 11 months old, and whether they’d be open to a reunion movie.
“[Mia] started off being swaddled and by the time the series was over, we’re doing full-on scenes with her,” Kramer tells ET.
“The creators [Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen] always wanted it to be an ensemble and have each character have something to say. I also really attribute that to our director and our various other writers and people behind the scenes who allowed us to really form out these characters,” Mendler said. “I’m just so grateful for that opportunity as a young actress to be able to spend so much time developing a character. Also, they were trying to entertain a family audience. They weren’t just trying to please kids, they were trying to reach everybody.”
“A big part of it too was how lucky we got with the cast and the crew, everybody that was on set making this thing. Everybody came to set every day wanting to make the best thing we could make,” Dolley said. “Especially with us, there was this instant connection and chemistry that we had that you can’t plan, you can’t recreate. Sometimes you just get lucky and it happens. And we all felt like a family pretty much right from the beginning. That translating to the screen, it becomes instantly relatable. Even 10 years later, you’re watching a family just like yours.”
The beloved sitcom, which ran from 2010 to 2014, introduced teenage Teddy Duncan (Mendler) and her family. It revolved around what happens when a new baby joins the Duncan household and roles shift for everyone in the family including teen siblings PJ (Dolley) and Teddy and tween brother Gabe (Perry), who must adjust to the many changes baby Charlie brings.
In each episode, Teddy created a personalized video diary in which she told her baby sister about all the things she’ll help her learn as she grows up. Teddy’s video documentary closed with a wish for “good luck” to Charlie. In the final season, the family welcomed another baby; a viewer poll determined his name, amassing 25 million votes for “Toby.”
LEIGH-ALLYN BAKER, JEFFREY DOLLEY, KEVIN COVIAS, MIA TALERICO, SHANE HARPER, BRIDGIT MENDLER, JASON DOLLEY
The Good Luck Charlie virtual reunion is part of Disney’s Throwback Thursdays. Disney has been working with Feeding America to help raise awareness about the many resources available to people across America during these difficult times. You can learn more here and on social media using @FeedAmerica and the hashtag #FeedTheLove.
One hundred episodes of the series and the Disney Channel Original Movie it inspired, are currently streaming on Disney+. In addition, Disney Channel will feature a special programming block of “Good Luck Charlie” on Sunday, May 24 (12:00 noon-3:00 p.m., ET/PT).
