Best Friends Whenever (2015–2016) User Reviews

Lots of fun!

[Safetylight · 7/10 · 27 May 2016]

I'm tempted to give this a 10 just to offset all the people giving it a 1.

I mean... a 1? Sorry. A 1 is not a rational reaction. That's saying this is the WORST thing you've ever seen. That's crazy. That's deep emotional trigger stuff.

This is an upbeat, nice show about friends loving each other, solving various friend crises with honesty and compassion, and having silly adventures together. The over the top gag writing is clever and amusing. It certainly isn't bad, and CERTAINLY no worse than I've seen elsewhere. All in all, this show is well meaning and fun.

Now.., WHY does that upset some people so much? Touched a nerve, did it? I think it did!

I know several teen girls who really enjoy Best Friends Whenever, but if they read the reviews here might double think that. What an ugly thing to do. Because, heavens, we can't have young women absorbing positive messages about friendship. Girls are supposed to hate each other! Don't you know that? I think some of that negative advertising which saturates our culture, that horrid stuff which strives to make girls despise themselves and mistrust others, to not reach out to form nourishing bonds with others, has poisoned too many people here.

If you're knee jerking into hating this sweet and friendly program, then maybe you need to pause long enough to examine WHY you're reacting that way!

Seriously! What is WRONG with you??

So, enjoy this fun little show. Ignore the trolls. Love your friends.

More Than You Would Expect

[mddwbsst · 7/10 · 29 August 2015]

Really this is a show that will probably give you a bit of a surprise. The premise is quite simple: Best Friends Cyd and Shelby, following an accident in their friend Barry's lab, allows them to travel through time by touching the other and thinking of a time period. Cue wacky hijinks .

So far it sounds pretty familiar and sure enough, upon first sight Best Friends Whenever appears to be nothing more than another of your standard Disney high concept teen shows, light hearted and harmless fun sure, but nothing to special or memorable.

But really, keep watching and you'll be surprised. This show is a lot deeper and more complex than it first seems, the level of thought the writers have actually put into the concept of time travel is more than you would expect. Good examples of this are the episodes "The Butterscotch Effect" and "Shake Your Booty" Both of which take a good look at two questions that probably will emerge in you're minds after the first few episodes.

Likewise this show also maintains a concise story arc, a subtle but strong continuity and a pretty intriguing driving question.

The show also benefits from a cast who effortlessly play off each other. The chemistry between the main characters is organic and feels realistic, the bonds between them feel realistic. Likewise the four main characters are well balanced, likable and entertaining.

Now that's not to say this is perfect, like to many other's of its type it falls into the trap of a superfluous annoying younger sibling (or siblings in this case). Likewise not all the humour hits exactly the right mark, and its pretty clear that everyone is still getting used to this so for the first few episodes. Still none of these flaws feel like anything worse than what can be ironed out with a bit of experience.

All in all, I would recommend giving it a try. It really is cut above your average Disney teen show.

Ep.1-13 are Trash! After that it gets better and Better...

[pctransactions · 6/10 · 25 October 2016]

As long as you don't judge this show by the first 1/2 season, it just may be worthy of your watch list. Don't worry, the awful characters Bret & Chet fade into obscurity (excepting occasional eps. like s02e08). I wouldn't wish any show made by the people who created the first 1/2 season upon my worst enemies. Of course, the very first episode is the origin story, so you may wish to survive it by keeping the fast-forward button at the ready. I'm enjoying this show now in season two; 'good enough to DVR new episodes. And, I suppose it was okay for them to briefly bring Diesel back to temporarily prominence in the Halloween episode. Now, I no longer cringe at horrible attempts at comedy, or roll my eyes in dismay while contemplating changing the channel. If you give the later episodes a try then you just may agree...

I am so confused at the reviews here

[bakugan-26343 · 22 December 2015]

Not realistic? NOT REALISTIC? It's a show about time travel for godness sake. Who said anything about realism?

The girls can time travel and a guy has a lab. And? There were time travel shows in the past and nobody cared. Dexter from Dexter's Lab has a huge lab that clearly couldn't fit in his house. Nobody cared. So when someone else can time travel and when someone else has a lab, you guys are quick to hate on it, not realizing you grew up watching the same things but loving it.

It seems like you guys are just looking for reasons to hate on Disney at this point. This is television. This isn't reality, it's TELEVISION. It's not supposed to be realistic. If you want realistic stuff, close the TV and go outside, or go to school, or do your homework or whatever. That'll be realistic.

Good idea gone down a hill

[monsterfas · 1/10 · 17 July 2015]

This show started out good. I was really looking forward to it. It was a good idea. I liked the first episode. However after this the show really goes downhill. The characters are very unfunny. They also slam the idea of "Best friends are always there for you" theme over and over on your head. It's so annoying. Episode 2 there was a scene when the 2 girls were explaining something to the other 2 boys. One of the girls says something and the other says "I was going to say that." then "Let's go back so you can say it!" and then "Na you nailed it" "let's go back since that was sweet". Seriously? That was the cheesiest piece of crap I've ever heard and seen in my life. I liked the idea but this show got annoying and very cringe worthy fast. All the episodes have a very predictable plot and it's just plain silly!

Great Show!

[cw-93412 · 10/10 · 9 October 2016]

Honestly; I don't get what people are complaining about. This show is one of the best that Disney has now in my opinion! I'm 20 years old and never miss an episode of Best Friends Whenever! Growing up with Disney and seeing a lot of Disney shows I can defiantly say this show is one of the best. Sure at first it seems bland and boring; but if you keep watching there is a story line in each season and it's actually getting deeper and progressing more as it goes along! Each cast member is getting better with their acting and their character's and some of the plot holes are even getting filled in more as we go. Yes, this show has it's flaws; but honestly it's one of the better Disney shows. It's super friendly, family safe, kid safe, and it teaches kids that having a best friend and being a best friend is important and a good issue to understand. So don't hate the show, give it a try! It's silly; fun; fantasy and the situations they get into are dead on relatable.

Good show

[stephanierowell · 7/10 · 15 June 2020]

Look, it's a Disney channel show about two time traveling teens. What do u expect? It's a good show, it's funny, and it's pretty cute. It's not gonna be the next Greys anatomy or anything! It's just a silly little show

This show does not make any sense, awful

[pikaleegaming · 1/10 · 1 September 2015]

There are many issues associated with this show, and most of it revolves around the plot. The plot can be confusing at time, and it is not relatable. Though not all shows should be relatable, it makes it easier to follow the plot. Here are my current issues:

1. There are plot holes. 2. The way Cyd and Shelby time travel can be confusing. 3. The plot is not well thought out- there is no plot line. 4. Chet and Bret are unnecessary characters that do not contribute to the show. 5. The writing, acting,special effects and humor is bad. 6. I find the lighting to be a bit weird.

In terms of plot holes, in the episode "The Butterscoth Effect", Barry explains the butterfly effect to Cyd and Shelby. That's great and all, but there's a plot hole. When the two travel back to 4th grade to allow Barry to meet Dr. Fleming (his hero), it is revealed Barry gave up on science. What does not make sense is how the two can still time travel, because the Barry that allowed them to time travel no longer exists. Unless their ability is to jump between alternate universes during different time periods, it does not make sense.

Next, Cyd and Shelby's method of time traveling is weird. The writers don't do a good job explaining this and just keep it at, "the girls explore their newfound power." They simply touch each other while thinking of a time, and then they will be able to travel. It's certainly unique, but it sometimes doesn't make sense in certain situations.

Third, stories should have plot lines or some form a continuation. This is the issue with most, if not, most Disney Shows. I think that this show barely has some plot progression, and is more like random days of their life being picked to be shown.

Fourth of all, Chet and Bret are unnecessary characters. They make no contribution to the plot and are annoying characters. The two have weird arguments and don't really have a sibling relationship with Shelby. For whatever reason, the two have this weird obsession with Cyd.

Next, the writing, special effects, acting, and humor is bad. The effects look relatively cheap, the jokes are terrible, and the acting seems forced. The writing has already been discussed previously with the plot.

Lastly, I find the lighting to be a bit weird. I know it's really weird to say this, but it is very different compared to the other shows. The lighting does not do a good job on creating a mood for the show.

Honestly, I do not recommend watching this show. It is a waste of time, and it needs a lot of improvement. It's a interesting idea, but was executed poorly.

A very good TV show.

[kimmy852 · 8/10 · 23 September 2016]

People say that this TV sucks and is bad about it's not.

Its not good because it's amazing it's so good I love the fact they can time travel and they can change and relive stuff.

I love the theme song it's great and so well done.

A great cast of cool stuff the writers wrote about and that's cool and the acting is great and good and amazing and well done and epic and so funny. It makes me laugh and it's good TV show.

I love ans a huge fan of the actors and actresses and the seince behind this is good and nice. I love the apeel of the TV show. I really like it and i hope you do as well. I hope it makes it too season 4.

yes they met a princess from the past which was good and nice. i really like this TV show and I hope that you watch this TV show and love it. The TV show keeps getting better and better I really love it. I hope t goes on for years and years and I hope the ratings good and keep getting better and better like it is now.

I can't wait too see this years Halloween episode. I hope the actresses and actors want too keep doing this for years and so do the fans.

It's okay, but could be better

[shaneryandoyle · 6/10 · 8 December 2021]

I liked this show, but I would also love to rewrite the whole thing. Season 1 actually is really good, especially near the end. I enjoyed it a lot. Season 2 is okay, although not better than Season 1. I just felt like they made some decisions that made no sense.

Chet and Bret's B-plots are so hard to get through, they are genuinely annoying and a their characters feel like a blatant "let's try to appeal to young boys watching our show" because the show stars two teen girls. They serve no other purpose and if they didn't exist as characters I wouldn't be sad about it.

Naldo was also flanderized pretty quickly into the dumb guy trope and was the most second annoying one for me, behind Bret and Chet.

And why did Barry have a whole "I love you Marcy and I won't break up with you, we're meant to be together" plotline, only for Marcy to disappear in Season 2? I loved Barry and Marcy. In Season 2, Barry gets an unnecessary love story with Daisy instead and in my opinion they had no chemistry. Also, if Marcy's actress had to leave for another show, why not explain that way by mentioning that Marcy had to move instead of acting like she never existed?

Other than that it's a okay to watch, especially as backgorund noise and if you get past the first few episodes being more mundane ways. Spoiler, they end up going through dystopian timelines to fight a whole evil villain.

This show sucks.

[lazyforlifeever · 1/10 · 31 October 2015]

Seriously, a show about a blond and brunette best friends. Is this a joke Disney? The acting is bland, there is nothing special about any of the characters. Don't get me started on the special effects, seriously a white room where they were strapped into....like, can you turn up that lighting anymore???? The jokes on this shows are lame and are no where near funny. And let's talk about the diversity in this show...exactly. None. Whoever let this show go to straight to a series instead of pilot most likely regrets it now considering how horrible this show turned out to be. Seriously Disney, can you do any worse? Oh wait...yeah you can with this show.

Give it a try

[rosyredtulips · 10/10 · 8 August 2016]

Actually not a bad show. One of the better Disney shows in my opinion anyway. It's funny at times, interesting, and quite entertaining. Its mostly targeted at 7 - 14 years old so the humor may be bland to those older than that age range. I think the characters are quite interesting, and the show seems to get better as it progresses. It's not for everyone, that's for sure, but give it a try.

Sure, this show isn't perfect. There are plot holes, but then again, most of its viewers won't recognize it unless they do a detailed inspection of the show, which most people won't do. The thing about the humor is that it's kind of subjective. I find some parts hilarious, and my friend may find it boring. It depends on your sense of humor, really.

Also, to all those saying that they should use their time traveling ability for more creative things like watching dinosaurs or going into 3080, remember that this is Disney, not some high-budget Jurassic movie. They obviously can't afford to go all out with each episode. The reason why Mr. Peabody and Sherman have all those cool things is because its ANIMATION, and it's much easier to incorporate dinosaurs into animation than in a real-life Disney show.

A entertaining but weak TV series with nothing to give out to audiences

[westen1223 · 6/10 · 11 August 2016]

Best Friends Whenever starts off with the two best friends, Cyd and Shelby, accidentally got zapped with some kind of taser-machine and find out they have the capability to time-travel to time periods that they choose to.

The first episode went to a good start to the series but as it continued, each plot of each episodes were going a bit weak and not very understandable, leading to the point where it unknowingly duplicates some of the jokes from previous Disney Channel TV Series. I would say the series is far better than Stuck in the Middle but it isn't. The characters weren't properly introduced, the jokes were extremely weak that the laughter was used frequently, even when it isn't funny but I will say that the visual effects has greatly improved and seemed realistic compared to other DC TV series.

Not a great TV series but not a bad one.

Complete waste of time

[aghg-47305 · 1/10 · 10 August 2015]

I was bored one night and decided to watch this show. I wasted my time. The acting was bad, the script was bad, the directing was bad, everything was bad. Here are some things that really bothered me.

1 - Their use of time travel. They have the ability to time travel by just bumping their hips (dumb) or touching each other and thinking of a time. They have such an amazing power and can do so much with it. I know that it's a kid's show and all but, really? They go to cheat on an 8th (maybe 9th) grade test? Idiotic and selfish.

2 - The acting. There is not ONE good actor on this show. The acting is cheesy and just not believable.

3 - The jokes. Were there even any jokes in this show? Because if there was, they were so unfunny that I can't even remember that there was one.

4 - The characters. So unlikable and the main girls have such a lack of personality it's boring to watch.

5 - Unrealistic. The effects are cringe-worthy, these preteen non- related girls somehow live together, adults are nowhere to be found (from what I saw) other than the teacher, and these children have a lab? How? Why? Like I said before, unrealistic.

Overall, this show is crappy, and if you want a quality TV show to watch, don't waste your time with this one.

Bill and Ted's Excellent ADVENTURE with Shelby and Cyd

[theoneandonlyjimmypage · 29 August 2015]

First I assume that you've seen Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and that you have seen Best Friends Whenever...You see how it all rhymes. That is how I first hear it.Why don't we do Bill and Ted with females. The entire adventure without saying is underwritten by the future, and by Rufus, and of course Wyld-Styllyns. The future is about to again be complimented, tweaked, edited, and rewritten...this time- By two somewhat silly gals who are bound by a host of some Sci-Fi fall out And it all gave become able to. time travel. The future will never be the same!Shelby and Cyd are involved but not concerned, considerate but somewhat less than conscientious . They are fun loving lovable party animals who have the power of powers . ..that of influence over the course of history.That's some butterfly effect.Look out tomorrow here come laughing out loud, Oh My GOD, irrepressible coast to coast irresponsibility .

Awful!

[KingCritic · 1/10 · 29 June 2015]

This show is laughably bad. With block of wood acting, crappy writing, cheap effects, over the top clichés, and overall uncreative and terrible production, this show is just another uninjoyable bottom of the barrel Disney show like: Shake it up, Austin and Ally, Dog with a Blog, Liv and Maddie, and Jessie. All of those shows are made by a cruddy studio that Disney hired called Dipthong Studios (which I'm not kidding is its name), and I wasn't surprised was given credit at the end of the episode. Disney really has to stop throwing crap like this out there, and seriously step up its game. The same people who approved masterpieces like Toy Story , and Up, makes me sad when they make tiny child demographic crap like Frozen and this. Disney has done stories with believable characters and interesting plot lines, not recycled scripts from other failed Disney shows. Now, what does this show have to offer? Well, good messages for children? (Errr) No. Decent plot lines? (Err) No. Writing and production that doesn't hit the lowest common denominator (Eerrrrrr) No! Developed ,3 dimensional, and interesting characters? Yes! Ha! No! They must have fired every single writer that had things like that to offer before the first Disney show ever came out. I highly suggest that no one should watch this show and Disney's entire TV plan be reconsidered. This show does not send a good message to children and is just another Disney ploy to get you to buy its merchandise. Instead of watching this just toss a good ol' classic with a good message like Toy Story in the Blu -Ray , or read a book like James and the Giant Peach.

Awesome

[darktaker08 · 10/10 · 21 April 2019]

This probably one of Disney best shows has done in years should laste longer then only 2 season.if I could give you one word to describe this show FUN.

Most Boring Time Travelers Ever

[jaimevrl765 · 6/10 · 28 July 2016]

With the ability to travel all of time and space (they can tele-port) you think they would take a hint from Doctor Who and have exciting adventures. The two girls who gain time travel abilities in this show decide to use their time travel gift on the most mundane of trips. Examples include:

1. Going back in time to pick up a jacket. 2. Going back in time to do a dance in sixth grade. 3. Jumping forward to steal an exam in order to cheat. 4. Going back and forth in time to get the perfect gift.

All in all these are the worst time travelers ever. Not only are they selfish with their time travel ability (something I hate for some reason), they also are boring.

Awful

[xheatherx-22579 · 1/10 · 21 December 2015]

************May Contain spoiler***********

This show is so terrible. The two best friends just seem to be faking the acting. I mean come on Disney! The older shows were so much better. What's with the twins? "That's what I was gonna say Brett" and then they start fighting. Seriously, what's with these two? The whole idea for time travel is to do something cool. Not just go back to fix your friendship. Plus in the one episode where they want to destroy the the dad's company. The acting is terrible when they try to avoid the booby traps. Barry is so mono toned! I change the channel all the time when this show comes on. I don't really understand the point. And Naldo? What's he really there for? The plot line is terrible. Just another Disney show that jumps around and makes no sense. What is with the future lab? They wear the same clothes they jump in and they aren't even strapped to the tables. They have one strap over their waist and try poorly to get out. Seriously though, what is with the girl with the straight hair?! Bring some life to it!

Best Disney show yet

[michaelkwhite · 9/10 · 18 June 2017]

1. First off, I see people misunderstanding the time travel logic so I gotta set this straight.

Every time travel device in fiction allows effects to exist for which no cause ever manifests. That is how time travel in TV and movies always works.

In the first place, Cyd and Shelby got their powers in an alternate past. In the timeline that began at the end of the first episode, the event that caused them to gain their powers never happened. That isn't a plot hole, that's how it works. Time travel couldn't work differently, anyway.

After Cyd and Shelby jumped back and made it so Barry never got into science, they still have time travel power in the present because they aren't from that timeline. They are from the timeline where they do have time travel power. It's no different.

A question arises in the 1950s episode: why did Shelby transform into a girl with a different grandfather? Well, the answer is just her existence isn't to be presumed because it took place before she was born. That may not seem logical but it is an answer. There is always an explanation for these things and I'm certain BFW is always consistent with its own assumptions.

2. The twins: Brett and Chet weren't very interesting to begin with but their story came to be about learning to become different people and accept the other for who he is. It wasn't extremely interesting but it was better than lame gags.

3. Comparing to GMW and other Disney shows: a lot of people complain that Cydby are a knockoff of Rilaya but this doesn't make any sense. If you watch the show you know their personalities are nothing like Riley and Maya. As an anxious girl and a spontaneous girl? They aren't different from Rocky and Cece, Miley and Lily, Lindy and Logan, etc. Rilaya are a knockoff of Cory and Shawn anyway so this is kind of a pointless argument.

4. This thing always happens where young people grow up and the new shows seem childish compared to the old ones. It's in your head. A lot of criticism towards BFW sounds like wishing that Disney would make something very different or less imaginative rather than judging the show on its merits.

Okay, let me assess BFW on it's merits. This show is constantly touching without being overly sentimental. The overarching plot lines are actually suspenseful and interesting. The main villains, Janet and Sebastian, were funny and drove the plot. Shelby being anxious and self- absorbed, Cyd being exuberant and aimless--they are a hilarious pair. The parents were such parents. Parents on these shows are usually silly but Norm and Astrid were both realistic and funny, somehow a perfect balance.

The tensions between Cyd and Shelby were valid and the time travel gimmick was valuable in figuring them out. The creators kept finding brilliant new ways to make the gimmick relevant and operate the plot. Friendship is all about trade-offs and time travel lets them explore this. Last but not least, BFW discussed feminism and girl power, usually straightforwardly but often in a clever or sideways manner, in many episodes.

Best Friends Whenever is Disney Channel's best creation ever.

Good Disney show for its era

[chloebetts · 7/10 · 3 August 2021]

Although it is not as good as the og disney channel shows, I do actually like this show. I feel as though this show is underrated and I would recommend watching it.

A terrible show about two stupid preteens who can't act that live together somehow in an unrealistic setting.

[alynn931 · 1/10 · 28 June 2015]

The show is terrible. One of the worst shows to ever hit my screen. The chances of a season 2 for that horrible excuse of a show is extremely low. If this sh*t gets renewed they better move it to that piece of crap, Disney XD. Out of the probably 5 million people watching, most likely only 8 laughed. Horrible excuse for a Disney Channel show. The idea is bland, the fact that two girls live together with two fat red head brothers(of course) and two best friends who happen to have their own lab. Even without the time travel this show is incredibly unrealistic, racist, and demeaning. I'm sad to say that this is actually worse than that old show, Fanboy & Chumchum, a show with literally no plot line, but at least had some sort of lesson and reasonable voice acting. I wouldn't let my dog watch this terrible excuse for a television show.

Best one disney show ever

[elenakginblat · 10/10 · 6 October 2020]

It's so sad that it had to be canceled, but I find it the best tv show that was ever created. Some people in the reviews are saying that its not realistic, it's about time travelers it's not supposed to be realistic!!

Despite its flaws, it is a pretty solid show with a concept I really enjoyed

[Anon172022 · 7/10 · 7 November 2021]

Best Friends Whenever is a Disney Channel show about two best friends who get the ability to time travel. The way their abilities work is when they touch each other and think of a time they "jump" into their bodies from that time(unless they travel outside of their lifetime). They don't use this power to become superheroes but instead just mess around with it. They used this power to order a pizza 45 minutes earlier so they don't have to wait. They go back in time a few years to eat a burrito that was banned when they were seventh schoolers. They time travel to get back at a classmate that's insulting them. This form of time travel is refreshing because it allows for a very character focused show. The main characters have been friends since kindergarten and think they know everything about each other, and their time traveling brings forth things they didn't. It's not a perfect show, it ends up sharing a lot of problems many other disney channel shows have regarding cliches and cheesy dialogue. But despite that it's still a pretty unique show that is different from a lot of other time travel shows in a good way, and I hope we get more time travel shows like this one.

This show suck!

[ariajones-87533 · 1/10 · 19 August 2015]

This show is 30 minutes waste of your time! No one wants to see 2 fat ginger's fighting all the time! This show has dry humor and terrible actors/actresses. I bet I could make a better series than this. They try so hard to be funny, like stop please! I knew right when they announced that Best Friends Whenever was coming to Disney Channel it was going to be another Disney Channel fail. This is by far the worst Disney Channel show ever. They seriously need to cancel this show. This show is basically sort of copying off of Girl Meets World with the blonde and brunette, except the personalities are switched. Beware of this show.