LIZZIE MCGUIRE EPISODES

Season 1

1. Rumors
gs: Byron Fox (Danny Kessler) Davida Williams (Claire Miller) Taylor Gunnin (Head Cheerleader) Mitchah Williams (Kid) Britney Mitchell (Dancer) Melissa Matthews (Dancer) Tiffany Burton (Dancer)

Lizzie tries out for cheerleader but doesn't do very well. Later that night she and Miranda chat online. Lizzie jokes that Kate made the squad because she stuffs her bra. Miranda accidentally sends out the message to everyone on the class roster. The next day at school Kate is furious about the taunting she's receiving and confronts Lizzie and Miranda, demanding to know who is responsible. Lizzie stutters and stammers for a few moments, then Miranda says that she did it. Kate promises to make her life miserable, and a war of dirty tricks breaks out between the two. Miranda tells Lizzie that she took the blame because Lizzie can't handle conflict. Lizzie feels guilty as the war between Miranda and Kate escalates. Finally Lizzie works up the nerve to take responsibilty for the message and she stands up to Kate. Also, Matt brings home a lizard for a school project and names it Lizzie, much to his sister's annoyance. While Mr. and Mrs. McGuire are supposed to be watching the lizard, it dies.

b: 12-Jan-2001 pc: 103 w: Melissa Gould d: Neal Israel

NOTE: Disney broadcast a special "sneak peek" of this episode of Lizzie McGuire after the premiere of their movie Zenon: the Zequel on January 12, 2001. Disney's Lizzie McGuire web site listed "Rumors" as episode #5, and it was broadcast again on Saturday, February 3, a day after the premiere of "Pool Party."
Each episode features a "blooper reel" of outtakes shown just before the final credits, which starts off with a shot of a clapboard. For the first twelve episode, the title of the show listed on the clapboard is "What's Lizzie Thinking?"
When they are chatting online, Lizzie's screen name is LIZZEE. Miranda's is MANDER.
Miranda appears with some orange coloring in her hair, presumably done on purpose, unlike Kate's green hair!
Music used includes the song "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," originally recorded by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC in 1976, though the artist performing it here is unknown to us. It's heard during the scene where Miranda and Kate are playing dirty tricks on each other.
Mitchah Williams plays various unnamed boys in the series. Interesting enough, he started his acting career by being one of the winners of a Steve Urkel look alike contest. He appeared with the other winners on an episode of Family Matters as one of Steve's kids.
Filming dates: September 13-15, 2000.
Character mentioned but not seen: Larry Tudgeman.
Jo McGuire mentions that she has a sister.
Davida Williams's sister Kenya Williams appears on Even Stevens as Monique. So both sisters were working for Disney at the time this and other episodes aired. Davida was seen in fewer of the second season's episodes due to being a member of the girl group TG4 (the female version of B2K).

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2. Picture Day
gs: Sonya Eddy (Photographer) Aaron Fors (Ed) Chelsea J. Wilson (Parker) Clayton Snyder (Ethan) Amy Fuzzell (Girl in Hallway [uncredited])

Lizzie, Miranda and Gordo all have big problems on the day their pictures are to be taken for the junior high yearbook. Lizzie searches and searches for the right thing to wear, but her mother insists she put on a "hideous" sweater that her grandmother gave her. Miranda runs afoul of Kate when they both show up wearing the same outfit. And Gordo feels the pressure to assume a tough-guy pose when his picture is snapped. Meanwhile Matt hasn't studied for a quiz at school, so he fakes being sick to get out of it. But he finds out that his mom's cure can be worse than the disease.

b: 19-Jan-2001 pc: 102 w: Douglas Tuber & Tim Maile d: Neal Israel

NOTE: Disney's on-air promos that were broadcast on January 19, 2001 identified this episode as the premiere of a new series, even though a sneak prevue of "Rumors" had been aired the week before. Disney's Lizzie McGuire website also listed "Picture Day" as episode #1. See also the note for "Rumors."
We learn that Sam's mother Gammy McGuire (Lizzie's grandmother) is 61.
Filming dates: September 7-10, 2000. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated September 7.
Music in this episode includes the song "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" by the New York rock group Nine Days from their album Madding Crowd, played when Lizzie gets on the bus wearing the unicorn sweater. (Thanks to the_sinoran_knight for pointing this one out.)
On the original broadcast, Matt tried to raise his temperature by putting a penny in his mouth. On subsequent showings, the scene was changed to one where Matt used a flashlight on the thermometer to increase his temperature. This change was probably made for safety reasons, as Disney no doubt didn't want any children imtating Matt by putting small objects in their mouths. (Thanks to sharp-eyed viewer Let'sGo2LinconRoc for catching this.)
Lizzie mentions that she wore braces in the 6th grade.
This is the one of only two Lizzie episodes to date to use foreshadowing, i.e. opening with a scene that reoccurs later in the story, then flashing back to tell the story. The other one: "Clue-less" in season two.
Characters without lines: Ed (Aaron Fors, listed in the credits), who threw the paint on Lizzie; Rudy Velasco, the boy who gets "nose milk;" Bethany Edelstein, Lisa Chung, Allison Gendel, Tamara Scarpatti, girls who Lizzie considers asking to borrow clothes from: Mrs. Furnilius, the woman whose backyard Miranda got paid to clean up, seen in stills. Also, Jennifer Nicole Freeman, who played Alix in "Pool Party," is seen in the confrontation scene in the hall between Kate and Miranda, but she has no lines. We think it is possible that Freeman was originally intended to appear semi-regularly as a friend of Kate's, but for some reason she did not continue on the show and her character was renamed Claire (played by Davida Williams). Unseen character: Danny Kessler, mentioned by one of the girls.
Adam Lamberg's (Gordo) voice sounds significantly lower than in the previously filmed episode, "Pool Party," which leads us to believe that either his voice changed in the few days between filmings or that there was something wrong with the recording of "Pool Party."
In this episode, Toon Lizzie says "Your shoes suck!" to a big cartoon pair of shoes after Lizzie's scene with Parker McKenzie. This is only one of two times this mild profanity has been used on Lizzie. The other: in "I've Got Rhythmic."
Some real-life photos of Hilary Duff are shown when Lizzie is describing her previous school pictures.
Parker McKenzie (played by Chelsea Wilson), a minor recurring character, makes her first appearance here.
This episode can also be found in the paperback novelization book Picture This.
Toon Lizzie appears dressed as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in the film Mission: Impossible (1996) when he's breaking into the vault. She also appears this way in "Aaron carter's Coming to Town."

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3. When Moms Attack
gs: Craig Anton (Mr. Pettus) Byron Fox (Danny Kessler) Clayton Snyder (Ethan)

Lizzie is looking forward to the science class field trip, but she is mortified when she finds out that her mother is a last-minute replacement as the girls' chaperone. Lizzie fears that her mother will embarrass her to death, and Mom does a pretty good job of doing just that while they are competing with the boys on a nature walk. But Mrs. McGuire proves how cool she can be when she helps the girls get back at the boys for a prank they pulled then takes all the blame herself. Back at home, Matt and Mr. McGuire are left on their own and try to cook for themselves.

b: 26-Jan-2001 pc: 105 w: Nina G. Bargiel & Jeremy J. Bargiel d: Mark Rosman

NOTE: Disney's Lizzie McGuire website listed "When Moms Attack" as episode #2. See also the notes for "Rumors" and "Picture Day."
This is the only episode that Ethan Craft (Clayton Snyder) and Danny Kessler (Byron Fox) are both in.
In "Picture Day" and "When Moms Attack," Ethan's character seems to be more thuglike than he acts in later episodes beginning with "I Do, I Don't."
Sam and Matt try to cook using a cookbook entitled "Cooking for Complete Idiots."
Mrs. Stebbel, who was originally supposed to be the girls' chaperone, is not seen in this episode, but she does show up later in "I Do, I Don't." Other unseen characters mentioned: Coach Kelly, Mr. Booth the janitor, and Ms. Mangle.
Lizzie has a stuffed pig named Mr. Snuggles. Kate had a teddy bear named Mr. Stuart Wuggelsby.
Filming dates: September 26-29, 2000.
A possible clue to where Lizzie lives: When Toon Lizzie is talking about how her mom is banned from further field trips, in the background is a copy of the book West's Annotated California Codes, a reference book containing laws for the state of California.
Jo McGuire (Hallie Todd) is seen here without her glasses on for one of the few times in the series when she's caught T.P.ing the boys tent.
Mr. Pettus was the name of the high school physics teacher of screenwriters Nina And Jeremy Bargiel.
This episode can also be found in the paperback novelization book When Moms Attack.
When Toon Lizzie hangs on a clock face, it resembles a famous scene that exists, in three films. The most famous of the three movies to use this scene, is Back to the Future (1985), when Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) hangs off a clock when Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is trying to get back home to 1985. Doc Brown's "man hanging off a clock face" depicts the famous scene in Harold Lloyd's The Sin of Harold DiddlebockSafety Last (1923).

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4. Pool Party (aka Pilot)
gs: Dot Jones (Coach Kellly) Byron Fox (Danny Kessler) Jennifer Freeman (Alix)

Lizzie and Miranda are ecstatic about being invited to a pool party given by their heartthrob, Danny Kessler. Mrs. McGuire is excited for Lizzie too until she finds out it's on the same day as grandma's 80th birthday party. She tells Lizzie she has to go to her grandma's instead and Lizzie is furious. The next day at school Miranda temporarily gets on the good side of Kate, the girls' former best friend who has literally and figuratively outgrown them. Kate invites Miranda to hang out with her crowd, causing a conflict between Miranda and Lizzie. At home Lizzie catches her mom on the phone making up a lie to get out of a commitment and accuses her of being a hypocrite. Gordo helps Lizzie to smooth over her differences with Miranda. Mom tells Lizzie she can go to the party after all, but she decides not to and spends the day with Gordo.

b: 02-Feb-2001 pc: 101 w: Terri Minsky d: Larry Shaw

NOTE: Disney's Lizzie McGuire website listed this "Pool Party" as episode #3. See also the notes for "Rumors" and "Picture Day." When "Pool Party" was originally broadcast, many TV listings identified the episode name as "Pilot," and it does appear that this was supposed to be the first show of the series, as all the characters are identified by name and description in the first few minutes. This is the only episode of Lizzie... on which the show creator Terri Minsky is also listed as executive producer. Also, according to one viewwer, this episode may have been taped from Mar. 20-24, 2000.
A real house was used as the McGuire's home in the filming of the pilot episode. It also served as the home of the Burnham family in the movie, American Beauty (1999). A different set was used for the filming of subsequent episodes.
The song heard at the show's end while Lizzie and company are romping around is "Why Can't We Be Friends," done here in a version by the California rock band Smash Mouth. (Thanks to a Lizzie viewer for the ID.) It was originally a hit (#6 on charts) in 1975 for the funk/soul/rock band War.
Lizzie says she's known Gordo "since I was one day old," indicating that his birthday comes before hers.
Gordo mentions that both his parents are psychiatrists.
This episode, the first Lizzie McGuire ever made, is only one of two episodes that doesn't contain a "blooper reel" of outtakes at the end of the show, the other being "Between a Rock and a Bra Place."
This is the last episode featuring Danny Kessler (Byron Fox) and one of only three he appeared in. Actually, it was filmed before the other two, "Rumors" and "When Moms Attack," but it wasn't shown until they had already aired. After this, Ethan Craft moved into the role of the girls' heartthrob.
Nice continuity: Nana (Jo McGuire's mother) is going to Las Vegas to enter the World Series of Poker at the episode's end. Later, in "Mom's Best Friend," Jo mentions that Nana and Grandpa Chuck are going to Las Vegas after making up after a fight.
The stock footage of the exterior of Lizzie's school has also been used in 7th Heaven and Even Stevens.
Character without lines: Nana, Jo's mother and Lizzie's grandmother who is seen in still photos. Unseen characters: Julia, a girl whose name is mentioned on the bus; Marian, the woman Jo is on the phone with.
According to Jo McGuire's calendar, Danny's pool party was supposed to be on May 20, 2000.
In the Lizzie McGuire Cine-manga novel which includes this episode Kate's last name in listed as Christopher instead of Sanders.
When Lizzie is thinking to herself "It's ok. It's ok. I don't need my mother. I don't need my best friend.", the book open next to her is The Golden Book Encyclopedia, Volume III - Boats to Cereals. Pictured are Lewis Carroll, George Washington Carver, and the Caspian Sea. When Lizzie says "I don't need anybody" the same book is open to an earlier page. It shows the illustrations from the article about candy.

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5. I've Got Rhythmic
gs: Kyle J. Downes (Larry Tudgeman) Dot Jones (Coach Kelly) Brianna James (Super Smart Girl) Michael Barryte (Super Smart Boy)

Lizzie is dissatisfied with being an ordinary "B" student and is looking for something at which she can excel. Surprisingly, she finds out in gym class that she has a real talent for rhythmic gymnastics. But she thinks the sport is stupid and is ambivalent about competing. She trains hard and goes to the regional competition, where a jealous Kate tries to sabotage her performance. Miranda and Gordo help foil Kate's plan and Lizzie wins first place. Her parents are proud but Lizzie decides to give up the sport and go back to being her "ordinary" self.

b: 09-Feb-2001 pc: 104 w: Nancy Neufeld Callaway d: Alan Myerson

NOTE: Disney lists this episode as number 4 on their "Lizzie McGuire" website but TV Tome, epguides.com and the Internet Movie Database all list it as number 5, which we think is correct.
Several TV Tome users have told us that Hilary Duff (Lizzie) does rhythmic gymnastics in real life. In this episode, she appears to do all her own gymnastic work without using a double. A lot of quick editing helps her to look good, however. But a careful viewing of the scene does show that a double was used because she has shorter hair than Lizzie.
On the grade list that Lizzie is reading, her name is listed just after Robin Lippin and Polly Mattson and just before Rick Mercado. All three are part of the show's crew. Lippin is the casting director, Mattson is an assistant director and Mercado is a sound mixer.
When Lizzie is doing her rhythmic gymnastics routines, the music in the background is an imitation of the theme from the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire, which is about athletes competing in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. The movie won an Academy Award for best picture and also for composer Vangelis' music. In another scene, when Lizzie is dreaming of success, a fake version of the famous Olympic Games fanfare is played.
The scene where Lizzie is cracking several eggs in the kitchen is a takeoff of a scene in the movie Rocky (1976). In that movie, Rocky (played by Sylvester Stallone) breaks several eggs, puts them in a glass and drinks them down raw as part of his training diet for the big boxing match. Lizzie puts her eggs in a frying pan instead. She weakly says "yo," one of Rocky's favorite words, before collapsing.
Lizzie's scores from the gymnastics judges are 9.4, 9.7 and 9.5.
Filming dates: September 19-23, 2000.
Usually the blooper reels shown before the end credits start off with a shot of a clapboard that has the name of the show, the director and cameraman's names, the production number and the date on it. This episode's blooper reel originally didn't have one. But! At the end of the blooper reel following the episode "The Rise and Fall of Kate," a second clapboard flashes on the screen at the very last split-second. That board is for this episode, production number 104. It gives the date of production as September 20, 2000. Curiously, the director was listed as Alan Myerson on the board, but in the opening credits of "Rhythmic," Savage Steve Holland was originally listed as the director. By the November 7, 2002 rebroadcast of this episode, the credits had ben changed and Myerson was listed as director (or at least that's when a sharp-eyed viewer first noticed it!) The "I've Got Rhythmic" blooper reel also now had an opening shot of a clapboard, but it wasn't the same one that showed up for a split-second in the blooper reel for "Rise & Fall...," "Those Freaky McGuires," "Movin' On Up," "I Do, I Don't," "Random Acts of Miranda," "Night of the Day of the Dead," "Gordo's Video," "Sibling Bonds," "Lizzie Strikes Out," "Gordo and the Dwarves," "Scarlett Larry," and "El Oro de Montezuma."
The gym class in this episode is all girls, though in later episodes the class contains boys too.
Sam McGuire calls his son Matthew at one point for the first (and only?) time in the series.
Unusual for this series, there are a couple of mild profanities in the dialog. Miranda says, "Girls' PE totally sucks!" and Lizzie later tells Gordo and Miranda, "You guys really saved my butt." The only other time that "suck" was used in this way was in "Picture Day."
When Toon Lizzie is going through a series of pictures of her classmates and predicting their futures, one of them is Cassie Walker, the girl who would later play Beth Ludberg in the episode "In Miranda Lizzie Does Not Trust."
The episode's title is taken from the old George Gershwin song "I Got Rhythm," which has recorded and performerd by hundreds of artists including Judy Garland, Louis Armstrong, and Benny Goodman. Music & lyrics
Matt claims he has several special talents, which includes "that curly-cue thing I can do with my tongue," the ability to say names backwards and eating spoonfuls of wasabi. (The other ones are inaudible.)
Mrs. McGuire mentions a pet parakeet that flew away, one of the few times a pet is ever mentioned in this series.
Stunt double: Larry Nicholas (for Larry).
This is one of the few episodes (maybe the only one?) which doesn't have a particular story line or sub-plot for the character of Matt.
First appearance of Kyle J. Downes as Larry Tudgeman.

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6. Jack of All Trades
gs: Craig Anton (Mr. Pettus)

Gordo is sure that Mr. Pettus is giving him "B"s instead of "A"s because Pettus doesn't like him. His state of mind isn't helped any when the teacher gives the class an aptitude test which shows that Gordo is best suited to be a blackjack dealer. To prove that Mr. Pettus has it in for him, Gordo convinces Lizzie to turn in his science project with her name on it and vice versa, which ends up having disasterous results. Also, Matt adopts a hip-hop attitude and insists that everyone call him "M-Dogg."

b: 23-Feb-2001 pc: 106 w: Trish Baker d: Savage Steve Holland

NOTE: Disney's Lizzie McGuire website lists the title of this episode as "Jacks of All Trades."
Continuity: It's revealed that Lizzie wanted to a veterinarian when she was 7. In "Over the Hill" she again lists veterinarian as a possible life work.
Gordo mentions the "dead frog" that he put in Mr. Pettus' pocket in "When Moms Attack."
Filming dates: October 8-12, 2000. The clapboard on the blooper reel shown at the end of the show is dated October 12, 2000.
Character without lines: Shelly Grossbart, the one of the three little girl in the pool who had an "accident."
Unseen character: Ms. Stokes, a kindergaten teacher Gordo mentions.
This is one of only three episodes with only one guest star. The other two are "The Courtship of Miranda Sanchez" and "Grand Ole Grandma."

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7. Aaron Carter's Coming to Town (aka Here Comes Aaron Carter)
gs: Aaron Carter (Himself) Brad Grunberg (Security Guard) David Alex Rosen (Video Director) Angela Oh (Aaron Carter's Manager) Gregory Hinton (Caterer) Rory J. Shoaf (Set P.A.) Nonny Price (Dancer) Nikole Smith (Dancer) Nicole Neil (Dancer) Allison Kyler (Dancer)

Lizzie and Miranda are excited about the news that singer Aaron Carter is coming to their town to do a video shoot. They enlist Gordo to help them figure out where the shoot will take place so they can crash the set and meet Aaron. Matt horns his way into the group also. When they arrive at the site Matt is mistaken for Aaron's stand-in and let on the set, but the other three are not. They try several ways to sneak in but are always chased off by a security guard. In all the confusion Mr. and Mrs. McGuire somehow manage to get detained by security. Aaron's manager catches the trio and Lizzie convinces her to at least let one of them meet Aaron. She agrees, and Lizzie tells Miranda that she can be the one. Lizzie goes back to get a tape recorder she left behind and runs in to Aaron, who gives her a kiss. The kids all get to be extras in the video.

b: 23-Mar-2001 pc: 118 w: Nina G. Bargiel & Jeremy J. Bargiel d: Savage Steve Holland

NOTE: Aaron Carter performs "I Want Candy," which was originally a hit for the Strangeloves in 1965 and redone by Bow Wow Wow in 1982. When Aaron kisses Lizzie a portion of his song "Girl You Shine" can be heard. Both songs are from his third album Aaron's Party (Come Get It) (2000).
Going by the production numbers, this is the first episode of Lizzie... shown substantially out of the order in which it was filmed. No doubt Disney wanted it to air around the same time as their "Aaron Carter & Samantha Mumba in Concert" special, and perhaps they felt that if they waited too long to show it, Carter might not be as popular anymore.
Brad Grunberg, who plays the security guard, is the brother of Greg Grunberg, who plays Sean on on Felicity. In every scene that he's in, he's eating something.
The "Ren-Mar warehouse" where Aaron's music video is being shot shares its name with Ren-Mar studios in Los Angeles, where Lizzie is actually filmed.
When Jo McGuire is put into a holding room, she's seen sitting on the floor repeatedly bouncing a rubber ball against the wall. This is a little tribute to the 1963 war film The Great Escape in which Steve McQueen's character does the same thing. The music playing in the background is an imitation of the movie's music.
Although Aaron Carter is doing a Christmas video shoot, the story takes place in the spring.
Sitting outside the studio in elf costumes, Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda assume the "three monkeys" pose--see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Filming dates: January 20-23, 2001.
Aaron's manager is portrayed by an actress here, but in real life he's managed by his mother, Jane Carter.
Unseen characters: Matt mentions his friend Lanny for the first time and Lizzie mentions Mr. Lang.
This episode won in the category "Lizzie McGuire's Best Adventure" in the viewer voting on the Disney Channel's broadcast of "A Raven New's Year's Eve," December 31, 2002.
After Miranda takes off her boots, she Lizzie, Matt and Gordo walk into the Ren-Mar Warehouse. There is a sly reference to the legendary Beatle's album Abbey Road with the four walking in line and Miranda barefoot, just like Paul McCartney on the album cover. Adding to the Abbey Road parody, Miranda is holding a lollypop, (like Paul's cigarette, and you can faintly hear something that sounds like "Come Together" from the Abbey Road album.
The vehicle Sam was driving is a 2000 Volvo V40 Turbo Wagon, it can also be seen in the episode "Inner Beauty." The vehicle Jo was driving is a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Wagon.
This episode can be found in the paperback novelization book A Very Lizzie Christmas. Incidentally in the book, the person Lizzie's trying to meet is Zander Knight, not Aaron Carter and the song which is sung is "Special Girl." It is also on Vol. 3 of the Lizzie McGuire DVD Collection entitled Star Struck, released on Mar. 16, 2004.
Toon Lizzie appears dressed as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in the film Mission: Impossible (1996) when he's breaking into the vault. She also appears this way in "Picture Day."

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8. Misadventures in Babysitting
gs: Diana Weng (Mrs. Shin [as Diana C. Weng]) Randy McPherson (Policeman)

When a babysitter cancels on the McGuires, Lizzie suggests that she's old enough to do the job for her brother Matt, but mom and dad say no. After much persuasion from Lizzie they relent, and Miranda and Gordo also come over to help. After Mr. and Mrs. McGuire leave, Matt generally causes havoc, spilling grape juice on the rug, acting bratty and taking advantage of Lizzie, who badly wants to impress her parents with her responsibility. Miranda and Gordo aren't much help as they won't follow Lizzie's orders either. At the restaurant Sam McGuire wants to sneak home and check on his daughter and son; Jo doesn't like the idea, but says just don't let them see you. Meanwhile at the house, Matt has knocked out the power. Mr. McGuire tries to peer in the window and goes tumbling over. The kids think he's a burglar and call the police. Mr. McGuire tries to get in the locked house and the kids wage a battle against him reminiscent of the movie Home Alone. The police come to arrest Sam. After all is straightened out, Lizzie's parents apologize for not trusting her.

b: 06-Apr-2001 pc: 107 w: David Blum & Stacy Kramer d: Mark Rosman

NOTE: Filming dates: October 15-19, 2000. The clapboard seen on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated October 16, 2000.
Lizzie mentions that Miranda has a baby sister. However, the supposed sister had never been mentioned before, and as of June 2003, has never been mentioned again.
Songs heard include "I Think We're Alone Now," from the album of the same name, played when the kids are trying to scare off whoever or whatever is outside. We don't know who does this version of the song, but the original was by Tommy James and the Shondells. It was a #4 hit in April 1967. The song was also the first hit single for the singer Tiffany, reaching the number one spot for two weeks in November 1987.
Matt (Jake Thomas) hits the pose made famous by Macaulay Culkin in the movie Home Alone (1990), the one with both hands on the sides of his face and his mouth open screaming.
Miranda sings an off-key version of "My Country 'Tis of Thee."
Kate wears her hair straight and down in this episode.
This episode's name was suggested by the movie Adventures in Babysitting, a 1987 comedy starring Elizabeth Shue. It's also one of three episodes of Lizzie with the same name as an episode of the TV series Full House. The other two: "Come Fly with Me" and "Working Girl."
Characters without lines: Babysitters Olivia Skiven (the country linedancer), Mrs. Harvey, Tammy, Mrs. Jaffe. Unseen character: Debbie Gottshalk, the babysitter who cancels on the McGuires.
Stunt Double: Mike McGaughy (for Sam).
Kate mentions a software program Cyber Townmaker, this is obviously a reference to the very popular program Sim City which was first released in 1989.
This episode can be found in the paperback novelization book On the Job. It is also on Vol. 2 of the Lizzie McGuire DVD Collection entitled Growing Up Lizzie, released on Dec. 9, 2003.

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9. Election
gs: Kyle J. Downes (Larry Tudgeman) Davida Williams (Claire Miller) Sara Paxton (Holly) Rachel Snow (Veruca) Bernard Kira (Thug) Cory Hodges (Protester)

Lizzie and friends are frustrated--the only candidates for school president are super-popular cheerleader Claire Miller and oddball Larry Tudgeman, who promises to eat a worm for every vote he gets. Gordo encourages Lizzie to run as a "normal" candidate and Miranda seconds the motion. Lizzie agrees to do it. Gordo is her gung-ho campaign manager as she runs on a "voice of the people" platform. Lizzie starts to gain confidence, even enough to tell off Claire and Kate. Gordo thinks she should schmooze the "second-tier" popular kids in the drama club, so Lizzie puts on her shades and black leather and tries to get in good with them. Miranda is annoyed that Lizzie is blowing off the less popular kids and groups to hang with the drama club. Lizzie starts to develop a prima donna attitude and now Gordo has to agree that he has helped create a monster in candidate Lizzie. The big surprise on election day is that underdog Larry wins. Lizzie must face Miranda and Gordo after the election but they are forgiving.

Also, Matt begins talking about Jasper, his imaginary friend. Mr. and Mrs. McGuire are concerned that Matt is too old to be having such a playmate. They give him extra attention--and presents--but Jasper won't go away. Then Mom hears him on the phone telling his friend how his plan is working perfectly.

b: 20-Apr-2001 pc: 108 w: Melissa Gould d: Brian K. Roberts

NOTE: This episode was voted #3 in Disney's online poll of Sep. 21, 2001.
This is the first episode where the characters are seen at their hangout, the Digital Bean.
Filming dates: October 23-26, 2000. The clapboard seen on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated October 26, 2000.
When Robert Carradine (Mr. McGuire) tells Lizzie he was president of his school's audio-visual club, a still photo of Carradine is shown in his character of Lewis from the Revenge of the Nerds movies.
When Lizzie first decides to run for school president, "Hail to the Chief" is playing in the background.
Claire is identified as the yearbook editor as well as cheerleader captain.
Lizzie paraphrases President John F. Kennedy's famous quote from his 1960 inaugural address, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," replacing "country" with "student government."
An outtake from this episode featuring Kate (Ashlie Brillault) and Claire (Davida Williams) was used in a Disney promotional ad for the series. It featured the two girls in unison saying (to Lizzie, presumably) "Loser loser, double loser, as if, whatever, get the picture, duh!", complete with appropriate gestures.
This is the second time we see Lizzie do her rendition of Britney Spears' "Oops! I Did It Again" video. (The first time was in "Picture Day.") She's shown in split-screen alongside a picture of Larry Tudgeman as Marilyn Manson.
Unseen character: Doug, the boy who Matt is talking to on the phone.

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10. I Do, I Don't
gs: Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft) Kyle J. Downes (Larry Tudgeman) Candy Brown Houston (Mrs. Stebel) Chelsea J. Wilson (Cop Kid) Mitchah Williams (Farmer Kid)

Mrs. Stebel pairs up the students in her social studies class for a mock marriage assignment. Each set of partners must draw a job from a jar at random, work up a fictional lifestyle and report back at a pretend 20-year reunion. Always-snobby Kate is horrified to find herself matched up with Larry Tudgeman, but at least she likes her job, a television anchorwoman. Lizzie wants to be partnered with Ethan Craft, who's not so smart but is cute. But she gets familiar old Gordo, whose job is sanitation engineer (garbageman). Lizzie figures it's not so bad, though, since Gordo will probably ensure she gets a good grade. Her mind begins to change when Miranda gets picked to be Ethan's partner, and he's a surgeon to boot. Lizzie can't help but be jealous.

Kate tries to completely ignore her "husband" Larry, and Lizzie unconsciously does the same thing to Gordo, as she begins obsessing about Ethan and Miranda, who couldn't be happier. Gordo is disappointed that his friend Lizzie is taking him for granted. At the Digital Bean, Lizzie sees Kate and Ethan and overhears that Kate plans to leave Larry at the reunion and wants "Dr. Craft" to do the same to Miranda. Lizzie wants to tell Miranda but can't bring herself to do it until just before the reunion starts. Miranda is crushed, but when it comes time for her and Ethan to give their presentation, she turns the tables on him and leaves him first. Larry also finds a way to pay back Kate.

In the meantime, Jo McGuire is worried about what Matt is up to and asks her husband to find out what it is. Sam follows his son to where he's building a "Mattcave," a place all his own where he can escape to and hang out. Dad thinks that's a great idea and soon both the McGuire boys are spending time there. But Mom finds them and tells them to get out of the "mud hole."

b: 27-Apr-2001 pc: 109 w: Nina G. Bargiel & Jeremy J. Bargiel d: Steve DeJarnatt

NOTE: Ethan Craft (Clayton Snyder) seems to have replaced Danny Kessler (Byron Fox) as the show's resident hunk. Also around this time, the pronunciation of Kate's name went from SAN-ders to SAUN-ders, even though the spelling remains "Sanders."
Gordo's real name, David, is used in this episode, one of the few times this has happened on the show.
Filming dates: November 1-4, 2000. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated November 3, 2000. The clapboard for "I've Got Rhythmic" also appears for a split second twice in the blooper reel.
When Miranda and Ethan are paired as a "married" couple in class, the famous Wedding March by Felix Mendelsohn from A Mid-Summer Night's Dream is played.
When Gordo is dressed as a garbageman, his jumpsuit has the name "Tom" embroidered on it.
Lizzie wears the same light-blue leather jacket that Miranda later wears in "Obsession," the one that upsets Lizzie so much. She (Lizzie) also wears it in "Between a Rock and a Bra Place."
The name of this episode is very similar to that of the episode "I Do, I Don't, I Do" from the short lived 1982-83 Happy Days spin-off series Joanie Loves Chachi.
This episode can also be found in the paperback novelization book New Kid In School.
This is one of the few episodes in which Sam and Jo are shown kissing.

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11. Bad Girl McGuire
gs: Jackie Angelescu (Angel Lieberman) Page Leong (Mrs. Wortman) Daniel R. Escobar (Mr. Escobar)

In math class, punked-out troublemaker Angel puts gums in Lizzie's hair, then tries to cheat off her test paper. The teacher is annoyed with the distractions and sends them both to detention. Lizzie is nervous about entering the detention hall for the first time and facing Angel again, but she actually finds that the experience is a different one for her--almost fun. When she gets home, Mom is mad at her for not calling about being late. Lizzie lies about where she's been. Mom is also mad at Matt for being late. When he complains about the freedoms his friends have, including no bedtimes, Mom makes a deal: if he comes home on time, he won't have a bedtime. Matt is overjoyed about this, but Jo seems to know what she's doing.

At school Lizzie is now dressing like Angel and hanging with her. She's also forging notes and cutting classes. Angel invites her to a high-school party on Friday. When Lizzie later finds out there will be no parents at the party, she's secretly worried. Gordo and Miranda decide that Lizzie needs an intervention, so they sit her down and make her watch a video they've made, "Before They Were Bad Girls." Lizzie admits that being bad is a lot of hard work. She tells Gordo and Miranda that she'll spend next Friday with them and she puts Angel back in her place. Meanwhile, Matt has been staying up late at night and walking around like a zombie in the daytime. Soon he asks for his old bedtime back.

b: 04-May-2001 pc: 110 w: Melissa Gould d: Anson Williams

NOTE: Anson Williams, who directed this episode, played "Potsie" Weber for years on the sitcom Happy Days. Since his days on that show, he has been most active as a television director.
Angel refers to dweebs and geeks as "double E's."
Matt (Jake Thomas) does an imitation of Tom Cruise's famous dance scene in the movie Risky Business. The recording used here of "Old Time Rock and Roll" is by someone other than Bob Seger, though.
Some real-life pictures of Hilary Duff as a younger girl are seen in the "intervention" video Gordo and Miranda made.
Filming dates: November 9-12, 2000.
Unseen characters: Mr. Pettus the science teacher is mentioned; Eli Saxon, mentioned by Gordo and Miranda as the boy who ate his shoes!
Some still photos of Lizzie helping a little old lady across the street are shown, and the woman in them looks suspiciously like the woman who has appeared in stills in other episodes as Nana, Lizzie's grandmother.
Angel gives Lizzie the nickname "Frizzy," or "Frizz," in this episode.
This episode can also be found in the paperback novelization book Lizzie Goes Wild.

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12. Between a Rock and a Bra Place
gs: David Carradine (Himself) Davida Williams (Claire Miller) Ty Upshaw (Mr. Coppersmith) Amelia Marshall (Mrs. Miller) Dana Pauley (Saleswoman)

Lizzie and Miranda note that when a girl gets her first bra, her personality somehow seems to change. They decide they are ready for their first, and hatch a plan to get Lizzie's mom to take them to the mall where they will shop for "school supplies." Lizzie is a terrible liar, though, and blurts out the real reason for the trip. Mom is overjoyed to help the girls out, but she embarrasses them as they are shopping. Lizzie is very harsh with her mother, telling her that she and Miranda are old enough to do their own shopping and to leave them alone. The girls face further embarrassment when they run into Kate, Claire, and their English teacher Mr. Coppersmith. They also find that they don't know what to look for. They find Mrs. McGuire and apologize for being abrupt with her and ask for her help. Also, Matt is entering the Jet Li sidekick contest. He gets his dad and Gordo with his camcorder to help him make a martial arts movie as his contest entry, but it doesn't go well. Sam McGuire calls up a mysterious man named David, a kung fu expert, to help instruct them. After David finishes with them, he disappears quickly. Gordo asks, "Who was that guy?" Sam answers, "I've known him all my life. He's like a brother to me." Matt's entry wins the contest.

b: 11-May-2001 pc: 111 w: Nina G. Bargiel & Jeremy J. Bargiel d: Mark Rosman

NOTE: Guest star David Carradine is the older brother (actually half-brother) of Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire). He was the star of Kung Fu (1972-75), one of the most unlikely hit TV series of all time. He appears here dressed the same as he did on that show, although his character is more like Master Kan's and Matt assumes the role of Caine, David's old part. The Carradines are one of the best-known acting families in Hollywood history. Robert and David have another famous acting brother, Keith; and their father John had a motion picture career that lasted well over fifty years. Robert is the father of actress Ever Carradine, Keith is the father of actress Martha Plimpton, and David is the father of a son with actress Barbara Hershey. The Carradine brothers have worked together in different combinations in many films and TV shows during their careers. One of the most notable was the 1980 western The Long Riders, about the James-Younger gang of the 1800's. David, Keith and Robert played outlaws Cole, Jim and Bob Younger, respectively; and the movie also features three other sets of real-life brothers playing siblings: James and Stacey Keach (Jesse and Frank James), Dennis and Randy Quaid (Ed and Clell Miller), and Christopher and Nicholas Guest (Charlie and Bob Ford).
The soundtrack for this episode includes the song "Kung Fu Fighting," the 1974 hit by Jamaican singer Carl Douglas. Yes, it's the same song all those bad karaoke singers are doing in the recent Levis commercial.
Many female viewers pointed out that in reality, Lizzie and Miranda would certainly have already gotten their first bras.
Kate and Claire do their high-five/hair-flip combination for the first time.
Filmimg dates: November 15-19, 2000.
Adam Lamberg named this as his favorite Lizzie episode in an interview in the Long Island, New York newspaper Newsday.
There is no blooper reel at the end of this episode. It's replaced by the "credits" for Matt and Gordo's kung-fu movie. This is only the second time to date that an episode did not include a blooper reel. (The first time: "Pool Party.")
Lizzie has had her favorite stuffed animal Mr. Snuggles since she was two. There are several quick still-photo shots of Lizzie and Mr. Snuggles from "When Moms Attack" that are used here.
Sam McGuire recalls that he won an essay contest in 1976. According to what he says in "Gordo's Bar Mitzvah," he would have been fifteen years old then.
Jennie Woods, the non-speaking character who's a terror at dodge ball, is the name of a former classmate of Nina Bargiel, who co-wrote the script. The real Jennie embarrassed Nina once in the sixth grade by unhooking her bra in front of a large group of students. "I always told her I'd get back at her, and I did in front of millions of people," Bargiel said. Also, Nina and her brother Jeremy (who is her writing partner) had an English teacher named Mr. Coppersmith, whose name they also use here.
The light blue leather jacket Lizzie wears is the same one she wore in "I Do, I Don't" and that Miranda wore in "Obsession."
This episode can also be found in the paperback novelization book When Moms Attack. It is also on Vol. 2 of the Lizzie McGuire DVD collection entitled Growing Up Lizzie, released on Dec. 9, 2003.
While Gordo is filming Matt's video he is wearing a baseball hat. He is obviously copying the movie director Steven Spielberg, who also wears a baseball hat while filming. Gordo also makes a reference to Spielberg and his hat in the episode "Gordo's Video."
This episode title comes from the expression "caught between a rock and a hard place" which refers to two mythical beasts in Greek mythology. Scylla was a monstrous multi-headed spider who would eat hapless sailors passing near her cave. However, in order to steer clear of this catastrophe one would have to sail near Charybdis who was supposedly able to swallow a large portion of the ocean (including ships) and spit it back out (without the ships, of course). The same expression was also a popular phrase used during the 1920's in America. The rock in this Lizzie episode refers to the stone Matt tries to grab from David Carradine in his movie, and the bra part obviously refers to Lizzie's first shopping outting for one.
The clip of Kate and Claire being "worshipped" by the other students is also seen in the episode "Gordo's Video."

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13. Come Fly with Me
gs: Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft) Christian Copelin (Lanny) Bernard Kira (Vince)

Gordo, always the nonconformist, has a new passion: 1950s & '60s Las Vegas lounge culture, as epitomized by Frank Sinatra and the "Rat Pack." Lizzie and Miranda don't care for it, but they buy Gordo a Rat Pack CD. Ethan Craft listens to it on the bus and, surprisingly, likes it, which makes the girls reconsider their opinion. Soon they are dressing in fashions of the time. Gordo thinks it's cool that they like it, but hopes that his new interest won't become the latest passing fad at school. But that looks like exactly what is happening as Ethan soon has all the guys wearing hats like Sinatra and listening to the music. Even Kate is admiring the girls for being in first on the new trend and actually asks for their advice on what to do!

Gordo starts to sour on the Rat Pack and he comes up with a new interest--radio-controlled 1/64 scale World War II airplanes, only his enthusiasm doesn't seem genuine. Committee chairman Kate plans the theme for the next dance, "Lounging Around." She puts Miranda and Lizzie in charge of music and clothing. The girls are in over their heads now and must go to Gordo for help. He's mad at them for making his special interest so popular among the other students and won't help them. They can tell he doesn't care for his new hobby and urge him not to give up his interest in lounge culture just because everyone else likes it, but he won't listen to them.

Lizzie and Miranda can't enjoy themselves at the dance without Gordo there even though they are largely responsible for its success. Just as they are about to leave, Gordo shows up dressed to the hilt and in full Sinatra mode. He thanks the girls for setting him straight.

Meanwhile, Matt and his silent friend Lanny are trying to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. They attempt to set records for longest netball game, largest pancake, gaining weight, jumping rope, balancing teacups, holding a vocal note and running up and down stairs. When they come up several miles short on the longest rubber band chain, Matt gives up in discouragement. But his mom comes up with an idea: surely 38 failed attempts to break a world record is a world record itself!

b: 01-Jun-2001 pc: 112 w: Douglas Tuber & Tim Maile d: Timothy Busfield

NOTE: Timothy Busfield, who directed this episode, has a connection with series star Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire). Both of them starred as fraternity brothers in the movies Revenge of the Nerds (1984) and Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987). Busfield is probably best known for his role as Elliot on the TV series thirtysomething (1987-91). He also played reporter Danny Concannon on The West Wing.
Sam hums a little of the Twilight Zone theme after trying to talk to Lanny.
First appearance of Lanny (Christian Copelin).
The "Rat Pack" was the name given to a group of high-living friends and entertainers who were led by Frank Sinatra and included Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford. The often performed together, separately, or in various combinations at the big Las Vegas hotel/casinos in the 1950s and '60s.
Even though Frank Sinatra is a critical element in this episode, none of his music is heard here.
Filming dates: November 25-28, 2000. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated November 28, 2000. This was the last episode to use the working title "What's Lizzie Thinking?"
A quote by Christian Copelin on Lanny-"I'm not sure, but I think Lanny can talk but he just doesn't want to! I think he has some kind of emotional thing where he just doesn't want to talk to anybody!"
Miranda says that Gordo's middle name is Zephyr (pronounced ZEH-fur) and adds, "What's up with that?"
Music heard includes the song "Survivor" by Destiny's Child (we think!), played during a scene where Matt and Lanny are making repeated attempts to set a world record.
Matt only refers to "The Book of World Records," but he is using a copy of Guinness World Records.
Lanny will only eat pumpkin ice cream!
The blooper reel seen at the episode's end is notorious among Lizzie fans because it contains footage of Adam Lamberg (Gordo) saying, "Son of a..." in frustration after a mishap. But contrary to what some people claim, he didn't add an extra word under his breath to that little outburst.
Kate Sanders' last name is pronounced with a short "a" sound in this episode, rather than "Saunders."
Character with no lines: Adam, a boy Lizzie speaks to in the lunch line. Unseen character: Savannah, who Kate assigns a duty for the dance.
The school nickname of "Wildcats" is seen on a banner in the hall.
Sam and Jo McGuire are seen for one of the few times without their glasses during the scene in their bed.
This episode can also be found in the paperback novelization book Lizzie Goes Wild.
The title of the episode "Come Fly with Me" is also the name of a Frank Sinatra album recorded in 1957.
The CD Lizzie and Miranda picked up for Gordo appears to be Sinatra's Swingin' Session which was released in early 1961. This was one of the last albums Frank recorded for Capitol before leaving for Reprise. It's also an example of when Sinatra was at his best belting out swing songs in a fast, uptempo, and driving manner. Six of the songs were taken from his first album Sing and Dance With Frank Sinatra (1950) but performed twice as fast so it's one of his jazziest swing sets. This album also includes songs written by Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.
The CD Lizzie and Miranda picked up for Gordo appears to be Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!! And More which was released in early 1961. This was one of the last albums Frank recorded for Capitol Records before leaving for Reprise. It's also an example of when Sinatra was at his best belting out swing songs in a fast, uptempo, and driving manner. Six of the songs were taken from his first album Sing and Dance With Frank Sinatra (1950) but performed twice as fast so it's one of his jazziest swing sets. This album also includes songs written by Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.

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14. Random Acts of Miranda
gs: Orlando Brown (Travis Elliot) Daniel R. Escobar (Mr. Escobar) Kyle J. Downes (Larry Tudgeman) Christian Copelin (Lanny) Troy Rowland (Mr. Lang) Mitchah Williams (Father) Ryan Shannon (Kid)

Lizzie, who is writing for the school newspaper, asks for the assignment of covering the school's production of Mr. Escobar's play "Greasier." Miranda is overjoyed when she unexpectedly gets the lead in the play. When Lizzie and Gordo go to rehearsal, however, they are dismayed to find that Miranda is a terrible actress, and clumsy to boot. Miranda is confident before the opening of the play, but her performance is no better and she destroys most of the props and scenery. Lizzie can't bring herself to write the bad review Miranda deserves, but Gordo thinks she'll be able to take it. Lizzie writes a review that is honest, but goes easy on Miranda. Her friend doesn't see it that way, though, and thinks Lizzie has betrayed her. At lunch they get into a big fight. Gordo gives Miranda a tape of her performance and a copy of Lizzie's review and asks her to watch and read them both. Lizzie writes a retraction of her review but Miranda now realizes she was just being honest and tells her not to print it. One month later, Lizzie is in the audience preparing to cringe as Miranda makes her debut with the glee club. But she's pleasantly surprised to hear that Miranda is a fine singer.

Also, Matt wants $90 for walkie-talkies for him and Lanny (who still isn't talking!) Mr. and Mrs. McGuire want him to work for the money himself. The boys have a yard sale with Matt's stuff. Matt gets the walkie-talkies, but when his parents enter his room, they find that he's sold everything that was there including his clothes and the furniture.

b: 08-Jun-2001 pc: 113 w: Douglas Tuber & Tim Maile d: Steve DeJarnatt

NOTE: Lalaine (Miranda) performs the song "Reflection" from the Disney movie Mulan.
Orlando Brown appeared on ABC's Family Matters series, where he played 3J, the boy that the Winslows adopted. he also had roles on the series Two of a Kind with the Olsen twins and on Safe Harbor. His voice can also be heard on Disney's animated series The Proud Family and he can be seen on their series That's So Raven starring Raven-Symone and Anneliese van der Pol.
Filming dates: December 6-10, 2000. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated December 8, 2000. For the first time, it gives the name of the show as Lizzie McGuire. Before that, the working title "What's Lizzie Thinking?" was used. The clapboard for the episode "I've Got Rhythmic" appears for a split second twice in the blooper reel.
Aired on ABC on November 24, 2001.
Lanny speaks! Well, not really, but he does make an audible noise. When he and Matt are in Matt's bedroom, they are drinking an orange drink, and after taking a swallow, Lanny makes a faint "aaah!" sound.
Lizzie refers to being in the school soccer playoffs. This is one of the few times it's mentioned that Lizzie plays soccer. The mentions are so few, in fact, that this could almost be considered a goof, since the subject is so rarely brought up and Lizzie shows such little interest in it otherwise.
The title of Mr. Escobar's play "Greasier" is probably taken from Grease. (The popular 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John started out as a play and is still produced onstage.) But the story and characters don't seem to have much to do with the real Grease. Miranda's character is named Rhonda Doppapopoulos.
David Alex Rosen and Jeremy Bargiel, the two "big guys" seen in several other episodes, are in this one, too. They appear in some still photos sitting with Jo McGuire in some stadium bleachers, but they're not listed in the credits.
Sam McGuire is shown in a photo standing in a batter's box, and he's positioned as a left-hander.
For the first time (that we ever noticed, anyway), Lizzie repeats something that Toon Lizzie says first. After a fight with Miranda, Toon Lizzie says, "...you're a stinkbag actress!" A moment later, Lizzie yells the same thing at Miranda.
Troy Rowland makes his first appearance in a Lizzie episode, behind the camera he has also been Hilary's dialogue coach and bodyguard.
This episode can be found in the paperback novelization book Head Over Heels.
The still photo of Lanny in a scene between Lizzie and Gordo is from earlier in the episode.

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15. Lizzie's Nightmares
gs: Phill Lewis (Principal) Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft) Christian Copelin (Lanny) Tony Jones (Police Officer #1) Randy McPherson (Police Officer) Hayk Kalantarian (Hayk)

Lizzie is in a frenzy because Ethan Craft has asked her to sit with him at lunch the next day. But at home she still has to put up with bratty brother Matt, who put honey on the phone receiver and messed up her hair. Lizzie is furious with him and this time his parents are also very upset, too. They ground him and Mom says there will be more severe punishment to come. Matt races to catch the bus, but he gets on the wrong one, the junior high bus. Ethan Craft tells him to get out of his seat, but Matt stands up to him, which Ethan likes. He tells him his name is "Bond...Matt Bond." By the time they reach school, Matt has created a legend for himself as a child prodigy, actor, etc. and his reputation has already spread all over school.

At home, Jo McGuire is worried when she hears Matt isn't at school. She fears he may have run away because she and husband Sam were so harsh with him. They call the police and even try to get Lanny to talk. Meanwhile, Lizzie heads toward Ethan's lunch table to find that the new student is entertaining the crowd there. She looks and sees that it's...Matt! Lizzie and Matt both scream in horror. It's Lizzie's worst nightmare come true as Matt decides he loves it at Lizzie's school and is admired by Ethan, Kate--even the principal! Lizzie calls the police to come get Matt, but getting arrested makes him seem even cooler to the students. As the episode ends, Ethan calls Lizzie and asks her to to bring a pizza for him and Matt on Saturday!

b: 22-Jun-2001 pc: 114 w: Melissa Gould d: Jace Alexander

NOTE: Matt says that he's worked with the director Steven Speilberg. In fact, Jake Thomas, who plays Matt, really did work with Speilberg in A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
When Matt is dancing to the music in the cafeteria, it is the same song that was playng during Lizzies rhythmic gymnastics routine.
Filming dates: December 11-14, 2000. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated December 11, 2000.
The principal at Lizzie's school is identified as Principal Tweedy.
Jo McGuire's mother's voice is heard on the McGuire's answering machine.
This is the first episode where none of the cast has a costume change, except during a couple of still photo montages, in which Lizzie, Matt and Jo are seen in different clothing.
Some viewers have told us Hilary Duff (Lizzie) sounds like she has a slight cold in this episode.
Continuity: When Toon Lizzie calls Matt a "..lizard-killing, make-believe-friend-having weirdo," she's referring back to incidents in "Rumors" (the lizard) and "Election" (the make-believe friend).
In the scene where Matt is being scolded for putting honey on Lizzie's phone, he asks if one of his punishments might be no more chicken noodle casserole and a short montage from the episode "When Moms Attack" is seen. But in that episode the food Jo had left for Sam and Matt to eat was identified as a tuna noodle casserole.
Minor change to set: Beginning in this episode, doors are seen covering the pantry.
This episode can be found in the paperback novelization book New Kid in School.
In a shot where the door to Lizzie's locker is open the book West's Annotated California Codes is seen. It's a reference book containing laws for the state of California and is also seen in the episode "When Moms Attack."

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16. Obsession
gs: Kyle J. Downes (Larry Tudgeman) Sybyl Walker (Miss Moran) Chelsea J. Wilson (Parker McKenzie) Lawrence Mandley (Teacher) Troy Rowland (Mr. Lang)

The various obsessions of Lizzie, Matt and Gordo are driving friends, family, teachers and themselves to distraction. Gordo is intent on winning the Science Olympics at all costs against defending champion Larry Tudgeman. Matt becomes hall monitor at his school and gets carried away with his own power, giving out citations to schoolmates by the dozen and even trying to do the same to teachers and family members. Meanwhile, after she and Miranda work on a successful volunteer project at school, Lizzie becomes an environmental warrior, a fanatic for collecting clothing and food for the homeless, and even a vegetarian! All three learn that they must put limits on their fanaticism or else their original causes will suffer as a result.

b: 29-Jun-2001 pc: 116 w: Nina G. Bargiel & Jeremy J. Bargiel d: Savage Steve Holland

NOTE: The school that Lizzie, Miranda and Gordo attend is identified in this episode as Hillridge Middle School.
During the "Showdown" scenes between Gordo and Tudgeman, Sam Winan's background music is a pretty good imitation of the film music of Ennio Morricone. Who is that? He's an Italian composer who wrote the familiar music for several of director Sergio Leone's "spaghetti westerns" which starred Clint Eastwood. Among these are The Good, the Bad & the Ugly; A Fistful of Dollars, and For a Few Dollars More.
Filming dates: January 8-12, 2001. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated January 10, 2001.
Other music includes the song "Portrait of Authority" by the Los Angeles hardcore punk/alternative rock band Bad Religion. It's heard when Matt is giving out tickets for hall violations at school.
The light blue leather jacket Miranda wears that upsets Lizzie so is the same jacket Lizzie wears in "Between a Rock and a Bra Place" and "I Do, I Don't."

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17. Sibling Bonds
gs: Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft) Daniel R. Escobar (Mr. Escobar) Paul Robert Langdon (Heywood Biggs)

Matt is irritating Lizzie with his magic tricks while she's trying to do homework. Soon they are fighting like cats and dogs--or brother and sister--much to the annoyance of their parents. But as soon as Sam and Jo stop them, they go right back to fighting.

At school Ethan Craft speaks to Lizzie and Miranda, but Lizzie is so tongue-tied she can barely utter a word. Mr. Escobar announces a charity drive and asks for volunteers. Lizzie thinks she'll be too busy until she hears that Ethan will be there. At home Lizzie is making some cookies for the event when Matt tries out another trick. This time he handcuffs himself to his sister, but he can't get the cuffs loose. Mom spies the key and hides it, thinking that if the kids are forced to spend a few hours chained together, they might learn to get along better. Now Lizzie is facing the horror of going to the charity drive with her little brother stuck on her arm!

At the drive, Lizzie tries to hide Matt as best she can while Kate takes advantage of the situation and steals Ethan's attention. Meanwhile, with the family gone, Dad settles back at home alone to enjoy the football game, but he OD's on junk food and falls asleep before the kickoff. Lizzie is furious with Matt for the trouble he's causing her, but she notices that he's particularly avoiding a bully named Heywood. When Heywood trips Matt, Lizzie goes ballistic and scares him off. Now Matt and Lizzie are beginning to understand some of each other's problems. Kate comes by to laugh at Lizzie's situation and to rub it in that she's with Ethan. Matt, returning the favor for Lizzie, comes up with a good way to get back at Kate. Dad finally shows up with the key and the siblings are released from their bond. Ethan sees Lizzie and tells her he thinks it's cool that she spent the day with her little brother. He invites her out for pizza with some friends, but Lizzie declines when she sees Heywood menacing Matt again, and she goes to his rescue.

b: 03-Aug-2001 pc: 119 w: Douglas Tuber & Tim Maile d: Mark Rosman

NOTE: Music includes: *"Searchin'" by the Coasters, who had a big hit with it wayyy back in 1957! They were one of the most popular R&B or "doo wop" groups of their time. It's played during the scene when Lizzie and Matt are searching for the keys to the handcuffs. *"1+1=2" by Lou Bega, a virtual soundalike to his 1999 hit "Mambo No. 5," played during a scene at the miniature golf arcade.
The scene where Sam McGuire throws the key to the handcuffs across the water to Lizzie is a take-off on a scene in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey where early man first learns to use weapons and tools (you'll have to see it; it's too hard to explain briefly). The music playing is an arrangement of the opening of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" ("Thus Spake Zarathustra"), often called the "Theme from 2001," by German composer Richard (pronounced Rick-ard) Strauss.
Lizzie (Hilary Duff) appears with red streaks in her hair in this epiosde. Is this the first time?
Filming dates: January 27-31, 2001. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated January 30, 2001. (For a split-second the clapboard from "I've Got Rhythmic" appears in the middle of the bloopers.)
A stunt double was used for Kate's fall into the lake near the episode's end. But as seen in the blooper reel, Ashlie Brillault (Kate) waded out into the lake, then had water poured over her head for the following shot.
The ever-changing pronunciation of Kate's last name is "Saunders" in this episode.
When Lizzie mocks Matt, imitating the way he says "Lizzie!", that word is dubbed in on the soundtrack.
Character with no lines: Sam's often-mentioned cousin ReeRee is seen here, but only in a still-phot montage, where he stains Sam's shirt while giving him a high-five.
Another possible clue as to where Lizzie lives: Sam tells the kids that he has to go to the nearby city of Stanton to get a spare handcuff key. Stanton is a real city in southern California, not far from where the series is filmed.
An enterprising Lizzie viewer may have located the Los Angeles location where the exterior for Lizzie's school is shot. In this episode he noticed the street number 11800 on one of the buildings. The only school in Los Angeles with that number is University High School on Texas Avenue.
The miniature golf course seen in this episode is located at Sherman Oaks Castle Park in Sherman Oaks, California. It is about 15 minutes away from Ren Mar Studios where Lizzie was filmed. More info
Stunt double: Cinda-Lin James (for Kate).
Continuity: Mr. Escobar is seen wearing the blue scarf which Gordo says he "always" wears in another episode.
Continuity: Ethan makes the comment to Lizzie about Matt that, "he loves that little guy." This is a reference to the episode "Lizzie's Nightmares" when Matt went to Lizzie's school by mistake and made a great impression on her friends.
When Lizzie realizes some kid is giving Matt a hard time she says "Oh my Gosh", instead of "Oh my God." One of the Notes for The Lizzie McGuire Movie shows that Disney has a different standard for its TV shows compared to its films.

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18. Rated Aargh
gs: Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft) Dot Jones (Coach Kelly [as Dot-Marie Jones]) Kyle J. Downes (Larry Tudgeman) Mitchah Williams (Kleenex Kid) DeVaughn Nixon (Snackbar Attendant) David Alex Rosen (Friend) Yolanda Laverde (Reporter) Jeremy J. Bargiel (the Choking Man [uncredited])

Lizzie's fantasy almost comes true when she is paired up with Ethan Craft in a CPR class at school, but he's so dense that the teacher chooses Tudgeman instead to give Lizzie mouth-to-mouth! Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda realize they are about the only three in school who haven't seen the latest blockbuster movie Vesuvius: The Eruption, which is rated R, and they're determined to get in to see it. When their parents all say "no" to their arguments, Gordo decides they should say they are going to play miniature golf, then go see the film. Lizzie is very nervous about lying to her parents, but she pulls it off with ease.

The trio can't get past the ticket-taker, though, and can't slip in the back, so they mingle with the crowd as it is departing a showing and sneak in that way. While at the concession stand, they notice a man choking. Lizzie has had the training, so she goes and performs the Heimlich maneuver on the man, dislodging a sourball from his throat. A local news crew comes by and films a segment about Lizzie for the news that night. But then the trio realizes that their parents will watch the news and will find out where they've been unless they stop them.

Back at home, Lizzie's parents get a phone call from the theatre telling them about their daughter's heroic actions. They are happy at first, but they soon realize that they've been deceived about the movie. When Lizzie and friends come home Mom and Dad make them squirm for a while by threatening to watch the news, then telling them the want to take them to see Vesuvius themselves. Lizzie, Miranda and Gordo all get grounded for a week or two.

Also, Matt volunteers his parents to build a booth for his school's carnival, and they come up with the idea of a velcro wall people can leap onto while wearing a special velcro suit.

b: 10-Aug-2001 pc: 121 w: Trish Baker d: Peter Montgomery

NOTE: Miranda's full name is given as Miranda Isabella Sanchez.
Miranda (Lalaine) says she can't stand another talking pig movie. In real life she was a voice in Babe, a movie about a talking pig.
DeVaughn Nixon played Whitney Houston's son in The Bodyguard.
Some famous themes from classical music pieces are heard in this episode. At the very beginning when Ethan (Clayton Snyder) is about to go mouth-to-mouth with Lizzie (Hilary Duff), the soaring music that's playing is from Peter Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture (1869). When Matt (Jake Thomas) and Sam (Robert Carradine) are talking about a carnival booth where someone will get an apple shot off of his head, you can hear the most familiar portion of Giaocchio Rossini's Overture to the opera William Tell (1829) playing in the background. And when Lizzie and friends are at the snack bar and the man is choking, that stirring music being played is the "Ride of the Valkyries" from Richard Wagner's opera Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) (1870). All of these pieces of music have been used many, many times in movies and televison. Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet was given words in the 1930's and was turned into a popular song, "Our Love." Rossini's "William Tell Overture" is better known to millions of people as the theme music for the TV series (and radio show before that) The Lone Ranger. Richard Wagner's (pronounced Rick-ard VAHG-ner) "Ride of the Valkyries" has been in everything from the movie Apocalypse Now to a familiar audiotape commercial (remember the guy sitting in the chair with his hair blowing back?) to a Bugs Bunny cartoon.
Filming dates: February 12-16, 2001. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated February 13, 2001.
The poster for Vesuvius say that it's "A Stan Rogow Film." Stan Rogow is an executive producer of Lizzie McGuire.
Further character identification: The reporter is identified as Cricket Johansen. Character mentioned but not seen: Jeff Thompson, a kid whose parents are making a booth for the carnival at Matt's school.
Continuity: Mount Rushmore Mini-Golf, where some of "Sibling Bonds" took place, is mentioned again here.
Stunt doubles: Nancy Thurston (for Lizzie) and Larry Nicholas (for Matt).
As Tudgeman is about perform mouth-to-mouth with Lizzie he gives another student a Vulcan hand sign made popular by Leonard Nimoy who portrayed Commander Spock from the series Star Trek .
Mitchah Williams is listed as the Kleenex Kid, but that designation actually fits his character in the episode "Rumors." Also, Jeremy Bargiel, who portrays the Chocking Man, is identified by the name Jeremy by his friend at the theater.
This episode is on Vol. 2 of the Lizzie McGuire DVD collection entitled Growing Up Lizzie, released on Dec. 9, 2003.

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19. Gordo and the Girl
gs: Kyla Pratt (Brooke Baker) Christian Copelin (Lanny) Davida Williams (Claire Miller) Carlos Alazraqui (Host) Armando Molina (Edward Sanchez)

Gordo begs off going to the horror movie marathon with Lizzie and Miranda, saying that he'll be spending some time "bonding" with his father. But at the Digital Bean before the show, the girls see him with Brooke Baker. At first they don't think he's on a date because he didn't tell them about it, but then they see him kiss Brooke! The girls aren't sure what to think about this. The next day at school, Gordo tells Lizzie he was with his father the day before. When he skips lunch with Lizzie and Miranda to help a "friend" with homework, the girls are even more confused. They just can't picture their longtime friend as anyone's boyfriend. Later, when Gordo is about to tell the girls about Brooke, Lizzie tells him first that she thinks Brooke is using him and that she's hurt he didn't tell her about his girlfriend before now. Gordo, for his part, is upset with Lizzie and Miranda for reacting the way they do.

Miranda becomes more accepting of the idea of Gordo having a girlfriend, but Lizzie is still troubled by it. When she overhears Claire Miller saying she has to help get Brooke ready for a "hot date" that night, Lizzie is sure she can't be talking about Gordo and thinks Brooke is two-timing him. She goes to spy on Brooke at an Italian restaurant and takes along Miranda, dressed as a boy! At one point, to make sure it's Gordo, Lizzie makes Miranda follow him into the men's bathroom, much to her displeasure. The girls are about to leave when the host, thinking they're a couple on a date, seats them. When they try to bolt out of the restaurant, they run right into a waiter and end up on the floor in front of Gordo and Brooke, covered head to toe in pasta and sauce. Gordo is very disappointed with the two of them.

Lizzie and Miranda are lamenting the loss of friendship with Gordo when he comes by to talk with them. He's still not happy about the way they acted, but he realizes that they do care about him. He tells the girls he broke up with Brooke. It seems that he wasn't ready yet for a relationship like she wanted. Brooke was asking for too much of his time, including time he spent with his friends Lizzie and Miranda. The trio is back on good terms once again, but that doesn't stop the girls from pestering Gordo to describe his "lip-lock" with Brooke.

Meanwhile, Dad helps Matt learn a math lesson about odds and percentages by using candy to illustrate the principles. Matt learns the lesson too well. He and Lanny begin making bets with classmates like a couple of bookies and start winning things from them. When Mom finds Matt's betting book in the laundry, she confronts him. He says people just gave him stuff because they were grateful that he helped them learn about odds and percentages, but Jo McGuire is no dummy and she tells him he must give all his winnings back.

b: 17-Aug-2001 pc: 120 w: Melissa Gould d: Kim Friedman

NOTE: Kyla Pratt, who plays Brooke, is the voice of Penny Proud in the Disney channel animated TV series The Proud Family. She played a recurring role on Disney's Smart Guy and also starred in the UPN series One on One. Her movie credits include The Baby-Sitters Club.
Carlos Alazraqui, who plays the host at the restaurant, supplied the voice for the chihuahua in the popular series of Taco Bell commercials.
Miranda's father is seen with her in this episode in a series of still photos. It's the first time we've seen any of the parents of Miranda or Gordo.
Filming dates: February 7-10, 2001. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated February 9, 2001.
Brooke calls Gordo by his real name David at one point, one of the few times this ever happens.
Music includes the song "Irresistible" by Jessica Simpson, heard near the episode's beginning. It's the title track from her second release.
Did Lizzie REALLY kiss Gordo in this episode? Near the end, she and Miranda tease him, asking for details about his time with Brooke, and they both pretend to kiss him repeatedly. At one point it looks like Lizzie may in fact have given Gordo a peck on the cheek, but our view is obstructed by his raised hand.
This is the only episode to date (June 2003) that Claire (Davida Williams) appears in without Kate (Ashlie Brillault).
Unseen characters: Joel and Binder, two guys Matt takes bets from over the phone. Their voices are heard, however.
The restaurant scenes were filmed at Buca Di Bepo, located in Redondo Beach, California.
This episode can be found in the paperback novelization book Broken Hearts.
In one of the Toon Lizzie segments, Gordo is represented by a frog. This is also done in the episode "Movin' On Up."

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20. Educating Ethan
gs: Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft) Arvie Lowe Jr. (Mr. Dig) Norma Michaels (Elderly Woman) Sebastian Jude (Oscar) Amanda Oshita (Girl) Katina Waters (Waitress)

Gordo wants to raise money for a new stereo, so Miranda and Lizzie suggest he tutor students who need help in math. His first student is Ethan Craft, much to the girls' delight. When Gordo is working with Ethan at the Digital Bean, Lizzie and Miranda keep trying to horn in on the action and end up spilling drinks all over the guys' papers. Gordo gets mad at them and suggests that they aren't smart enough to help him tutor anyway. The girls get angry right back at him and leave. Meanwhile, Matt and his friend Oscar are looking for something exciting to do. They decide to become "super heroes" Matt Man and the Incredible Oscar. They go around the neighborhood in costume trying to do good deeds, but all they do is annoy the neighbors.

At lunch the next day, Gordo is having trouble explaining fractions to Ethan. As a peace offering, Lizzie tries to help. Gordo is not too happy about it, especially when Lizzie's explanation is clearer than his own. Ethan asks Lizzie to tutor him instead. Lizzie doesn't want to hurt her friendship with Gordo and reluctantly turns Ethan down. Miranda thinks she's crazy to have done that, but Lizzie is determined to be the bigger person. But then Gordo tells the girls they owe him an apology, which gets them mad at him all over again.

Back at home, Mr. and Mrs. McGuire put a stop to Matt and Oscar's "do-gooding" outside of the house. At school, Lizzie gets an "A" on the math quiz but Ethan fails, despite Gordo's tutoring. Ethan again asks Lizzie to help tutor him and this time she can't resist. But when she gets ready to leave home to meet Ethan, she can't find any shoes! Matt and Oscar say the "Evil Shoe Baron" got them all. Mom says the super-heroes better find them right away. They do, then she puts an end to the do-gooding business once and for all.

At the Digital Bean, Lizzie uses a visual aid to help explain fractions to Ethan--cheerleaders! At school, Gordo apologizes to the girls for the way he acted. Ethan "aces" the make-up test with a 72 and gives Lizzie a big hug as a reward.

b: 24-Aug-2001 pc: 122 w: Nina G. Bargiel & Jeremy J. Bargiel d: Mark Rosman

NOTE: Songs played include "ABC" by the Jackson Five (heard during the cheerleader/fractions scene) and "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" by the Kinks (heard when Matt and Oscar are "fighting evil"). "ABC" was the second hit and second #1 record for the Jackson Five, featuring 12-year-old lead singer Michael Jackson. (At the time his management tried to claim he was only 10!) It hit the top of the charts in 1970, replacing the Beatles' "Let It Be." "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" was a minor hit (#41) in 1979 for the British rock group the Kinks, who had a long career from 1963 to 1995. Their biggest hits include "You Really Got Me" and "Lola."
Filming dates: March 9-13, 2001. The clapboard on the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated March 12, 2001.
Ethan scores an 11 on his first math test!
Sam McGuire makes a reference to a neighbor, "old Mrs. Lippen," using the last name of the show's casting director, Robin Lippen.
The telephone number on the "flyer" given out by Gordo is 555-0199. That same number is used on a flyer given out by the Stevens family in the episode "Where in the World Is Pookie Stevens?" of the Even Stevens TV series.
It would be likely that, in reality, Gordo's handwriting would be quite messy. There's a theory that the most intellegent people have the messiest handwriting.
Character with no lines: Rhonda, the one cheerleader Ethan mentions by name.
Arvie Lowe, Jr. makes his first appearance as recurring character Mr. Dig, the substitute teacher that is always seen in Lizzie's classes.
This episode can be found in the paperback novelization book Lizzie Loves Ethan.
Minor change to the set of the McGuire's home: Peach colored paint is added to the bookshelves near the family room.

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21. Lizzie Strikes Out
gs: Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft) Arvie Lowe Jr. (Mr. Dig) Christian Copelin (Lanny) Paul Robert Langdon (Hollywood Biggs [sic])

Ethan invites Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda to go bowling with friends on the weekend. Of course the girls are thrilled but Gordo isn't so happy--bowling is something he's not good at. In fact, he got so nervous doing it before that his fingers swelled up and the ball had to be cut off his hand! Miranda says she will be Gordo's "life coach" for bowling and tries to teach him him a kind of mystical philosophy ("Be the ball!") Meanwhile, Matt and Lanny are trying to think of what they can do to stop the bully Heywood Biggs from picking on them.

When Sam McGuire hears Lizzie talking about her sort-of date on the phone, he worries that he's not involved enough in his daughter's life. He asks her if she'd like for just the two of them to go out to dinner on Friday so they can spend some time together. Lizzie agrees, but later realizes that the bowling date is the same night! She decides she'll have to ask her father to reschedule.

Lizzie explains to her dad about the bowling and he agrees to postpone their night out, but he seems disappointed. Matt and Lanny practice their revenge technique ("Operation Mummy") for Heywood on Lizzie. Later, Lizzie talks to her mom who says her dad understands about her wanting to go bowling with friends, but Lizzie feels a little guilty afterwards. At school, Gordo sees Mr. Dig wipe out badly on a scooter, but is surprised to see that he takes it as a positive, learning experience. Miranda tries to tell Gordo he's doesn't need to excel at everything. The advice seems to be working, because at the bowling alley, Gordo throws a gutter ball, but his fingers don't swell up. Lizzie bowls a strike, to the admiration of Ethan--and her dad, too, who she invited along.

b: 31-Aug-2001 pc: 123 w: Melissa Gould d: Ellen Falcon

NOTE: Heywood Biggs (Paul Robert Langdon) is only seen in still photos. For some reason, the credits list the character as Hollywood Biggs.
When "Toon Lizzie" appears after Lizzie talks to Mr. Dig, the background behind her resembles that of the old TV science-fiction series The Twilight Zone, indicating that she thinks Mr. Dig is a little bit "out there."
Filming dates: March 18-22, 2001. The clapboard which opens the blooper reel at the end of the show is dated March 22, 2001. (The clapboard for "I've Got Rhythmic" shows up in the middle of the reel several times.)
Continuity: Gordo mentions the Wilco Theater to Ethan. This is the same theater Lizzie, Miranda and Gordo went to in order to see Vesuvius in the episode "Rated Aargh."

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22. The Untitled Stan Jansen Project
gs: Sean Hogan (Stan Jansen) Carly Schroeder (Melina) Kyle J. Downes (Larry Tudgeman) Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft)

Director Stan Jansen is filming a documentary at the junior high and everyone is trying to get on camera--except Gordo, who wants to be a director himself. But Stan singles out Gordo as his star and tells him his appearance in the film could lead to a career in directing. Gordo is eager to go along, so when the director tells him he wants conflict, Gordo trashes Kate on camera. Lizzie and Miranda think that's great, but it's not so great when Tudgeman gets upset after the same treatment. Then when Gordo manipulates Lizzie and Miranda into revealing