Strange

You see a great many things that weird you out when you're 30 and you're still Disney's bitch. It's been the fashion for shows on the Disney Channel to, for the most part, ignore the outside world. Realism is not exactly a concern, and even when outside things are referred to, they're usually kind of hidden. Seriously, until a couple of years ago when That's So Raven did an episode about black history and racism, the characters seemed to have no real idea they were black.

Anyway, Hannah Montana has decided to get all meta by constantly referencing itself or the world around it. The show stars Miley Cyrus and her father Billy Ray Cyrus. They've really run that into the ground; using old concert footage to talk about her dad (Robby Ray on the show) and his old singing career, Robby whining about his "achy breaky back," asking a piano-playing mouse (don't ask) "Do you know 'Achy Breaky Heart'?" and so on, pretty much ad nauseum, constantly reminding us that Billy Ray Cyrus had one number hit a hundred or so years ago. And on Friday night's episode, he made a reference to missing racing season, because nothing but "those silly dance shows" are on TV now, the joke being that he was on the most recent Dancing with the Stars, which may be taking the term "star" loosely. Then again, at least he starred in his own TV series. Heather Mills just married a Beatle...

Anyway, I notice that the Disney Channel is mentioning actual celebrities now, instead of just making them up (unless, of course, they need to appear on the show). I think every series has taken a shot at Lindsay Lohan, which is nice. Maria Shriver appeared as herself on That's So Raven; there's been more of that sort of thing happening. But Friday... Friday was just strange.

On Friday's episode of Hannah Montana... Well, let me just come out and ask this question: what the hell was Larry David doing appearing as himself on Hannah Montana? That's just strange, man. He was waiting to get into a restaurant with his two daughters, and even name-dropped for the benefit of the young audience; one of his daughters referred to him as Larry David, "the creator of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm." And when they couldn't get into the restaurant, Larry stormed out, with one of his daughters saying "Uncle Jerry could've gotten us in."

Strange.

At least Larry had the good taste to look uncomfortable and bemused, as if even he was puzzled as to why he was appearing on Hannah Montana.