The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody is an American teen sitcom created by Danny Kallis and Jim Geoghan. The series aired on Disney Channel from March 18, 2005, to September 1, 2008 with 4 million viewers, making it the most successful premiere for Disney Channel. The series was nominated for an Emmy Award three times and was also nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award three times.
The series is set in the Tipton Hotel in Boston and centers on Zack Martin and Cody Martin, troublesome twins who live at the Tipton Hotel. The series' other main characters include the Tipton hotel's ditzy heiress London Tipton, the hotel's candy counter girl Maddie Fitzpatrick, the manager, Mr. Marion Moseby, and the boys' single mother who is also the Hotel's lounge singer, Carey Martin. The series is the third Disney Channel Original to have more than 65 episodes, after That's So Raven and Kim Possible. Reruns aired on Disney XD until 2014. Reruns of the show aired on Disney Channel until April 14, 2017.
The Suite Life spawned a sequel series, also starring the Sprouse twins in their respective roles as Zack and Cody, called The Suite Life on Deck, which aired on the Disney Channel from 2008 to 2011. A TV movie based on both series, The Suite Life Movie, premiered on Disney Channel on March 25, 2011.
Plot
The show centers upon Zack and Cody Martin, twin brothers who live in the Tipton Hotel in Boston, where their mother, Carey, sings and performs in the hotel lounge. However, it also centers upon the hotel owner's teenage daughter, London Tipton, who is very wealthy and ditzy, the hotel's down-to-earth candy-counter girl, Maddie Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Moseby, the strict, dutiful, and serious manager, who is often the foil to Zack and Cody's schemes and has a liking to the piano, pocket hankies and ballet.The show is often set at the Tipton Hotel, but has other settings such as Zack and Cody's school, Cheevers High, and Maddie and London's private school, Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow Catholic. Zack and Cody often get in trouble and come up with witty ideas to get out of it.
Cast and characters
Main
- Cole Sprouse portrays Cody Martin, the calm, mature, and smarter twin. He is a "straight A" student, making him better, academically, than his brother Zack, who gets "D's". In the first season of the show, it was revealed that Cody is ten minutes younger than Zack. Janice and Jessica seem to like Cody more. Cody has an on-again, off-again girlfriend named Barbara. Cody is the more gentle twin compared to his brother and somehow always gets talked into going along with Zack's schemes. In The Fairest of Them All, he dressed as a girl to win money. He never drinks soda after 9:30.
- Dylan Sprouse portrays Zack Martin, the self-centered, outgoing, immature twin, who usually dresses in skater and baggy-camo clothes. At school, he is a straight "D" student, although he does well in wood shop. In the first season of the show it was revealed that Zack is ten minutes older than Cody, as he was born at 6:30 and Cody at 6:40 which he uses against Cody, normally telling him, since he's older, to do some sort of job that he doesn't want to do. Or in some cases, gives him "brotherly" advice because, "I'm the older twin." He has a big crush on Maddie, but after the first season, he was showing this less frequently. He has also taken advantage of his teachers and has faked conditions like dyslexia.
- Brenda Song portrays London Tipton, the only daughter of Wilfred Tipton, the owner of the Tipton Hotel. London is a rich, dimwitted teenager with her own private suite at the Tipton Hotel in Boston, complete with a large wardrobe with several divisions and a kitchen. London loves fashion; she only wears designer clothes and hates plaid, especially the plaid Catholic school uniforms. She does not have a nanny, or any other adult, to help her but relies on the Tipton Hotel Staff for any assistance or guidance. In the episode Forever Plaid, due to her poor attendance at her old school, she transferred to the same Catholic girls' school, "Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow," that Maddie attends. In the episode First Day of High School, London transfers to Zack and Cody's public school, "Cheevers High," due to being expelled from all of the private schools she had previously attended. She dislikes her step-moms and usually talks to Mr. Moseby and Maddie about her problems. When happy she always claps her hands repeatedly while saying her catchphrase, "Yay me!" She also has her own web show called Yay Me! Starring London Tipton that exists both within the program and in the real world. London often refuses to go to school and even skipped detention twice. Though it seems like London may lead the ultimate rich-girl life, her childhood was not perfect. In the episode Arwinstein, she states she is allergic to lobster, although in one episode she asked Maddie for a lobster dinner. However, it is possible that she developed an allergy to lobster after the earlier episodes and before the later ones. It is also revealed in one episode that she must think about what she does before doing it. For example, she was walking through the lobby while thinking "left, right, blink, breathe" in the episode Super Twins. London is a shopaholic who shops to fill the void of lack of attention from her father.
- Ashley Tisdale portrays Maddie Fitzpatrick, the teenage candy-counter girl at the Tipton Hotel, who throughout the series holds several other jobs/positions including a cashier at the Cluck Bucket, manager on the Camp Tipton Daycare Center, and counselor for her school's summer camp program – Camp Heaven on Earth. She also visits Antarctica during the series to help save the penguins. While she comes from a lower-class family, Maddie is very hard-working, outspoken, and intelligent. On the occasions that her selfish side comes out, she can be a bigger opportunist than London, though she always loses out when this side of her personality is shown. Like Esteban, it is shown she has an incredibly long name; in the episode "Pilot Your Own Life," it is revealed to be Madeline Margaret Genevieve Miranda Catherine Fitzpatrick. She attends private school at "Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow" and later attends "Cheevers High." Maddie is London's closest friend, though London often treats her like a servant, as in the episode Footloser, usually bribing her with money. Maddie also babysat Zack and Cody throughout season one. Zack has a huge crush on her in Season One, however the crush is less visible during the other two seasons. She is a strong supporter of environmental causes. She is left-handed. It is revealed that she has asthma. She also plays volleyball as seen in the episode "Volley Dad''. She appeared sporadically throughout Season 3.
- Phill Lewis portrays Mr. Marion Moseby, the stern and uptight manager of the Tipton Hotel, who speaks with a large vocabulary and an urbane vernacular, and is often annoyed by Zack's and Cody's schemes. It is later revealed that his first name is Marion and the majority of the other characters often made fun of his masculinity because of his feminine name, as well as his experience as a ballet dancer. His repeated catch phrases, "Good luck with that", "Pish posh", and "If you'll excuse me". have become his trademark. Though he acts as though he does not care about the boys, he actually has a great deal of affection for them. In the episode "The Ghost of 613," it is revealed that he started out at the Tipton as a bellhop back in the 1970s, and had a "voluminous 'fro". Mr. Moseby is more of a father to London than her own, because Mr. Tipton is seldom around. Moseby even taught London how to walk, her ABCs, and tried to teach her how to drive. He cares for London and treats her like his own child. He also helps London with any problems she is having. He was also known as the "Meanager," due to his stern persona. He has an older brother named Spencer, who is a little person, who is very wealthy and lactose intolerant. His mother's' name is Beulah Moseby, who favors Spencer, but still likes Marion. His grandmother is Rose Moseby who visits him in the episode "Nugget of History". He has a 16-year-old niece named Nia Moseby who comes to stay with him during the third season and temporarily replaces Maddie as candy counter girl, while she is in Antarctica.
- Kim Rhodes portrays Carey Martin, the single working mother of Zack and Cody. She is the hotel's lounge singer, who sings beautifully. She and her sons traveled to several cities before arriving at the Boston Tipton Hotel, which she called the "best gig we've ever had." She was married to Kurt Martin, but they divorced after the twins were born for unstated reasons. Arwin has made it known on several occasions that he has a massive crush on her. Whenever Carey kisses Arwin, he faints. When Zack and Cody have an argument, she tells them stories about her ex-boyfriends, much to their dismay.
Recurring
Below is a list of cast members who have appeared in significant roles as recurring characters throughout the series. Each of the cast members listed has appeared in between 6 and 45 episodes and the list is ordered according to the number of episodes credited. A complete list of all characters who have appeared more than once is included at list of recurring characters in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.Notable appearances
Actor | Appearing as | Season | Episode |
Moises Arias | Randall | 2 | Day Care |
Cheryl Burke | Shannon | 2 | Loosely Ballroom |
The Cheetah Girls | Themselves | 3 | Doin' Time in Suite 2330 |
Chris Brown | Himself | 3 | Doin' Time in Suite 2330 |
Miley Cyrus | Hannah Montana | 2 | That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana |
Michael Clarke Duncan | Coach Little | 3 | Benchwarmers |
Daniella Monet | Dana | 3 | Benchwarmers |
Zac Efron | Trevor | 2 | Odd Couples |
Selena Gomez | Gwen | 2 | A Midsummer's Nightmare |
Tony Hawk | Himself | 3 | Foiled Again |
Mark Indelicato | Antonio | 3 | Lip Synchin' in the Rain |
Kathryn Joosten | Grandma Marilyn | 2 | Not So Suite 16 |
Victoria Justice | Rebecca | 1 | The Fairest of Them All |
Nathan Kress | Jamie | 2 | Back in the Game |
Meaghan Jette Martin | Stacey | 3 | Sleepover Suite |
Jesse McCartney | Himself | 1 | Rock Star in the House |
Daryl Mitchell | Daryl | 2 | Back in the Game |
Tahj Mowry | Brandon | 2 | Scary Movie |
Kathy Najimy | Principal Milletidge | 3 | First Day of High School |
Kay Panabaker | Amber | 3 | First Day of High School |
Tom Poston | Merle | 2 | Ah! Wilderness |
Raven-Symoné | Raven Baxter | 2 | That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana |
Drew Seeley | Geoffrey | 3 | Romancing the Phone |
Jaden Smith | Travis | 3 | Romancing the Phone |
Mindy Sterling | Sister Rose | 2 | Volley Dad |
The Veronicas | Themselves | 2 | The Suite Life Goes Hollywood Part 2 |
D. C. Douglas | Snooty Interviewer | 2 | Books & Birdhouses |
Justin Baldoni | Diego | 3 | Foiled Again |
Episodes
The 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike resulted in the series being on hiatus. When the strike ended, new episodes began airing on April 19, 2008. The show eventually ended for good with its series finale, a total of three seasons and 87 episodes on September 1, 2008.Crossover with ''That's So Raven'' and ''Hannah Montana''
The episode "That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana" is the second part of a three-way crossover that begins on That's So Raven and concludes on Hannah Montana. Raven Baxter meets Zack and Cody as she visits the Tipton Hotel to do a photo shoot promoting a new fashion line for boys, only to have a troubling psychic vision of Cody. In the meantime, London refuses to wear one of Raven's original designs until Hannah Montana stops by and shows an interest in the fashions.Settings
;Tipton HotelThe Tipton Hotel is where Zack, Cody, Carey, and London all live, and where the majority of the other characters in the series work. It is the main setting for the series. The Tipton Hotel is located in Boston, Massachusetts. Hotel Vancouver is used for the exterior of the hotel.
;The SS Tipton
In the episode "Let Us Entertain You", Zack, Cody, and Carey spent a week vacationing on board the SS Tipton. It is also the setting of the sequel series, The Suite Life on Deck. The first time the SS Tipton is referenced is in the episode, "To Catch a Thief". While Maddie talks to London on the phone a life preserver with the words "S.S. Tipton" can be seen in the background.
;Buckner Middle School
The twins' Middle School. The school's mascot is a badger.
In the scene outside of the school where a few students are walking between two buildings shows "The Mall" area that's located in Lincoln Park High School, in Chicago, Illinois. Some of the students that attend Buckner were Max, Bob, and Agnes. Carey would come sit outside of the detention area while Zack was being punished. She said when she was outside the principal's office at Cheevers High that, "Thanks to Zack, I knitted 32 sweaters and an afghan."
The name comes from former-Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner.
;Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow Catholic School
Maddie and Mary Margaret attended this private school in season one. Later in season two, Corrie and Leslie were added to the minor cast, with London also attending the school in season two. In season three, London, Maddie, and Leslie no longer attend Our Lady. External shots of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow Catholic School are of University College at the University of Toronto in Canada.
;Paul Revere Mini Mart
Zack and Cody work at the Paul Revere mini mart for the manager, Wayne Wormser. The mini mart's motto is, "The savings are coming! The savings are coming!" It is across the street from another mini mart with a patriotic name and theme, The Betsy Ross Stop and Shop, which is run by Wormser's business enemy and fierce rival.
;Camp Heaven on Earth
The summer camp where Maddie works over the summer. The only part of the camp shown is the cabin in which Maddie and the young girls stay.
;Cheevers High School
Where Zack, Cody, London, Maddie, and Nia attend along with other students including Barbara, Bob, and Mark. This setting was used in "Lip Synchin' in the Rain," "First Day of High School," "Orchestra," and "Benchwarmers." John Marshall High School is shown in a snapshot as Cheevers High School.
;Other places in Boston
Scenes also take place in several other places in Boston, including Fenway Park, a movie theater, Maddie's apartment, the local shopping mall, a bowling alley, a miniature golf course, Kurt's apartment, Mr. Moseby's condo, the Goose Lodge, Liberty Park, an apartment where Maddie and her friends painted for a poor family for community service, Arwin's apartment, camp Knock-a-Number, the forest that has Merele's cabin, Kurt's tour bus, the shop where Maddie demanded London give her inhaler, an art museum, a dance club, an alley with a garbage container, a pizza restaurant, Theo's home, the "Risk It All" studio, the Cluck Bucket, an aptitude company, and the restaurant where Wayne "dates" London. There are even two episodes that take place in Hollywood, which includes a movie studio, LAX, a beach, Sunset Blvd, Hollywood Blvd, and the Tipton Los Angeles.
Theme song and opening sequence
The show's theme song, "Here I Am," was written by John Adair and Steve Hampton, with music composed by Gary Scott, and is performed by Loren Ellis and the Drew Davis Band. The theme was remixed for the ending credits of "Rock Star in the House" in a form similar to "Beautiful Soul" to accompany the episode's guest appearance of Jesse McCartney.Sequel series and film
The Suite Life on Deck is a sequel to The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, that debuted on Disney Channel on September 26, 2008, set on a cruise ship with Zack, Cody, and London attending a semester-at-sea program, while Mr. Moseby manages the ship. Debby Ryan joins the cast as Bailey Pickett, who becomes Zack and Cody's friend and London's friend and roommate. The series also introduces Doc Shaw as Marcus Little, a former superstar who lost his fame after his voice changed. While an attempted spin-off, Arwin!, which was to star Selena Gomez and Brian Stepanek, was not picked up by Disney Channel, The Suite Life on Deck skipped the pilot process and went straight to the series.On September 20, 2010, Disney Channel announced that production has begun for a Disney Channel Original Movie based on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck.
The Suite Life Movie premiered on the Disney Channel in the United States and Canada on March 25, 2011. The Suite Life on Deck eventually ended on May 6, 2011.
Awards and nominations
Indian adaptation
An Indian adaptation of the show, titled The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir, premiered on Disney Channel India on April 8, 2012. It ran for two seasons and ended on January 19, 2014.Syndication
In 2005, ABC's Saturday morning programming block, ABC Kids, added The Suite Life of Zack & Cody to their lineup until the block's closing in 2011. Then in 2008, it was added to Toon Disney's programming lineup, becoming their first live-action comedy program. After Toon Disney's closing, reruns were shown on Disney XD from 2009 to 2014. From 2013 to 2015, the series was rerun on Disney Channel.Broadcast
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody is broadcast on the following stations around the world:Country / region | Network | Series premiere | Source |
Australia, New Zealand | Disney Channel Australia & New Zealand | April 15, 2005 | |
Canada | Family Channel | September 3, 2005 | |
Canada | Disney XD | June 1, 2011 | |
United States | Disney Channel | March 18, 2005 | N/A |
United States | ABC Kids | September 17, 2005 | N/A |
United States | Toon Disney | September 1, 2008 | N/A |
United States | Disney XD | February 13, 2009 | N/A |
DVD releases
All episodes of the show are available on iTunes and Zune.The Complete First Season was released to Germany and Brazil on November 13, 2008. Turkey on December 30, 2009 by Disney DVD. and Greece on September 9, 2010 by Sony Pictures.
According to Amazon.com, all three seasons of the show will be released, however no release dates have been announced.
Other media
Novels
Like many Disney Channel Original Series, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody had a number of novels based on episodes of the series, as well as original books. The following list of novels is based on information from the Barnes & Noble website and List of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody episodes. An inspired stories book set, based on the show was released in 2007.# | Novel title | Published | Based on episode |
1 | Hotel Hangout | May 2006 | Hotel Hangout |
2 | Double Trouble | May 2006 | Maddie Checks In |
3 | The Room of Doom | August 2006 | The Ghost of Suite 613 |
4 | Zack Attack | November 2006 | Footloser |
5 | Check It Out | February 2007 | Hotel Inspector |
6 | Star Crazy | November 2007 | Rock Star in the House |
Merchandise
The series has spawned three video games entitled The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Caper for the Game Boy Advance, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Trouble, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Circle of Spies for the Nintendo DS. They were developed by Artificial Mind and Movement and published by Buena Vista Games, with the exception of Circle of Spies, which was published by Disney Interactive Studios.Disney Press has released several books based on the shows including The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Caper, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Trouble, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Circle of Spies novels based on the television episode and the video game. A calendar for the show, Disney The Suite Life of Zack and Cody 2008 Calendar has been released. Merchandise based on the series are sold exclusively at Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Sears, Macy's, and several other retailers. They include clothing, bags, bedding collection, and toys.