People who enjoyed watching animated masterpieces like “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” have collectively cringed at Disney’s recent attempts at capturing our imagination.

Their TV shows on the Disney Channel feature mindless dialogue and predictable plotlines. The only reason they’re successful is because they effectively pander to a younger generation of viewers. “iCarly,” for example, consists of a group of classmates making online videos, reflecting our modern reliance on technology. “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody” had preyed upon teenage fantasies by allowing two annoying twins to do whatever they want inside the ritzy hotel in which they live.

But no discussion of such television shows is complete without mentioning “Hannah Montana,” Disney’s crowning achievement. The show features an ordinary teenage student Miley Stewart, played by Miley Cyrus, who leads a double life as famous pop music singer Hannah Montana.

As everyone with younger siblings knows, “Hannah Montana” has become a national phenomenon. The show launched Cyrus’s career beyond the stratosphere. Time Magazine listed her as one of 2008’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, and controversies surrounding her sold-out concert tickets pitted desperate tween mothers against one another and attracted the attention of the national media.

But the Disney Channel’s latest demonstration of the show’s popularity was misguided at best and disturbing at worst. According to the Associated Press, the Disney Channel has offered the daughters of President-elect Barack Obama, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha, guest appearances on “Hannah Montana.”

“As long as their parents say it's OK,” a Disney statement released on Tuesday said, “they are invited to the set of `Hannah Montana' and all Disney Channel shows, for a guest role or a visit.”

Barack Obama’s daughters making guest appearances on “Hannah Montana” would be disastrous. And that statement is only slightly hyperbolic.

I could understand only visiting the set or touring the facility. Perhaps even a small meeting with the stars of the Disney Channel shows. After all, Malia and Sasha are admittedly huge fans. Ultimately, it would be an educational experience.

But having the daughters of the president appear on the show is just too much. It legitimizes the Disney Channel’s overall implication that instant celebrity status should be admired. Every teenage girl wants to become a successful superstar like Hannah Montana, or run their own successful Internet webcam like Carly Shay in “iCarly.”

And becoming the president is obviously admired too, but for different reasons. Teenagers will obviously associate the president’s daughters with the president himself. And, unlike the instantaneous celebrity of Hannah Montana or Carly Shay, it involves a lifelong commitment of obligation and desire to improve one’s country. Barack Obama struggled against vicious campaign attacks and racial discrimination to become president, an impressive and commendable task.

Sasha and Malia Obama obviously weren’t selected by the Disney Channel to appear on “Hannah Montana” for their acting experience, but for their “celebrity” status. They are granted such a responsibility merely because they are related to someone of national importance, which is terrible criterion for a guest appearance because falsely perpetuates this myth of instant success.

Hopefully, Barack and Michelle Obama recognize the impact such an appearance would have on America’s teenagers. This recognition would be an appropriate example of the change Obama promised in his campaign speeches, a change the Walt Disney Company sorely needs.

David is mourning Disney’s overall decline in quality programming. (He’s ignoring Pixar, of course). Commiserate at david.k.edwards.1@asu.edu.