Category — Disney Channel

Don’t believe everything you read on the internet equivilant of those supermarket tabloid rags. Miley Cyrus and her dad are perfectly happy serving out the end of their sentence on Disney’s Hannah Montana. Sure, she could make more money in film or music. But what do you know, Disney just happens to be leaders in both those markets.

The Cyrus family knows where their bread is buttered. I’m sure they’ll stick with Disney for at least another few years before they decide to pull a Hillary Duff and jump ship. But, even Hillary has come back to the Mouse House for part of her career. Once Mickey sinks his claws into you, escape is not really possible.

The Animation Guild Blog passes along the news that the third season of My Friends Tigger and Pooh has been canceled. This after the crew working on the show was told that the third season was a certainty. Looks like belt tightening is occurring across the Walt Disney Company.

While it is obviously a bad day for the animators, most of whom will need to find new jobs in a tough economy, I am happy that this little experiment replacing the classic character of Christopher Robin with a young hip girl named “Darby” was not a success. The show wasn’t bad for what it tried to do, but what it didn’t do was tell compelling stories and it stretched the brand outside the limits of credibility. Hopefully Disney will be able to get back to the original characters now and continue the Pooh story for a new generation of kids.

When The Walt Disney Company saw that The High School Musical series was a surprise hit and it appeared that musicals were “hip” again with young audiences, Disney knew they just had to tap into that gold mine. One of the ideas they came up with was a Movie Musical called “Camp Rock”. It would star some of the Disney Channel’s young talent, other than the well known Miley Cyrus, and with any luck it would bring in good ratings and make some money along the way.

Well was Camp Rock a success? Absolutely! It debuted as the number two movie ever on The Disney Channel and it’s stars Demi Lovato, The Jonas Brothers, Alyson Stoner, and Meaghan Jette Martin have all become bigger names with fans of Disney’s tween offerings.

So now the summer camp smash-hit Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock is out in an Extended Rock Star Edition on DVD and Blu-ray from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The DVD features well known recording artists the Jonas Brothers, and is packed with “Too Cool’” bonus features including a never-before-seen exclusive extended edition.

I am obviously not the target audience for this film. But it functioned well within the type of TV movie genre that has been a success on The Disney Channel in the past. Nothing goes too far, no boundaries are pushed. Just a solid effort from a team that knows what their audience wants. That’s teen based fun, good music, and popular actors. Camp Rock: Extended Rock Star Edition DVD certainly has a lot of each of those.

DVD Bonus Features:

• How to be a Rock Star – Get ready to take center stage! Sing, dress and dance just like a Rock Star-with tips from Jonas Brothers and the cast!
• Jonas Brothers: Real Life Rock Stars – Think you know Jonas Brothers? Get ready to learn all about them from none other that the rock stars themselves!
• Introducing Demi Lovato – go behind the scenes with Disney Channel’s talented new sensation!
• Camp Rock Memory Book – One unforgettable summer is recorded in candid, personal shots of stars on and off the set of the movie, plus their most memorable moments from the filming of Camp Rock.
• From Rehearsal to Final Jam: “Hasta La Vista” Join Barron and Sander (aka actors Jordan Francis and Roshon Fegan) for a backstage look at the making of one of the movie’s hottest musical numbers.
• Setting the Stage for “Too Cool” – Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, who plays Ella, takes fans on location for a peek at one of the film’s signature production numbers-from both sides of the camera!
• Sing Along Mode and Karaoke Mode
• Rockin’ Music Video

When Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel show of the same name, celebrates her “Sweet 16″ with a gala special ticketed event at Disneyland on October 5th, she’ll be crashing an event that has had the first weekend in October to itself for a decade. Last year Gay Days attracted 30,000 interested visitors to the Disneyland Resort in an ‘unofficial’ gathering that never-the-less typically sees lots of support from Disneyland and surrounding businesses. This year, is likely to attract even more.

Still, if I was planning to attend Disneyland that weekend, I wouldn’t get worked up about it. It actually works out better for those planning to attend Gay Days that weekend. Their Disneyland Park visit is scheduled for Saturday, and California Adventure on Sunday. With Disneyland’s early opening on Sunday and extended hours for California Adventure, they’ll actually get more time in park to explore and have fun.

Plus, you never know. You may bump into Miley.

Parents get out your wallets. Yep it’s another chance to make the day of your youngster to idolizes Miley Cyrus. And you can feel good that it’s benefiting the great cause of Youth Volunteerism.

Miley Cyrus – star of Disney’s “Hannah Montana” – is turning “Sweet 16″ and she’s planning to celebrate it with thousands of her closest friends and fans at the happiest place on earth – Disneyland. Tickets are limited to 5000 and priced at $250 a pop.

Special party zones will be set up and Miley promises to even sing a few songs. Plus Youth Service America will benefit from a significant contribution from the Walt Disney Company. Sounds like a great time!

For information on how to obtain tickets and the full press release go below the cut:
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Finally caught Studio DC: Almost Live on my DVR. Turns out it’s not the return to glory for the Muppets that we all hoped for. However, it did show signs of the old charm. The characters are still there in fine form, but they can only react against the talent they’re performing with. In this case, a litany of Disney Channel’s current stars.

The only scenes that really sparkled were Dylan and Cole and the cast of The Suite Life with Gonzo and Kermit and Ashley Tisdale with Kermit and Miss Piggy. The other performances left me flat.

If you would like to see for yourself there are a few more rebroadcasts left.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 6:30 PM

Hopefully we’ll see more of the Muppets with stars other than the typical Disney Channel star of the moment list.

Don’t forget “Studio DC: Almost Live” airs tonight, August 3rd 8/7 c, on the Disney Channel. This marks a renewed attempt to bring the much missed Muppets back to a regular spot on television. Big numbers tonight will no doubt help, so do you part and watch!

Check below the cut for some promos and clips:
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This August 3rd, set your DVRs to the Disney Channel to record “Studio DC: Almost Live.” The Muppets look to return to form in a half-hour, music-filled sketch comedy show that will feature many of The Disney Channels current slate of stars, as well as a few surprises. Announced celebrities include: Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Ashley Tisdale, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Brenda Song and Phill Lewis. Some of the Muppets returning include the big names like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear, as well as some of the more familiar minor characters.

If the show is anything like the recent viral videos released onto YouTube, we’re in for a good time.

Btw, Statler and Waldorf have made their way to YouTube with their own channel. Check it out if you dare, I’ve embeded one of the videos below.