Disney Channel
Press Release
January 16, 2009 ORIGINAL COMEDY SERIES "SONNY WITH A CHANCE," The next big thing for kids, tweens and families, the original comedy series "Sonny With A Chance," will debut SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) with a second episode immediately following (8:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. The series will be heralded by a multiplatform debut including exclusive previews via Disney Channel cable affiliate's Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) and extensive new content at DisneyChannel.com. The announcement was made today during the Television Critics Association press tour in Universal City, California, by Gary Marsh, President, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide. (Editors please note: Photos, screeners and clips are available at www.disneychannelmedianet.com) Starring are actress and recording artist Demi Lovato (Disney Channel's "Camp Rock" and Hollywood Records "Don't Forget" solo debut album) and a talented ensemble of young actors: Tiffany Thornton (Disney Channel's upcoming movie "Hatching Pete"); Sterling Knight ("17 Again"); Brandon Mychal Smith (Disney Channel's "Phil of the Future"); Doug Brochu ("iCarly"); and Allisyn Ashley Arm ("Dive Olly Dive!"). Recurring cast members include Nancy McKeon ("Facts of Life," "The Division") as Sonny's mother, Connie Munroe; Michael Kostroff ("The Wire") as executive producer Marshall Pike; and Vicki Lewis ("NewsRadio") as their teacher Ms. Bitterman. The series was created by Steve Marmel ("Yin Yang Yo," "Fairly Odd Parents"), who also executive-produces along with Michael Feldman (Disney Channel's "That's So Raven" and "Cory in the House"). Brian Robbins ("Varsity Blues," "One Tree Hill," "Smallville" and "All That") and his producing partner, Sharla Sumpter Bridgett ("Wild Hogs," "Coach Carter"), also serve as executive producers under their company, Varsity Pictures. The series is from It's a Laugh Productions. "Our lifeblood has always been our talent - and no one represents that more convincingly than Demi Lovato and the rest of the acting ensemble from 'Sonny With A Chance.' But we're equally and justifiably proud of the team behind the camera as well. They have created a series that will instantly become part of the global entertainment lexicon for kids and families everywhere," said Marsh. Sixteen-year-old Lovato stars as Sonny Munroe, a talented Midwestern girl who relocates to Los Angeles to join the cast of the most popular sketch comedy show for teens and tweens, "So Random!" But life behind the scenes on a Hollywood set is not as idyllic as Sonny imagined, especially because of her fellow performers: the self-absorbed Tawni, suave Nico, funnyman Grady, quirky Zora and dreamy Chad Dylan Cooper, star of "MacKenzie Falls," the teen drama that films in the adjacent studio, and his simmering rivalry with the cast of "So Random!" On its premiere night, "Sonny With A Chance" will be preceded by encore presentations of the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movies "Camp Rock," "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2," with hosted segments by Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, among others. The segments were videotaped from 2006 though summer 2008. The premiere episode of "Sonny With A Chance" will be available at the iTunes Store (free of charge, for seven days) and via Subscription Video-On-Demand at a date to be announced. The schedule is: Friday, January 16
Friday, February 6
Sunday, February 8
Monday, February 9
"Sonny With A Chance" carries a TV-G parental guideline. Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 97 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group. Press Contacts: Hope Diamond Ashley Kline -- Disney Channel -- |