Jonas Brothers Get Reality Series
I couldn’t hum one Jonas Brothers song to you if my life depended on it—but I have a feeling I’ll become quite acquainted with their tunes soon. The Disney Channel has announced big plans for the three siblings, which means a heavy dose of promotion will shortly follow.
The cable network - already responsible for the popular High School Musical franchise and that girl we know as Hannah Montana - will now be giving the singing trio their own reality program.
The series, currently titled Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream, will show clips of the guys in their daily lives—prepping for their concerts, interacting with family, etc. The episodes are slated to air sometime this spring.
The overexposure of the brothers will not be limited to this reality skein. Disney already plans to feature the Jonases in a two-hour movie and a scripted series.
Hollywood Reporter
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High School Musical Spawns a Reality Series
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Kids, Music, Prime Time, Reality, ABC, Gossip, News,
Have you ever wondered what it would look like to see young wannabes stab each other in the back for a reality prize? Well, you may soon have your chance!
Disney - with sister channel ABC - has just now come up with a new way to milk the High School Musical franchise to death. Apparently a big screen version of the triquel wasn’t enough; the series has now become the inspiration for a TV reality competition.
After a nationwide hunt for vocal talent, competitors will attend a ‘music conservatory’ to finesse their singing chops. (I’m guessing this would be equivalent to American Idol‘s Hollywood Week?) Details beyond that are quite hazy. Although we should be expecting appearances from HSM stars, what the show’s winner will ultimately receive has not been disclosed. But really - shouldn’t they all just be happy with bragging rights?
ABC is hoping to get the program produced in time for their target audience’s summer break.
Variety
ABC To Offer Hit Shows On-Demand… With A Catch
Posted by Jacci Lewis Categories: Prime Time, ABC, Cable, On Demand/PPV, Desperate Housewives, Lost, Cable/Satellite, News,
ABC is finally getting with the program and releasing some of its hit shows like Lost and Desperate Housewives for free to various on-demand cable systems and not just in cities where ABC stations are owned and operated. There is just one catch: viewers won’t be able to fast-forward through the commercials.
In this case though, programming would only have two to five minutes worth of commercial time versus the usual 18 or more minutes aired during hour long programs on network TV.
ABC’s parent company Disney says this is just another way to drive people back to network television while expanding its digital strategy beyond what is already offered on its website ABC.com. The company can also make more money by selling ads within on-demand programming.
Click to continue reading ABC To Offer Hit Shows On-Demand… With A Catch
Associated Press
FCC Reduces Fine Against FOX Over 2003 Reality Show
Posted by Jacci Lewis Categories: Prime Time, Reality, ABC, FOX, Cable/Satellite, News,
Score one for
FOX reality TV, sort of. The Federal Communications Commission slashed nearly all of a proposed $1.2 million indecency fine against several FOX stations yesterday, according to the Washington Post.
The FCC instead decided stations can only be fined for airing the offensive TV show in question if viewers actually complained about it. There was not a change in the FCC’s determination that the show in question was, in fact, indecent.
In this case, 13 of the 169 FOX stations that aired the April 7, 2003 episode of the short-lived Married By America will actually be required to pay indecency fines. The total amount of fines will be somewhere near $91,000.
The episode that lead to the original fine showed digitally-obscured nudity and strippers covered in whipped cream. FOX argued that the worst parts were obscured, keeping the scene from being indecent under FCC rules which prohibit conventional radio and television stations from broadcasting what’s called “patently offensive” material of a sexual or excretory nature between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (Times when children are most likely to be watching.) Obviously FCC indecency statutes do not cover cable or satellite TV (e.g. Paradise Hotel 2).
The Post says FOX, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., hasn’t decided whether to appeal the FCC ruling in federal court.
Click to continue reading FCC Reduces Fine Against FOX Over 2003 Reality Show
Washington Post
Zac Efron Rushed to Hospital
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Kids, Music, Cable, Gossip,
Chalk up another one for Cedars-Sinai..
The LA hospital welcomed another celebrity today when High School Musical star Zac Efron was admitted to the hospital. The 20-year-old was apparently suffering from a case of appendicitis. According to his rep, the actor has since had his surgery and is now recuperating. (Maybe Vanessa Hudgens can shoot a few new photos to keep him company?)
Efron, who has already been confirmed for the big-screen version of High School Musical 3, is currently shooting the Freaky Friday-esque comedy, Seventeen.
TMZ
Vanessa Hudgens Talks About the Nude Photos
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Kids, Music, Cable, Gossip,
For a while, Vanessa Hudgens seemed to be the Golden Girl for Disney. Female lead of the mega-successful High School Musical franchise, girlfriend to heartthrob Zac Efron—it seemed Hudgens could do no wrong. Until she did.
Nude photos of the star surfaced, a scandal broke, and break-up rumors abounded. Now, Hudgens is being candid about the revealing shots for the first time.
The young star bared it all (figuratively speaking) to Seventeen magazine, saying the pics were taken for someone she was dating at one time. She called the experience “traumatic,” thanked her fans for their continued support, and expressed desire that others might learn from her mistakes. Hudgens also glowingly reported on boyfriend and co-star Zac Efron, though gossip suggests the pair have a somewhat on-again, off-again affair.
MSNBC
Nose News: Ashley Tisdale
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Kids, Music, Cable, Gossip,
High School Musical songstress Ashley Tisdale has reappeared after canceling two of her concerts post-surgery. (She supposedly went in to fix a ‘deviated septum’.) Recovery took longer than expected, but Tisdale is back to performing with her new nose.
Lots of celebs have had plastic surgery, shaving off a little here and there. Some celebs have had such minute changes made fans can hardly tell the difference, while others who have changed their look managed to cancel their careers at the same time. Anyone remember Jennifer Grey? Tisdale does look different, but maybe the diva will find her fame remains intact. Only time will tell.
E! Online
Fans Must Pay to See ‘High School Musical 3’
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Kids, Music, Cable, News,
As I previously mentioned, the bigwigs at Disney opted to boost Vanessa Hudgens’ salary for High School Musical 3. Now we know where that extra money will be coming from: your pocketbooks.
Fans looking forward to the latest musical installment will now have to pay for the experience. That’s right - the movie will be moving from The Disney Channel to the big screen. The entire cast, including a heavily-rewarded Zac Efron, will begin filming the sequel this March.
Although many will be bothered by Disney’s decision to financially exploit HSM-addicted families, here are a few good things parents can take away from this:
- No more parties at your home for another HSM premiere*.
- No more endless viewings of the show thanks to the miracles of Tivo*.
- No more lip-gloss kisses on the plasma TV screen*.
- You can dump the kids off at the theater and not be within earshot of the catchy tunes*.
- You can now force your children to earn the price of a ticket.
- You can know say you were forced to watch the movie with your kids; you could have left the living room before*.
(*This all, of course, only applies until the DVD is released.)
Entertainment Weekly
Vanessa Hudgens Offered Raise for ‘High School Musical 3’
Wow. Wow. Ladies and gents, it’s now official. Apparently sex does sell.
Despite her now infamous photo scandal, Vanessa Hudgens has been asked back for High School Musical 3. And though Disney could have used the embarrassment as reason to lowball their offer, they have instead rewarded the nudie queen with a raise. According to Us Magazine, Ashley Tisdale has also been confirmed for the sequel—though I doubt her paycheck will be as ‘substantial’ as the one reportedly given to Hudgens.
I’m still not really not sure why I was surprised to hear this news. As a former marketing major, I’m fully aware there’s no such thing as bad publicity. And given Britney’s ability to still launch a hit album these days, it’s apparent the public really doesn’t care what celebrities do in their private lives anymore.
Now if Sabrina Bryan or any of the other Cheetah Girls were smart enough, they’d get themselves into some ‘trouble’ real quick; apparently Disney’s willing to shell out the dough.
US Magazine
High School Musical’s Ashley Tisdale Kicks Off Mall Tour
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Kids, Music, Cable, News,
Stroller moms beware. A High School Musical star may soon be coming to a local shopping center near you…
Starting today, Ashley Tisdale (HSM’s Sharpay Evans) will be touring malls nationwide for the next few weeks. Tisdale—this holiday’s spokesperson for Red—will be on scene to promote the Marc Ecko clothing line. Following the lead of 80’s mall queen, Tiffany, Ashley will also be performing three songs off her debut album, Headstrong. Rabid fans who avoid being trampled may also have the chance to participate in a scheduled fashion show.
Tisdale’s tour is currently slated for ten cities (additional locales may be added). To assure you won’t be unexpectedly surrounded by shrieking pre-teens, click below and take note of the stops:
Click to continue reading High School Musical’s Ashley Tisdale Kicks Off Mall Tour
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