'Montana' is state of the art
Miley Cyrus with dad (and co-star) Billy Ray Cyrus
HANNAH MONTANA.Tomorrow, 9:30 p.m., Disney Channel.
Disney Channel's newest series, "Hannah Montana," isn't just a good bet to be the network's latest hit among tween viewers.
It looks, sounds and feels like a sure thing.
The network's instantly successful "High School Musical" movie proved there was a voracious appetite for both TV shows and tie-in soundtracks featuring young performers who sang.
Already in the pipeline at Disney, and premiering tomorrow night at 9:30, "Hannah Montana" is a weekly sitcom about a teen pop star with a double life.
Miley Cyrus, daughter of country star Billy Ray Cyrus, stars as Miley Stewart. She's a typical middle-school kid with curly brown hair, two close friends, an annoying brother, a loving widower dad and a very atypical secret identity. Wearing a long blond wig and flashy clothes from her secret walk-in closet, she slips out to perform in concert, before adoring fans, as pop star Hannah Montana.
"I'm a lucky girl whose dreams came true," she sings. "But underneath it all, I'm just like you."
It's a perfect fantasy concept for a youth sitcom. And executive producers Steven Peterman ("Murphy Brown") and Michael Poryes ("That's So Raven") have modulated "Hannah Montana" to appeal almost shamelessly, but effectively, to young viewers.
Humor is played broadly. Moral lessons are light and obvious. Songs are performed multiple times, to increase their familiarity quotient - and if a soundtrack CD isn't available soon after you read this, then there's no Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.
The musical concert sequences, by themselves, virtually guarantee this show's success: Cyrus, as Hannah Montana, will be embraced by viewers for both her voice and make-believe persona. The rest of the show, though, is just as likely to catch on.
Network TV has all but abandoned the "Full House"-type sitcom, but Disney Channel smartly keeps tapping that vein, and that audience.
The young supporting players include Emily Osment (Haley Joel Osment's sister) as Miley's best friend, Lilly; Mitchel Musso as her good buddy Oliver, and Jason Earles as Miley's brother, Jackson. Jackson knows her secret, but the others don't - though the first episodes of the series alter that dynamic, and allow Lilly, as well as Miley, to adopt a flashy alter ego.
The most natural and likable character, for parents and other oldsters, is Billy Ray Cyrus, who plays the fictional father to his real-life daughter. (She was cast first, so it wasn't a case of nepotism.) He, too, gets to wear a disguise in Hannah's world, as a long-haired security guard.
Cyrus' acting is naturalistic; he has an easy way with punch lines and he even gets to grab a guitar and sing - though the silly lyrics are just as geared toward youngsters as everything else in "Hannah Montana."
The studio audience, filled with youthful voices, laughs loudly at every opportunity, and especially at every joke involving "boogers," "poopy in my pants" and other juvenile references.
"Hannah Montana" may not aim very high, but when it comes to its young audience, it hits a bullseye.
Hannah montana lovers heres some great news!!?
This has got to be the longest question that's not really a question I've ever seen. Nicely done. (golf clap)
Hannah montana lovers heres some great news!!?
A golf clap is a very polite clap from the crowd when a golfer puts in a difficult put or hits the ball straight and far. In other words, it's recognition for a job well done! Report It
Hannah montana lovers heres some great news!!?
ok...........................
Hannah montana lovers heres some great news!!?
I don't get it??! But I lovvvvveeeeeeee Hannah Montana! She's so pretty!!
Hannah montana lovers heres some great news!!?
thats not a question but hannah montana is a great show
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