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Wow...can't believe today is Superhero Day. What, didn't you get the memo? Well, it's that day over at my old high school anyway, to celebrate their Homecoming Week (my sister's going as Blossom from PPG). I thought I'd join the celebration band-wagon with a little superhero action of my own. Ever wonder at how both Superman and Hannah Montana are able to hide their secret identities so flawlessly? No? Well, there's a reason you haven't noticed. So just how does Supergirl keep everything so secret? The Clark Kent factor.
1. The wig.
Just like Clark Kent's glasses, it's the ultimate disguise. Nobody ever recognizes her just because it's on her head. Miley Stewart...blond? That's like saying Superman's a weakling! Also like the glasses, it's rumored to have special powers.
2. The normal life.
Superman (as Clark Kent) has his snazzy reporting job, while behind the scenes Miley Stewart gets to go to school like an everyday teenage girl. The best of both worlds. That way, nobody sees you as special or a hero...just like everybody else. Nobody will ever suspect a thing.
3. The dork alert.
Glasses...reporter...what more could a dork ask for? Well, a hick accent...maybe a hillbilly family. Oh, shoot, how about having friends even more "normal" than you, they make you look weird. This is a must for keeping the identity a secret - who would ever think that a dork could be somebody...well, super.
There you have it. The secret to the secret is revealed. Now do me a favor, and don't tell anyone.
How Does Hannah Do It? The Clark Kent Factor
8/12/09 - Show Ruby Some R-E-S-P-E-C-T
RUBY & THE ROCKITS and HANNAH MONTANA have a lot in common. Both series have the ongoing themes of music, "back-in-the-day" music stars as fathers, and even Austin Butler. I suppose the only major difference is Ruby hasn't made up a secret pop star identity yet, but I guess that's going to have to be another case of "wait for it". Though as it turns out, it appears both sit-coms (yet another commonality) have much more in common than even that.
Last night ABC Family aired episode four of RUBY under the title, "It's My Party, and I'll Lie If I Want To." Ring any metaphorical bells? Funny thing because back in 2006, Disney Channel aired episode five of HANNAH under the exact same title.
To be fair, it seems RUBY chose to go down the same road as HANNAH series-wise and decided to go with the song-parody episode titles, reminiscent of '80s ALF. Both series are under the Walt Disney Company roof, and both do center around music, and it definitely does make sense. But then why not take that as an opportunity to choose a different supply of song titles as the series engine, such as episode two of RUBY, "Save The Last Dunce For Me". With the amount of music past and present, genre to genre, I would think there would be an abundance of options. So why stick to the same sort of ideas?
The only reason I can figure is to make a pop culture crack because they can. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. ABC Family dubbed episode three of RUBY, "Do You Want To Blow A Secret?" The network's newest drama series, MAKE IT OR BREAK IT, also sprinkles various Disney Channel references throughout the series. Understanding that legality and rights aren't an issue, I believe it's truly meant as a joke on ABC Family's part with the best of intentions.
It's cute to be sure, but, and excuse me for the pun, cute is not always what we should aim for. Let's dare to do something completely new and different for once and make it the best we can possibly make it. Because I don't know about you, but as much as I love HANNAH MONTANA, when I sit down to watch RUBY & THE ROCKITS, that's the show I want to watch at that moment. And I really do like ABC Family's new series; I believe it has great potential. So let's match the potential RUBY already has with stellar episode titles. She deserves it.
7/31/09 - Four Spoonfuls of Laughter
Everybody knows laughter is the best medicine. Whenever I get sick, I always prescribe myself a healthy dose of cartoons and sit-coms to make all my troubles go away. And with some sort of strange flu bug flying around in my part of the world, I thought it fitting to spoon out some laughs. Hopefully you're healthy, but here's some sugar to help make the medicine go down a little easier if you need it - the last four hilarious episodes I've seen. And I'm talking gut-busters.
4. "Something's A Miss"
THE MARVELOUS MISADVENTURES OF FLAPJACK (CN)
Flapjack keeps getting mistaken for a girl.
Lately, FLAPJACK has just been the funniest overall on its network, and this episode stands out as one of the best. Gender confusion is always funny, but Flapjack just makes it even funnier, the gags getting better and better as the episode progresses. Plus, by the end, there's a surprise twist that you'll probably be half-expecting, but it's sure to put a smile on your face either way.
Funniest Moment: The girls in the club mistaking Flapjack for another girl.
3. "Family Game Night" - WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE (DC)
Alex uses a spell to switch brains with Harper, but she keeps on getting the spell wrong, including accidentally leaving Harper with no brain. After a girl at school asks Justin out, he devises a plot to keep her away.
There's nothing more amusing than family humor, and the Russos are the best family for it. Between no-brain Harper and Max's oblivious attitude to Justin's dilemma, the little things make this episode great, but what makes it even greater is the climactic scene near the end during "family game night" at the Russo loft. Anybody who's ever had a real family will love it.
Funniest Moment: Jerry and Theresa screaming out on the terrace.
2. "Swiss Family Phineas" - PHINEAS AND FERB (DC)
The family takes a short sail trip out to sea, but a storm causes them to wind up stranded on a remote island. To pass the time, Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella, build a set of treehouses with the most modern conveniences, to Candace's dismay, as she wants to get back home in time to attend Jeremy's party. Meanwhile, Perry the Platypus, who was left behind, must get away from the watchful eye of Baljeet and Buford, so he can go on his mission to stop Dr. Doofenshmirtz's latest plot.
What I love most about this series, and I love a lot of about this series, is that no matter how short or long your laughs are, you never stop laughing during any episode. Ever. Unless you have no sense of humor. And this episode is no exception. Both the main plot and sub-plot are equally hilarious - the Flynn-Fletcher family getting stranded on a deserted island...Buford and Baljeet pairing up to watch Perry...the whole bit with Karl...and then there's always Doofenshmirtz. I guess you have to watch it to completely understand. I highly recommend it.
Funniest Moment: Karl.
1. "He Could Be The One" (pts. 1 & 2) - HANNAH MONTANA (DC)
Miley’s back to dating Jake Ryan, but Robby Ray isn’t so sure he wants her to go there again. In an attempt to get Jake back on Robby’s good side, Miley schemes to feign interest in Jesse, the “bad boy” guitarist in Hannah’s band. But Miley finds herself in quite the pickle when she realizes she’s suddenly attracted to Jesse as well. Now she’ll have to choose between the two boys, and she’s determined to find out who could be the one.
This is actually a bit of a trick-favorite. For one thing, it's technically two episodes. For the other thing, I'm not too nuts about the episodes as a whole, but there was one aspect that set it apart from all the other HANNAH episodes I've seen lately.
Jackson and Rico.
Okay, okay, I admit it. Anybody who knows me knows that, for me, they're always the highlight of any episode. But in this special, they particularly stand out in hilarity. Why? Because nothing gets you laughing with border-line tears in your eyes like Jason Earles and Moises Arias singing and dancing the narration in their own number of song parodies.
These two episodes are definitely worth watching, just for them.
Funniest Moment: Jackson and Rico singing in Hannah Montana garb.
7/21/09 - A Tweety-Bird Told Me
Okay, so they’re not coming until September. But last Thursday, July 16th, the 2009 Emmy Nominations were finally announced, and a few familiar titles showed up under the Outstanding Children’s Program category:
“Dan Schneider, Executive Producer; Robin Weiner, Supervising Producer; Bruce Rand Berman, Produced by; Joe Catania, Producer
iCarly - Nickelodeon
Michael Poryes, Executive Producer; Steven Peterman, Executive Producer; Douglas Lieblein, Co-Executive Producer; Andrew Green, Co-Executive Producer; Richard G. King, Produced By
Hannah Montana - Disney Channel
Todd J. Greenwald, Executive Producer; Peter Murrieta, Executive Producer; Vince Cheung, Executive Producer; Ben Montanio, Executive Producer; Matt Goldman, Co-Executive Producer; Greg A. Hampson, Produced By
Wizards Of Waverly Place - Disney Channel”
The official Emmys website isn’t the only place buzzing – the shows’ stars and creators were all a Twitter when they got the exciting news.
iCarly
Miranda Cosgrove (portrays Carly Shay)
Dan Schneider (creator)
Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus (portrays Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana)
Mitchel Musso (portrays Oliver Oken)
Wizards of Waverly Place
Selena Gomez (portrays Alex Russo)
David Henrie (portrays Justin Russo)
Jake T. Austin (portrays Max Russo)
Jennifer Stone (portrays Harper Finkle)
Todd J. Greenwald (creator)
Congrats to the nominees, you guys deserve it.
7/3/09 - Disney Channel’s Got Something Special...
This episode could be the one – the HANNAH MONTANA special of the year! Fireworks are going to fly this 4th of July weekend in the all-new episode, “He Could Be The One”, guest-starring Cody Linley and Drew Roy.
Featuring the all-new Hannah Montana song, He Could Be The One, and musical numbers by Jason Earles and Moises Arias as Jackson and Rico, “He Could Be The One” airs for the very first time Sunday, July 5th on Disney Channel at 8/7c. And don’t forget to tune in early at 1/12c for a “crush-a-thon” with Hannah’s Heart-throbs
Who could be the one? Be sure to be there to find out.
P.S.
Check out TV.com for special preview clips of part 1 and part 2 of “He Could Be The One”.
6/29/09 - Turn Up The Radio Disney For Some Hannah-Mania!
It’s time to pump up the party and make some noise this week on Radio Disney, as the station that plays your music, your way planet premieres the third album in the Hannah Montana soundtrack series. Starting Monday, July 29th and on through Friday, July 3rd, Radio Disney will air a brand new season 3 Hannah Montana song each day of the week, leading up to the entire album premiere Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th. Then, celebrate the release of the CD, Hannah Montana, Vol. 3, as the album hits iTunes and store shelves Tuesday, July 7th.
Radio Disney Exclusive Premiere Schedule:
Monday, 6/29
3pm PT – “Mixed Up”
Tuesday, 6/30
3pm PT – “Just A Girl”
Wednesday, 7/1
3pm PT – “I Don’t Want To Be Torn”
Thursday, 7/2
3pm PT – “Supergirl”
Friday, 7/3
3pm PT – “Every Part Of Me”
Saturday, 7/4
4pm PT – Album Premiere
Sunday, 7/5
9am PT – Album Premiere
If you’re a Hannah fan, be sure to tune in every day this week for a sneak peek into the newest soundtrack album. Because it’s all right here on Radio Disney.
