Wizards On Deck With Hannah Montana

In television there is a plot device that is tried and true in its ability to ignite interest in a show; the cross over episode. All that is required is to have the participating series set in the same ‘universe’ or at least ones that do not seriously conflict. Usually this is achieved by reaffirming the natural link between a spin off series and its progenitor; For example having characters from ‘Cheers’ wind up in Seattle interacting with the cast of ‘Frazier’. Then there is the ploy of blending different series typically one with lagging rating with a certifiable hit or as a means to extend the demographic. A case of this is the merger of ‘Murder She Wrote’ with "Magnum, P.I.’. While this technique is available for any genre it does seem to be rare in the realm of family programming especially the all important tween market. There are some notable exceptions particularly with the more salacious prime time youth oriented soap operas. The Walt Disney studio has found a way to blend together three of their most popular tween oriented hits into a single, central storyline that spans the three most popular series in their current lineup; ‘The Wizards of Waverly Place’,’ Suite Life on Deck’ and their flagship series "Hannah Montana’. The Disney owned ABC family network did something similar awhile ago with a contrivance tying together their Friday night lineup and several Disney series had a ‘make a wish; falling star motif .this time out the three series are more closely bound together originally appearing on the respective series. Disney has been good to their fans in respect to matters like this and has released a DVD that combines all the episodes in the story under the title ‘Wizards on Deck with Hannah’. Traditionally these series have been released in volumes of four episodes so this is consistent with their usual strategy.

Okay, I’m way into my adult years and my daughter is a grown up now but after reviewing each of the individual series represented here I admit I’m fan of each of them. They are all well crafted, smartly written and y cicely played by a group of extremely multi-talented young people. The central series here that forms the hub of the main plot is ‘Wizards of Waverly Place. Set in New York City it follows the Russo family’ dad Jerry (David DeLuise), mom Theresa (Maria Canals-Barrera) and there three kids eldest son Justin (David Henrie), 16 year old daughter Alex (Selena Gomez) and pre teen Max (Jake T. Austin) all three of the kids are currently wizards but soon they will have to engage in a challenge with the winner being the only one to keep their magic and become the family wizard. Jerry had won for his generation but gave up his powers to marry Theresa, a mortal. Justin is the diligent hard worker while Alex is a bit of a slacker. Having missed 14 science class assignments she is grounded for spring break which becomes intolerable when Justin wins an essay contest whose prize is a teen cruise on the S.S. Tipton.

That brings us to the second series featured here; ’The Suite Life on Deck’. The premise is about a set of twins; Zack and Cody Martin (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) who had been living in the five star Tipton Hotel in Boston with their single mother. She worked as a lounge singer in exchange for the luxurious suite. This latest season provided a change in location to the cruise liner S.S. Tipton which just happens to have a floating high school on board. Also carried over from the original cast is the daughter of the owner London (Brenda Song) and the man in nominal charge Mr. Mosby (Phill Lewis). He is strict and pompous but does care for the kids. London is ultra rich, self absorbed and spoiled but ultimate sweet and likable. In this portion of the story Cody’s girlfriend Bailey (Debby Ryan) is a huge fan of Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus). Cody wants to take her to the concert when they dock in Honolulu. Cody met Hannah in a previous cross over episode back in Boston but much to his dismay the pop star doesn’t remember him so Cody has to try to get tickets from Zack meets Alex and develops a big crush while London become infatuated with a magic suitcase.

In the final part of the story Miley is on board the ship traveling to her concert with her best friend Lily aka Lola (Emily Osment). Miley misplaces the treasured anklet Miley received from her late mother and it finds its way to the possession of London who, thinking the diamonds are fake throws it overboard. With that gone it looks like everything goes wrong for Miley including losing her wig and dying her hair green. Of course eventually everything works out in the end.

This was an imaginative way to present a feature length movie encompassing all three shows. It is on the heels of movies specifically for Hannah and Wizards and may be a way to test the waters for a Zack and Cody flick. (pun intended. This is light hearted family entertainment everyone will enjoy.

Posted 019/09