The TV Zone

"HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2" DEBUT WEEKEND INCLUDES THE MOVIE'S STARS AND KENNY ORTEGA HOSTING FROM A BACKYARD BARBEQUE, INTERACTIVE VIEWER-WILDCAT CHAT AND SUNDAY SING-ALONG, FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 19

-- Animated Comedy "Phineas and Ferb" to be Previewed Post-“HSM2” --

-- Popular Recording Artists Jonas Brothers Guest Star on "Hannah Montana" --

LOS ANGELES, July 14, 2007. . . The highly-anticipated summer event for kids, tweens and families, the premiere weekend of "High School Musical 2," will feature a telecast hosted from a backyard barbeque with the movie's stars, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Olesya Rulin, Chris Warren, Jr., KayCee Stroh and Ryne Sanborn, and with acclaimed director/choreographer Kenny Ortega, on FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, President, Entertainment, Disney Channel Worldwide, at a meeting with the Television Critics Association.

In the coveted post-"HSM 2" timeslot, Disney Channel will preview an episode of the upcoming animated comedy series "Phineas and Ferb" (9:45 p.m., ET/PT) from creators Dan Povenmire ("Family Guy") and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh ("The Simpsons"). In this inventive series from Walt Disney Television Animation, there is no such thing as an ordinary summer day, as step-brothers Phineas and Ferb take their dreams to extremes by building a gigantic roller coaster in their backyard, among other escapades. They always end up cramping the style of their teenage sister, Candice, who attempts to rat them out to their mom, only she's somehow left with no evidence to bust her brothers. Meanwhile, the family's simple-minded pet platypus, Perry, leads a double life as a secret agent and faces off with the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz in each episode. The voice cast is: Vincent Martella ("Everybody Hates Chris") as Phineas, Thomas Sangster ("Nanny McPhee") as Ferb, Ashley Tisdale ("High School Musical 2," "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody") as Candice, Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch") as Mom, Richard O’Brian (creator of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show") as Dad, Mitchel Musso ("Hannah Montana") as Jeremy and Dee Baker ("American Dad!") as Perry.

Premiere night strikes another high note with a new episode of the hit series "Hannah Montana" (10:15 p.m., ET/PT), guest starring Hollywood Records recording artists the Jonas Brothers, who will join Hannah Montana for her first ever full-length duet, performing an original song created for this episode. In the storyline, Miley Stewart is jealous when her dad, Robby, is songwriting with Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas. Starring are Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment and Jason Earles.

Wildcat Chat, an interactive element where viewers get their questions answered by the stars of "High School Musical 2," will be featured during the telecast of the movie on Saturday, August 18 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT). A recap of the results of the "HSM 2 Play Your Way" poll – which amassed 44 million votes worldwide and determined certain elements of the movie – will be presented.

A Sing-Along telecast, with lyrics to each song visible on screen and available for printing exclusively at DisneyChannel.com, will be showcased Sunday, August 19 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT).

In the contemporary musical sequel "High School Musical 2," the Wildcats are back. This time, school's out and East High School hoops star Troy Bolton, A-student Gabriella Montez and the rest of the Wildcats are getting ready for a fun summer vacation. But that all changes when scheming drama queen Sharpay Evans uses her dad's connections to get Troy a job at their ritzy country club – and a chance at a college basketball scholarship. The catch? He'll have to turn his back on his friends and pair up with Sharpay in a musical extravaganza for the club's annual talent show. But when Gabriella and the Wildcats start making plans without Troy, he must decide where his loyalties truly lie.

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 90 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 27 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.