TVSquad

Looks like the Disney Channel underestimated the power of Nickelodeon's iCarly. Their attempts to squash the possible threat to their Hannah Montana empire were squashed, however, when a special iCarly smashed the second episode of JONAS, the new star vehicle for the Jonas Brothers. So to make themselves feel better, and despite what Miley Cyrus may have been saying, the show will go on. Disney has picked up Hannah Montana for a fourth season, as well as Demi Lovato's Sonny With a Chance for a second.

As for JONAS, it's already been yanked from Saturdays where, despite an impressive debut, it got slammed in its second outing by iCarly. So now, it's joining the Disney Sunday lineup, where it can nestle snugly behind Hannah Montana and Sonny With a Chance. This does create a powerhouse Sunday night for the network, while protecting the two newer shows with the power of Miley Cyrus.

If you ask me, it's a little early to throw in the towel completely on television at sixteen years old, Miley. Look how well that worked out for David Caruso when he told NYPD Blue to kiss his ass so he could be the next big Hollywood movie star? Granted, Miley Cyrus' level of celebrity is on a completely different plane than Lt. Horatio Caine; I don't recall Caruso on the cover of Tiger Beat every week back in the day.

Nevertheless, Miley Cyrus indicated that she would be done with television after Hannah Montana wraps its run on the Disney Channel. She's already said she doesn't want to do Hannah Montana in film any more either. So it looks like Cyrus will be looking to follow the path that Lizzy McGuire AKA Hilary Duff did when she walked away from the Mouse.

Unless you've been habitating beneath a mass of consolidated mineral matter over the last two years you know that Disney's Hannah Montana is BIG. You can't turn around in your local, unfeeling, big box toy store without seeing something with Hannah's logo or picture and an astronomical price tag on the front. Well, get ready, because the teen superstar is about to get even bigger.

Filming will begin sometime in April on a big screen version of Hannah Montana. News reports are saying that the film could premiere at the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009 (although, that could be pushed back even further due to the seemingly never-ending Writers' Strike). The film will take 14-year-old Miley Stewart and her dad (played by real daughter-father team Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus) back to their fictional home in Tennessee where, I am sure, hilarity will ensue.

(S04E15) I thought that Mandee made a great comment on the post for last week's results show. She said, "You know, the Results show has been morphing into a terrific '60s style variety show, with comedy segments, guest musical performers, and, of course, lots of dancing. A slice of retro-cool, for the whole family, from grandma to pre-tweens." I completely agree with that.

The results show has always had to fight the problem that they only have about two minutes of actual results for their 60 minute show. Right now, it's as good as it has ever been. It's always going to be behind the performance show, because the star's performances are what it's all about, but the producers deserve credit for how much work is going into the results show. Enough about that though, we have results to get to.

(S04E14) Which one of these doesn't belong? As is par for the course on Dancing With The Stars, somebody always gets through on the power of the fan vote, surpassing contestants that are superior dancers. This year, that somebody is Billy Ray Cyrus. We could argue all day about whether or not Billy Ray should still be on the show, but one thing is for sure, while he is here, he makes things interesting. Read on to hear about the latest dustup.

(S04E06) Tom kicked off week four by proclaiming, "It's time to go big, or go home." I would disagree with that. We are still early enough in the competition that people can continue to skate by on popularity. When they get down to four couples, then it will be time to go big.

Len followed that up by going to the stats. According to his numbers, this group has been slacking on the practice. They have only been practicing 13 hours a week. The teams from the last season averaged 19 hours. He said that it shows in their performance, but I don't notice a stark difference between the two seasons. I think we have a similar division of couples again this year. He followed that up with a threat of lower scores for anyone he thinks isn't putting in the work. I wasn't buying that, but in retrospect, this was some of the tougher judging they have ever done. That said, on with the show.

(S04E05) Another week, another "shocking" elimination. The hosts were all about hyping the "jam-packed" results show, bragging that there was more music and dancing "than ever before." What else would there be on a dancing show? An ad for a workout DVD? Oh, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.

The behind-the-scenes interviews were combined with recap footage from last night's performances. A big deal was made of the unprecedented four-way tie. Joey Fatone was offended by Len's butt comment, and stuck out his rear (and his visible panty line) in protest during his interview. Heather wanted to advance even farther than Jonathan's previous two-legged partners. I'm still hoping that Heather's dancing talents will start to overshadow her disability. It was a valid topic in the first few episodes, but enough is enough.

(S04E03) I'm always amazed at just how much programming ABC is able to mine from Dancing With The Stars. The performance recap show that led up to the live results show was another good example. Not that there's anything wrong with it. I'm guessing that when the numbers come in that recap show will do two, if not three, times as many viewers as George Lopez and According To Jim would in the same slot.

(S04E02) Two weeks in and I have to say that this is a pretty good group of contestants. The new format with two weeks of performances before the first elimination was a good idea. Sometimes a contestant just doesn't handle a particular dance well, so it's nice to see them get a second shot. Lots of contestants, so a lot to cover. Let's get to it.

Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough (Quick Step) - At its base, the show is about the "Stars." The partners certainly factor in though, and I continue to be impressed with Julianne. She might be just 18 years old, but she carries herself as well as any of the other pros. It doesn't hurt that she is absolutely adorable either. Apollo has officially impressed me now. I didn't have high expectations for him coming in, but he really shows the potential to be a contender. Len said Apollo is going to stay for weeks and weeks. Bruno called it cool, fresh, young, and exciting. Carrie Ann was impressed with the footwork and sync. High praise all around, and deservedly so. The scores, (8, 9, 9) I like that score. A great start to the night.

Quick! What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Billy Ray Cyrus? Mullets!

Although right now Billy Ray is rocking a new glamorous hairstyle fitting for a soccer mom, he understands that the nation pretty much associates him with his "business in the front, party in the back" country lifestyle. So the choreographers thought they would have a little fun with him and incorporate a mullet on his partner's head. If you were watching last night's Dancing With The Stars you might have seen the hair malfunction that occurred during Cyrus' performance.