So Random!
Encyclopedia
So Random! is an American Disney Channel
sketch comedy series that premiered on June 5, 2011. It was announced as an independent series after Demi Lovato
left the parent series, Sonny with a Chance
. The series stars the other actors of Sonny with a Chance: Tiffany Thornton
, Sterling Knight
, Brandon Mychal Smith, Doug Brochu
and Allisyn Ashley Arm
as well as other featured actors that recur in the series. The series premiere was watched by 4.1 million viewers.
plays the title character, Sonny Munroe, a new member of the cast of the sketch comedy show So Random!, which is presented as a show-within-a-show
. The series follows the experiences of Sonny, and the rest of the cast. The full length sketch comedy episode format was played within Sonny with a Chance during season 2
of the series for the Christmas and Halloween episodes. In October 2010, Lovato underwent treatment for "physical and emotional issues," and in April 2011 she confirmed that she would not be returning to Sonny with a Chance for its third season. She stated that returning to acting immediately wouldn't be healthy for her recovery.
Following Lovato's departure from the series, So Random! was introduced as its own series that will focus more on comedy skits than Sonny with a Chance. Filming for the season began on January 30, 2011. Each episode will feature sketch comedy skits with the So Random! cast, as well as a musical performance by a guest star. Originally intended to be a third season of Sonny with a Chance, Disney began to describe the show as a separate series following Lovato's confirmed departure.
Each episode typically consists of five or six sketches. Though it is formatted as a sketch comedy series, So Random! retains the fictional universe style of the sitcom it spun off from, with the main cast members playing both the characters they originated on Sonny with a Chance, in addition to playing the characters appearing in each of the sketches; in addition, each episode is typically written by two writers (whereas opening segments and sketches in a traditional sketch comedy series are written by a team of up to twelve writers).
, 4.5/5 on TV Guide
and 4.2/10 on IMDb. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media
gave the series four out of five stars, writing, "Sonny spin-off offers family-friendly sketch comedy, an excellent choice for families".
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
sketch comedy series that premiered on June 5, 2011. It was announced as an independent series after Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato
"She’s got the range, the full emotional spectrum, incredible control… Vocally, she’s the best thing Disney’s had since Christina Aguilera."—Producer Toby Gad on Demi Lovato's vocals...
left the parent series, Sonny with a Chance
Sonny With a Chance
Sonny with a Chance is an American children's sitcom which aired on Disney Channel, created by Steve Marmel, that follows the experiences of teenager Sonny Munroe, portrayed by Demi Lovato, who becomes the newest accepted cast member of her favorite live comedy show, So Random!.The series debuted...
. The series stars the other actors of Sonny with a Chance: Tiffany Thornton
Tiffany Thornton
Tiffany Dawn Thornton is an American actress and singer-songwriter best known for her co-starring role as Tawni Hart on the Disney Channel Original Series, Sonny with a Chance and So Random!.- Career:...
, Sterling Knight
Sterling Knight
Sterling Sandmann Knight is an American actor, singer-songwriter, comedian and musician. He is best known for his roles in the 2009 film 17 Again as Alex, in Sonny With a Chance and So Random! as Chad Dylan Cooper, and in the Disney Channel Original Movie Starstruck as Christopher Wilde.-Personal...
, Brandon Mychal Smith, Doug Brochu
Doug Brochu
Douglas "Doug" Brochu is an American actor, comedian and voice actor. He is best known for starring in the Disney Channel Original Series, Sonny With a Chance, as Grady Mitchell.-Career:...
and Allisyn Ashley Arm
Allisyn Ashley Arm
- External links :* on Twitter* on Youtube...
as well as other featured actors that recur in the series. The series premiere was watched by 4.1 million viewers.
Concept, production and premise
In Sonny with a Chance, Demi LovatoDemi Lovato
"She’s got the range, the full emotional spectrum, incredible control… Vocally, she’s the best thing Disney’s had since Christina Aguilera."—Producer Toby Gad on Demi Lovato's vocals...
plays the title character, Sonny Munroe, a new member of the cast of the sketch comedy show So Random!, which is presented as a show-within-a-show
Story within a story
A story within a story, also rendered story-within-a-story, is a literary device in which one narrative is presented during the action of another narrative. Mise en abyme is the French term for a similar literary device...
. The series follows the experiences of Sonny, and the rest of the cast. The full length sketch comedy episode format was played within Sonny with a Chance during season 2
Sonny With a Chance (season 2)
The second and final season of the television series Sonny with a Chance aired on Disney Channel from March 14, 2010 to January 2, 2011. The six main characters are Sonny Munroe , Tawni Hart , Chad Dylan Cooper , Nico Harris , Grady Mitchell , and Zora Lancaster .Recurring cast...
of the series for the Christmas and Halloween episodes. In October 2010, Lovato underwent treatment for "physical and emotional issues," and in April 2011 she confirmed that she would not be returning to Sonny with a Chance for its third season. She stated that returning to acting immediately wouldn't be healthy for her recovery.
Following Lovato's departure from the series, So Random! was introduced as its own series that will focus more on comedy skits than Sonny with a Chance. Filming for the season began on January 30, 2011. Each episode will feature sketch comedy skits with the So Random! cast, as well as a musical performance by a guest star. Originally intended to be a third season of Sonny with a Chance, Disney began to describe the show as a separate series following Lovato's confirmed departure.
Each episode typically consists of five or six sketches. Though it is formatted as a sketch comedy series, So Random! retains the fictional universe style of the sitcom it spun off from, with the main cast members playing both the characters they originated on Sonny with a Chance, in addition to playing the characters appearing in each of the sketches; in addition, each episode is typically written by two writers (whereas opening segments and sketches in a traditional sketch comedy series are written by a team of up to twelve writers).
Recurring sketches
- Angus: Supermodel from Down Under - An Australian Model who really is Shin model and gets into peoples personal spaces.
- Chilly Slab Ice Cream Shop - Chilly Slab Ice-Cream Shop is the ice cream shop that is thankful to everything.
- Harry PotterHarry PotterHarry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
in the Real World - After saving the world many times, Harry Potter takes on the challenges of the Real World. - Rufus: Kid with Excuses - A boy named Rufus tends to come up with different excuses to evade getting into trouble.
- Sally Jenson Kid Lawyer - Sally Jenson helps a different child when it comes to whatever wrongful act an adult has done to them.
- Tantrum Girl - A girl named Tantrum Girl tends to lose her temper at specific things when talking about something else.
- The Real Princesses of New Jersey - Three princesses, who are Stuck Up and from New Jersey, Re-live fairy tales in modern day.
- The Sparrow Family - This sketch details with a family of sparrowSparrowThe sparrows are a family of small passerine birds, Passeridae. They are also known as true sparrows, or Old World sparrows, names also used for a genus of the family, Passer...
s with one of them being a sparrow version of Jack Sparrow. - Teen Rage - Three Teenagers created a band called Teen Rage against Parents and Teachers.
- Zombie Man - Andy is friends with a zombieZombieZombie is a term used to denote an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli...
named Zombie Man who tends to eat those close to him. - Wheel Of Fortune - Pat SajakPat SajakPat Sajak is a television personality, former weatherman, actor and talk show host, best known as the host of the American television game show Wheel of Fortune.-Early life:...
tries to host special edition versions of Wheel Of Fortune, but the guests never get through the round because they are too distracted. - M.C. Grammar- A rapper who rhymes gramatically corrects people while he raps.
Main cast
Except for Lovato, the main cast of So Random! is identical to that of its parent series, Sonny with a Chance.- Tiffany ThorntonTiffany ThorntonTiffany Dawn Thornton is an American actress and singer-songwriter best known for her co-starring role as Tawni Hart on the Disney Channel Original Series, Sonny with a Chance and So Random!.- Career:...
as Tawni Hart, who likes to be the center of attention. - Sterling KnightSterling KnightSterling Sandmann Knight is an American actor, singer-songwriter, comedian and musician. He is best known for his roles in the 2009 film 17 Again as Alex, in Sonny With a Chance and So Random! as Chad Dylan Cooper, and in the Disney Channel Original Movie Starstruck as Christopher Wilde.-Personal...
as Chad Dylan Cooper. In Sonny with a Chance he is an egotistical and self-centered cast member of Mackenzie Falls but has now joined the cast of So Random!. - Brandon Mychal Smith as Nico Harris, the slick fast-talker of the group. He and Grady are best friends.
- Doug BrochuDoug BrochuDouglas "Doug" Brochu is an American actor, comedian and voice actor. He is best known for starring in the Disney Channel Original Series, Sonny With a Chance, as Grady Mitchell.-Career:...
as Grady Mitchell, a gullible goof. He and Nico are best friends. - Allisyn Ashley ArmAllisyn Ashley Arm- External links :* on Twitter* on Youtube...
as Zora Lancaster, the "odd" one
Recurring characters
- Matthew Scott Montgomery as Matthew Bailey
- Shayne Topp as Shayne Zabo
- Damien Haas as Damien Johanssen
- Grace Bannon as Grace Wetzel
- Bridget Shergalis as Bridget Cook
- Audrey Whitby as Audrey Vale
Guest stars and artists
- Cody SimpsonCody SimpsonCody Robert Simpson is an Australian pop singer from Gold Coast, Queensland, who is currently signed to US record label Atlantic Records.-Early life:...
, performing "All DayAll Day (song)"All Day" is a song by Australian recording artist Cody Simpson. The song was written by "All Day" is a song by Australian recording artist [[Cody Simpson]]. The song was written by...
" - Greyson ChanceGreyson ChanceGreyson Michael Chance is an American pop rock singer and pianist whose April 2010 performance of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" at a sixth-grade music festival became a hit on YouTube, gaining over 43 million views. Two of his original compositions, "Stars" and "Broken Hearts", gained over 5 and 7...
, performing "Waiting Outside the LinesWaiting Outside the Lines"Waiting Outside the Lines" is the debut single of American pop rock singer Greyson Chance. The song was written by Aaron Michael Cox and produced by Da Internz and Ron Fair. It was released exclusively to iTunes on October 26, 2010. The CD single was later released on December 14, 2010 under...
" - Selena Gomez & the SceneSelena Gomez & the SceneSelena Gomez & the Scene is an American pop band formed in Hollywood, California in 2009. Along with lead singer and founder Selena Gomez, the band consists of bassist Joey Clement, guitarist Ethan Roberts, drummist Greg Garman and keyboardist Dane Forrest. Selena Gomez & the Scene have released...
, performing "Who SaysWho Says (Selena Gomez & the Scene song)"Who Says" is a song performed by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene. It was written by Priscilla Renea and Emanuel Kiriakou, with the latter also producing the track. The song was released on March 14, 2011, as the lead single from the band's third album, When the Sun Goes Down...
" - Mitchel MussoMitchel MussoMitchel Tate Musso is an American actor, singer-songwriter and musician. Musso is best known for his three Disney Channel roles as Oliver Oken in the Disney Channel sitcom, Hannah Montana, Jeremy Johnson in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb and his role as King Brady in the...
, performing "Get Away", and participating in a sketch - Tony HawkTony HawkAnthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
, performing in a sketch - Coco Jones, performing "Stand Up", and participating in a sketch
- Jacob LatimoreJacob LatimoreJacob O'Neal Latimore, Jr. is a RCA Records and Crown World Entertainment R&B recording artist.The first single he recorded was "Best Friend", which made it onto Radio Disney, where he became a part of the Incubator program, which features upcoming young musicians. Latimore performed on Maury ,...
, performing "Like 'Em All" - Mindless BehaviorMindless BehaviorMindless Behavior is an American boy band, best known for the singles "My Girl" and "Mrs. Right", produced by Walter Millsap. The band was put together in Los Angeles in 2008, by Keisha Gamble, Walter Millsap and Vincent Herbert , and the band trained in dance and singing for two years before...
, performing "My Girl" - Colbie CaillatColbie CaillatColbie Marie Caillat is an American pop singer-songwriter and guitarist from Malibu, California. She debuted in 2007 with Coco, which included hit singles "Bubbly", "Realize", and "The Little Things". In 2008, she recorded a duet with Jason Mraz, "Lucky", which won a Grammy. Caillat released her...
, performing "Brighter Than the SunBrighter Than the Sun"Brighter Than the Sun" is a song recorded by American recording artist Colbie Caillat. It was written by Caillat and Ryan Tedder, and produced by Tedder. The song was released as the second single from her third studio album All of You. The song was released to digital download on May 23, 2011...
" - Far East MovementFar east movementFar East Movement is an Asian American electro hop quartet based in Los Angeles. The group formed in 2003 and consists of Kev Nish , Prohgress , J-Splif , and DJ Virman...
and MiguelMiguel (singer)Miguel Jontel Pimentel, who performs under the mononym Miguel, is an American recording artist, songwriter and producer. Signed to Jive Records in 2007, Miguel released his debut album, All I Want Is You, in November 2010. The album was preceded by the release of the single "All I Want Is You",...
, performing "RocketeerRocketeer (song)"Rocketeer" is the second single off Far East Movement's 2010 album Free Wired. The track features Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. It was produced by Stereotypes and The Smeezingtons...
", and participating in a sketch - Kicking Daisies, performing "Keeping Secrets"
- Dave Days, performing "What Does it Take"
- Hot Chelle RaeHot Chelle RaeHot Chelle Rae is a pop rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2005. The band consists of Ryan Follese , Nash Overstreet , Ian Keaggy , and Jamie Follese . Their debut album, Lovesick Electric, was released on October 27, 2009...
, performing "Tonight TonightTonight Tonight (Hot Chelle Rae song)"Tonight Tonight" is a song by American pop rock band Hot Chelle Rae. It was released as the lead single from their upcoming second album Whatever on March 15, 2011...
" - Chelsea Kane, participating in sketches
- Miss PiggyMiss PiggyMiss Piggy is a Muppet character who was primarily played by Frank Oz on The Muppet Show. In 2001, Eric Jacobson began performing the role, although Oz did not officially retire until 2002....
, participating in sketches - IyazIyazKeidran Jones , better known by his stage name Iyaz, is a singer signed with the record label Beluga Heights Records from the British Virgin Islands. His debut single "Replay", was released in 2009 and reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, number-one in the UK, Australia and the top ten...
and MannMann (rapper)Dijon Thames Shariff , better known by his stage name Mann, is an American hip-hop/rap artist from West LA, California, signed to J.R. Rotem's Beluga Heights Records.- Biography:...
, performing "Pretty GirlsPretty Girls (Iyaz song)"Pretty Girls" is a song performed by British Virgin Islands recording artist Iyaz. It is the lead single released from his second studio album, released on 24 June 2011. The song features vocals from American rapper Travie McCoy...
" - Bridgit MendlerBridgit MendlerBridgit Claire Mendler is an American actress, singer, musician and songwriter. She plays Teddy Duncan on the Disney Channel Original Series Good Luck Charlie and starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Lemonade Mouth...
and Adam HicksAdam HicksAdam Paul Neilson Hicks is an American actor. His first leading role was in How to Eat Fried Worms. He is most notable for playing Luther in the Disney XD series Zeke and Luther and starring in the Disney Channel Original Movie Lemonade Mouth as Wendell "Wen" Gifford...
, participating in sketches - Lemonade MouthLemonade Mouth (film)Lemonade Mouth is a 2011 musical drama film based on the book of the same name by Mark Peter Hughes. The film was directed by Patricia Riggen and written by April Blair, and stars Bridgit Mendler, Adam Hicks, Hayley Kiyoko, Naomi Scott, and Blake Michael...
, performing "Determinate" - Leigh-Allyn BakerLeigh-Allyn BakerLeigh-Allyn Baker is an American actress. She is best known for her recurring roles as Hannah Webster on Charmed, Ellen on Will & Grace as well as providing the voice of Abby on the Nickelodeon animated series Back at the Barnyard...
and Mia Talerico participating in sketches. - Pia ToscanoPia ToscanoPia Ann Rose Toscano is an American singer from Howard Beach, New York. Toscano placed ninth on the tenth season of American Idol. Considered to be a frontrunner in the competition, her elimination came as a shock to judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler, all of whom were visibly...
performing "This TimeThis Time (Pia Toscano song)"This Time" is the debut single of American recording artist and American Idol season 10 finalist, Pia Toscano.-Promotion:The song was first performed on the American Idol tour in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 5, 2011. It was premiered on On Air with Ryan Seacrest on July 11, 2011 and digitally...
" - Justin BieberJustin BieberJustin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop/R&B singer, songwriter and actor. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager...
, performing "MistletoeMistletoe (Justin Bieber song)"Mistletoe" is the first single by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber from his second studio album, Under the Mistletoe . The track was written and produced by the duo Nasri and Adam Messinger . It was released on 17 October, 2011...
"
Critical reception
The series' premiere earned mixed reviews. it has a rating of 6.1/10 on TV.comTV.com
TV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The site covers television and focuses on English-language shows made or broadcast in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan...
, 4.5/5 on TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
and 4.2/10 on IMDb. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media , commonly known as CSM, is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization which serves as a guide for parents that has reviews for most media types, including books, movies, video games, music, and websites, and rates them in terms of violence, sex, and profanity. The website...
gave the series four out of five stars, writing, "Sonny spin-off offers family-friendly sketch comedy, an excellent choice for families".
Music
- So Random! – Brandon Mychal Smith
- "Socks with Sandals" by Footy Scent featuring Hush Puppy – Doug Brochu featuring Brandon Mychal Smith
- "Schooled by Grammar" by MC Grammar – Brandon Mychal Smith featuring Tiffany Thornton, Shayne Topp and Sterling Knight
- "Bracey Girrlz Rap" by Bracey Girrlz – Allisyn Ashley Arm and Grace Bannon featuring Brandon Mychal Smith and Damien Haas with a voice by Audrey Whitby
- "Ketchup on Everything" by Tomatow Sue and the Posse – Allisyn Ashley Arm, featuring Brandon Mychal Smith and Doug Brochu
- "Candy Pants" by Footy Scent featuring Hush Puppy – Doug Brochu featuring Brandon Mychal Smith
- "The Gift of Grammar" by MC Grammar feat. Typo and Dr. Dreidel- Brandon Mychal Smith feat. Shayne Topp, Sterling Knight, Tiffany Thornton and Allisyn Ashley Arm
International release
| Countries | Channel | Series premiere | Title in country | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Disney Channel Latin America Disney Channel Latin America Disney Channel Latin America is an cable television channel and is an edition of The Walt Disney Company-owned Disney Channel, broadcasting to Latin America and the Caribbean. It is broadcast in five feeds, North Zone, Center Zone, South Zone,and the Pacific Zone... |
September 25, 2011 | ¡Qué Onda! | |
| |
Disney Channel Asia Disney Channel Asia Disney Channel Asia, a franchise of Disney Channel, airs in most parts of Southeast Asia.- Programming :Disney Channel Asia airs a variety of shows, aimed particularly at children and teenagers. Most of the programming is similar to the American counterpart with some shows exclusive to the Asian... |
October 2, 2011 | So Random! | |
| Family | June 10, 2011 | So Random! | ||
| Disney Channel Disney Channel (France) Disney Channel is the French language edition of the Disney Channel, owned by the Walt Disney Company. It was launched in March 1997, primarily on the CanalSat platform.... |
November 2011 | Sketches à gogo! | ||
| Disney Channel Disney Channel (Italy) Disney Channel Italia is the Italian version of Disney Channel. Disney Channel Italy also includes a +1 hour timeshift service , a +2 hours timeshift service , a channel for pre-school children , an English-audio channel with subtitles , and a channel for male teenagers... |
December 9, 2011 | So Random! | ||
| |
Disney Channel | October 31, 2011 | So Random! | |
| Disney Channel Japan Disney Channel Japan For the Disney Channel in other countries, see Disney Channel . For the original Disney Channel, see Disney Channel.Disney Channel Japan is a television channel that is broadcast in Japan.-The Current Shows:* JONAS... |
October 16, 2011 | めっちゃ ソー・ランダム | ||
| Disney Channel Disney Channel (Russia) Disney Channel Russia is a television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company, which began broadcast in Russia and other CIS countries. It replaced Jetix.... |
November 12, 2011 | Как попало! | ||
| Disney Channel | September 30, 2011 | So Random! | ||
| Disney Channel Disney Channel Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in... |
June 5, 2011 | So Random! |