I get why ABC is hot to launch a High School Musical-related unscripted show this summer.

HSM has been a ridiculous success for the network's sibling, the Disney Channel, and if I were running ABC I'd want a piece of that too. Hence the existence of the newly retitled High School Musical: Get in the Picture (formerly HSM: Summer Session), which premieres in July and will lead fans most of the way to the October theatrical release of High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

I should state right here that as a 36-year-old guy with no kids, I'm hardly the target HSM audience. And having now learned what the winner gets, I don't think I'm any more inclined to tune in.

ABC has been coy so far about revealing the prize for the show, saying only that the survivor of a singing-and-dancing program will get to be "part of High School Musical history."

Maybe that's because as it turns out, that part is a pretty small one: The winner gets a role not in HSM 3 itself, but in a music video that will play during the closing credits.

Really? That's it? No new car or scholarship or the show at Disney World or even a part in the inevitable High School Musical 4: Extending the Franchise?

Granted, the movie will have finished filming by the time the show premieres, so anything bigger than a walk-on role (which probably would be an even lamer prize) is probably out of the question. But for as huge as High School Musical has been, it really seems like there should be a bigger pot at the end of the show, doesn't it?

Comments

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paige | May 8, 2008 2:05:00 PM | #

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Yes it does seem that the whole High School Musical phenomena eludes you. That okay though, not every person needs to understand how important a part in a video playing after the movie is for a kid or teenager.

cm | May 8, 2008 3:06:15 PM | #

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The whole High School Musical phenomenon alludes me too. I have sat through it MANY times with my pre-teen nieces and I just don't see what they see in it. The acting is second-rate at best. The singing isn't all that great. Oh well, at least it's family friendly.

Jackie | May 9, 2008 1:11:53 PM | #

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The whole High School Musical phenomenon eludes me too. I have sat through it MANY times with my pre-teen nieces and I just don't see what they see in it. The acting is second-rate at best. The singing isn't all that great. Oh well, at least it's family friendly.

Jackie | May 9, 2008 1:12:07 PM | #

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High School Musical is for kids and that's all there is to it. Every generation has something to obsess over and that franchise is the one for them.

lem | May 9, 2008 2:02:02 PM | #

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You know, the movie High School Musical was really not too bad. I'm 18 and was babysitting when the first movie was in its original boom, and when the kids I was with were going to turn it on I thought I would have to shoot myself, but it was pretty cute - although admittedly there were a few parts that were excessively poorly acted. The second movie was pretty continuously painful acting- and plot-wise, but really I think the franchise is great for kids and families. It gives them something of their own to love, and seeing as how they ALL watch it, then it gives them common ground. I've also worked in a daycare, and those movies keep kids from fighting and acting out. It's remarkable.

Sarah | May 9, 2008 5:02:52 PM | #

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HSM is the best! I'm looking forward to HSM 9, where Gabrielle and Hannah Montana join forces to convince a 100 year old Hugh Hefner to produce an all nude talent show that Sharpay tries to sabotage! Now THAT'S entertainment!

shammy | May 13, 2008 5:02:20 AM | #

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A video in what will be a smash movie seen by millions isn't exposure enough?

I don't think you realize the audience craziness that is part of HSM. And this is from someone out of the target audience with no kids as well.

Josh | May 13, 2008 9:03:10 AM | #

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