Disney and Disney XD Kick Off Summer with 3 New Series

During a recent press junket conducted by Disney for their upcoming slate of returning and new television shows at ABC, ABC Family Channel and Disney, NiceGirlsTV had the opportunity to participate in roundtable interviews with some of the talent from these programs.

China Anne McClain Photo by: Tiffany Vogt

This summer Disney and Disney XD kick off three brand new series to keep kids entertained while the temperature soars. From the Disney arsenal is the new Disney Channel comedy A.N.T.Farm, debuting Friday, June 17 at 8:30/7:30c. The comedy stars young actress-singer China Anne McClain (House of Payne) as Chyna Sparks, a musical prodigy, who is part of the Advanced Natural Talents program (aka the A.N.T. Farm) at a local high school. The main disadvantage that Chyna and her fellow A.N.T. Farm members have is the fact they are only 13 years old and in high school. On top of that, they are in a new school, surrounded by older teenagers who are not particularly fond of grade-skipping new kids.

In speaking about the similarities that she shares with her character, China Anne explained that she plays some of the same instruments as her character such as the bass, guitar and piano. She has also started to learn the violin; but she did explain that studio musicians were used for some of the recordings used in the episodes.

When asked for one word to describe her character, China Anne said that Chyna is confident and made it clear that Chyna doesn’t seek to be popular and loves her family very much. These were the very attributes that drew her to the show.

If you are a pre-teen or teen or have these in your life, you just might want to sit down on Friday nights at 8:30/7:30c starting on June 17 and check out the antics of Chyna and her fellow A.N.T.Farm members over on the Disney Channel.

Jason Earles and Leo Howard Photo by: Tiffany Vogt

Meanwhile, over on Disney XD – the basic cable channel that showcases a mix of live-action and animated programs for kids between the ages of 6 and 14 – the new comedy series Kickin’ It will debut on Monday, June 13 at 8:30/7:30c.

Jason Earles (Hannah Montana) stars as Sensei Rudy, the man who runs the Bobby Wasabi Martials Arts Academy out of local strip mall. Unfortunately, this happens to be the worst dojo in the nationwide Bobby Wasabi chain and is in danger of closing for good. In an effort to save the dojo, Sensei Rudy recruits a hotshot skateboarder named Jack (Leo Howard) [who happens to be a real-life black belt] to “whip his misfit group of students into shape.

During the press junket with Jason and Leo, Jason joked that Kickin’ It is the “world’s greatest action comedy,” but all joking aside, he stated that this new comedy is “something that hasn’t been done before”. And, while the show is geared mostly toward boys, there is one girl who is a series regular – Olivia Holt, playing Kim – who is also a real-life black belt who will be a good role model and will make it interesting for girls to watch the show too.

In talking about the demise of the dojo, Jason said there is a certain Bad News Bears aspect to the show, but that the lessons learned by the characters in the show helps to build confidence in them and will hopefully have that same kind of influence on the viewers. Jason continued with saying that the dojo “is a safe place for the kids to go” and that the show will teach life lessons, focusing on stories such as bullying and peer pressure.

If you have children under the age of 14 in your family, make sure to catch the new comedy Kickin’ It on June 13 at 8:30/7:30c.

Mitchel Musso and Doc Shaw Photo by: Tiffany Vogt

That same night (Monday, June 13) on Disney XD, the second season of the half-hour comedy Pair of Kings will air at 8/7c.

The series centers on brothers Brady (Mitchel Musso) and Boomer (Doc Shaw), who are 16-year-old fraternal twins and royal heirs to the island of Kinkow. They were raised by their aunt and uncle in Chicago, but once they were told about their lineage from the royal advisor to the throne, they left Chicago for Kinkow – an American island that is part of Polynesia – to assume their roles as the joint kings of the island nation.

The show is full of comedy, action and romance; but it is mostly about the misadventures that the twins get into on the island while trying to be joint kings. Both Michael and Doc joked during the press junket that “with great power comes great responsibility,” but that line does play an important part in their roles on the show.

They are responsible for all of the island inhabitants – approximately 100,000 people – and despite being teenagers; they have to attempt to be adults in order to rule the island. That being said, though, the actors explained that “every week there is something that gets in the way of what they need to do for the island.” That is what adds to the comedy and humor of the show that is geared toward boys between the ages of 6 and 14.

Pair of Kings debuts Monday, June 13 at 8/7c on Disney XD.