'Mollywood' welcomed to Disney
Demi Lovato to star in live-action series
Show-within-a-show stars Lovato as Molly, a 15-year-old who is discovered via a nationwide casting call to star in a teen sketch comedy TV series.
"Mollywood" centers on the character's home and work life but will also feature fully produced comedy sketches from the fictional program.
Series is set to launch production in September and will bow sometime during the 2008-09 TV season.
Lovato starred in a series of shorts, "As the Bell Rings," for Disney Channel. She also appears opposite the Jonas Brothers in the cabler's upcoming TV movie "Camp Rock" and will star in another telepic for the channel, "Princess Protection Program," later this season.
Disney's Hollywood Records, meanwhile, has sealed a recording contract with Lovato, who hits the road in summer with the Jonas Brothers on their "Burning Up" tour.
Brian Robbins, who exec produced the hit Nickelodeon sketch laffers "All That," "Kenan & Kel" and "The Amanda Show," will exec produce "Mollywood." Also aboard to exec produce: Sharla Sumpter Bridgett ("All That"), Steve Marmel ("Fairly Odd Parents") and Michael Feldman ("That's So Raven").
Marmel and Feldman wrote the pilot; series comes from It's a Laugh Prods. Lee Shallat Chemel, who helmed the "Hannah Montana" pilot, also directed "Mollywood."
"Mollywood" also stars Tiffany Thornton, Brandon Mychal Smith, Doug Brochu and Allisyn Ashley Arm.