High School Musical 2 breaks records, demonstrates the power of Disney
For most of us, last Friday was a normal run of the mill Friday night. You got home from work, you may have had a date, you may have drank a beer or two, whatever. . . But for millions of teens and ‘tweens,’ last Friday night was a date that was hotly anticipated.
High School Musical 2 made its debut last Friday night. The Disney Channel’s much hyped sequel was sure to make a splash, and boy did it. Somewhere around 17 million televisions were tuned in making it the highest rated cable show ever. When you consider the fact that most viewers probably had several friends with them watching the show, you are left with a production that has captured tens of millions of young hearts. So what is all the fuss?
I had an idea of what Disney had done by walking in on my kids watching the original High School Musical literally dozens of times. Though I never watched the show from start to finish, the songs were so well coreographed and produced that you couldn’t help but watch in intervals. The songs contained sweet and innocent themes. The antagonists of the show (Sharpay and Ryan) were still likable and a part of the school culture. Their flaws were that they represented the often seen materialism and snobbishness of today’s teens. The heroes of the show (Troy and Gabriella) are people you want your kids to be. They are smart, athletic, good looking and willing to move through other peer groups to polish other talents and be inclusive. In the end, the guy got the girl, the basketball team won the state championship, and the school broke out in a rendition of a song called ‘We’re all in this together.’
The sequel is much the same. High School Musical 2 details the same groups of friends dealing with a summer job. The crew works at a country club which has the main antagonist, Sharpay, as a key member. Sharpay calls all of the shots in order to gain the affections of the apple of her eye, Troy. But Troy and lifeguard Gabriella are sweethearts from the original movie and love prevails. While the love story between Troy and Gabriella works, it is the over-the-top antics of Sharpay that make the movie. She and her eccentric toadie brother, Ryan are as lovable in the second movie as they are in the first.
And what will be the results of this? High School Musical is an institution. The next movie will not be on the Disney Channel, it will be in the theaters. There will also be a fourth sequel. In addition to the movies themselves, Disney is banking on their line of High School Musical dolls, school supplies and apparel. The High School Musical CD was one of the highest selling CD’s last year. When my wife said it was this generations’ Grease, she was only partially correct. Although it does detail some of the trevails of navigating school, High School Musical will end up making Grease look like some scarcely watched B movie. Also, when you go to Orlando to visit Disney’s MGM studio, be prepared to see a High School Musical show every hour at the big hat. The marketing power of Disney is absolutely amazing.
So as a parent, my advice to you is to embrace the franchise. It is a squeaky clean, fun version of Grease. High School Musical clearly demonstrates that Disney is on its game. It is a phenomenon that isn’t going away anytime soon. And just so you don’t have to search, here is the song you hear every hour on the hour at MGM studios. Enjoy.
I am glad I do not yet have kids, because I do not look forward to hearing that over and over again at all. I don’t even listen to the radio.
Wes
August 21, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Well, I do have kids, and they had a regular little formal gathering to watch it along with my wife. Me? I was off doing whatever it is I do, which did not include watching it. I think I was watching a whole night devoted to ancient Sparta on the history channel. A tad bit more my style I guess.
Dave the Infidel Sage
August 21, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Still, though. Car?
Wes
August 21, 2007 at 11:31 pm
I’m right there with you. As a father “grin and bear it” is as good a motto as any. But going even further, I share their excitement that they are getting to do something that is important to them. I am happy that they are happy. I share their joy that they are joyful. You have one shot in life (well, I get three shots) to be a good Dad, and genuinely being happy when they are happy is the start. But it doesn’t mean it is easy, or that you don’t get to suffer along the way….
Dave the Infidel Sage
August 22, 2007 at 12:00 am
[...] Acting was excellent. Zac Efron from High School Musical was the perfect choice to play teen heartthrob Link Larkin. The only contentious issue seems to be [...]
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August 22, 2007 at 12:12 pm
On a serious sociological level, doesn’t the amazing nation-wide success of a show and main song that is so inclusive as to be corny, belie the oft-chanted mantra that America is hopelessly divided, riven by group struggle, and getting worse on those fronts by the day. I know that there are those who look at today’s youth and are scared for the future, but to be told that the bulk of them are glued to the tv, watching this syrupy sweet musical, has to reassure them.
DFV the Scribe
August 22, 2007 at 8:19 pm
[...] Idol or in a beauty pagent, try to be a bit smarter than all the dimwits that came before you. High School Musical is all the rage and Disney has been riding the wave of popularity to profits and prestige. How this will effect [...]
High School Musical Star Vanessa Hudgens Naked Photo Hits the Net « Constitution Club
September 6, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Hi,vanessa
vanessa what do you are doing.vanessa I know that you are nice because you sing nice.
Marcela Rueda and Daisy Rueda
September 12, 2007 at 5:57 pm
This isn’t really a comment. I am doin my GCSE ICT and I need some secondary images and I need one of high school musical. Would it be possible to use your image in my work. Please can you e-mail me about this issue. Thank you.
Lisa Greenwood
January 14, 2008 at 4:47 am
Hi it isnat really a comnet i just wolud like to say i just love Troy Bolton of high school musical my. i am 9 and i like these comments because they are fun to read and injoy from your biggest fan courtenay
Courtenay
February 3, 2008 at 8:16 am
hi zac. wuu2 i am your biggest fan in the whole world!!! they brought a phone out that has what time is it for the ringtone and it also comes with a charm and i have got it. i want to say that i trutherly love you zac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
loves you louds byexx plz text me back on my e-mail addy. okay byexxxxxxxx
Stacey
February 3, 2008 at 8:21 am
Hi guys can you e-mail me and let me no when high school musical 3 is out because i really want to see it well vanessa are you having a baby because me and my frenids want to now?????????? Well i am going to speak to sharpey now ok. Hi sharpey how you but on gotta go my own way why did you and gabbs have an agugment with troy because me and my frenids are wondering why. Well i am going to talk to the rest now ok so hi everybody ( even people i did ) how are you and hsm 2 is really good i no all the songs to it. Well my favriotie song is gotta go my own way plus i like what time is it as my frenid got it on her mp3 player and her phone my frenid has got gotta go my own way on her mp3 player but she hasent got it on her phone thanks everybody for letting me talk to you from your biggest fan courtenay my nickname is ( courky )
Courky
February 3, 2008 at 8:31 am
in high school musicol the stage show sharpa needs to lose the apra voice they apered on the show dance wore and ouch when she started to sing it runed the hole song i dont want to be meen but it was horibol what is she an amichor did you poll her off the street my 6 yer old sisster can sing better than that if i were the ahly tisdal [i wouled be insolted] but the resr of the show was ok and might ade rion was soooo hot in both stage show and movie.
kelsey
February 11, 2008 at 6:57 pm
i love rion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kelsey
February 11, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Kelsey, its called ‘English class’ for a reason. Start paying attention in school! Your spelling is horrible (not horibol) and you write like an amateur (not an amichor). Your “6 yer old sisster” might be able to sing better than Ashley Tisdale, but my six year old daughter can write better than you.
E the Wise
February 11, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I watched high school musical 2 over my friends house and it wasw the best one . All of you who sang have great voices. you all have amazing talent.
Courtney
February 16, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Dave, that Sparta History channel program ruled. Then I watched “300″ for the comic book adaptation. Exceptionally bloody and over the top. Spartans would have loved it.
Jeff
February 16, 2008 at 6:32 pm
[...] movies was cornier then the first one, so were the songs and the acting. As much as i disagree, the numbers don’t lie. It even beat out the numbers for High School Musical [...]
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February 26, 2008 at 12:37 pm
WELL HI,GUYS DO YOU WANT TO HEAR MY SECRET WELL MY SECRET IS LOVE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
ramcy
March 5, 2008 at 7:13 am
OH GOD,I LOVE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL SO AND I LOVE YOU ALL NOW I AM WATCHING HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL WILD CAT EVERYWAY AND PLS I WANT VANESSA,ZAC NUMBER PLS SENT IT TO MY E-MAIL PLS.
ramcy
March 5, 2008 at 7:23 am
ramcy, I don’t know if that’s a secret, I think that’s a given. EVERYONE loves High School Musical. EVERYONE!!!! Especially Nickelodeon. They’ve nominated High School Musical’s “Sing It!” for FAVORITE VIDEO GAME. Have you guys played it yet? I heard it’s reaaaaaallllllly fun. Well, the awards air on MARCH 29th @ 8PM. Jack Black is going to host them. AGAIN!!!! Woo-Hoo!!! I wonder what he will cook up that night. Hahaha. I’m working with Nick to get the word out. Head on over to http://www.nick.com/shows/specials/kca/ for more info about the nominees and the categories involved. Let me just ask one question to everyone. WHO DO YOU WANT TO SEE GET SLIMED?
(I vote for Ashley Tisdale)
Meryl
March 6, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Hi High School Musical cast..staffers..crew..and everything…!
I appreciate your show and its very FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!
Im just 14 years old and i am very addicted to your show…..
I wish that it will continue….until it goes to High School Musical 100!!!
I’ll WATCH it all!!!!!Goodluck!!!!!!
Chariz Nica G. Garcia
March 26, 2008 at 6:33 am
I love High School Musical!!!!!!!The CROWD LOVES IT!!!!!!!!!!
KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!xD
Chariz Nica G. Garcia
March 26, 2008 at 6:35 am