Mitchel Musso tries his hand at hosting with Disney “PrankStars”

Jim Hill

13 years ago

James Brown was often called “The Hardest-Working Man in
Show Business.” But ever since the Godfather of Soul went to that great R &
B revue in the sky back in December of 2006, the hard-working title has been up
for grabs. So if anyone is out there actively compiling a list of possible
candidates for this show business title, I’d like to nominate Mitchel Musso.

Seriously. Mitchel Musso.

(L to R) Kyle Massey and Mitchel Musso on the set of “Life is Ruff.”
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved

I mean, since this kid from Garland, TX first came in the
door at the Mouse House back in July of 2006 (when Musso co-starred with Kyle
Massey in “Life is Ruff,” a Disney Channel Original Movie), Mitchel has not
stopped working for Mickey. In just 5 short years, he has:

Appearing as Oliver Oken in 85 episodes of “Hanna Montana“
Voiced Jeremy Johnson in 51 episodes of “Phineas & Ferb“
Competed in three different sets of Disney Channel Games
Appeared in a second Disney Channel Original Movie, 2009’s “Hatching Pete“
Reprised his Oliver Oken role in “Hannah Montana: The Movie“
Did the voice of Adult Santa Paws for “The Search For Santa Paws”
Recorded two alums — Mitchel Musso
& Brainstorm — for Walt Disney Records

And did I mentioned that – in addition to his usual Disney XD gig (i.e.
co-starring in the popular sitcom, “Pair of Kings“) – Musso just began serving
as the host of the Disney Channel‘s new hidden-camera reality series, “PrankStars“
?

Doc Shaw and Mitchel Musso from
Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings.”
Photo by Bob D’Amico. Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc.
All rights reserved

Obviously, Mitchel is a very busy guy these days. Which is
why – in order to get him on the phone last week to talk about the June 15^th
premiere “PrankStars” — I first had to wait ’til Mitchel and Doc Shaw finished
shooting an episode for Season Two of “Pair of Kings.” But once Musso got on
the line (and – being the polite 20-year-old that he is – Mitchel immediately
apologized for making me wait ’til the end of his POK work day to talk with
him), we hit the ground running.

And speaking of moving at speed, my first questions were
about how quickly “Prank Stars” came together. I wanted to confirm the rumor
that this hidden-camera reality series now held the record at the Disney
Channel for being the show that had moved the fastest from pilot to being
greenlit to full-on production.

” ‘PrankStars’ did move pretty quickly,” Musso admitted.
“They contacted me earlier this year – in January, I’m thinking – about
possibly coming on board as the host of the show. I said ‘Yes.’ So we shot the
pilot in February. By May, we got the greenlight to begin production. And by
June, we were in full-on production.”

Mitchel Musso calls the shots from
inside PrankStar’s
behind-the-scenes command center. Photo by Eric
McCandless.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc.
All rights reserved

As to what makes “PrankStars” different from other hidden-camera programs like
“Punk’d,” Mitchel was quick to stress that this new Disney Channel series
wasn’t nearly as mean-spirited as that Ashton Kutcher show.

“On this reality show, we don’t actually prank stars. We ARE
the Prank Stars,” Musso explained. “We take kids who are huge fans of
particular Disney Channel shows and then put them in humorous situations where they have the chance to
interact with their favorite Disney Channel stars. Those are the moments that
we’re looking to capture on camera.”

And to make sure that things don’t get too mean-spirited,
Mitchel sits in his behind-the-scenes command center with members of the fan’s
family. Who – more often than not – are the ones who are actually responsible
for putting these Disney Channel super fans in potentially embarrassing
situations.

(L to R) “Wizards of Waverly Place”
super fan Mary Day is surprised by Selena Gomez.
Photo by Rick Rockwell.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved

“We typically reach out to the Moms, Dads and siblings
first. So that they can then help us set up the circumstance where we can bring
the fan and the Disney Channel star together in a seemingly natural way. So
that the fan then doesn’t suspect that they’ve been set up in any way,” Musso
said. “Though what’s funny is that it’s sometimes the family members sitting
inside of the Prank Stars command center who are pushing us to let the gag go
even further.”

Mind you, Mitchel isn’t just the host of this new Disney Channel series. Just
like Selena Gomez from “Wizards of Waverly Place” and Debby Ryan from “The
Suite Life on Deck,” Musso made an appearance on the premiere episode of
“PrankStars.” Where Mitchel winds up saddling poor 15-year-old Luke with a $1300
restaurant check.

“Working on this hidden-camera show has definitely been different
from working on a sitcom. On a show like ‘Hanna Montana,’ a long scene was when
we’d shoot four pages of dialogue. On ‘PrankStars,’ we sometimes let the cameras
run for 20 minutes straight. Just so we can let the situation play out all the
way out before we then let the fan in on the gag,” Musso said.

(L to R) Albany Myers comforts her
daughter Kimberley after she learns that she’s been
pranked by Debby Ryan and
Mitchel Musso. . Photo by Rick Rockwell.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All
rights reserved

And speaking of doing a show that’s different from “Hanna
Montana” … Though “Pair of Kings” is well into shooting its second season for
Disney XD, Mitchel still can’t quite wrap his head around the epic scale of his
new show.

” ‘Pair of Kings’ really is more of an action-adventure show
than it is your standard sitcom,” Musso explained. “Which is why virtually every week,
Doc and I doing wire work, rehearsing with our fight choreographers or working
in front of a green screen. Earlier this season, we actually shot a show where
the set was these two massive pirate ships. I mean, how cool is that?”

So – after a week which involves working on “Pair of Kings”
and promoting “PrankStars,” how does Mitchel decompress? By heading into the
recording studio, where Musso and his band have already begun assembling tracks
for a possible third album.

“I’m in the studio constantly,” Mitchel admitted. “I’ll
sometimes cap off a day of working on ‘Pair of Kings’ by booking some studio
time. When it comes to my music, I’m always looking for new ways to make it sound
better & better.”

You see what I’m saying here? Just like the great James
Brown did back in the day, Mitchel Musso is always pushing himself. Always
looking for new challenges, always looking for new way to hone his craft and/or
add to his bag of tricks.

So if you’d like to see the hardest-working young man in
show business try his hand at being the host of a hidden-camera reality series,
be sure and catch Disney “PrankStars.” Which premieres this Friday at 8 – 8:30
p.m. ET / PT on the Disney Channel.

Your thoughts?