Disney Channel's Hit Original "Zoog" Series, "Lizzie McGuire" and "Even Stevens," Find a Second Home on ABC This Fall

Beginning Sept. 15, 2001, two Disney Channel original Zoog series, "Lizzie McGuire" and "Even Stevens," will air as part of Disney's One Saturday Morning on the ABC Television Network.

Disney Channel will continue to premiere new episodes of both series on Zoog Disney, its programming block for kids and tweens. The announcement was made by Rich Ross, general manager and executive vice president, Disney Channel, and Jonathan Barzilay, general manager and senior vice president, ABC Kids and Toon Disney.

"We are excited to introduce 'Lizzie McGuire' and 'Even Stevens' to One Saturday Morning viewers," said Ross. "Airing these hit Zoog series on both Disney Channel and ABC provides us with a tremendous opportunity to both build larger audiences for our networks and to give kid viewers more choices."

"We are looking forward to having these two live-action shows join our animated line-up on Disney's One Saturday Morning," said Barzilay. "'Lizzie McGuire' and 'Even Stevens' have proven to be ratings winners on Disney Channel and we expect that they will be just as popular with our viewers."

Disney Channel's original series "Lizzie McGuire" follows the adventures of Lizzie McGuire, a normal 13-year-old surviving adolescence with her animated alter ego. On the exterior, Lizzie is a young teenager navigating the turbulent years of junior high. She is coping with the ever-changing cliques at school, keeping up with what's in and what's out, as well as dealing with a well-meaning mom, anxious to make her transition into womanhood as smooth as possible.

Sassy, sarcastic and sensible, Lizzie's animated self is part guardian angel and part mischief-maker.

Executive produced by Stan Rogow ("Shannon's Deal," "Clan of the Cave Bear") and Susan Jansen ("Home Improvement," "Boy Meets World"), the series, which debuted in January 2001, stars newcomer Hilary Duff ("Soul Collector," "Casper Meets Wendy") as Lizzie; Jake Thomas ("A.I.," "The Cell") as her younger brother; Robert Carradine as her dad; and Hallie Todd as her mom.

Now entering its second season on Disney Channel, "Even Stevens" follows the misadventures of Louis Stevens, a typical 13-year-old middle-school kid, and his over-achieving older sister Ren. How does an ordinary kid live outside the shadow of his super-successful sibling?

And how does the older sister of the junior high class clown live down the embarrassment of a younger brother who will do absolutely anything to get a laugh?

Produced by Brookwell McNamara, the series stars Shia La Beouf ("Breakfast With Einstein") as Louis Stevens; Christy Romano ("Looking For An Echo") as Ren Stevens; Nick Spano ("Body Shots") as their brother Donnie; Emmy Award-nominated Donna Pescow ("Angie," "Saturday Night Fever") as their mom Eileen; and Tom Virtue ("Introducing Dorothy Dandridge") as their dad Steve.

Designed for kids and tweens, Zoog Disney is an innovative, interactive programming block which blends Disney Channel's on-air and online worlds and is best characterized by the catchphrase "TV You Do!" Kids watch Zoog Disney on television and extend the experience online at ZoogDisney.com.

A group of humorous, animated original characters, the Zoogs, guide kids through this experience both on TV and on the Internet.

Featuring such original series and movies as "Even Stevens," "Lizzie McGuire," "The Famous Jett Jackson," "The Luck of the Irish" and "Zenon: The Zequel," Zoog Disney currently airs Monday-Friday, 2 p.m.-midnight, and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-midnight.

-- Posted July 10, 2001
Source: Company Press Release