Scar
06-10-2008, 01:11 PM
This article was on the front page of today's Newark Star-Ledger
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Miley's getting mileage in video
YouTube show bypasses Disney
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
BY CARRIE STETLER
Star-Ledger Staff
The "Hannah Montana" show is so yesterday. Now you can watch Miley Cyrus in "The Miley and Mandy" show, her self-created reality series on YouTube.
Its breakthrough episode? When Cyrus, 15, and back-up dancer Mandy Jiroux, 21, mocked rival Disney stars Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, who host their own YouTube show, "The Real Demi Lovato."
"Parts of the 'Miley' show were funny, but it was kind of mean," says Marisa Vanicky, 14, of Bridgewater, who subscribes to several stars' YouTube channels. "I think Miley doesn't like them, but she has to pretend she does."
Both shows, or vlogs (short for video log) are part of a teen star trend to bypass overprotective parent companies -- in this case Disney -- and connect with fans through online video portals.
Other stars who have their own YouTube channels include the Jonas Brothers, actress Allyson Stoner, and Miranda Cosgrave of Nickolodeon's "I Carly." But Disney celebs dominate the genre, a mix of seemingly home-made promos and slice-of-life clowning.
Is it a defiant attempt by the teens to be their own image-makers? Or a savvy marketing campaign to use spontaneous footage -- with its potential to embarrass or offend -- to foster an illusion of intimacy with the stars?
Maybe both.
"To do non-Disney shows, these stars have to get approval, but YouTube has somehow slipped through the cracks.
Anyone can do it," says Molly MacDermot, editor of the Englewood-based M, a fan magazine for tweens and young teens. "They like this control they've got, where they can do their own thing."
Kathleen Sweeney, a communications professor at Marymount Manhattan College, says Disney and other companies encourage the self-made footage, knowing they can benefit from the buzz among fans, but distance themselves from any bad behavior.
"Sure, you could upload this stuff drunk at midnight when your publicist isn't with you. But these kids are so media oriented, I'm sure they're checking in with their people," said Sweeney, author of the book "Maiden the USA: Girl Icons Come of Age."
"Disney has given them the nod because it generates viewers and makes kids feel like they're part of the stars' personal life," she said. "If something goes wrong, it's like with Miley Cyrus and the 'Vanity Fair' cover, they're able to say, 'Oh, it's not our fault' and back out of any responsibility."
The Disney Channel refused to comment on the phenomenon, but spokeswoman Patti McTeague wrote in an e-mail: "In general, the Disney Channel sets a high expectation for professionalism when young talent are working on our series and movies."
One draw of the YouTube shows is that they're open to interpretation. When the Jonas Brothers quipped, "My, how the tables have turned" in one short video, M magazine searched for meaning.
Was it a message to Cyrus about the band's soaring popularity, after months of serving as her opening act?
Like a high school feud gone viral, the "Miley and Mandy" parody, entitled "Is My Make-up too Dark?" also invited commentary, with viewers debating whether the duo's intentions were playful or malicious.
Since it was posted two months ago, the webisode -- which spoofed "Wizard of Waverly Place" star Gomez modeling a Power Rangers tee, and Lovato asking fans about her eye shadow -- has gleaned more than 2 million views. Fans posted nearly 50,000 comments, both for and against the spoof.
Hundreds even made parodies of the parody.
But Cyrus scored a YouTube victory last month, when the "Miley and Mandy" dance crew performed a hip-hop routine to the Madonna hit "Four Minutes to Save the World."
It showed a side of Cyrus that viewers aren't likely to see on The Disney Channel, and it even impressed Vanicky, who isn't a Cyrus fan.
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Miley's getting mileage in video
YouTube show bypasses Disney
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
BY CARRIE STETLER
Star-Ledger Staff
The "Hannah Montana" show is so yesterday. Now you can watch Miley Cyrus in "The Miley and Mandy" show, her self-created reality series on YouTube.
Its breakthrough episode? When Cyrus, 15, and back-up dancer Mandy Jiroux, 21, mocked rival Disney stars Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, who host their own YouTube show, "The Real Demi Lovato."
"Parts of the 'Miley' show were funny, but it was kind of mean," says Marisa Vanicky, 14, of Bridgewater, who subscribes to several stars' YouTube channels. "I think Miley doesn't like them, but she has to pretend she does."
Both shows, or vlogs (short for video log) are part of a teen star trend to bypass overprotective parent companies -- in this case Disney -- and connect with fans through online video portals.
Other stars who have their own YouTube channels include the Jonas Brothers, actress Allyson Stoner, and Miranda Cosgrave of Nickolodeon's "I Carly." But Disney celebs dominate the genre, a mix of seemingly home-made promos and slice-of-life clowning.
Is it a defiant attempt by the teens to be their own image-makers? Or a savvy marketing campaign to use spontaneous footage -- with its potential to embarrass or offend -- to foster an illusion of intimacy with the stars?
Maybe both.
"To do non-Disney shows, these stars have to get approval, but YouTube has somehow slipped through the cracks.
Anyone can do it," says Molly MacDermot, editor of the Englewood-based M, a fan magazine for tweens and young teens. "They like this control they've got, where they can do their own thing."
Kathleen Sweeney, a communications professor at Marymount Manhattan College, says Disney and other companies encourage the self-made footage, knowing they can benefit from the buzz among fans, but distance themselves from any bad behavior.
"Sure, you could upload this stuff drunk at midnight when your publicist isn't with you. But these kids are so media oriented, I'm sure they're checking in with their people," said Sweeney, author of the book "Maiden the USA: Girl Icons Come of Age."
"Disney has given them the nod because it generates viewers and makes kids feel like they're part of the stars' personal life," she said. "If something goes wrong, it's like with Miley Cyrus and the 'Vanity Fair' cover, they're able to say, 'Oh, it's not our fault' and back out of any responsibility."
The Disney Channel refused to comment on the phenomenon, but spokeswoman Patti McTeague wrote in an e-mail: "In general, the Disney Channel sets a high expectation for professionalism when young talent are working on our series and movies."
One draw of the YouTube shows is that they're open to interpretation. When the Jonas Brothers quipped, "My, how the tables have turned" in one short video, M magazine searched for meaning.
Was it a message to Cyrus about the band's soaring popularity, after months of serving as her opening act?
Like a high school feud gone viral, the "Miley and Mandy" parody, entitled "Is My Make-up too Dark?" also invited commentary, with viewers debating whether the duo's intentions were playful or malicious.
Since it was posted two months ago, the webisode -- which spoofed "Wizard of Waverly Place" star Gomez modeling a Power Rangers tee, and Lovato asking fans about her eye shadow -- has gleaned more than 2 million views. Fans posted nearly 50,000 comments, both for and against the spoof.
Hundreds even made parodies of the parody.
But Cyrus scored a YouTube victory last month, when the "Miley and Mandy" dance crew performed a hip-hop routine to the Madonna hit "Four Minutes to Save the World."
It showed a side of Cyrus that viewers aren't likely to see on The Disney Channel, and it even impressed Vanicky, who isn't a Cyrus fan.