Disney Channel's WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE Special to Premiere 1/6

By: Jan. 06, 2012
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The Russo siblings -- Justin, Alex and Max -- face a sudden and ultimate test to determine which one of them will be entitled to keep their wizardly powers. After 106 episodes of the Emmy Award-winning hit comedy, the answer will finally be revealed on a special one hour episode premiering FRIDAY, JANUARY 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

The Emmy-Award winning series ignited the careers of Hollywood Records recording artist Selena Gomez, David Henrie and Jake T. Austin, who joined the show at 14, 18 and 12 years of age, respectively. Also starring are Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise.

In the one hour episode, popular guest stars Bridgit Mendler ("Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!") and Gregg Sulkin (Disney Channel UK's "As The Bell Rings," "Avalon High") return as Justin's vampire girlfriend Juliet Van Heusen and Alex's werewolf boyfriend Mason.

Leading up to the episode and in anticipation of the competition, viewers are invited to visit DisneyChannel.com to create personalized greetings in support of their favorite Russo sibling. A message ticker will be seen on Disney Channel throughout the week of January 2.

"Wizards of Waverly Place" airs on Disney Channels around the world and has reached over 182 million unduplicated viewers in 169 countries in 32 different languages. Before wrapping production last May in Los Angeles, the series inspired a Disney Channel Original Movie, "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie," which debuted in 2009 and ranks as cable TV's second-most-watched scripted cable telecast of all time. The movie won a 2009 Emmy Award for "Outstanding Children's Program," and the series won the same category in 2010 and was nominated again in 2011. "Wizards of Waverly Place" has been lauded for its portrayal of Latinos and has won Alma, Imagen and NAACP Image Award nominations.

Notable guest stars throughout the years include supermodel Cindy Crawford, music sensation Shakira, magician David Copperfield, Olympic Gold Medalist Misty May-Treanor, and actors Ian Abercrombie, Rachel Dratch, Joely Fisher, Kate Flannery, Jeff Garlin, Lucy Hale, Ted McGinley, Belita Moreno, John O'Hurley, Leven Rambin, Octavia Spencer, Wilmer Valderrama and Fred Willard.

"Wizards of Waverly Place" was created by Todd J. Greenwald ("Hannah Montana," "Saved By the Bell: The New Class") and is executive-produced by Vince Cheung, Ben Montanio ("Married?with Children," "Greetings from Tucson") and Greenwald. The one hour episode was written by Vince Cheung, Ben Montanio and Todd J. Greenwald and directed by Victor Gonzalez. A production of It's a Laugh Productions for Disney Channel, the series carries a TV-G parental guideline.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

 

 



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