LPWire: Disney Channel Picks Up Futuristic Comedy "Phil of the Future" for Second Season

Disney Channel Picks Up Futuristic Comedy "Phil of the Future" for Second Season

The Disney Channel has ordered a second season of its hit comedy "Phil of the Future," starring Ricky Ullman as Phil Diffy whose futuristic family becomes stuck in present day. While waiting to return home to the year 2121, the Diffys struggle to keep their secret as Phil and his incorrigible little sister Pim adjust to a new home in the suburban town of Pickford. Phil finds a trusted friend in neighbor Keely and together they navigate their school campus, grappling with the same thing that teenagers of all time must face – fitting in.

Gary Marsh, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Production, Disney Channel announced that as it moves into its second season, Michael Curtis ("Friends") and Roger S.H. Schulman ("The Jungle Book 2," "Shrek") will join the series as executive producers and Ivan Menchell ("The Nanny") will serve as new co-executive producer.

While episodes from its first season continue to premiere on Disney Channel, production on season two is slated to resume in Hollywood this month with Ullman and rising stars Alyson Michalka and Amy Bruckner. Rounding out the cast are Lise Simms and Craig Anton.

"Phil of the Future" premiered in June 2004, and to date, its fans have sent more than 1.7 million email messages to DisneyChannel.com.

Marsh said, "In just four months, our viewer response to the series, and especially its rising young stars, has been enormous. As we enter a second season with Michael and Roger at the helm, it's rewarding to our cast, production and programming team to witness 'Phil' following in the footsteps of 'Raven' and 'Lizzie."

In October 2004, "Phil of the Future" (Friday-Sunday, 7:00 p.m.) ranked #1 in its time period with Tweens 9-14 (3.6) and #2 with Kids 6-11 (4.2) versus all basic cable competition.*

In addition to Disney Channel (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 p.m. ET/PT), Phil of the Future airs on the ABC Television Network as part of the Saturday morning line-up (11:00 a.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT).

--Posted November 9, 2004
Source: Disney Channel
Edited: LaughingPlace.com
Photos: (c)Disney