Mumbai: Disney Channel has ordered the live-action comedy series Welcome to Mollywood with rising young star and recording artist Demi Lovato in the lead role, it was announced by Disney Channels Worldwide Entertainment president Gary Marsh.
 
Marsh said, "Our success is completely driven by the talent we partner with — in front of, and behind, the camera.  The entire Mollywood creative team is the best in the business when it comes to creating break-out kid and family comedy. And Demi Lovato – actress, singer and songwriter — is, without a doubt, the next big talent to emerge from Disney Channel."
 
Welcome to Mollywood also stars Tiffany Thornton as Tawni Hart, Brandon Mychal Smith as Nico, Doug Brochu as Grady and Allisyn Ashley Arm as Zora.
 
In Welcome to Mollywood, Lovato stars as Molly, a talented 15-year-old Midwestern girl who, after a nationwide search, is chosen to travel to Los Angeles to join the cast of the most popular and long-running teen sketch comedy show on TV.  Set around Molly’s home and work life, the series will feature a show-within-a-show, with fully produced comedy sketches.  The sitcom will begin production in September for premiere during the 2008-09 season on Disney Channel.
 
Welcome to Mollywood is executive-produced by Brian Robbins and his producing partner Sharla Sumpter Bridgett, under the recently formed company Varsity Pictures.  Steve Marmel will also executive produce along with Michael Feldman.  The pilot was directed by Lee Shallat Chemel and is her fourth pilot that has been picked up as a series for Disney Channel. 
 
"The creative team of Marmel and Feldman, along with Demi Lovato and the entire cast will support the success of this unique and highly conceptualized comedy for tweens," stated Robbins. "We look forward to moving into production and to working closely with Disney Channel on the series."