This week, ABC revealed their summer schedule. Reality shows such as The Bachelorette and The Mole will return this May after being off the air for some time. New reality competitions, Wipeout and I Survived a Japanese Game Show, will also premiere in late June. ABC will also debut a reality dance competition, Dance Machine, also in late June. This July, the network will air High School Musical: Summer Session, a reality show about teens and young adults attending a summer music program.

ABC has not released the full audition information yet on their site but did say that they are looking for teens ages 15-19 to be part of the show. The reality competition will air for 13 episodes and, each week, the contestants will perform and be judged by a panel of experts. Like other talent competitions of its kind, each week, a contestant will be eliminated until only one remains. The winner will receive a spot on the High School Musical 3 soundtrack. No word on whether or not there are more prizes that will be given to the winner. A host and the panel of judges have also not been named.

ABC has previously said that several High School Musical stars will appear on the show. The viewers will probably be more likely to see Lucas Grabeel, Monique Coleman, and Olesya Rulin before Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale. Perhaps one of the more minor players, like Kaycee Stroh (Martha Cox) could wind up as a host or correspondent for the show. With the contestants attending what sounds like classes in singing, dancing, and acting, we can hopefully anticipate teachers or mentors such as High School Musical director/choreographer Kenny Ortega.

ABC is expected to release more details regarding casting and show details in the coming weeks. High School Musical: Summer Session will debut July 20th at 8pm ET.


- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Source: Variety, ABC
(Image courtesy of Disney)