Shake It Up

“Shake It Up” is a U.S. sitcom broadcast on Disney Channel, debuting on November 7, 2010. Created by Chris Thompson, the series stars Bella Thorne and Zendaya as CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue, two friends who become background dancers on a local TV show called “Shake It Up Chicago.” The show explores their on-set and off-set escapades, as well as their challenges and growing popularity at school. The main cast also includes Davis Cleveland, Roshon Fegan, Adam Irigoyen, Kenton Duty, and Caroline Sunshine.

Originally, Disney aimed to develop a female buddy comedy with a dance element. “Shake It Up” is Disney’s third series, following “The Famous Jett Jackson” and “Sonny with a Chance,” to feature a show-within-a-show concept. It is also the first Disney Channel Original Series since “So Random!” to have more than six main cast members under contract simultaneously.

On September 29, 2011, Disney Channel announced an extension of the second season of “Shake It Up” to 26 episodes. The second soundtrack, “Shake It Up: Live 2 Dance,” was released on March 20, 2012. A special 90-minute episode titled “Made In Japan” aired on August 17, 2012, as the season two finale. On June 4, 2012, Disney Channel confirmed the renewal of “Shake It Up” for a third season, noting that Kenton Duty would not return as a regular cast member but would appear as a special guest.