Disney is bringing an old TV classic to Facebook.
The entertainment powerhouse said yesterday that it is reviving The Mickey Mouse Club, an on-and-off variety show that launched the careers of some of today’s biggest stars, as a web-series for Facebook.
The variety show, first conceived by Walt Disney and produced in 1955, was the media conglomerate’s second foray into TV serials. It featured a talented cast of teens, known as Mouseketeers, including Annette Funicello, who went on to star in classic films like Beach Party and Babes in Toyland. The original series ran until 1959. It was revived in 1977 and again in 1989.
The 1990s version, which ran until 1996, served as pseudo-talent incubator for stars like actors Ryan Gosling and Keri Russell, and pop stars Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. The show included musical numbers, sketch comedy skits, music videos, and other performances by the young cast.
Called Club Mickey Mouse, the latest iteration will be exclusive to Facebook, as part of the social platform’s Anthology program, which pairs media brands with advertising partners, according to the Hollywood Reporter. This series will be sponsored by HP.
Disney will tap its in-house network of digital creators, Maker Studios, for the cast, which has yet to be announced, CNBC reported.
The series is one of a handful of shows the new Disney Digital Network, which includes talent and brands from Maker Studios and Disney brands like StarWars.com and Oh My Disney, announced during its NewFronts presentation in New York. That’s when media companies showcase upcoming digital content for advertisers. Other series included Science and Star Wars, an IBM-sponsored show that breaks down the real-life science inspired by Star Wars, and COIN, an animated action-comedy set in a videogame-like environment.