Disney Channel serials
which first premiered on "The Mickey Mouse Club" (1989-1995)

At least four cast members from the Mickey Mouse Club were Latter-day Saints, not surprising given the wholesome nature of the series. The nature of the serials also attracted Latter-day Saint talent. Salt Lake City-based casting agent Catrine McGregor is credited as the Extras Casting Coordinator for "The Secret of Lost Creek," "Teen Angel Returns," and "My Life as a Babysitter." These serials were apparently filmed in Utah. A high proportion of the cast and extras in each are Latter-day Saints and/or Utahns, including talent in lead roles. Among the many Utahn and/or Latter-day Saint actors who had roles in these serials are Ruth Hale, Don Shanks, Marvin Payne, Joyce Cohen, Micaela Nelligan, Jesse Bennett, Michael D. Weatherred, Frank Gerrish, Michael Ruud, David Tibbetts, Duane Stephens, Michael Flynn, Ivan Crosland (credited as "Crossland"), Tim Eisenhart, Nancy Borgenight, Karl Wilson, Bryce Chamberlain, Michele Abrams, Marcia Reider, Dabbs Greer and Jeffrey Olson.


Information from: The Wonderful World of Disney Television: A Complete History, by Bill Cotter. New York: Hyperion (1997), page 293-297.

Cotter, pg. 295: The Mickey Mouse Club

Cast and seasons they appeared: Josh Akcerman (1-7), Christina Aguilera (6-7), Lindsey Alley (1-7), Rhona Bennett (4-7), Nita Booth (4-7), Mylin Brooks (3-5), Brandy Brown (1-3), Blain Carson (4-5), J.C. Chasez (4-7), Braden Danner (1), Tasha Danner (4-5), Nikki DeLoach (6-7), T.J. Fantini (6-7), Albert Fields (1-3), Dale Godboldo (4-7), Ryan Gosling (6-7), Tiffini Hale (1-3, 7), Chase Hampton (1-3, 7), Roque Herring (1-2), Tony Lucca (4-7), Ricky Luna (3-7), Tate Lynche (6-7), DeeDee Magno (1-3), Jennifer McGill (1-7), Terra McNair (4-5), Ilana Miler (3-7), Jason Minor (3-5), Terri Misner (4-6), Matt Morris (4-7), Fred Newman (1-6), Kevin Osgood (2-5), Damon Pampolina (1-3), Mowava Pryor (1-3), Keri Russell (4-6), Britney Spears (6-7), Justin Timberlake (6-7), Marc Worden (3-7).

When The Disney Channel began broadcasting the very first show aired was an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club. While the show was popular with younger audiences, Channel executives felt that it had become dated over the years, particularly as it was in black-and-white. Their answer was to create a brand-new version of the Club, one geared toward contemporary audiences.

Like prior versions, this show features serials, aired as follows:

• First season: Match Point, Teen Angel
• Second seasons: The Secret of Lost Creek, Teen Angel Returns
• Third season: My Life as a Babysitter, Just Perfect
• Fourth season: Secret Bodyguard
• Fifth through seventh seasons: Emerald Cove

Cast includes: Brian Krause (Barton Cummings), Renee O'Connor (Robin), Anthony Palermo (Jason Stroud, Jr.), Evan Richards (Tim Runkle), Kristin D'Attilo (Bonnie Stafford), Zero Hubbard (Joel), Marisol Cassidy (Theresa Gonzales), and others.

The Match Point tennis camp is a summer retreat for young players from across the country. The season begins as the campers arrive and owners Holly and Casey Turner get them started on a summer of lessons and fun.

The series was produced by William Shippey.

Cotter, pg. 581: "A Cornerstone Production. 15 episodes. First aired as a Mickey Mouse Club serial in 1989."

Cast: Adam Biesk (Dennis Mullen), Jason Priestley (Buzz Gunderson), Renee O'Connor (Nancy Nichols), Sasha Jenson (Jason), Shano Palovich (Waitress), Don Champlin (Mr. Peters), Wendy Kravitz (Sheila), George Gray III (Rick), Ria Pavia (Joan), Rene L. Moreno (Wayne), Caroline Gilshian (Carolyn), Leslie Stevens (Girl in Mini), Doug Cotner (Mr. Mullen), Paul Mancuso (Greg), Marian Gibson (Mrs. Gilroy), Tony DeBruno (Dr. Schoenkopf), Miranda Kent (Pammy), Kim Christianson (Barbie), Leslie Wright (Judy), Kathryn Geith (Old Hag), Andy Hill (Coach), Mark Wilson (Mr. Rhoades), Kenneth Bridges (Mr. Nichols), Dave Adams (Man in Car), Jean Fowler (Mrs. Mullen).

After waiting 30 years, fledgling angel Buzz Gunderson finally gets his first assignment. The one-time biker is assigned as the guardian angel to Dennis Mullen, a teenager who is enamored with the lifestyle of the '50s. Buzz needs to create a miracle to become afull angel, but it looks like he will have a tough time succeeding, for Dennis refuses to believe he is an angel.

Cotter, pg. 583: "A Cornerstone Productions Production. Produced by William H. Shippey... 12 episodes. First aired as a Mickey Mouse Club serial in 1989."

Cast: Shannen Doherty (Jeannie Fogel), Jody Montana (Travis Hathaway), Scott Bremner (Robert Fogel), Florence H. French (Adelaid Murchison), Ruth Hale (Augusta Murchison), Dabbs Greer (Henry "Grandpa" Fogel), Marjorie Hiltion (Hettie "Grandma" Fogel), Don Shanks (Charlie Little Elk), Christa Denton (Camie), Shawn Phelan (Russy), Darrin Wheaton (Hardy), Jesse Bennett (P.T. Butler), Jay Clegg (Driver), Marvin Payne (Blackbeard, the Prospector), Chad Chiniquey (Mark), Kim Christianson (Marci), Mitch Masoner (Burly Man), Tiffany Soter (Girl), Michael Weathered (Boy), Frank Gerrish (Leon), Michael Ruud (Dwight), David Tibbetts (Lukey), Christopher Scott (Roy), Duane Stephens (Deputy Jack).

Jeannie Fogel and her brother Robert have been sent to spend the summer in the small town of Lost Creek in the Sierras. Both are sure they'll be bored, but when Jeannie stumbles across clues leading to a lost treasure and Robert becomes convinced he has spotted Bigfoot, their vacation takes on new excitement.

Produced by: William H. Shippey
Written by: Paul W. Cooper
Directed by: Mark Jean
Director of Photography: Robert Ebinger
Original Music: Gary Schyman
Production Designer: Roger Crandall
Editor: Art Luciana
Production Manager: Jaffrey M. Zeitlin
1st Assistant Director: Stephen Lillis
2nd Assistant Director: Eric P. Jones
Casting Director: Matt Casella
Script Supervisor: Carol Hubbard
Auditor: Phil Rodak
Production Coordinator: Debra Spidell
Location Manager: Dennis Williams
Set Decorator: Gay Lauritzen
Property Master: Sean Markland
Costume Designer: Robin Lewis
Wardrobe Supervisor: David Buckley
Make-up Artist: Dori Randall
1st Assistant Camera: Jay Coolidge
Sound Mixer: Don Sanders
Gaffer: Dan Zarlengo
Key Grip: Jason Fife
Music Supervisor: Michael Welsh
Post Production Supervisor: Carol Lea Pike
Extras Casting: Catrine McGregor
Transportation Coordinator: Paul Kowalczyk

A Cornerstone Production. 15 episodes. First aired as a Mickey Mouse Club serial in 1989.

Cast: Jason Priestley (Buzz Gunderson), Robin Elaine Lively (Cindy Boone), Scott Reeves (Brian), Jennie Garth (Karrie Donato), Randy Oglesby (Rodney "Hotrod" Boone), Michael Flynn (Mr. Donato), Eric Bruskotter (Kelvin Donato), Ken Page (Chubby), Ivan Crossland (Mr. Peters), Tiffany Michelle Soter (Judy), Micaela T. Nelligan (Waitress), Tim Eisenhart (Mr. Henderson), Nancy Borgenight (Mrs. Henderson), Michael D. Weatherred (Jeff Henderson), Jesse Bennett (Mr. Duffy), Karl Wilson (Coach), Bob Bedore (Jerk), Kim Christianson (Trendy Girl), Christopher Scott (Mack), Marcia Reider (Teacher), Michael Ruud (Biker), John Mylerberg (Hot Rod), S. Bryce Chamberlain (Businessman), Tracey Lee Harrison (Teenager).

Guardian angel Buzz Gunderson returns to Earth to help Cindy Boone, the daughter of his best friend, Rodney "Hot Rod" Boone. The Boones' '50s-style gas station is threatened by a greedy developer named Donato, and his children constantly harass Cindy. Buzz also learns that he has to help Cindy with her love life.

Produced by: William H. Shippey Written by: Kris Young Directed by: Mark Jean Director of Photography: Robert Ebinger Original Music by: Bruce Hanifan Production Designer: Roger Crandall Editor: Art Luciani Production Manager: Jeffrey M. Zeitlin First Assistant Director: Stephen Lillis Second Assistant Director: Eric Jones Casting by: Matt Casella Script Supervisor: Becca Poulos Auditor: Phil Rodak Production Coordinator: Karen A. Snizik Location Manager: Dennis Williams Set Decorator: Gay Lauritzen Property Master: Sean Markland Costumes Designed by: Robin Lewis Wardrobe Supervisor: David Buckley Make-up Artist: Dori Randall Assistant Make-up Artist: Gina Homan 1st Assistant Camera: Jay Coolidge Sound Mixer: Don Sanders Gaffer: Dan Zarlengo Key Grip: Jon W. Tilton Music Supervisor: Michael Welsh Post Production Supervisor: Carol Lea Pike Extras Casting: Catrine McGregor Transportation Coordinator: Paul Kowalczyk

A Cornerstone Production. 13 episodes. First aired as a Mickey Mouse Club serial in 1989.

Cast: Jim Calvert (Nick Cramer), Kelli Williams (Kelly), Shane Meier (Ben), Michele Abrams (Jennifer Edwards), Sean Patrick Flanery (Mitch Buckley), David Kriegel (Lucas Labowsky), Amanda Foreman (Lindsay), Lara Lyons (Michelle), Thom Adcox (Augie), Jane Galkoway (Ms. Marlowe), Marcia Reider (Mrs. Kramer), Maureen Eastwood (Mrs. Fitzsimmons), Micheala T. Nelligan (Sandy Coburn), Jeffrey Olson (Coach), Jaime Ballard (Alyssa), Joyce Cohen (Mrs. Edwards), Marvin Payne (Mr. Edwards).

Nick Cramer and Mitch Buckley have always been rivals, first in sports and now with girls. Mitch always seems to win, but as they start their senior year in high school, Nick is determined to finally outdo him. They spot Jennifer, a new girl in school, and make it a contest to get her to ask them for a date, agreeing that they can't ask her out first.

Cotter, pg. 582:

Produced by: William H. Shippey
Written by: James Howe
Directed by: Matt Casella
Director of Photography: Robert Ebinger
Original Music by: John Beasley
Production Designer: Douglas Johnson
Editor: Art Luciana
Production Manager: Jeffrey M. Zeitlin
First Assistant Director: Stephen Lillis
Second Assistant Director: Eric Jones
Casting Director: David Brymer
Script Supervisor: Vincent Lapper
Make-up Artist: Dori Randall
Property Master: Tucker Johnston
1st Assistant Camera: David Riley
Steadicam Operator: Kirk Gardner
Gaffer: Rhett Fernsten
Key Grip: George Palmer
Sound Mixer: Don Sanders
Extras Casting: Catrine McGregor
Transportation Coordinator: Paul Kowalczyk
Post Production Supervisor: Pamela Havens

A Cornerstone Production. 12 episodes. First aired as a Mickey Mouse Club serial in 1990.

Trent Beckerman, possibly the world's tidiest teenager, finds his orderly life in turmoil when he has to make care of his grandmother's dog, Barney, for 3 weeks. Barney is a St. Barnard who has never seen the inside of obedience school. The dog tears pu the house, and Trent is so busy cleaning up after him that his schoolwork begins to suffer.

"Just Perfect" was produced by William H. Shippey.

Cotter, pg. 581: "A Cornerstone Production. 13 episodes. First aired as a Mickey Mouse Club serial in 1990."

Brittany Belmont, a rich teenager, wants to attend a regular high school so she can be with others her own age. Her father wants to shelter her and doesn't approve at first, but he finally comes up with a novel plan. Mr. Belmont hires a teenage martial arts expert, Ernie, to act as her bodugyard, but with strict instructions that Brittany not know of the job.

Cotter, pg. 583: "A Cornerstone Production. 15 episodes. First aired as a Mickey Mouse Club serial in 1991."

This updated version of the '60s beach movies centers on a group of surfers, musicians, and party lovers. Many of the episodes are centered on the band High Density trying to get a job playing at a local club. Other continuing themes are the problems the teenagers encounter while trying to sort out their love lives over the summer and what to do about college.

Cotter, pg. 580: "Blue Wave Productions, Inc. in association with Les Choux Company. First aired as a Mickey Mouse Club serial in 1993 (11 episodes), 1994 (15 episodes), 1995 (44 episodes)."