Wizards Of Weaverly Place

Wizards of Waverly Place is an American fantasy teen sitcom which ran from October 12, 2007, to January 6, 2012, on Disney Channel. The series was created by Todd J. Greenwald, and stars Selena Gomez, David Henrie and Jake T. Austin as three wizard siblings with magical abilities competing to win sole custody of the family powers. Further main cast includes Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals Barrera, and David DeLuise.

The series won "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards in 2009. A film adaptation of the series, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, premiered as a Disney Channel Original Movie on August 28, 2009. The film adaptation won "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards earning the series its second consecutive Emmy. The farewell season won "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards bringing the franchise's total to three Emmy awards. Wizards of Waverly Place ended with 106 episodes over four seasons, surpassing That's So Raven which had 100 episodes over four seasons. Its series finale averaged nearly 10 million viewers (live and total views on same day), which made that episode the most-watched series finale in Disney Channel's history.

On March 15, 2013, The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex premiered as a one-hour television special.

## Premise

*Wizards of Waverly Place* chronicles the adventures of the Russo Family. The Russos live on Waverly Place in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, above a sandwich shop which they own and run. The family consists of siblings Alex (Selena Gomez), Justin (David Henrie), and Max (Jake T. Austin). The three teenagers are wizards and live with their Italian father, Jerry (David DeLuise), a former family wizard, and their mortal Mexican mother, Theresa (Maria Canals Barrera). When the Russo siblings complete their wizard training, they have to participate in a competition to decide who will become the Family Wizard (the one to keep his/her magical powers forever) of their generation, while the others lose their powers and become mortals. Because of this, Jerry tries to teach his children to not become dependent on magic. Since one of them gets to keep their powers, though, Jerry also gives his children wizard lessons (the lessons end mid Season four). The storage room of the Russo family's sub station is a wizard's lair. In the lair is a Portal which allows them to visit the wizard world, and other creatures to visit them. The headmaster of the wizard council, Professor Crumbs (Ian Abercrombie), regularly pays visits to the Russo home.

The Russo siblings attend Tribeca Preparatory School with Harper Finkle and constantly encounter their Old West style principal, Mr. Laritate (Bill Chott). Because they live in the mortal world, the Russos are required to keep the existence of wizardry a secret. Even so, Alex's best friend, Harper Finkle (Jennifer Stone), discovers the secret in Season 2's episode "Harper Knows". Justin's best friend, Zeke Beakerman (Dan Benson), also finds out in Season 4's episode "Zeke Finds Out", along with Alex's boyfriend, Mason Greyback (Gregg Sulkin), who is a werewolf, and Justin's girlfriend, Juliet van Heusen (Bridgit Mendler), who is a vampire.

### Main

* Selena Gomez as Alex Russo
* David Henrie as Justin Russo
* Jake T. Austin as Max Russo
* Jennifer Stone as Harper Finkle
* Maria Canals Barrera as Theresa Russo
* David DeLuise as Jerry Russo

### Recurring

* Dan Benson as Ezekiel "Zeke" Beakerman
* Ian Abercrombie as Professor Crumbs
* Bill Chott as Mr. Laritate
* Jeff Garlin as Uncle Kelbo (seasons 1–3)
* Paulie Litt as Frankie/Joey (seasons 1–3)
* Josh Sussman as Hugh Normous (seasons 1–2, 4)
* Amanda Tepe as security guard, information desk lady, museum security guard and hot dog vendor (seasons 1–2)
* Skyler Samuels as Gertrude "Gigi" Hollingsworth (seasons 1–2)
* Lucy Hale as Miranda Hampson (season 1)
* Bridgit Mendler as Juliet van Heusen (seasons 2–4)
* Daniel Samonas as Dean Moriarty (seasons 2 and 4)
* Andy Kindler as Chancellor Rudy Tootietootie (seasons 3–4)
* Gregg Sulkin as Mason Greyback (seasons 3–4)
* Moisés Arias as Conscience (season 3)
* Hayley Kiyoko as Stevie Nichols (season 3)
* Kari Wahlgren as Helen (season 4)
* Bailee Madison as Maxine Russo (season 4)
* Frank Pacheco as Felix (season 4)
* Leven Rambin as Rosie (season 4)
* John Rubinstein as Gorog (season 4)
* Fred Stoller as Dexter (season 4)
* Cameron Sanders as Nelvis (season 4)
* McKaley Miller as Talia Robinson (season 4)

## Production

This series was created and as produced by Todd J. Greenwald, who began developing the show after working as a writer and consulting producer during the first season of *Hannah Montana*. The show is produced by It's a Laugh Productions and Disney Channel Original Productions. The theme song, "Everything Is Not What It Seems", written by John Adair and Steve Hampton, is techno-pop style and is performed by Selena Gomez. The series was filmed at Hollywood Center Studios in Hollywood, California.

### Opening sequence

For the first three seasons the show used the same title sequence which is set to Selena Gomez's rendition of "Everything Is Not What It Seems"; it shows Alex, Justin, Max and Harper engaging in magical antics while preparing for school in the morning. The fourth season began using an altered version of the song, and a different sequence involving the cast, who all appear in Times Square at the end of the sequence with Alex waving her wand.

## Broadcast

The show aired worldwide on Disney Channel. It premiered on October 12, 2007 in Pakistan. In Australia it premiered on October 19, 2007 and it also aired on Seven Network starting on October 4, 2008. It premiered on the same date in New Zealand and first aired on FOUR on February 4, 2009. It premiered on October 26, 2007 on Family in Canada. In the United Kingdom, it started airing on November 4, 2007 and it also airs on Channel 5. It premiered on November 3, 2007 in Ireland and also aired on TRTÉ. It premiered in Southeast Asia on March 9, 2008. It first aired in India and Bangladesh on May 5, 2008. In South Africa it premiered on June 22, 2008.

## International version

In August 2019, Disney Channel Asia announced a Malaysian version of the show, titled *Wizards of Warna Walk*. The show premiered on August 30, 2019.

1. ↑ Candid scene of Selena Gomez and Jennifer Stone leaving Hollywood Center Studios (Jennifer Stone fansite). *Jennifer-stone.org* (November 4, 2009). Retrieved on April 3, 2012.
2. ↑ Adreena, Iylia (August 16, 2019). Witches And Wizards Exist In M'sia And You Can Find Them In Disney's 'Wizards Of Warna Walk'.