So Random! is an American Disney Channel sketch comedy series that premiered on June 5, 2011.[1] It was announced as an independent series after Demi Lovato left the parent series, Sonny with a Chance.[2] The series features the actors who acted in Sonny with a Chance, besides Lovato: Tiffany Thornton, Sterling Knight, Brandon Mychal Smith, Doug Brochu, and Allisyn Ashley Arm along with other featured actors who recur in the series. The series premiere was watched by 4.07 million viewers.[3]

Quick Facts Genre, Created by ...
So Random!
Thumb
GenreVariety show
Created bySteve Marmel
Based onSonny With A Chance
Developed byMichael Feldman
Starring
Theme music composer
Opening theme"So Random!", performed by Brandon Mychal Smith
Ending theme"So Random!" (short version)
Composers
  • Chris Alan Lee
  • Scott Clausen
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes26
Production
Executive producers
Production locationsHollywood Center Studios
Hollywood, California
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkDisney Channel
ReleaseJune 5, 2011 (2011-06-05) 
March 25, 2012 (2012-03-25)
Related
Sonny with a Chance
Close

On May 2, 2012, Tiffany Thornton indicated that the series had not been renewed for a second season and the show was cancelled after only 1 season.[4]

Concept, production and premise

In Sonny with a Chance, Demi Lovato plays the title character, Sonny Monroe, a new member of the cast of the sketch comedy show So Random!, which is presented as a show-within-a-show. The series follows the experiences of Sonny, and the rest of the cast. The full length sketch comedy episode format was played within Sonny with a Chance during season 2 of the series for the Christmas and Halloween episodes. In November 2010, Lovato underwent treatment for "physical and emotional issues," and in April 2011, they confirmed that they would not be returning to Sonny with a Chance for its third season.[5] They stated that returning to acting immediately wouldn't be healthy for their recovery.[6]

Following Lovato's departure from the series, So Random! was introduced as its own series that focused more on comedy skits than Sonny with a Chance. Filming for the season began on January 30, 2011.[7] Each episode features sketch comedy skits with the So Random! cast, as well as a musical performance by a guest star. Originally intended to be a third season of Sonny with a Chance, Disney began to describe the show as a separate series following Lovato's confirmed departure.[2]

Each episode typically consists of five or six sketches. Though it is formatted as a sketch comedy series, So Random! retains the fictional universe style of the sitcom it spun off from, with the main cast members playing both the characters they originated on Sonny with a Chance, in addition to playing the characters appearing in each of the sketches. Such a reference to Sonny with a Chance was made when Grady kept hitting the applause button while trying to open a pickle jar, and Zora goes offstage to tell him to stop. She asks what he's doing, and he tells her that he always has a pickle before the show and can't open the jar. Zora opens the jar without difficulty, horrifying Grady. However, the episode "Miss Piggy" would be the first and only episode to feature backstage scenes where Grady, Zora, and a couple other cast members visit Miss Piggy in her dressing room.

Each episode is typically written by two writers (whereas opening segments and sketches in a traditional sketch comedy series are written by a team of up to twelve writers).

Cast

Main

ThumbSterling KnightTiffany ThorntonAllisyn Ashley ArmDoug BrochuBrandon Mychal Smith
The main cast of So Random!

Except for Demi Lovato, the main cast of So Random! is identical to that of its parent series, Sonny with a Chance.[8]

Recurring

Guest stars and artists

Performers

Participators in sketches

Episodes

More information No., Title ...
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
US viewers
(millions)
1"Cody Simpson"Jay KarasMichael Feldman & Steve MarmelJune 5, 2011 (2011-06-05)301[18]4.07[3]

Cody Simpson performs "All Day".

Special musical guest: Cody Simpson
Guest stars: Grace Bannon, Damien Haas, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp

Sketches: All Star Wheel of Fortune, Helmet Ninjas, Zombie Man, Rufus: Kid with Excuses, Tantrum Girl on Ponies
2"Greyson Chance"Eric Dean SeatonMichael Feldman & Steve MarmelJune 12, 2011 (2011-06-12)303[19]3.75[20]

Greyson Chance performs "Waiting Outside the Lines".

Special musical guest: Greyson Chance
Guest stars: Grace Bannon, Damien Haas, Bridget Shergalis, Shayne Topp, Audrey Whitby and Matthew Scott Montgomery, Nancy Cartwright

Sketches: Socks with Sandals, Learning Spanish with Reynaldo Rivera, Bedazzle Zit, The Sparrow Family, The I'm Going to Marry Zach Feldman Show
3"Selena Gomez & the Scene"Bruce LeddyScott KingJune 19, 2011 (2011-06-19)305[21]3.88[22]

Selena Gomez & the Scene performs "Who Says".

Special musical guest: Selena Gomez & the Scene
Guest stars: Damien Haas, Bridget Shergalis, Shayne Topp
Sketches: Schooled by Grammar, Teen Rage, Lil' Texters, Olaf Glutella: Fake Foreign Exchange Student, Garlic Garden, Sag Down Smackdown

Note: Selena Gomez previously appeared in the Sonny with a Chance episode "Battle of the Networks' Stars".
4"Mitchel Musso"Bruce LeddyDava SavelJune 25, 2011 (2011-06-25)304[23]N/A

Mitchel Musso performs "Get Away" and participates in a sketch.

Special music guest: Mitchel Musso
Guest stars: Grace Bannon, Damien Haas, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Bridget Shergalis, Shayne Topp

Sketches: Strawberry Shortbread Saves The Earth, (Guac-A-Mole), Anime Brothers Do Stuff, Possibly Sarcastic Skip, Roadkill McGill's Roadside Diner, Carnival Games, The Real Princesses of New Jersey: The Fairy Godfather
5"Tony Hawk"Linda MendozaMichael Feldman & Steve MarmelJuly 10, 2011 (2011-07-10)302[24]3.74[25]

Tony Hawk guest stars and does a sketch on the show while the main cast of the show tries to make him do something extreme. He finally flies out at the end of the show.

Special guest: Tony Hawk
Guest stars: Grace Bannon, Damien Haas, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Bridget Shergalis, Shayne Topp and Drew Baker

Sketches: Tantrum Girl on Recess, Braggy Benson, Lunch Lady Selects, Backstage from Lunch Lady Selects, School Announcements, Tantrum Girl on Smart Phones, Ooo, Yeah, Uhh... No
6"Coco Jones"Bruce LeddyJessica KaminskyJuly 17, 2011 (2011-07-17)306[26]2.66[27]

Coco Jones performs "Stand Up" and participates in a sketch.

Special musical guest: Coco Jones
Guest stars: Grace Bannon, Damien Haas, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Audrey Whitby

Sketches: Bracey Girrlz Rap, Sally Jensen: Kid Lawyer, Nolan: Part 1, Angus: Supermodel from Down Under, Nolan: Part 2, The Back Up Singers, Nolan: Part 3
7"Jacob Latimore"Bruce LeddyJosh Silverstein & Lanny HornJuly 31, 2011 (2011-07-31)[28][29]308[30]2.40[31]

Jacob Latimore performs "Like 'Em All", Tomato Sue raps about ketchup, and Reynaldo starts a fight between sisters during his Spanish lesson!

Special musical guest: Jacob Latimore
Guest stars: Damien Haas, Coco Jones, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Bridget Shergalis, Shayne Topp

Sketches: Ketchup on Everything, Rufus at the Movies, Puppy Playdate, Sally Jensen: Kid Lawyer, The Back Up Singers II, The Sparrow Family
8"Mindless Behavior"Bruce LeddyAdam Schwartz & Josh HermanAugust 7, 2011 (2011-08-07)3072.78[32]

Mindless Behavior performs "My Girl". The So Random! cast tries to find Rufus.

Special musical guest: Mindless Behavior
Guest stars: Damien Haas, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp, Audrey Whitby and Drew Baker
Sketches: Awkward Years Cocoon, The Coolest Kid in School: Part 1, Mr. McNamara, The Coolest Kid in School: Part 2, The Platowski Brothers, Crazy Carson's Lost N Found, The Coolest Kid in School: Part 3

Note: This episode aired on Disney XD on Sunday, October 24, 2011. Also, the Crazy Carson sketch has been used in two other episodes.
9"Colbie Caillat"Eric Dean SeatonMaiya WilliamsAugust 14, 2011 (2011-08-14)309[30]2.79[33]

Colbie Caillat performs "Brighter Than the Sun".

Special musical guest: Colbie Caillat
Guest stars: Damien Haas, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Audrey Whitby, Shayne Topp, Bridget Shergalis
Sketches: The iPatch, Angus Comes to Dinner, Cheereleader Tryouts: Part 1 , The Coolest Kid in School: Part 4, Cheereleader Tryouts: Part 2, The Coolest Kid in School: Part 5, Cheereleader Tryouts: Part 3, The Coolest Kid in School: Part 6

Note: As of December 23, 2011 this episode has been removed from the airing schedule and is being re-evaluated due to eating disorder references.[34][35][36][37]
10"Far East Movement"Eric Dean SeatonEric Truehart & Sib VentressAugust 21, 2011 (2011-08-21)310[38]2.65[39]

Far East Movement and Miguel perform "Rocketeer".

Special musical guests: Far East Movement, Miguel
Guest stars: Damien Haas, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp, Bridget Shergalis

Sketches: Harry Potter in the Real World, P-Brain's No Pain Bad News Auto Tuner, Teen Rage: Making a Music Video, Moon Landing Bloopers, Zombie Man 2
11"Kicking Daisies"Eric Dean SeatonEric Truehart & Sib VentressAugust 28, 2011 (2011-08-28)311[40]2.30[41]

Kicking Daisies perform "Keeping Secrets".

Special musical guest: Kicking Daisies
Guest stars: Damien Haas, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp, Bridget Shergalis, Audrey Whitby, Grace Bannon
Sketches: Crazy Carson's Lost 'n' Found, Simple Country Boy: Part 1, Project Airport Runway: Part 1, Flash Mob: China Shop, Project Airport Runway: Part 2, Simple Country Boy: Part 2, Project Airport Runway Part 3, Your Daughter's Closet

Note: This is Grace Bannon's last episode.
12"Dave Days"Eric Dean SeatonScott KingSeptember 11, 2011 (2011-09-11)313[42]2.12[43]

Dave Days performs "What Does It Take".

Special musical guest: Dave Days
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp, Damien Haas, and Audrey Whitby
Sketches: All Magical Student Wheel of Fortune, Teachers Don't Try to Be Cool, Chilly Slab Ice Creamery, Ice Heels, Vampire Kittens

Note: This episode was originally scheduled to air on September 18, 2011.
13"Chelsea Kane/Hot Chelle Rae"Eric Dean SeatonDava SavelSeptember 18, 2011 (2011-09-18)317[44]3.15[45]

Hot Chelle Rae performs "Tonight Tonight".

Special guest: Chelsea Kane
Special musical guest: Hot Chelle Rae
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Damien Haas, Shayne Topp, Bridget Shergalis, Audrey Whitby,

Sketches: VoldeMart, Nolan Knows Best: Part 1, Dance Fever, Nolan Knows Best: Part 2, Sunglass Sass-Off, Nolan Knows Best: Part 3
14"Miss Piggy"Eric Dean SeatonMichael Feldman & Steve MarmelOctober 2, 2011 (2011-10-02)316[46]3.17[47]

Miss Piggy guest stars and participates in several sketches.[48]

Special guest: Miss Piggy, (Performed by Eric Jacobson)
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Damien Haas, Shayne Topp
Sketches: Pitching to Piggy Part 1, Pitching to Piggy Part 2, Odor Meaters, Sweets vs. Grain, Pitching to Piggy Part 3, Pitching for Miss Piggy Part 4, The Real Princesses of New Jersey

Notes: Even though not in the episode with Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog was mentioned in the episode when Miss Piggy told him on the phone about So Random! getting its own show and Chad becoming a Random. This is the first episode to reveal the first names of three cast members (Matthew, Damien, Shayne) except for "Greyson Chance" with Audrey Vale. This is also the first episode to feature off-stage sequences featuring some of the cast members talking to Miss Piggy in her dressing room.
15"Iyaz"Eric Dean SeatonMichael Feldman & Steve MarmelOctober 9, 2011 (2011-10-09)321[26]3.60[49]

Iyaz performs "Pretty Girls" featuring Mann.[50]

Special musical guests: Iyaz, featuring Mann
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Damien Haas, Shayne Topp, Audrey Whitby, Bridget Shergalis
Sketches: Candy Pants, Halloween Do's and Dont's: Part 1, Sally Jensen: Kid Lawyer, Halloween Do's and Dont's: Part 2, Fly Guy (Superhero), Halloween Do's and Dont's: Part 3, Rufus: Halloween

Note: This is a So Random! Halloween special. The "Halloween Do's and Don'ts" segments from A So Random! Halloween Special on Sonny with a Chance are used in this episode.
16"Bridgit Mendler, Adam Hicks and Hayley Kiyoko"Michael FeldmanJessica KaminskyNovember 6, 2011 (2011-11-06)318[51]3.31[52]

Bridgit Mendler, Adam Hicks and Hayley Kiyoko perform "Determinate".

Special musical guests: Bridgit Mendler, Adam Hicks and Hayley Kiyoko
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp, Damien Haas, Chris Brochu, Bridget Shergalis and Audrey Whitby

Sketches: Talking To Girls with Chester McFowler, Class President Ads, Manny McPhee, Harry Potter In the Real World II
17"Leigh-Allyn Baker and Mia Talerico"Carl LautenJessica KaminskyNovember 27, 2011 (2011-11-27)324[53]3.07[54]

Pia Toscano performs her new single called, "This Time"

Special musical guest: Pia Toscano
Special guest stars: Leigh-Allyn Baker and Mia Talerico from Good Luck Charlie
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp, Damien Haas, Bridget Shergalis and Audrey Whitby
Sketches: Rufus at the Restaurant, Why? With Mia, Cheerleader Tryouts, Awkward Moments

Note: "This Time" is the only song that's not featured on the Radio Disney request list.
18"Justin Bieber"Bruce LeddyMichael Feldman & Steve MarmelDecember 4, 2011 (2011-12-04)325[55]3.34[56]

Justin Bieber performs "Mistletoe".

Special musical guest: Justin Bieber
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp, Damien Haas, Bridget Shergalis and Audrey Whitby (in the audience uncredited)

Sketches: MC Grammar Claus, The Platowski Brothers, The Coolest Kid In School, Volde-Mart, Raised By Beavers
19"Christina Grimmie"Eric Dean SeatonGina RoncoliDecember 11, 2011 (2011-12-11)3153.02[57]

Christina Grimmie performs "Advice".

Special musical guest: Christina Grimmie
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Shayne Topp, Damien Haas, Bridget Shergalis and Audrey Whitby

Sketches: The Anime Brothers, Teachers Don't Be Cool II, Sally Jenson Kid Lawyer
20"Andy Grammer"Eric Dean SeatonDavid WittJanuary 8, 2012 (2012-01-08)3222.86[58]

Andy Grammer performs "Keep Your Head Up".

Special musical guest: Andy Grammer.
Guest stars: Matthew Scott Montgomery, Coco Jones, Damien Haas, Shayne Topp, Audrey Whitby

Sketches: The Anime Brothers, Sargent Slumber's Sleepover Boot Camp, Tales from the FBI: Fairytale Bureau Investigation, Puppy Playdate
21"Cole & Dylan Sprouse"Bruce LeddyAdam Schwartz & Josh HermanJanuary 16, 2012 (2012-01-16)319[59]2.69[60]

Cole & Dylan Sprouse guest star and participate in several sketches.

Special guest: Dylan and Cole Sprouse and Debby Ryan

Sketches: Sally Jensen: Kid Lawyer: Cartoons, Inappropriate Places for a Flash Mob: Court, Staring Contest, The Anime Brothers vs. The Transformer Brothers, The Lost Episode of The Suite Life on Deck, Teachers Don't Be Cool III
22"The Ready Set"Eric Dean SeatonMichael Feldman & Steve MarmelJanuary 29, 2012 (2012-01-29)312[61]2.77[62]

The Ready Set performs "Young Forever".

Special guest: The Ready Set

Sketches: Possibly Sarcastic Skip, Raised By Beavers II, So Random's Inappropriate places for a flash mob, Madeline Online, The Biggest Loser Ruins Your Meal, Simple Country Boy
23"China Anne McClain"[63]Michael FeldmanAdam Schwartz & Josh Herman & Josh Silverstein & Lanny HornFebruary 12, 2012 (2012-02-12)326[64]2.25[65]

China Anne McClain performs "Unstoppable".

Special guest: China Anne McClain

Sketches: So Logical, Teacher's Don't Try To Be Cool IV, Cheerleader Tryouts: Benson Green, Angus: Shin-ezizer, Cheerleader Tryouts: Nancy Green, Crazy Carson's Lost 'n' Found
24"The New Boyz"[66]Eric Dean SeatonAnthony WattFebruary 26, 2012 (2012-02-26)3142.18[67]

The New Boyz performs "Meet My Mom".

Special guest: The New Boyz

Sketches: Dancing With the Internet Stars, I'm Going to Marry Zach Feldman Show II, Captain Obvious I, Lady Gaga: Born to Play, Captain Obvious II, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?: Tech Edition, Captain Obvious III,
25"Shane Harper"[68]Bruce LeddyJosh Silverstein & Lanny HornMarch 4, 2012 (2012-03-04)3202.34[69]

Shane Harper performs "One Step Closer".

Special guest: Shane Harper

Sketches: Danceformers, Go Fish The Movie, Do The Angus!, Big Hand Guy, So Random! Story Book Remix: The Giving Tree
26"Destinee & Paris"[70]Ron MoseleyRachel SprattMarch 25, 2012 (2012-03-25)3232.14[71]

Destinee & Paris performs "True Love"

Special Guest: Destinee & Paris

Sketches: JamTron, I'm Going To Marry Zach Feldman Show III, The Back Up Singers III, Serious Bandz
Close

Recurring sketches

  • Angus: Supermodel from Down Under – An Australian Shin Model who gets into people's personal spaces.
  • Braggy Benson – A segment about a kid who brags about something bad happening to him.
  • Chilly Slab Ice Cream Shop – Chilly Slab Ice-Cream Shop is the ice cream shop that celebrates whenever a customer leaves a tip.
  • Crazy Carson's Lost and Found – A student called Crazy Carson makes advertisements about everything being free at the lost and found.
  • Dr. Goldstein – A segment about a dentist.
  • Harry Potter in the Real World – After saving the world many times (but it also states that it's because they ran out of movies), Harry Potter takes on the challenges of the Real World by trying to get a job and pulling off magic spells that don't work.
  • M.C. Grammar – A rapper who rhymes grammatically corrects people while he raps while he is chased by two gang members. He is a spoof of MC Hammer.
  • Nolan – A French-speaking hand who gives advice.
  • Puppy Playdate – Two dimwitted girls named Victoria and Lyla go on a playdate with their dogs with conversations between them end up insulting other people.
  • Rufus: Kid with Excuses – A boy named Rufus tends to come up with different excuses to evade getting into trouble much to the chagrin of Principal Zaniya and Teacher Joanne. Some of these excuses end up being true.
  • Raised by Beavers – A buck-toothed girl named Becky was raised by Beavers and tries to hide the fact from anyone she meets.
  • Sally Jensen: Kid Lawyer – A lawyer named Sally Jensen helps a different child when it comes to whatever wrongful act someone has done to them, with said someone being locked up in jail.
  • Simple Country Boy – A country boy with no background story happens to know how to handle any type of situation.
  • Possibly Sarcastic Skip – A boy who's misunderstood by people by his sarcasm.
  • So Random's Inappropriate Places for a Flash Mob – This segment shows the inappropriate places for people to start a Flash Mob.
  • So Random! Storybook Remix – A segment detailing remixed versions of classic stories.
  • Tantrum Girl – A girl named Tantrum Girl tends to lose her temper at specific things when talking about something else.
  • Tales from the FBI: Fairytale Bureau Investigation - Once upon many times, there can arise a situation, that requires a visit from the Fairytale Bureau of Investigation.
  • Teachers, Don't Try to Be Cool – A teacher named Mr. Goodman tries to fit in with his students and acts as if he doesn't play by the rules. This usually gets him hurt though.
  • Teen Rage – Three teenagers created a band called Teen Rage against Parents and Teachers.
  • The Anime Brothers – Scott and Elliot Kravitz (both dressed as parodies of Goku and Naruto Uzumaki) and are obsessed with Anime cartoons and act as if they are in the cartoons.
  • The Back Up Singers – A nerdy girl named Janice has two back-up singers who help her get through life upon her mother hiring them for a Back To School present. The Back up Singers used to work for J. Lo.
  • The Biggest Loser Ruins Your Meal - Two trainers from The Biggest Loser runs and ruins your meal.
  • The I'm Going To Marry Zach Feldman Show – Julia Peters is an insane girl who runs a web show about Zach Feldman who she is obsessed with, much to his chagrin.
  • The Platowski Brothers – Two singers named Dwayne and Calvin Platowski sing about sibling rivalry and how much they hate each other.
  • The Real Princesses of New Jersey – Three princesses who are stuck-up and from New Jersey re-live fairy tales in modern day.
  • The Coolest Kid in School – The Coolest Kid in School spoofs The Most Interesting Man in the World commercials.
  • The Sparrow Family – This sketch details with a family of sparrows with one of them being a sparrow version of Jack Sparrow.
  • Volde-Mart – This segment deals with a store that is owned by Lord Voldemort.
  • Wheel Of Fortune – Pat Sajak tries to host special edition versions of Wheel Of Fortune, but the guests never get through the round because they are too distracted.
  • Zombie Man – Andy is friends with a zombie named Zombie Man who tends to eat those close to him, much to his chagrin.

Broadcast

The series premiered on Disney Channel on June 5, 2011 and on Family Channel on June 10, 2011. It premiered on July 27, 2011 on Disney Channel (Australia and New Zealand) and on October 31, 2011 on Disney Channel (UK and Ireland).

Video on demand

The series became available to stream on Disney+ on April 3, 2020, however it was listed as "season 3" of Sonny with a Chance, instead of as a separate series.[72] On July 14 of the following year, both series were separated on the platform.[73]

Critical reception

The series's premiere earned mixed reviews. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the series four out of five stars, writing, "Sonny spin-off offers family-friendly sketch comedy, an excellent choice for families".[74]

Music

  • So Random! – Brandon Mychal Smith
  • "Socks with Sandals" by Footy Scent featuring Hush Puppy – Doug Brochu featuring Brandon Mychal Smith
  • "Schooled by Grammar" by MC Grammar – Brandon Mychal Smith featuring Tiffany Thornton, Shayne Topp and Sterling Knight
  • "Bracey Girrlz Rap" by Bracey Girrlz – Allisyn Ashley Arm and Grace Bannon featuring Brandon Mychal Smith and Damien Haas with a voice by Audrey Whitby
  • "Ketchup on Everything" by Tomatow Sue and the Posse[75] – Allisyn Ashley Arm featuring Brandon Mychal Smith and Doug Brochu
  • "Candy Pants" by Footy Scent featuring Hush Puppy – Doug Brochu featuring Brandon Mychal Smith
  • "The Gift of Grammar" by MC Grammar feat. Typo and Dr. Dreidel – Brandon Mychal Smith feat. Shayne Topp, Sterling Knight, Tiffany Thornton and Allisyn Ashley Arm
  • "Do the Angus" by Angus feat. Gila – Matthew Scott Montgomery feat. Tiffany Thornton
  • "I'm Your Jamtron" by Jamtron – Damien Haas

References

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