Wizards of Waverly Place Information

Wizards of Waverly Place is an American supernatural 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, María 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 as the longest-running Disney Channel Original Series (surpassing That's So Raven) with 106 episodes over four seasons. Its series finale averaged nearly 10 million viewers (live+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 Italian-Mexican Russo Family. The Russos live on Waverly Place in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, above a sub shop which they own and run. The family consists of siblings Alexandra "Alex" (Selena Gomez), Justin (David Henrie), and Maximillian "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 are 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 Prep 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, who is a werewolf (Gregg Sulkin).

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 of techno-pop style and is performed by Selena Gomez. The series is filmed at Hollywood Center Studios in Hollywood, California.

Opening sequence

For the first three seasons the show used the same title sequence, the opening title sequence, which is set to Selena Gomez's rendition of "Everything Is Not What It Seems", shows Alex, Justin, Max and Harper engaging in magical antics while preparing for school in the morning. The fourth season began using a slightly 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.

Reception

The show debuted on Disney Channel on October 12, 2007 after the premiere of Twitches Too, gathering 5.9 million viewers. In January 2010, "Wizards vs. Werewolves" one-hour special episode became the series' most-watched (non-crossover) episode with 6.2 million viewers, surpassing the 6 million viewers of "Paint By Committee" episode The series' most watched episode, including crossovers, was "Cast-Away (To Another Show)" episode, which was included in the special trilogy of crossover episodes between three Disney Channel original sitcoms, Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana. The broadcast was watched by 10.6 million viewers. In 2009, the series was the top scripted telecast for teens between the age of 9"14 (1.63 million/6.7 rating) and second in kids 6"11 (1.81 million/7.4 rating), which was only slightly behind The Suite Life on Deck (1.82 million/7.4 rating.)

Series overview

See List of Wizards of Waverly Place episodes for more information

Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

See Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie for more information The Disney Channel Original Movie, based on the series, premiered on August 28, 2009 on Disney Channel. Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie was filmed in Puerto Rico in the caribe Hilton hotel, Los Angeles, and New York City from February 16 to March 27, 2009. The movie received 11.4 million viewers on its premiere, making it the second-most-viewed DCOM premiere in the US after High School Musical 2. It was the 7th most watched basic cable telecast in 2009. It won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2010 for "Outstanding Children's Program".

Series finale

On Friday, January 6, 2012, Wizards of Waverly Place aired its one-hour series finale, "Who Will Be The Family Wizard?", which averaged nearly 10 million viewers (9.8 million; live+same day) to up to 11.3 million. Although it was not the series' most-watched special, being behind Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, and Cast Away (To Another Show), it was the most-watched finale for a Disney Channel Original Series.

Excluding the crossover programming special, it was the franchise's most-watched episode. The closer also set series best among kids 6"11 (4.2 million) and teens 9"14 (3.8 million). It also obtained a solid 1.9 rating with adults 18"49. Notably, the finale is the current TV season's most-watched cable telecast among scripted programs.

The show ended with Alex becoming the family wizard, Justin being declared new Headmaster of WizTech (also keeping his wizard powers), and Max getting to run the sub shop. Max is very happy with his position.

The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex

See Wizards of Waverly Place: Alex vs. Alex for more information On September 27, 2012, Disney Channel announced that Wizards of Waverly Place would return for an hour-long special, that began production on October 22, 2012, and ended production on November 10, 2012, for a premiere telecast on the cable channel in early 2013. The special, executive-produced by Selena Gomez, alongside series executive producers Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio (who also co-wrote the special with Dan Berendsen), will center on the Russos' and Mason and Harper's visit to Italy to meet long-lost relatives from Jerry's side of the family. In an attempt to prove to her family that she's not merely a carefree wizard, Alex inadvertently casts a spell that creates two versions of her with differing personalities: an evil version of Alex that ends up involved in another wizard's ( Dominic) plan for world domination, and a good version who upon discovering the wizard's plan, tries to find a way to save her family and mankind, leading to a literal battle between good and evil atop the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The film is titled The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex and premiered on March 15, 2013.

Cast

Main

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

Recurring

Ian Abercrombie as Professor Crumbs Gregg Sulkin as Mason Greyback (seasons 3"4) Dan Benson as Ezekiel "Zeke" Beakerman Bill Chott as Mr. Hershel Laritate Moisés Arias as Conscience (season 3) Jeff Garlin as Uncle Kelbo (seasons 1"3) Lucy Hale as Miranda Hampson (season 1) Andy Kindler as Chancellor Rudy Tootietootie (seasons 3"4) Hayley Kiyoko as Stevie Nichols (season 3) Paulie Litt as Frankie/Joey (seasons 1, 3) Kari Wahlgren as Helen (season 4) Bailee Madison as Maxine Russo (season 4)

Bridgit Mendler as Juliet van Heusen (seasons 2"4) Frank Pacheco as Felix (season 4) Leven Rambin as Rosie (season 4) John Rubinstein as Gorog (season 4) Daniel Samonas as Dean Moriarty (seasons 2, 4) Skyler Samuels as Gertrude "Gigi" Hollingsworth (seasons 1"2) Fred Stoller as Dexter (season 4) Josh Sussman as Hugh Normous (seasons 1"2, 4) Amanda Tepe as Monotone Lady (seasons 1"2) Cameron Sanders as Nelvis (season 4) McKaley Miller as Talia Robinson (season 4)

Merchandise

Soundtrack

See Wizards of Waverly Place (soundtrack) for more information The soundtrack album for the hit Disney Channel Original Series of the same name. The album was released as a physical CD, enhanced CD and digital on August 4, 2009, under Walt Disney Records. The album includes songs from and inspired by the TV series and Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.

In response to the soundtrack, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic recognized Wizards for its "teen revamps of boomer classics that parents can enjoy too". He also stated that the album is "agreeable" and that Selena Gomez "inevitably stands out from the pack". However, Erlewine said: "the dang-awful version of America's "You Can Do Magic" by Drew Seeley is sunk by its hyper-claustrophobic rhythms, the biggest rearrangement of a tune here and easily the worst cut."

Video game

Wizards of Waverly Place is a video game published by Disney Interactive Studios for the Nintendo DS. It was released on August 25, 2009 in America [1] and on August 28, 2009 in Europe and in Australia on September 21, 2009. It is based upon the Disney Channel Original Series Wizards of Waverly Place. The game is based on many of the sets used in the TV show. The game is about Alex buying a bracelet that is for adult wizards and starts freezing people. A second video game called Wizards of Waverly Place: Spellbound was released on November 16, 2010. The game is about finding out what happened to a dress designed by Alex Russo that goes missing just before her big fashion show.

DVD releases

Compilations

Name	Episodes	Region 1	Region 2	DVD extras
Wizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School	Wizard School Part 1, Wizard School Part 2, Curb Your Dragon, Disenchanted Evening	July 29, 2008		Work It Like a Wizard " Selena, Sonny, Jake and David's favorite things to do.
Wizards of Waverly Place: Supernaturally Stylin'	Credit Check, Smarty Pants, Beware Wolf, Graphic Novel	February 10, 2009		Fashionista Presto Chango! " Go behind the scenes with the stars for some wardrobe magic!
Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana	Cast-Away (To Another Show) (Wizards), "Double Crossed" (Suite Life), "Super(stitious) Girl" (Hannah Montana)	September 22, 2009		Justin's Award Winning Essay " It's A Suite Life Having Fun With Hannah & The Wizards
The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex " Extended Edition	Full-Length TV Movie	June 25, 2013		Alternate Ending, Cast Goodbyes

Season releases

Name	Episodes	Region 2	Region 4	DVD extras
Season 1: Volume 1: Work It Like a Wizard	Crazy 10-Minutes Sale, First Kiss, I Almost Drowned in a Chocolate Fountain, New Employee, Disenchanted Evening, You Can't Always Get What You Carpet, Alex's Choice	October 5, 2009	March 3, 2010	Work It Like a Wizard " Selena, Jake and David's favorite things to do.
Season 1: Volume 2: Magic Training	Curb Your Dragon, Movies, Pop Me and We Both Go Down, Potion Commotion, Justin's Little Sister, Wizard School Part 1, Wizard School Part 2	October 5, 2009	June 2, 2010	Casting A Spell
Season 1: Volume 3: Stylin' Powers	The Supernatural, Alex in the Middle, Report Card, Credit Check, Alex's Spring Fling, Quinceanera, Art Museum Piece	October 5, 2009	August 2010	Fashionista Presto Chango! " Go behind the scenes with the stars for some wardrobe magic!

The show's complete first season was released on September 10, 2009 in Germany, on October 1, 2009 in Spain, on March 3, 2010 in France and on March 12, 2010 in Poland.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result
2008	ALMA Award	Outstanding Male Performance in a Comedy Television Series	Jake T. Austin
		Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series	Selena Gomez
			María Canals Barrera
	Young Artist Award	Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series	Selena Gomez David Henrie Jennifer Stone Jake T. Austin
	Imagen Award	Best Actress " Television	Selena Gomez
		Best Supporting Actress " Television	María Canals Barrera
	Directors Guild of America	Best Director in Children's Programs	Fred Savage (Episode The Crazy 10 Minute Sale)
	Casting Society of America	Outstanding Achievement in Casting " Children's Series Programming	Ruth Lambert and Robert McGee
2009	2009 Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite TV Actress	Selena Gomez
	2009 Australian Kids' Choice Awards	Fave International TV Star	Selena Gomez
	ALMA Award	Actor in Television " Comedy	Jake T. Austin
		Actress in Television " Comedy	Selena Gomez
			María Canals Barrera
		Behind The Scenes	Peter Murrieta
	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) " Leading Young Actress	Selena Gomez
		Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) " Leading Young Actor	Jake T. Austin
	Imagen Award	Best Actress " Television	Selena Gomez
		Best Supporting Actress " Television	María Canals Barrera
	NAACP Image Award	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program " Series or Special	Selena Gomez
	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV: Sidekick	Jake T. Austin
	Primetime Emmy	Outstanding Children's Program	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Casting Society of America	Outstanding Achievement in Casting " Children's Series Programming	Ruth Lambert and Robert McGee
2010	2010 Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite TV Actress	Selena Gomez
		Favorite TV Show	Wizards of Waverly Place
	2010 Australian Kids' Choice Awards	Fave TV Star	Selena Gomez
		Fave TV Show	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) " Leading Young Actor	Jake T. Austin
	NAACP Image Award	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program " Series or Special	Selena Gomez
	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV Actress: Comedy	Selena Gomez
		Choice TV Show: Comedy	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Primetime Emmy	Outstanding Children's Program	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Hollywood Teen TV Awards	Teen Pick Actor: Comedy	Gregg Sulkin
	British Academy Children's Awards	BAFTA Kid's Vote: TV	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Gracie Allen Awards	Outstanding Female Rising Star in a Comedy Series	Selena Gomez
	Kids' Choice Awards Mexico	Favorite International Female Personality	Selena Gomez
	Casting Society of America	Outstanding Achievement in Casting " Children's Series Programming	Ruth Lambert and Robert McGee
2011	2011 Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite TV Actress	Selena Gomez
		Favorite TV Sidekick	David Henrie
		Favorite TV Show	Wizards of Waverly Place
	2011 Australian Kids' Choice Awards	Fave TV Star	Selena Gomez
		Fave TV Show	Wizards of Waverly Place
	ALMA Award	Favorite TV Actress " Leading Role in a Comedy	Selena Gomez
		Favorite TV Actress " Supporting Role	María Canals Barrera
		Favorite TV Series	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in a TV Series " Guest Starring Young Actress 11"15	Bella Thorne
	Imagen Award	Best Young Actress/Television	Selena Gomez
		Best Supporting Actress/Television	María Canals Barrera
	NAACP Image Award	Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program " Series or Special	Selena Gomez
		Outstanding Children's Program	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Teen Choice Awards	Choice TV Actress: Comedy	Selena Gomez
		Choice TV Show: Comedy	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Primetime Emmy	Outstanding Children's Program	Wizards of Waverly Place
		Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series	Rick Frank Gunter (Episode Dancing With Angels)
	Youth Rocks Awards	Rockin' Ensemble Cast (TV/Comedy)	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Kids' Choice Awards Mexico	Favorite International Show	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Kids' Choice Awards Argentina	Favorite TV International Show	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Casting Society of America	Outstanding Achievement in Casting " Children's Series	Ruth Lambert and Robert McGee
2012	2012 Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite TV Actress	Selena Gomez
		Favorite TV Sidekick	Jennifer Stone
		Favorite TV Show	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in a TV Series " Recurring Young Actress 17"21	Bridgit Mendler
		Best Performance in a TV Series " Guest Starring Young Actor 14"17	LJ Benet
	Imagen Award	Best Young Actress/Television	Selena Gomez
	NAACP Image Award	Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series	Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio
	Primetime Emmy	Outstanding Children's Program	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Hollywood Teen TV Awards	Favorite Television Actress	Selena Gomez
		Favorite Television Actor	Jake T. Austin
		Favorite Television Show	Wizards of Waverly Place
	Casting Society of America	Outstanding Achievement in Casting " Children's Series Programming	Ruth Lambert y Robert McGee
2013	2013 Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite TV Actress	Selena Gomez
		Favorite TV Actor	Jake T. Austin
		Favorite TV Show	Wizards of Waverly Place

International release

Country/Region	Network(s)	Series premiere	Series Title in Country
Turkey	Digiturk	October 24, 2007	Waverly Büyücüleri
	Disney Channel Turkey	October 12, 2007	Wizards of Waverly Place
United States	Disney Channel
Pakistan	Disney Channel	October 12, 2007
Australia	Disney Channel Australia	October 19, 2007
	Seven Network	October 4, 2008
New Zealand	Disney Channel Australia	October 19, 2007
	TV3 moved to FOUR	February 4, 2009
United Kingdom	Disney Channel UK & Channel 5	November 4, 2007
Ireland	Disney Channel Ireland and TRT"?	November 3, 2007
Canada (English)	Family	October 26, 2007
China	ICS	July 30, 2012	Wizards of Waverly Place(English) "??"?"??(Chinese)
India	Disney Channel India	May 5, 2008	Wizards of Waverly Place
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Malaysia	Disney Channel Malaysia (Airs in Malay (penyihir tempat Waverly) and English Language)	March 9, 2008
Arab World	Disney Channel Middle East (Airing with Arabic subtitles)	February 29, 2008
The Netherlands	Disney Channel (Netherlands & Belgium)	October 3, 2009
Belgium		November 1, 2009
Hong Kong	Disney Channel Asia (Airing the show with Chinese Subtitles) (Dubbed)	March 9, 2008
	TVB Pearl	September 19, 2010	Wizards of Waverly Place (English) "??"?"?? (Chinese)
Indonesia	Disney Channel Asia (Airing the show with Indonesian and Malay Subtitles) (Dubbed in Thailand, and Vietnam)	March 9, 2008	Wizards of Waverly Place
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam			Nh?ng phù th?y x? Waverly
South Korea	Disney Channel Korea		?????"?"?
South Africa	Disney Channel South Africa (airs in English) SABC 3
Canada (French)	VRAK.TV	August 24, 2009	Les Sorciers de Waverly Place
France	Disney Channel France	January 22, 2008
	NRJ12	August 31, 2009
Israel	Disney Channel Israel	June 2008	"??"????? ?"?"???"???? ?????
Bulgaria	BNT 1	March 28, 2009	????????"??"?? ?"? ???????? ?????
	Disney Channel Bulgaria	September 19, 2009
Greece	Disney Channel Greece	November 7, 2009	?? ????? "??"? "?"??????"?
	ERT	January 5, 2010
Italy	Disney Channel Italy	January 26, 2008	I Maghi Di Waverly
	Italia 1	January 12, 2010
Poland	Disney Channel Poland	February 29, 2008	Czarodzieje z Waverly Place
	TVP 1	September 12, 2010
Finland	Disney Channel Scandinavia Nelonen	February 29, 2008	Waverly Placen velhot
Denmark			Magi på Waverly Place (Magic at Waverly Place)
Sweden
Norway			Magikerne på Waverly Place
Germany	Disney Channel Germany	March 8, 2008	Die Zauberer vom Waverly Place
	Super RTL	September 1, 2008
Switzerland	SF Zwei	April 11, 2009
Austria	ORF 1	June 20, 2009
Spain	Disney Channel Spain	January 18, 2008	Los Magos de Waverly Place
	Antena 3
Portugal	Disney Channel Portugal		Os Feiticeiros de Waverly Place
	SIC
Brazil	Disney Channel Brazil and Rede Globo	March 23, 2008 (Advance) April 11, 2008 (Premiere)
	Disney Channel Latin America
Dominican Republic		March 23, 2008 (Advance) April 14, 2008 (Premiere)	Los Hechiceros de Waverly Place
Argentina
Costa Rica
Bolivia
Colombia
Ecuador
Haiti
Mexico
Panama
Peru
Paraguay
Uruguay
Venezuela
Taiwan	Disney Channel Taiwan	March 28, 2008	"??"?"??
Japan	Disney Channel Japan	April 18, 2008	"?"?"?????"??"?"?"??"???
Albania	Digitalb	July, 2009	Magjistaret e sheshit Uejverli
Chile	Disney Channel Latin America	March 23, 2008 (Advance) April 14, 2008 (Premiere)	Los Hechiceros de Waverly Place'
	Canal 13 (Chile)	March 6, 2010
Romania	Disney Channel Romania	September 19, 2009	Magicienii Din Waverly Place
Czech Republic	Disney Channel (Central and Eastern Europe)	February 2009	Kouzelníci z Waverly
Slovakia
Hungary			Varázslók a Waverly helyb"?l
Russia	???	November 2, 2009	"?????????? ?? "???????? ?????
	Disney Channel (Russia)	August 11, 2010
Serbia	Radio Television of Serbia	June 27, 2010	???????"?? ?? "???????? ??????
	Disney Channel Serbia
Slovenia	Kanal A	August 1, 2010	?arovniki s trga Waverly
Slovakia	JOJ Plus	September 18, 2012	Kúzelníci z waverly
Ukraine	Disney Channel Ukraine TET	2010"present (Disney Channel Ukraine) 2011 (TET; first two seasons)	???-????? ? "???????- ?????
Iceland	RÚV	Unknown	Galdrakrakkar (Magic Kids)