They hope they're gonna live forever

The Disney channel movie was a hit with 14 million kids across America.

Kiwi tweens can now tune into a new Fame that has stormed America.

What is it?

Think Grease (without the rumpy-pumpy) crossed with Pleasantville and you'll get an idea of this tween hit. Troy, a high-school jock just wants to sing, but do you think his basketball-coach dad will let him? He and shy math-whiz Gabriella meet in a karaoke competition and it's puppy love at first chorus. When they audition for the high-school musical they threaten to push the bitchy Sharpay and her singing brother off their theatrical pedestals. Cue song-and-dance routines with more colour than Moulin Rouge but less skin.

Why should we watch it?

Because 14 million American kids seemed to think it was all right when it screened in January, making it the Disney Channel's most successful TV movie. The original soundtrack of sugar-pop anthems went to number one on the Billboard pop music charts, the kids' album charts and the iTunes Music Store. In one week nine singles were on the chart. Says co-star Ashley Tisdale, (Sharpay) who has signed a record deal and is promoting the film in Australia: "It sounds kind of cheesy but there was a magic there when we were filming."

Hang on. Did you say cheesy?

Yes, this is a good old-fashioned musical where everything looks as though it's leaping off the stage. Aside from the odd pop culture reference - Ashton Kutcher's Punk'd, for example - this is the stuff of Walt's dreams.

Who are these precocious young stars?

Ashley Tisdale, 20, is a Disney star in the making. Best known for a starring role on the Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, she has been performing since the age of 3. Her many TV credits include recurring roles on Boston Public and 7th Heaven. Aside from a small role in Richard Kelly's twisted drama, Donnie Darko, this is her first major film role. Her goal in life is to win an Emmy.

Zac Efron, 18, her co-star on Zack & Cody, is a little newer to the acting game but already has ER, The Guardian and Firefly on his CV. This car enthusiast's ideal role is a Bruce Willis-type action film.

With our fascination with the Drew Barrymores and Lindsay Lohans of this world, will we see Tisdale and Efron turning up on the E channel in five years on Child Stars Gone Bad?

"People ask me, 'Do you feel pressure?" says Tisdale, who plays characters younger than her age. "And I don't. I'm just being me and the fact that kids look up to me is really cool."

"We have good heads on our shoulders and great families behind us and working with Disney hasn't led us to do anything wrong," adds Efron.

* High School Musical, Saturday, Disney channel, Sky TV channel 40, 6.30pm