“Shake It Up” is a U.S. sitcom broadcast on Disney Channel, debuting on November 7, 2010. Conceived by Chris Thompson, the series features Bella Thorne and Zendaya as the leads, portraying CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue, who are background dancers on a local program called “Shake It Up Chicago.” The show explores their on-set and off-set escapades, as well as their challenges and growing popularity at school. The main cast also includes Davis Cleveland, Roshon Fegan, Adam Irigoyen, Kenton Duty, and Caroline Sunshine.

The initial idea for the show was to create a female buddy comedy with a dance element. “Shake It Up” is Disney’s third original series to incorporate a show-within-a-show format, following “The Famous Jett Jackson” and “Sonny with a Chance.” It is also the first Disney Channel Original Series since “So Random!” to feature more than six main cast members simultaneously.

On September 29, 2011, Disney Channel revealed that the second season of “Shake It Up” would be extended to 26 episodes. The second soundtrack, “Shake It Up: Live 2 Dance,” was released on March 20, 2012. A special 90-minute episode titled “Made In Japan” aired on August 17, 2012, as the finale of the second season. On June 4, 2012, Disney Channel confirmed the renewal of “Shake It Up” for a third season, noting that Kenton Duty would not be a regular cast member but would appear as a special guest.