Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: In today’s Internet-obsessed society it seems like everyone and their dog have a blog. Well, that is literally the case at Disney Channel, which has greenlighted multi-camera comedy pilot Dog With A Blog, about a talking and blogging family pet. Additionally, Disney Channel has given a back-nine order to new comedy Austin & Ally, bringing its order to 21 episodes, and has expanded the second season of another comedy, Shake It Up, to 26 episodes.

Following the success of Good Luck Charlie, Disney Channel executives have been looking to develop more shows about families, and Dog With A Blog is a result of those efforts, SVP original series Adam Bonnett said. Written and executive produced by Michael B. Kaplan (Disney XD’s I’m In The Band), Dog With A Blog centers on 15-year-old Tyler and Kayla, who have just become step-siblings but don’t get along because they’re very different: Tyler is popular, social and gets by on his looks, while Kayla is super smart, socially responsible and despises guys like Tyler. Cue Stu, the new family’s dog. He talks, blogs about his family on his social network, and, with his canine point of view, helps Tyler and Kayla navigate their new sibling status as well as the world of high school. Neal Israel (Disney XD’s Kickin’ It) will direct the pilot, which is set to film the first week of November in Los Angeles. Casting is underway for the kids, parents and the dog, who will be real (sans the talking and blogging part, which will most likely be CG animation).

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.