In spite of the show's dramatic ratings gains, and a memorable role as the know-it-all 10-year-old band manager in 2003's Jack Black comedy "School of Rock," Cosgrove is without the promotional power of the Disney empire -- ABC, Hollywood Records and Walt Disney Pictures -- that has made stars of Cyrus, Hilary Duff and Zac Efron.
Instead, she falls neatly into the tradition of Nickelodeon talent, which includes recent breakouts Emma Roberts and Josh Peck, teens who are now trying to build their acting careers in independent films. Cosgrove is not a glammed up pop star; she is a mirror of the audience watching her.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 Metro Desk 1 inches; 32 words Type of Material: Correction
'iCarly': A caption for a photo accompanying an article on the TV show "iCarly" in Tuesday's Calendar section identified Dan Schneider as the show's director. He is a writer and executive producer.
Cosgrove's Carly plays well because "she's just a girl," Schneider said. "She's beautiful and cool, and she could also be your best friend."
He continued: "I don't care about getting the most coverage on the news. And I can't control that, anyway. Actually, the competition warms my heart. Because, despite Disney's massive marketing machine, they still can't overpower 'iCarly.' "
Cosgrove might not incite frenzies yet, but her own star is rising: Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films are developing "How Could You Do This to Me?" a comedy about a teen trying to keep her divorced parents from reuniting -- ironically (or not), a plot antithetical to Disney's 1998 remake of "The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan -- as a possible vehicle for the actress. A debut solo album for Sony is also in the works; she previously contributed four songs to the "iCarly" soundtrack.
As ambitious as it all sounds, Cosgrove is taking her time. Music is something "I did just for fun," she said. "I've been singing since I was little, but now I'm making a CD and writing songs. I never imagined I'd get to do any of it."
Does she aspire to the arenas Cyrus plays? She's open to it. "I mean, Miley's so successful. I'd love to be able to go on tour and perform like her. It just looks like so much fun."
But no one is rushing her, Zhargami said. "Miranda has this budding music career. She's by no means, you know . . . " Miley Cyrus? "Not yet. And I don't know if that's exactly what her plan is either. She's a very talented actress, and an actress first and foremost."
Having a star bigger than the show itself has backfired before. Duff and her mother/manager cut the life of Disney's hit "Lizzie McGuire" short after they failed to reach financial terms for a third season. And there's no word on whether Cyrus, whose "Hannah Montana the Movie" has earned more than $65 million in less than three weeks, will continue the "Hannah Montana" TV show past its third season.
"Nothing would make me happier than to watch 'iCarly' have a really long life cycle," Zhargami said.
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denise.martin@latimes.com
