Back in the '70s, there used to be an ad on TV that said, "Parents, it's 10 o'clock. Do you know where your children are?"
Well, tonight, I don't have to worry about where my youngest is. Because she'll be at a friend's house watching the debut of the long-awaited Disney Channel original movie "Camp Rock." In fact, it's going to be a "Camp Rock" party.
They'll watch the movie and then have some snacks and listen to the CD.
If you don't know about "Camp Rock," here's the skinny:
It's pretty much a Cinderella story about a girl named Mitchie, played by Demi Lovato, who wants to attend a rock 'n' roll summer camp. She can, but only if she works in the camp's kitchen. She is friends with a girl named Caitlyn, played by Alyson Stoner.
This is ironic to me because my daughters' names are Kaitlyn and Allyson, and Kaitlyn is the one who will be attending the "Camp Rock" party, but I digress.
Well, Mitchie sings while she's working in the kitchen. She's overheard by one of the members of rock band Connect Three, played by the Jonas Brothers, and things begin to happen that lead to a musical fairy-tale ending.
Say what you will about the Jonas Brothers, but I, for one, like them — if only because they are good role models for tweeners. Especially tweeners who are aspiring musicians.
I don't have to worry about finding explicit lyrics on their CDs or reading stories of drunken brawls (so far) in the tabloids. And it's fun to see my daughter's eyes light up when she talks about Nick, Kevin and Joe.
After listening to the "Camp Rock" soundtrack (twice), I found the two songs sung by one — or all — of the Jonas Brothers are the strongest on the disc. "Play My Music" and "Gotta Find You," sung by the brothers and Joe, respectively, are the most heartfelt and catchy.
The other songs are formulaic, Disney-musical pop. But this CD and TV movie weren't made for parents and people older than 20.
What I'm waiting for is the onslaught of "Camp Rock" merchandise that will undoubtedly hit the stores after the movie's premiere.
Still, it could be worse. My daughter could've become a die-hard fan of Jamie Lynn Spears.
E-mail: scott@desnews.com