A role within a role

Consider this paradox: Sterling Knight stars on a TV show that millions watch, but his character headlines a TV show that no one has seen.

Knight plays Chad Dylan Cooper on the Disney Channel series "Sonny With a Chance." The comedy is about the interaction of the casts of two TV programs that film on adjoining soundstages.

Most of the action on "Sonny" focuses on the sketch-comedy show that stars Demi Lovato. Knight's character stars on the teen-angst drama series "MacKenzie Falls," which isn't shown. That is, until now.

A series of webisodes -- extended previews of what episodes of "MacKenzie Falls" would look like if the show existed -- are premiering each Monday this summer on MacKenzieFalls.com.

"There have only been a couple of brief moments in 'Sonny' where you got to catch a glimpse of the rehearsals for the show," Knight said. "Actually, no one really knew what the show was about because you never saw it; we didn't have to be specific."

Knight met with "Sonny With a Chance" writers to come up with a "MacKenzie Falls" outline. It pokes fun at soap operas and dramas aimed at teens.

"I am really interested to see what kind of audience we get because we're having fun with a genre our demographic doesn't know very much about. I don't know a lot of 9-year-olds who watch 'Days of Our Lives,' " Knight said.

Knight is much different from his "MacKenzie Falls" role. His character, Cooper, is deeply in love with himself while Knight is slightly embarrassed by the attention he gets from the TV show.

"Understanding I am the most unphotogenic person on the planet helps," Knight said.

His interest in acting started while he was growing up in Houston. He worked in local community theater until his family moved to Southern California when he was in the ninth grade. Shortly after that, he started landing roles in shows such as "Hannah Montana" and "Grey's Anatomy."

In between making the test episode of "Sonny With a Chance" and the show going into production, Knight worked on the feature film "17 Again." That gave him the chance to talk with co-star Zac Efron about being part of the Disney world.

That means actors have to bring lots of energy to the set. It leaves Knight tired, but he's willing to do it because he's proud of the show and channel.