A comedy writer who claims to have invented the hit show “Hannah Montana” is suing The Walt Disney Co., alleging that the entertainment giant stole the idea from him.
Buddy Sheffield filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday alleging breach of contract, breach of confidence, unfair competition and unjust enrichment, the AP reports.
Sheffield, who has written for “The Smothers Brothers Show,” “The Dolly Parton Show” and “In Living Color,” says he pitched an idea for a television series called “Rock and Roland” to the Disney Channel in 2001. The story was about a junior high school student who lived a secret double life as a rock star, according to the lawsuit.
Disney Channel officials at first liked the idea, but ultimately passed on it, the lawsuit alleges.
The Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” is about high school student Miley Stewart, who lives a secret double life as a famous pop star. Last week the show drew more than 10 million viewers, making it one of the biggest shows on cable and boasting an audience larger than most network programs.
“Hannah Montana,” starring Miley Cyrus and her father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, has generated two hit music CDs and helped sell a great deal of merchandise. Sheffield says he deserves a share of the revenue.