Hannah Montana

MSN TV: Four years ago, when this started, did you see it exploding like it has?

Jason Earles: No. I was cautiously optimistic that the show would be on for a couple of years because that tends to be Disney's way. If they are confident enough to put a show on the air, it ... moreusually sticks around for a couple of years. But the fan response has been inexplicable. I don't think we thought the show would be anything other than a kids show that'd be on for a bit. But it ended up turning into a great family show that could have fit on a network on, say, a Friday night. We get compliments from parents saying that of all the stuff they have to watch with their kids, "Hannah Montana" is the one they find the most entertaining. I think that is one of the reasons the show has transcended kids' television.

The environment on the set has a family feel as well.

We've been doing it long enough that we sort of get each other's quirks. We definitely don't get along all the time, but we are like a healthy dysfunctional family. I think especially this season we have learned to appreciate each other and hope we all stay in contact once this show is long since over.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received regarding this business?

I was always told that it doesn't have anything to do with you. It is really a matter of being persistent and not taking any of the criticism too harshly. You never know whether it is a physical type they are looking for or maybe the casting director had an awful day or maybe you remind the producer of a cousin who he hates ... you just don't know any of the factors leading into the decisions. You have to go to each audition and pretend like they never happened. And if something good happens, great!

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