Sonny With A Chance ... Without Sonny ?

Disney Channel has apparently found a way to show Sonny with a chance without star character Sonny, or Demi Lovato , as she's known.

Various reports that people behind the set of SWAC have come up with a Demi-free 'contingency plan' for the show in case the 18-year-old misses filming due to rehab. Demi is currently off receiving in-patient retreatment for 'emotional and physical issues' after she allegedly got into an ugly brawl with a back-up dancer while on tour with the Jonas Brothers in Southern America.

So what exactly, is Disney planning? A spokeswoman says that writers for SWAC will focus their efforts on creating a stand-alone show out of Sonny's 'show-within-a-show', the Saturday Night Live-esque variety show, So Random!.

This idea isn't entirely new, as there have been two So Random! specials that presented the shows within-a-show as its own, uhm, show .

Sonny is set to continue filming in early January and Disney executives feel that this plan will alow them to go ahead with shooting even if Demi is still in treatment by end 2010.

"This allows her the time she needs to get well, without distraction or pressure," a Disney Channel spokeswoman said. "Again, we extend our ongoing support to Demi and her family as she works to overcome personal issues."

There is currently no fixed time for Demi's return so it's possible that she'll be out of treatment by the time Sonny resumes shooting. Meanwhile, fans can get a taste of So Random! special in late November when one of the specials is set to air.

It isn't clear though, if the So Random! rewrite will permanently move Demi off Sonny or if the new rewrites will only present the So Random! elements as part of a series of specials. Hopefully this will just be a temporary move and Demi will be back in the spotlight once she is healthy.

Would you watch Sonny With A Chance Without Demi? Comment and share your views!