Nickelodeon UK Announces That There Is Still No News About When Nickelodeon UK Will Start To Show "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures"

Nickelodeon UK and Ireland have announced on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK), that there is still no Nickelodeon News about when Nickelodeon UK will start to premiere and show the brand new Nickelodeon live-action sitcom "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland, Nickelodeon HD UK and Nick Replay UK:

any news on Bucket and Skinners?

@NickelodeonUK: Not yet, I know ur keen for news so I'll tweet as soon as I know!

Nickelodeon UK announced in January 2012 that the brand new Nickelodeon show "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" was "on schedule to start this year [2012]".

Nickelodeon's brand new live-action series "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" is a North American teen sitcom that premiered on Nickelodeon USA on July 1, 2011 that follows two best friends, Bucket (played by Taylor Gray), and Skinner (portrayed by Dillon Lane), who live in the fictional California town of Pacific Bluffs, where, more often than not, the boys act quite sporadically which leads them to multiple conflicts. "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" also stars Nickelodeon Star Ashley Argota (Lulu in Nickelodeon's "True Jackson, VP." sitcom) as the character 'Kelly Peckinpaugh'.

Nickelodeon Stars Keke Palmer And Max Schneider To Perform At Nickelodeon's 2012 Kid's Choice Awards Pre-Show!

From Celebuzz:

Nickelodeon Stars Keke Palmer & Max Schneider Performing at Kid’s Choice Awards Pre-Show! (EXCLUSIVE)

The stars of Rags are ready to rock!

Celebuzz can exclusively reveal that Keke Palmer (True Jackson, VP) and Max Schneider (How to Rock), will perform their tune “Me and You Against the World,” from the original Nickelodeon movie Rags, at the Kid’s Choice Awards pre-show this Saturday!

The movie (produced by Nick Cannon!) will premiere soon and is a modern Cinderella story — with a twist!

Celebuzz caught up with Keke at Nickelodeon’s Upfronts in LA on Tuesday, where she gave us all the scoop about Rags!



Be sure to tune into the Kid's Choice Awards this weekend, and stay tuned for the premiere of Rags — coming soon!

Viacom's Sumner Redstone Calls Philip Dauman "The Wisest Man He Has Ever Known"

From Forbes:

Viacom's Redstone Calls Dauman "The Wisest Man He Has Ever Known"

The image of the 58 year old CEO of Viacom, Philip Dauman being deferential to the 88 year old founder of Viacom, Sumner Redstone, pervaded the aura of Viacom’s recent annual meeting.

Dauman assured the empire builder at the company’s annual meeting in New York that his creation, Viacom, was “relentless in knowing our audience,” and that the television and movie giant’s mantra was ” A Passion To Win,” the title of Redstone’s autobiography, published some years ago. That “passion to win” had multiplied Viacom’s common stock 350% higher over the past 3 years– magnifying the Redstone family net worth to many more billions than it had been– from $15 a share in January, 2009 to $53 today.

No wonder Redstone is reported by an insider to always describe Dauman on calls with stock analysts as “the wisest man he has ever known.”

At the annual meeting at Viaccom headquarters in Times Square, Redstone, who lives alone in his Beverly Hills mansion, focused on the screen displaying Viacom’s results for 2011, as Dauman took everyone through the way Paramount, MTV, Nickelodeon, Viacom Media Networks Comedy Central, Paramount Channels, BET Networks and the Music and Logo Group expanding globally. He insisted that every one of these Viacom brands is aiming to develop new programming, films and experiences “across media platforms”... in an “increasingly seamless way.”

This is the new entertainment model; make entertainment and social media intersect in the creation of content that can be distributed in a manner that drives values larger at Viacom. And go global “relentlessly.”

I bet you didn’t know that Geordie Shore is MTV’s adaptation for the UK market of the bonanza called “Jersey Shore,” Or that Nickelodeon's Spongebob will be a Paramount movie in 2014. Or that there will be an expansion of distribution in Viacom content on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. Then, there’s to be an additional multi-platform premium motion picture service named EPIX bringing content to you through interactive tv and 3D.

Yes, Dauman assured shareholders, of whom Redstone’s privately owned National Amusements is by far the largest, the ratings for Viacom programs directed at teens and young adults is growing at a double digit pace.

“Social media are a big part of this effort,” Dauman explained. “Our networks, shows, and stars live at the intersection of entertainment and social media where they drive the cultural conversation. We’re leveraging that conversation as a powerful promotional vehicle for our programming and brands, and as an emerging outlet for content distribution.”

Just today Viacom announced that the new Paramount TV network would launch its greatest hit movies like The Godfather across 9 genres, starting with Spain. It also announced a future movie with singer Kay Perry of the blue hair.

Anybody across the globe can now find a schedule of all Viacom's offerings anywhere in the globe, a kind of virtual programming bulletin. Find out when Titanic is coming in 3D or when G.I. Joe: Retaliation is coming to the global franchise.

Coming soon; 6 new Comedy Channels in addition to the 14 “we already have outside the United States. Can even the ”relentless” passionate Redstone keep with all this?

Filipino Singer And Actress Charice Nominated For A Nickelodeon 2012 Kids' Choice Award In Nickelodeon Asia's Local "Kids' Choice Award" Categories

From the Philippine Star:

Charice is Nick Kids Choice Awards nominee

MANILA, Philippines - Get ready for a powerhouse roster of celebrity presenters and performers at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2012 in Los Angeles. Joining this year’s host, Will Smith, on stage are Chris Rock, Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, Zac Efron, Heidi Klum, Victoria Justice, Miranda Cosgrove, Big Time Rush, Chris Colfer and Cee Lo Green as well as recently announced performers, UK pop sensation One Direction and Katy Perry.

Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2012, airing in the Philippines on April 12, 10 a.m., will be the most global version yet with the introduction of a new international category. Nicksters will be given the opportunity to vote in a new category — Favorite Asian Act.

Featuring four of Asia’s most popular music acts, Agnes Monica (Indonesia), Charice (Philippines), Wonder Girls (Korea) and Yuna (Malaysia), they join the star-studded line-up of nominees from all corners of the world.

Kids have been invited to vote since March 1 and can still cast their votes until March 31 in 20 total categories by logging on to kca.nick-asia.com/vote. Voting for the 2012 KCAs spans over six continents across 13 localized voting sites in 10 different languages, giving kids practically everywhere the chance to decide who takes home a coveted blimp.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the No. 1 entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the US and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s US television network has been the No. 1-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years.

For details, log on to http://www.nickpress.com.

Former Nickelodeon UK Presenter Sarah Cawood and Her Fiance Welcome Their First Child

From Now Magazine Online:

BABY JOY! Sarah Cawood and fiance welcome first child

Couple are celebrating their happy news

Sarah Cawood made her name as a TV host in the 90s
Sarah Cawood and her fiancé have announced that they've become parents.

The television presenter - engaged to producer Andy Merry - gave birth to a little boy yesterday.

'Hunter John Merry arrived yesterday morning! 8lbs 5 oz. he's a chunker;). Xxx,' Tweets Sarah, 39.

The red-haired host, who suffered a miscarriage last year, is expected to return to her North London home later this week.

'Andy and I are thrilled and slightly terrified at the thought of taking a new member of our family home with us,' Sarah tells The Sun.

'Hunter is a beautiful, healthy baby boy with long legs, just like his dad.'

Former Nickelodeon UK Presenter Sarah Cawood presented Nickelodeon UK's live in-vision continuity links inbetween programmes on Nickelodeon UK between 1995 and 1996, and also presented the first series of Nickelodeon UK's music show "Sussed" in 1996.

First Lady Of The USA Michelle Obama To Appear At Nickelodeon's 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards To Present Taylor Swift With The Big Help Award

Below is a Nickelodeon Press Release from PR Newswire:

First Lady Michelle Obama to Appear at Nickelodeon's 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards to Present Taylor Swift With The Big Help Award

Grammy® Award-Winning Swift to be Honored for Her Work with Tornado and Flood Survivors at 2012 Kids' Choice Awards to be telecast live from Los Angeles, Saturday, March 31

LOS ANGELES, March 27, 2012 /Nickelodeon Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- First Lady Michelle Obama will make her first-ever appearance at Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards to present Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Taylor Swift with this year's The Big Help Award in recognition of her extensive philanthropic endeavors, including her work with tornado and flood survivors in the United States. This year's Kids' Choice Awards, to be hosted by Will Smith, will be telecast live on Nickelodeon Saturday, March 31, at 8 pm (ET/Tape delayed for West Coast) from USC's Galen Center in Los Angeles, Ca. The Big Help Award recognizes individuals who take actions to better the world and whose significant impact on their community has inspired kids to do the same.

"Taylor's dedication to helping others has encouraged her fan base to do the same, and this is the very core of what The Big Help is, inspiring others through action," said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Chief of Staff, Nickelodeon Group. "We are honored that First Lady Michelle Obama, a past recipient of The Big Help Award will be presenting this formidable and inspiring artist with this much deserved honor."

First Lady Michelle Obama received The Big Help Award at the 2010 Kids' Choice Awards in recognition of her leadership in championing healthier lifestyles for kids through her Let's Move! campaign. Earlier this year, Mrs. Obama appeared in a special episode of Nickelodeon's hit series iCarly in support of her Joining Forces initiative to support military families.

Among her many charitable works, Swift is dedicated to raising funds and awareness to benefit those affected by natural disasters. Most recently, Swift took the unprecedented step of opening the last dress rehearsal of her Speak Now Tour to fans as a fundraiser for victims of the deadly tornadoes that tore through the Southeastern region of the U.S. The event raised more than $750,000, with 100% of ticket sales going directly to help tornado victims via the "Speak Now … Help Now" Fund established through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Swift's ongoing charitable work includes partnerships with Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, TJ Martell Foundation, The Red Cross and its international and regional affiliates, The Salvation Army, Nick's Kids, and the Victory Junction Gang Camp, as well as libraries, schools and educational initiatives around the country.

Nickelodeon's The Big Help is a prosocial initiative that empowers kids to take positive actions on issues that are important to them. The goal of the campaign is to launch a kid-led movement, focusing on key issues like health and wellness, education, community service, and the environment. This is the fourth consecutive year The Big Help Award has been awarded to a celebrity who embodies the spirit of the Nickelodeon Big Help initiative. Previous winners include last year's recipient Justin Timberlake; this year's presenter of the award, First Lady Michelle Obama in 2010; and Leonardo DiCaprio in 2009.

Kids can pledge to make a difference in their community by going to www.nick.com/thebighelp/. The Big Help site will show them how to take positive actions that will directly affect their communities.

No stranger to Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards, Swift has been nominated four times and is the recipient of two blimp awards, for Favorite Female Singer (2010) and Favorite Song, "You Belong with Me" (2010). Swift also appeared in the 2011 HALO Awards as one of the celebrities paired with an extraordinary teen who shared his passion for community service and giving back.

A six-time Grammy award winner, Swift was also named Billboard's 2011 Woman of the Year, and is the reigning American Music Awards Artist of the Year, as well as both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year. Her Speak Now album has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide and she is Billboard's current Top 200 Albums Artist (all genres).With the release of her (now 5x-Platinum) Speak Now album in 2010, Taylor sold more albums that year than any other artist in any genre of music. She made history on the Billboard Hot 100, charting a record-breaking 11 songs from one album in a single week.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA - News, VIA.B - News).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nick.com

Also, from Digital Spy:

Michelle Obama to give Taylor Swift special Kids' Choice Award

Michelle Obama is to present a special prize to Taylor Swift at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.

The US First Lady will honour Swift's humanitarian efforts by giving her The Big Help Award at Saturday's ceremony.

The 'Safe and Sound' singer has been an active campaigner for charity causes and recently headlined a charity concert which raised $750,000 (£471,253) for the tornado-ravaged southern US.

Obama was chosen to hand out The Big Help Award because she was a recipient of the prize two years ago. Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Timberlake are also among previous recipients.

Katy Perry and One Direction have been lined up to perform at the Kids' Choice Awards, while Will Smith serves as this year's host.

The 2012 Kids' Choice Awards air live on Nickelodeon on Saturday, March 31 at 8pm EST.

> Harry Potter, Katy Perry lead Kids' Choice Awards nominations

Watch Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars's 'Safe and Sound' music video [here on Digital Spy]:

Also, from Xperedon Charity News:

MICHELLE OBAMA: Charity award

First Lady adds to her inspirational work promoting youth empowerment and healthy choices

Barack Obama's presidency brought with it many great expectations...

The President entered the White House with a faltering economy to deal with and a foreign policy crisis with severe challenges born out of Iraq and Afghanistan...

While commentators scrutinise his record which inevitably divides opinions in contrast the First Lady Michelle Obama has continued to sustain high popularity ratings ... in the US and internationally.

One outcome of the presidency has been the widespread approval for a number of inspirational speeches she has made reaching out to a new generation.

Michelle Obama was especially impressive in her first overseas trip to the UK in 2009, in which she spoke passionately about the importance of education and the values of social responsibility and sensible decision making for young people, on a visit to a London girls school.

Her talks – she later met some of the same students at a later talk in Oxford - in which she spoke about the empowerment of women in society are likely to be remembered as some of the greatest public speeches by the wife of a major government leader in recent times, not just a First Lady.

Seemingly speaking direct from the heart at that London school she spoke with clarity about the challenges and responsibilities facing young women today...

It was not just fantastic rhetoric which struck a universal chord and pressed the right buttons...

In its entirety it was truly mesmerising, moving, heartfelt and genuinely powerful stuff from the public speaker.

Talking of her own personal journey in life, the First Lady who was accepted to Princeton University and Harvard Law School ... clearly shared a bond with the girls from the multi-ethnic school in an impoverished neighbourhood in London.

Michelle Obama’s family ancestry involves slavery, and her own personal upbringing is a tale of achievement from a poor background...

Despite being brought up in a neighbourhood in Chicago in modest circumstances she went on to achieve great academic success and fulfilled her potential.

At the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington, North London she famously said: "...that success is not about the background you are from, it is about the confidence that you have and the effort you are willing to invest..."

Michelle Obama who was widely seen to have found her place as a First Lady on that day has continued the theme since acting as a tremendous role model for young people with a number of talks about the power of education and the need to overcome adversity, prejudice and other challenges in life.

It's that kind of get up and go attitude that has endeared her to so many people on either side of the Atlantic...

First Lady Michelle Obama's next public appearance is expected to be at Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday in Los Angeles.

The First Lady will present singer/songwriter Taylor Swift with a Big Help Award in recognition of her charity work including her efforts helping tornado and flood survivors in the United States...

First Lady Michelle Obama is a past recipient of the award, for supporting healthier lifestyles for kids through her Let's Move! campaign.

The First Lady has also supported the charities Be The Change and Healthy Child Healthy World as part of her growing commitment to positive youth orientated campaigns and other worthwhile causes...

"The Legend of Korra" To Premiere On Nickelodeon USA On Saturday 14th April 2012 At 11.00am (ET/PT)

Below is a Nickelodeon Press Release from Nickelodeon USA's "Nickelodeon Kids And Family" press website, NickPress.com:

NICKELODEON'S THE LEGEND OF KORRA TO PREMIERE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 14, AT 11:00 AM (ET/PT)

New Highly Anticipated Animated Adventure is from Creators of the Hit Series Avatar: The Last Airbender

BURBANK, Calif. – March 15, 2012 – The mythology of the beloved animated franchise from Avatar: The Last Airbender creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, continues with the Nickelodeon premiere of The Legend of Korra on Saturday, April 14, at 11:00 AM (ET/PT), with a one-hour television event featuring back-to-back episodes. The all-new series centers around a new Avatar named Korra, a 17-year-old headstrong and rebellious girl who continually challenges and bucks tradition on her quest to become a fully realized Avatar in a world where benders are under attack. The Legend of Korra will air regularly on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

“Mike and Bryan created an incredibly layered world with the animated Avatar franchise -- rich with mythology and artistry,” said Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. "The Legend of Korra takes their vision even further, into a more modern world led by a new Avatar who is a fearless and spirited teenage girl."

The Legend of Korra takes place 70 years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender and follows the next Avatar after Aang – a girl named Korra (Janet Varney) who is from the Southern Water Tribe. With three of the four elements under her belt (Earth, Water and Fire), Korra seeks to master Air. Her quest leads her to Republic City, the modern “Avatar” world that is a virtual melting pot where benders and non-benders from all nations live and thrive. Korra quickly discovers that the metropolis is plagued by crime as well as a growing anti-bending revolution that threatens to rip the city apart. Under the tutelage of Aang’s son, Tenzin (J.K. Simmons), Korra begins her airbending training while dealing with the dangers at large.

In the premiere episode, "Welcome to Republic City," Korra leaves the safety of her home and travels to bustling Republic City to begin her airbending training. Once there, she is shocked to find a big city full of dangers, including criminal bending gangs and a vocal anti-bending revolution. In episode two, "A Leaf in the Wind," Korra is living with her airbending teacher Tenzin on Air Temple Island. Frustrated with her inability to master airbending, she turns her attentions to Republic City's famous Pro-bending Arena. There she befriends two brothers, Mako (David Faustino) and Bolin (P.J. Byrne), who compete in professional bending matches. Korra is immediately drawn to Pro-bending’s dynamic fighting style.

The Legend of Korra cast includes Janet Varney (Dinner and a Movie) as Korra, David Faustino (Married…with Children) as Mako, P.J. Byrne (Horrible Bosses) as Bolin, J.K. Simmons (The Closer) as Tenzin, Steve Blum (Cowboy Bebop) as Amon, Lance Henriksen (Aliens) as The Lieutenant, Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery) as Chief Lin Beifong, Daniel Dae Kim (Hawaii Five-0) as Hiroshi Sato, Seychelle Gabriel (Falling Skies) as Asami Sato and Eva Marie Saint (Superman Returns) as Katara. The series is co-created and executive produced by Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, co-creators of the Emmy Award-winning Avatar: The Last Airbender. Joaquim Dos Santos is co-executive producer.

Starting today, fans can work to unlock an exclusive sneak peek of The Legend of Korra premiere at korranation.com. Beginning April 1, fans may log on to nick.com for an interactive experience and introduction to Republic City. Show information, fun facts, micro games and additional new content make up this “Welcome to Republic City” online experience. Also leading up to the television series premiere, Xbox users will have the opportunity to download the first episode and trailer for free and purchase episodes from Avatar: The Last Airbender. The first The Legend of Korra episode will be available on VOD. In conjunction with the series premiere, Nick’s mobile channel NIMO, will have a live simulcast of the first two episodes.

Launched in February 2005, Avatar: The Last Airbender aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon and was consistently ranked among the top five animated properties on television among boys 2-11 and 6-11. Avatar: The Last Airbender was the inspiration for the Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies live-action epic adventure, The Last Airbender. In 2007, the series was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Animated Program and took home the Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation. In 2008, Avatar: The Last Airbender won a Peabody Award.

An award-winning filmmaker, DiMartino was a director at Film Roman for six years, working on the prime-time animated series King of the Hill, Family Guy and Mission Hill. During his tenure there, DiMartino animated and directed the short animated film Atomic Love, which has gone on to screen at festivals across the country including Sundance and the Los Angeles Film Festival. It also aired as part of the Nicktoons Animation Festival.

Konietzko began his career in animation as a character designer at Film Roman for Fox's prime-time series, Family Guy. He soon moved to the post of assistant director for two more Film Roman shows, Mission Hill and King of the Hill, working beside animation director DiMartino. Konietzko then became a storyboard artist and later an art director for the Nickelodeon animated series Invader Zim.

The Legend of Korra is being produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

Press Contacts:

Nicole Parker
Nickelodeon/LA
(818) 736-3613
Nicole.Parker@nick.com

Adriana Lemus
Nickelodeon/LA
(310) 752-8461
Adriana.Lemus@nick.com

Katelyn Balach
Nickelodeon/NY
(212) 846-6283
Katelyn.Balach@nick.com

For downloadable photos and additional information visit: www.nickpress.com

You can watch a high definition (HD) high quality (HQ) streaming video (with transcript) of Nickelodeon USA's brand new official "The Legend of Korra" trailer/promo here on NickALive!.

Nickelodeon Brings 2012 Upfront Presentation To Los Angeles, Announcing 650 Episodes Of New Content And Returning Hits

Below is a Nickelodeon Press Release from PR Newswire:

Nickelodeon Brings Upfront Presentation to Los Angeles, Announcing 650 Episodes of New Content and Returning Hits

Nick's 2012-13 Programming Slate to Feature New Scott Baio Project for Nick at Nite, James Franco in Multi-Episode Arc on Hollywood Heights, Premiere of The Legend of Korra, Original TV Movies, a SpongeBob SquarePants Stop-Motion Christmas Special, a Raving Rabbids series, and a Development Project for Hit-maker Dan Schneider and iCarly star Jennette McCurdy

LA Presentation Highlighted by Music Performances from Big Time Rush, How to Rock's Cymphonique Miller and Gravity 5, and Rachel Crow; and Appearances by Scott Baio, Keke Palmer and Cast of Hollywood Heights

LOS ANGELES, March 27, 2012 /Nickelodeon Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon brought its annual Upfront presentation to Los Angeles, where it announced the pickup of Scott Baio's Daddy's Home for Nick at Nite and the casting of James Franco for a multi-episode arc on Hollywood Heights, in addition to a robust 2012-13 programming slate detailed in its March 14 presentation in New York, including an unprecedented 650 new episodes of brand-new content and returning hits, including: the highly-anticipated animated series The Legend of Korra; a stop-motion SpongeBob SquarePants Christmas special; original primetime TV movies; an original animated series based on the Raving Rabbids video games; and new projects with UK pop sensation One Direction, iCarly/Victorious show creator Dan Schneider and iCarly star Jennette McCurdy.

Nickelodeon has ordered 20 episodes of Daddy's Home (working title), starring Scott Baio. Daddy's Home is a multi-camera half-hour comedy for Nick at Nite that follows David Hobbs (Baio), an actor who, after ten years of starring as America's favorite TV dad, becomes a stay-at-home father to honor the deal he made with his soap star wife so that she may return to the limelight. The series comes from creators/executive producers Tina Albanese and Patrick Labyorteaux and is helmed by executive producers Nat Bernstein and Mitchel Katlin who will show run. Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey are also executive producing through their production company Bischoff Hervey Entertainment (BHE), along with Baio. The series begins production later this year in Los Angeles.

Actor James Franco will also be joining the cast of Hollywood Heights, a daily scripted series premiering on Nick at Nite this summer. Franco will star in a multi-episode arc, playing the role of Osborne "Oz" Silver - a passionate, intense eccentric movie mogul who lives life to the fullest, often outrageously. Funny, offbeat, seductive, ruthless when he has to be, Oz adores the moviemaking process and does whatever it takes to make the films he wants.

Held this morning at Avalon in Los Angeles, Nick's presentation featured special guest appearances and contributions from: Scott Baio; Keke Palmer; the cast of Hollywood Heights; and performances by Nick's own Big Time Rush, How to Rock's Cymphonique Miller and Gravity 5; and Nick's newest star, Rachel Crow of The X Factor fame, who capped the presentation with a performance of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You".

Details of Nickelodeon's new content slate include:

ANIMATION:

Nickelodeon, the top producer of television animation in the U.S., will roll out a new roster of over 300 new animated episodes in 2012 which includes:

*New episodes of returning hit series including SpongeBob SquarePants, T.U.F.F. Puppy, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, The Penguins of Madagascar, The Fairly OddParents and The Winx Club.

* The Legend of Korra, in which the mythology of the beloved animated franchise from Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko continues. The series centers around a new Avatar named Korra, a 17-year-old headstrong and rebellious girl who continually challenges and bucks tradition on her quest to become a fully realized Avatar in a world where benders are under attack. The half-hour series will debut on Saturday, April 14, at 11:00 a.m. (all times ET/PT), as part of Nickelodeon's Saturday morning block (8AM-Noon), which has been the number-one destination for Kids 2-11 for 12 consecutive years and currently delivers more than three million total viewers each week. The Legend of Korra will air regularly on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

* Raving Rabbids, which will join the net's animation line-up in spring 2013, brings to television the hysterical physical comedy that has become so popular in Ubisoft's Raving Rabbids video games. Nickelodeon has secured global broadcast rights for 26 new CG episodes of Raving Rabbids, which will be produced by Ubisoft.

* Monsters vs. Aliens, the all-new animated television series marking the third partnership between Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation. Green-lit for 26 episodes and based on the popular characters from the 2009 blockbuster hit feature film ($383 million worldwide gross), the new series will continue to follow the funny escapades of the beloved, well-meaning monsters.

* Robot & Monster, which will also be hitting Nickelodeon's air for a 26-episode run for the 2012-2013 season. Created by Josh Sternin, Jeff Ventimilia and Dave Pressler, this CG-animated buddy comedy is set in a unique world where gangs of Howling Cyber Monkeys roam the streets at night, everybody loves bacon, and robots and monsters live side by side, but typically don't get along.

* It's A SpongeBob Christmas! - Nickelodeon's first full-length stop-motion animated special is inspired by the classic Rankin/Bass (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town) specials, and the popular SpongeBob song released in 2009, "Don't Be a Jerk, It's Christmas," written by Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob) and Andy Paley. In "It's A SpongeBob Christmas!," Plankton vows to get his Christmas wish -- the Krabby Patty formula -- by turning everyone in Bikini Bottom bad by feeding them his special jerktonium-laced fruitcake. The special features John Goodman as Santa Claus, and will air in December 2012.

* Seven new animation pilots picked up for the 2012-2013 season, including four pilots helmed by hit-maker Butch Hartman (The Fairly OddParents, T.U.F.F. Puppy[, Danny Phantom]).

LIVE ACTION:

As part of the overall 650 new episodes the network is rolling out this year, Nickelodeon's live-action slate will include:

* More new episodes of hit live-action hit series -- iCarly, Victorious, Big Time Rush and Supah Ninjas.

* A 26-episode pick-up of Marvin, Marvin, an original new series starring Internet sensation Lucas Cruikshank (AKA Fred). Executive Produced by Jeff Bushell and The Collective, the half-hour comedy follows the exploits of Marvin, an alien teen, living with a human family, while trying to fit into life on Earth.

* The third installment of the hit Fred movies -- Fred Goes to Camp, as well as a pick-up of 28 additional 11-minute episodes of FRED: THE SHOW.

* A development project for UK pop sensation One Direction, who will next collaborate with Nick when they perform live at Nickelodeon's 2012 Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on March 31.

* Rags, a music-infused modern-day fairy tale debuting this spring. The two-hour original TV movie centers on Charlie Prince (Max Schneider), an orphan living with his acerbic and unloving stepfather and spoiled stepbrothers, whose dream of being a singer might come true once he meets pop star Kadee Worth (Keke Palmer). Rags is executive produced by Nick Cannon, directed by Billy Woodruff (Beauty Shop, Honey) and features original music by Rodney Jerkins and choreography by Rosero McCoy (America's Best Dance Crew).

* A Fairly Odd Christmas, a sequel to 2011's hit live-action TV movie, A Fairly OddMovie: Grow Up Timmy Turner, which will bow this holiday season. The original TV movie follows the exploits of Timmy Turner (Drake Bell), and his well meaning fairy godparents, as he tries to save Christmas, but first he's got to get himself off the naughty list.

* Figure it Out, a contemporary revival of the hit '90s family friendly game show. The show,which begins production in Los Angeles this April, will launch later this year with 40 brand-new episodes. Figure It Out features a panel of celebrities trying to guess kid contestants' unique talents and skills by asking 'yes' or 'no' questions while being bombarded by messy visual and tactile clues.

* Hollywood Heights (previously titled Reach for a Star), a daily scripted series based on the wildly popular Televisa telenovela, Alcanzar Una Estrella, will debut in primetime on Nick at Nite in June. The 80 one-hour episodes currently in production will star Brittany Underwood, Melissa Ordway, Cody Longo and Justin Wilczynski. Hollywood Heights is a co-production with Televisa and is being produced by Sony Television.

Nickelodeon President Cyma Zarghami also highlighted several live-action projects currently in development, including a pilot for Nick at Nite, Wendell & Vinnie, a comedy starring Jerry Trainor (iCarly) about a goofball uncle who becomes the guardian to his conservative 12-year-old genius nephew; a new Nickelodeon series from hit-maker Dan Schneider that will star Jennette McCurdy from iCarly; and a series starring The X Factor sensation Rachel Crow.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

*For downloadable photos and additional information, visit: www.nickpress.com.

SOURCE Nickelodeon

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Also, from Variety:

Nick at Nite greenlights Baio series

Cabler orders 20 episodes of 'Daddy's Home'

Nick at Nite has ordered 20 episodes of multicam comedy "Daddy's Home," starring Scott Baio.

Tina Albanese and Patrick Labyorteaux created and will exec produce the series with Eric Bischoff, Jason Hervey and showrunners Nat Bernstein and Mitchel Katlin. Baio will play an ex-TV star who becomes a stay-at-home dad while his wife resumes her own onscreen career in soaps.

The announcement came at Nickelodeon's Los Angeles upfront, which mostly repeated its presentation in New York two weeks ago.

Nickelodeon also said that first lady Michelle Obama would make a presentation at Saturday's Kids' Choice Awards honoring the philanthropic efforts of Taylor Swift.

Nickelodeon Greenlights 20 Episodes of "Daddy's Home" For Nick At Nite, Starring Scott Baio As A Stay-At-Home Dad

Below is a Nickelodeon Press Release from PR Newswire:

Nickelodeon Greenlights 20 Episodes of Daddy's Home for Nick at Nite, Starring Scott Baio as a Stay-at-Home Dad

Production on Original Scripted Comedy for Nick at Nite to Commence Later this Year

LOS ANGELES, March 27, 2012 /Nickelodeon Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon has ordered 20 episodes of the original scripted comedy series, Daddy's Home (working title), starring Scott Baio, it was announced today by Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon Group. A multi-camera, half-hour comedy for Nick at Nite, Daddy's Home follows David Hobbs (Baio) an actor who, after ten years of starring as America's favorite TV dad, becomes a stay-at-home father to honor the deal he made with his soap star wife so that she may return to the limelight. The series comes from creators/executive producers Tina Albanese and Patrick Labyorteaux and is helmed by executive producers Nat Bernstein and Mitchel Katlin who will show run. Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey are also executive producing through their production company Bischoff Hervey Entertainment (BHE), along with Baio. Daddy's Home marks Hervey and Baio's return to scripted comedy, with BHE having previously collaborated on three acclaimed unscripted series including Scott Baio is 45 and Single, Scott Baio is 46 and Pregnant, and Confessions of a Teen Idol. Production on the series is slated to commence later this year in Los Angeles.

"Scott not only brings his star power to this role, but a real authenticity as an actor-turned-dad," said Cohn. "Daddy's Home is a classic, multi-camera sitcom with a contemporary twist that our Nick at Nite family audience is sure to enjoy."

For over 30 years, Baio has been a beloved actor, successful producer, writer and director. He received his acting break in 1976 when he was cast as the lead in the youthful gangster film Bugsy Malone. Baio is perhaps best known for his role as Chachi Arcola on one of television's most iconic comedy series Happy Days, followed by a starring role in the spin-off series Joanie Loves Chachi. Baio also starred in his own 1980s hit sitcom, Charles in Charge. Following his television comedy roles, he delved into some deeper and more dramatic roles, such as in the award-winning ABC after-school special, Stoned, the CBS film The Boy Who Drank Too Much and [...] in NBC's Senior Trip! He continued his acting career as the youthful associate of Dick Van Dyke on the successful CBS series Diagnosis Murder and a decade later, made several appearances on the Emmy Award-winning television series Arrested Development. Most recently, Baio was featured as himself on VH1's popular series, Scott Baio is 45…and Single and Scott Baio is 46…and Pregnant. Off-screen, he has directed episodes of popular series including The Parkers, Unhappily Ever After, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Wayans Bros., Harry and the Hendersons, Out of This World and recently served as executive producer of VH1's Confessions of a Teen Idol.

Tina Albanese was a producer for several years on the popular prime time drama JAG, then left to start up CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. She began her career working for David E. Kelley on such hit series such as L.A. Law, Picket Fences and Chicago Hope. Patrick Labyorteaux is best known for his television roles as Andrew Garvey on Little House on the Prairie and Bud Roberts on JAG. Labyorteaux also starred in such popular films as Summer School, Heathers, Ski School, Blazing Saddles and most recently, Yes Man and 2012: Ice Age. He also made several guest appearances on such series as iCarly, Dexter, NCIS, Without a Trace, Yes, Dear and Ghost Whisperer.

Bernstein and Katlin have been writing and producing partners for over twenty-five years. After their first collaboration on the feature film "Opportunity Knocks", starring Dana Carvey, they began working in series television, producing "Doogie Howser, M.D.", writing over twenty-five episodes, as well as "Ally McBeal" and "Baby Boom". They have since gone on to create several network television series, "Bringing Up Jack" and "Over The Top" for ABC, "Cursed" for NBC, "Abby" for UPN, as well as "The Gregory Hines Show" and "Center of The Universe" for CBS.

Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey's Bischoff Hervey Entertainment Television LLC (BHE) launched in 2003 and since then, have produced television series and pilots for NBC, A&E, VH-1, CMT, E! and TruTV. Eric Bischoff has spent the last 23 years in the entertainment industry, producing over 2,500 hours of original programming (over half of it live), 79 pay-per-view events, 1,500 live events around the world and his book "Controversy Creates Cash" made the New York Times Best Seller list in the fall of 2007. He is also featured alongside Hulk Hogan on Spike TV's weekly prime time series iMPACT. Hervey is best known for the role of Wayne Arnold in the Emmy Award-winning hit series The Wonder Years. From this platform and experience, Hervey was able to leverage opportunities behind the camera as he began a career in producing. His first project was at the age of 17 when he created, starred in and produced the Saturday morning series Wide World of Kids. Subsequently, Hervey partnered with former Sony of America CEO Peter Guber in Mandalay Sports Action Entertainment, (MSAE) where he spearheaded a partnership with Time Warner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW) which yielded 17 original productions in television, home video and pay-per view, an original soundtrack with Tommy Boy records and four television movies for TBS and TNT.

Nick At Nite is Nickelodeon's nighttime programming block that also features popular hit family comedies including the Emmy Award-winning series Home Improvement, Everybody Hates Chris, Friends, George Lopez, and Family Matters, as well as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Roseanne.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA - News, VIA.B - News).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nick.com