Meet Albert, the tiny and hilarious Douglas-Fir-that-could, who dreams of being the Empire City’s most famous Christmas tree. His journey to big city glory comes to life in Albert, Nickelodeon's first animated TV movie, premiering Friday, December 9th at 7 p.m. PT/ET on Nick USA, and on Nickelodeon channels worldwide soon after!
The one-hour, heartwarming tale, is packed with celebrity voices — including Saturday Night Live vet Bobby Moynihan as Albert.
“He’s kind of like the kid in the candy story, but it’s his first time there,” Moynihan told PEOPLE. “He just wakes up every day like, ‘There’s something new?’ Everything about life is amazing about him. He’s always got a good outlook about everything. Very passionate little guy!”
He’s joined by SNL alums Sasheer Zamata, as Albert’s loyal palm tree pal Maisie, and Cheri Oteri as a TV news correspondent.
Working with Moynihan felt comfortable for Zamata.
“He was one of my first friends that I made when I got to [SNL],” she said. “It’s really cool that we get to do something like this together. He has such great energy to bounce off of, it’s been a blast.”
L-R: Maisie, Gene, Cactus Pete, and Albert in Nickelodeon’s TV movie, Albert.
The movie also stars 30 Rock's Judah Friedlander as Gene, the abrasive and blisteringly honest weed, and 21 Jump Street's Rob Riggle as Cactus Pete. Riggle calls his character “misunderstood.”
“He has been wronged repeatedly,” he explained. “He feels that he doesn’t get a fair shake and he’s had enough. So he’s going to take matters into his own hands!”
Directed by Max Lang (The Gruffalo) and written by Will and Aaron Eisenberg (The Massively Mixed-Up Middle School Mystery) and Joe Stillman (Shrek). Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi (The Adventures of Pete & Pete) serve as executive producers.
Albert premieres Friday at 7 p.m. ET on Nickelodeon USA.
More Albert: Episode 24: Bobby Moynihan | Albert | Nickelodeon Animation Podcast!
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