Nickelodeon India's hit animated comedy series Motu Patlu has once again been named as one of the most searched for TV shows globally on Google in 2019!
Google's 'Top 10 Most Searched for TV Shows Globally' list for 2019 in full is:
1 - Game of Thrones
2 - Stranger Things
3 - Chernobyl
4 - When They See Us
5 - The Umbrella Academy
6 - The Mandalorian
7 - Baal Veer
8 - Euphoria
9 - Motu Patlu
10 - Dead to Me
Motu Patlu (मोटू पतलू) is only one of two Indian television series to make the list, the other being Baal Veer (बालवीर), a children's fantasy series.
Motu Patlu is a classic Indian cartoon series on the same lines as Laurel and Hardy. The show follows Motu and Patlu, two best friends who constantly run into trouble, and subsequently chased by a police officer. The show is one of Nickelodeon India's most watched shows, with the series reportedly garnering more than 3 million views on WowKidz, Cosmos Mayas’ and YouTube India in 2018. Interestingly, show is geo-blocked on YouTube.
Motu Patlu made its debut on Nick India on 16th October 2012, and has since become one of the most popular cartoons in India. The series is produced by Maya Digital Studios and Cosmos Entertainment, produced by Deepa Sahi and Anish JS Mehta, and directed by Suhas Kadav, with Sandesh Shandilya serving as the show's theme song composer. The theme song "Motu Aur Patlu Ki Jodi" is sung by Sukhwinder Singh. The success of Motu Patlu has spawned a spin-off series, Inspector Chingum, which is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Baal Veer, Motu Patlu in world's most-searched TV shows in 2019. Game of Thrones on top, but so what?
Google's most-searched TV shows include Baal Veer and Motu Patlu. Game of Thrones tops the list, with Strangers Things on the second spot.
Move over Game of Thrones, Google's global list of the most-searched TV show of 2019, as Indian TV viewers would find most interesting, includes Baal Veer and Motu Patlu. Unlike Game of Thrones, which is strictly for adult viewers, both Baal Veer and Motu Patlu are kids' shows.
Google shared the most-searched list of 2019. Game of Thrones (last season release date) that aired its final episode this year, was the most-searched show while Stranger Things (last season release date), which returned this year with its third season, grabbed the second spot. The top ten list included two Indian TV shows, but neither of the TRP toppers or any of the Ekta Kapoor shows could make it to the list. SAB TV's kids' fantasy show Baal Veer and Nickelodeon's animated series Motu Patlu were the significant two who made a mark. Looks like kids are Googling their way to their favourite shows.
Where shows with a global reach like Game of Thrones, Stranger Things and Chernobyl have been listed, two Indian shows making a mark is a big achievement. Our shows don't just have domestic reach but it's also making its presence felt globally - and if this is not a show of India's soft power, we don't know what is. This is not the first time that Motu Patlu made it to the list. The series was ranked fourth in 2018. However, there was only one Indian show in the top 10 last year, while this year there are two. In 2017, the controversial reality show Bigg Boss was the sixth most-searched TV show in the world.
Baal Veer, starring Dev Joshi in the titular role went off the air in 2016 and returned with a new season this year in September. The story revolves around a boy Baalveer, who is blessed with the superpowers of seven fairies. After fighting with Bhayankar Pari in Season 1, Baalveer has returned to defeat the evil witches Timnasa and Bhaymaar. But, in order to defeat the evil forces, he needs to find his successor. Baal Veer finds his successor in 9-year-old Vivaan and now the show revolves around their adventures.
Baal Veer and Motu Patlu are among the top ten most-searched TV shows in Google's global list of 2019.
Move over Game of Thrones, Google's global list of the most-searched TV show of 2019, as Indian TV viewers would find most interesting, includes Baal Veer and Motu Patlu. Unlike Game of Thrones, which is strictly for adult viewers, both Baal Veer and Motu Patlu are kids' shows.
Google shared the most-searched list of 2019. Game of Thrones (last season release date) that aired its final episode this year, was the most-searched show while Stranger Things (last season release date), which returned this year with its third season, grabbed the second spot. The top ten list included two Indian TV shows, but neither of the TRP toppers or any of the Ekta Kapoor shows could make it to the list. SAB TV's kids' fantasy show Baal Veer and Nickelodeon's animated series Motu Patlu were the significant two who made a mark. Looks like kids are Googling their way to their favourite shows.
Where shows with a global reach like Game of Thrones, Stranger Things and Chernobyl have been listed, two Indian shows making a mark is a big achievement. Our shows don't just have domestic reach but it's also making its presence felt globally - and if this is not a show of India's soft power, we don't know what is. This is not the first time that Motu Patlu made it to the list. The series was ranked fourth in 2018. However, there was only one Indian show in the top 10 last year, while this year there are two. In 2017, the controversial reality show Bigg Boss was the sixth most-searched TV show in the world.
Baal Veer, starring Dev Joshi in the titular role went off the air in 2016 and returned with a new season this year in September. The story revolves around a boy Baalveer, who is blessed with the superpowers of seven fairies. After fighting with Bhayankar Pari in Season 1, Baalveer has returned to defeat the evil witches Timnasa and Bhaymaar. But, in order to defeat the evil forces, he needs to find his successor. Baal Veer finds his successor in 9-year-old Vivaan and now the show revolves around their adventures.
Nickelodeon's animated series Motu Patlu is the Indian version of Laurel and Hardy. Motu and Patlu are two friends who live in a fictional town known as Furfuri Nagariya. They have a unique ability to attract trouble that lands them in hilarious situations. The duo is clueless, simple yet lovable adventurers who are always by each other's side through thick and thin. While Motu is a foodie and loves to gorge on samosas, Patlu is the intelligent one and together, they are a laugh riot.
The top ten most-searched TV shows on Google in 2019 are below:
Humberto Ramos Covers Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 From BOOM! Studios
Jump into the Fight Between the Teens with Attitude and Half-Shell Heroes in January 2020
BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. and in partnership with IDW and Nickelodeon, today revealed brand new variant covers by acclaimed artist Humberto Ramos (Amazing Spider-man) for MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2, the latest issue of an all-new five-issue limited series event! Written by Ryan Parrott (Power Rangers: Necessary Evil), illustrated by Simone di Meo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Venom Annual), colored by Walter Baiamonte, and lettered by Ed Dukeshire, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fight – and maybe team up with – the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in January 2020.
Tommy faces a shocking betrayal within the Foot Clan that puts him in the crosshairs of their leader – Shredder! But can the Rangers and Turtles put their differences aside before Shredder unleashes his ultimate weapon? No Rangers or Turtles fan can miss this shocking reveal that’ll change everything they’ve ever known!
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 (OF 5) features a main cover by Dan Mora (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once & Future), with Turtle Ranger Helmet variant covers by Goñi Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and more!
Print copies of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 will be available on January 8, 2020 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire.
Softcover collections of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, SABAN’S GO GO POWER RANGERS, and other Power Rangers releases from BOOM! Studios, including original graphic novels such as the upcoming Saban’s Power Rangers: The Psycho Path, are available everywhere books are sold.
IDW’s extensive library of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic novels – new stories tied into the Rise of the TMNT cartoon, remastered Eastman & Laird classics, IDW’s critically-acclaimed ongoing saga (now approaching its landmark 100th issue and available as the TMNT: The IDW Collection), and more – are available now at comic book shops and booksellers everywhere.
For continuing news on the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS series and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.
For more on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, please follow the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, for the latest TMNT comic book news, visit IDWpublishing.com and follow @IDWpublishing on Twitter.
COWABUNGA! Waxwork Records has announced that, following re-releasing the original score to the 1990 live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film in October 2018, the company, which specializes in lux soundtrack vinyl treatments, will be releasing the score of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze for the very first time in any format as part of their 2020 Subscription service!
Released in 1991, the cult favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze follows on from the events from the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. Shredder returns to take back command of the Foot Clan, and works towards getting revenge on the Turtles. When he learns the secret behind the Turtles' mutation, he orders head TGRI (Techno-Global Research Industries) scientist Professor Jordan Perry to use the ooze to mutate an Alligator Snapping Turtle and a Gray Wolf, resulting in the creation of Tokka and Rahzar, the Turtles' and April O'Neil's (Paige Turco) biggest threat yet!
Available for the very first time in any format, the complete TMNT Part II: The Secret Of The Ooze film score by John DuPrez will now be made available to fans. This one is sourced from the original 1991 master tapes, and in partnership with Nickelodeon and TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman.
TMNT Part II: The Secret Of The Ooze is one of five 180 gram colored vinyl soundtracks featured in Waxwork Records’ 2020 Subscription offer (20202 batch), and will be joined by the soundtracks of cult movies Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986), Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988), Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989), and Jacob’s Ladder (1990).
Subscribers will also receive a 2020 Waxwork Calendar, a subscriber T-Shirt, an enamel pin, a turntable slipmat, an LP tote, a sticker pack, and a 10% discount on all waxwork items in 2020. Subscribers will also be eligible to enter to win a U-Turn Audio Orbit Special Turntable, which has a $550 Value.
This will set you back $200 (for U.S. customers), or $250 for Canada and International customers. For more information, be sure to head on over to waxworkrecords.com.
Waxwork Records will be celebrating five years of their exclusive and deluxe subscription service, which boasts the absolute best quality re-mastered soundtracks and film scores on vinyl. All of which feature all new artwork, and with high quality packaging.
Original source: Nerdist; Additional source: IMDb.Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles News and Highlights!
Who was your favorite family band in episode six of Nickelodeon's brand new music competition series America's Most Musical Family? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments below!
After eight years of producing the series, Point Loma-based IDW is releasing the 100th issue of the comic today!
IDW Publishing is releasing the 100th edition of its “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” series on Dec. 11, 2019. (Courtesy of IDW Publishingf)
Arguably one of the most unique combinations of superhero characteristics, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been entertaining fans and fighting bad guys since the 1980s. Co-created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the series debuted at a comic book convention in self-published large-format in 1984. The single issue was intended to be a parody, but it quickly grew to become a phenomenon that continues today with several animated series, live-action movies, toys and collectibles, and franchise partnerships that make the characters household names.
A fantastical and ridiculously funny combination, the turtles, named after four Italian Renaissance artists — Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello — are mentored by Splinter, a mutant rat who serves as their sensei and father figure. The turtles and many of their respective story lines have changed over the years from their darker origins to the pizza-loving teenagers in the original animated series, much to the delight of generations of fans.
While the franchise has experienced several ups and downs over the years, its most recent comic series is managed by IDW Publishing, which is headquartered at Liberty Station in San Diego. Viacom (now ViacomCBS), the parent company of the Nickelodeon brand, purchased the rights to TMNT in 2009 and relaunched the franchise with a new CG-animated series on Nickelodeon, introducing a new audience to the long-running franchise. The show resulted in a new comic series by Eastman, Tom Waltz and Bobby Curnow.
IDW is the fourth publisher to hold the rights to publish TMNT and launched its version of the series in August 2011, the first since the Viacom purchase. Waltz was tasked to write the initial pitch for the new series. Soon after, Eastman, one of the original co-creators, joined the team to collaborate on covers, plot and layouts.
“I met Tom (Waltz) and Bobby Curnow for the first time, and Tom laid out this wonderful structure of picking from multiple turtle universes to create a new platform to tell a story,” Eastman recalled about their first meeting to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
In taking on such an iconic series, Waltz was concerned with putting his own spin on it: “One of the biggest changes I wanted to do was I wanted the origin story to have the turtles and Master Splinter to have been humans that were reincarnated into this state from Feudal Japan.”
This was a big change to the Turtles’ origin story, but when Waltz pitched the idea, Eastman, Nickelodeon and Viacom were all thrilled.
In this file photo, Kevin Eastman, one of the co-creators of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is seen in the San Diego Comic Art Gallery at Liberty Station. (K.C. Alfred)
“I felt that it was so in tune to the original concept that Peter and I did so many years ago that I thought the fans are going to love it!” Eastman said last week at the IDW offices in Point Loma.
While the origin story was changed, much of the traditional aspects of the series remained.
“If something has lasted this long, that means that those characters are beloved and fans want to see them,” Waltz said.
And Waltz is happy with the outcome: “When we started, reincarnation was step one, but I had certain beats that I wanted to hit as long as I was writing it ... and I feel that we hit all those big beats.”
After eight years of producing the series, IDW is releasing the 100th issue of the comic today.
The moment, Eastman said, is not lost on the team.
“It takes a village to produce a book … but it’s a very rare credit to say that (Tom) has written 100 consecutive issues of the comic book. It’s incredible.”
A panel from the 100th edition of IDW Publishing’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” series, released on Dec. 11, 2019.(Courtesy of IDW Publishing)
Reflecting on 35 years of the Turtles, Eastman acknowledges that the structural foundation was established by himself and Laird and that nothing can take away from that. At the same time, he believes that “this is absolutely hands down the definitive Turtle series because it covers so much of the different universes ... and it’s my favorite next to the original.”
San Diego also is an important aspect of this story. When Comic-Con celebrated its golden anniversary last year, the Turtles were featured alongside iconic characters like Superman and Batman in the event’s promotional materials.
That was a surreal moment for co-creator Eastman, who said that San Diego has always “meant comic books,” adding that for decades, he’d held San Diego in high esteem, visiting Comic-Con for the first time in 1985.
“California seemed like a fantasy land ... and that was the first time I saw legends and heroes who inspired me as a kid, like Jack Kirby and Frank Miller,” he recalled.
Since that initial visit, Eastman’s summer calendar has revolved around attending Comic-Con each year.
IDW’s president, Chris Ryall, thinks the homegrown aspect of IDW is what makes it special, and the worldwide appeal of the Turtles has made a big impact on the company and the city.
The 100th issue of the TMNT went through dozens and dozens of iterations, with one version featuring artwork from the past 99 issues as a background for the Turtles as they prepare for battle in the foreground. The issue will feature the climax of the “City at War” story arc where the Turtles must come together to end the saga.
Waltz thinks that people always seem to be surprised that one of the premier comic book companies in the world is based in San Diego. IDW, he added, is one of the best-kept secrets in the city and hopes the current milestone will put more eyes on the company.
“Our book, our company, and the city itself reflect each other in that way.”
A panel from the 100th edition of IDW Publishing’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” series, released on Dec. 11, 2019. (Courtesy of IDW Publishing)
The original cast of Nickelodeon's Tony Award-winning The SpongeBob Musical will reunite at Broadway Sessions this week, on Thursday, December 5th, 2019!
Cast members from the original Broadway production will perform and tell stories from their journey with the beloved musical. Audiences will also be treated to exclusive sneak peek's of footage from the upcoming Nickelodeon broadcast of The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! as well as backstage footage and stories from the people who made it all happen. The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! will premiere on Nickelodeon in the U.S. and YTV in Canada on Saturday, December 7th, 2019 at 7pm ET/PT. For more information, visit the following link: http://nickalive.blogspot.com/2019/11/nickelodeon-to-premiere-spongebob.html
Broadway Sessions is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway cast twice monthly. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida, Footloose, Dance Captain Dance Attack web series) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano.
The Nickelodeon broadcast cast includes Ethan Slater as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gavin Lee as Squidward Q. Tentacles, Danny Skinner as Patrick Star, Brian Ray Norris as Eugene Krabs, Wesley Taylor as Sheldon Plankton, Christina Sajous as Sandy Cheeks and Tom Kenny as ‘Patchy the Pirate’. The ensemble will include Kyle Matthew Hamilton, Katie Lee Hill, Curtis Holbrook, Jesse JP Johnson, L’ogan J’ones, Jai’len Josey, Kelvin Moon Loh, Lauralyn McClelland, Vasthy Mompoint, Bryonha Marie Parham, Oneika Phillips, Jon Rua, JC Schuster, Abby C. Smith, Robert Taylor Jr., and Allan Washington.
The evening will also feature performances by vocalist Catie Pires-Fernandes.
Broadway Sessions recently received the prestigious Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Series Award at the MAC Awards.
Broadway Sessions takes place twice monthly on Thursday evenings at The Laurie Beechman Theater inside The West Bank Café located at 407 west 42nd street (corner of 42nd street and 9th avenue). For a full schedule of show dates or to make reservations (strongly recommended) at www.broadwaysessions.net Doors open at 10pm with showtime at 10:30. $5 drink specials all night. $10 advance/ $15 at door cover includes a donation to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Broadway Sessions is proud of it's collaboration with BroadwayWorld.com which offers an exclusive look at Broadway Sessions every Monday.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Questions with Ethan Slater and Danny Skinner (+ Ethan singing)
Ethan Slater (SpongeBob) and Danny Skinner (Patrick) answer questions, as well as a performance by Ethan of "Heaven on Their Minds" from Jesus Christ Superstar at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: "Super Sea Star Savior" dance with Danny Skinner
Audiences members perform a dance routine from "Super Sea Star Savior" with Danny Skinner (Patrick) at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Gavin Lee sings "Telly"
Gavin Lee (Squidward) sings "Telly" from Matilda the Musical at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Robert Taylor Jr performs "Billie Jean"
Robert Taylor Jr (ensemble) performs "Billie Jean" at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Kelvin Moon Loh's song
Kelvin Moon Loh (ensemble) sings a parody of The Last Five Years' "Climbing Uphill" at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Finn Douglas sings "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Finn Douglas (from Noggin's "Tot Cop") sings "Bohemian Rhapsody" at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
Kelvin Moon Loh (ensemble) sings "Easy as Life" from Aida at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Super Superlatives with Tina Landau
Director Tina Landau plays a round of Super Superlatives about the cast at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Kyle Hamilton sings "Jack & Diane"
Kyle Matthew Hamilton (ensemble) sings "Jack & Diane" at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Kyle Hamilton sings "Love Sponge"
Kyle Matthew Hamilton (ensemble) sings "Love Sponge" at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: Lauralyn McClelland's song
Lauralyn McClelland (ensemble) sings a parody of Frozen's "Let It Go" at Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
SpongeBob Broadway Sessions 12-5-19: "Seasons of Love"
Everyone performs "Seasons of Love" from Rent at the conclusion of Broadway Sessions' "The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!" cast reunion event at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
BWW TV: Broadway Sessions Goes Back to Bikini Bottom with Ethan Slater and the Cast of SPONGEBOB!
This past Thursday at Broadway Sessions we took a trip down memory lane to Bikini Bottom at our Spongebob Cast Reunion Show! It was a joy to have the gang all back together as we all reminisced and naturally, hilarity ensued. Our wonderful lineup included Lauralyn Mcclelland, Kyle Matthew Hamilton, Danny Skinner & Ethan Slater, Robert Taylor Jr., Gavin Lee, Kelvin Moon Loh, Tina Landau, with special guests Marty Thomas, Finn Douglas, and Rising Star Catie Pires Fernandes. What a fun way to gear up for the HIGHLY anticipated Spongebob broadcast on Nickelodeon last week!
Make sure you mark your calendars for our Annual Holiday Show on December 19th! This will be our last show of 2019 and it's going to be a fun, festive evening with our FIERCE special guests and you will not want to miss it! Reservations can be made at bwaysessions.net. It's definitely going to be a night to remember, and we would love to see you there.
BROADWAY SESSIONS takes place every other Thursday evening at The Laurie Beechman Theater inside The West Bank Cafe, located at 407 West 42nd Street (corner of 42nd Street and 9th Avenue). Reservations strongly recommended at 212-695-6909 or. Doors open at 10pm for pre-show open mic. Showtime at 10:30. $5 drink specials all night. $10 cover includes a donation to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.
Nickelodeon UK & Ireland will premiere Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019, the first-ever fully localised Kids' Choice Awards held in the Middle East, on Saturday 4th January 2020 at 8:00pm! The special will give viewers a exclusive chance to see how the iconic Kids' Choice Awards are celebrated in another part of the world.
Following its debut, Nick UK & Eire will encore Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 on Sunday 5th January 2020 at 10:00pm.
Nickelodeon and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi delivered on their commitment to bring the leading kids’ brand’s slimiest, wildest show to the city to the delight of fans across the Middle East. In September, the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 lit up the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The night featured stunning performances and stunts, including a mash-up of hits by global superstar and event host, Jason Derulo, including his latest hit, Mamacita, the sliming of co-host Haifa Beseisso, and performances by Conor Maynard, Maritta and al-Waleed Hallani, Nora Fatehi and Fnaire, Dyler and Egyptian star Mohamed Hamaki. Kids’ favorite artists and talent were crowned across 16 entertainment categories.
PERFORMANCES
The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 featured seven musical performances from global and regional stars:
Jason Derulo, the global superstar with 17 multi-platinum singles to his name, kicked off the night with a high-energy mashup of some of his greatest hits including Mamacita, Colors, Swalla, and Want To Want Me.
Maritta was introduced by Jason and gave a moving performance of her hit Ana.
Dancer, model and singer Nora Fatehi was joined by Moroccan band Fnaire for a stunning Arabic performance of her song Dilbar.
Saudi Arabian singer and social media sensation Dyler arrived in a bright red sports car and then walked through the crowd singing his hit Samoly.
Lebanese star al-Waleed Hallani followed with a rendition of his hit song Aam Yessalo, and was promptly slimed to the delight of the audience.
British singer, songwriter and YouTuber Conor Maynard performed in a medley of his hits Turn Around, Waste Your Time, Hate How Much I Love You.
Platinum Egyptian artist and Arabian superstar Mohamed Hamaki closed the night delighted fans with Ya Sattar.
FULL LIST OF NICKELODEON KIDS’ CHOICE AWARDS ABU DHABI 2019 WINNERS:
Leading up to the show, kids across the Middle East voted for their favourite artists on Nickelodeon’s website https://kca.nickelodeonarabia.com/, on Instagram using the hashtag of their favourite nominee and via the Nickelodeon Play app. More than 15 million votes were cast over the summer to choose the winners across a range of music, film and entertainment categories. The winners in the 16 award categories were:
FAVORITE GROUP RAJAA & OMAR BELMIR
DAFFY & FLIPPERACHI
BOYBAND
SHARMOOFERS
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
ADHAM NABULSI
ESSA AL MARZOUG
SAAD RAMADAN MOHAMED HAMAKI
FAVORITE TV PERSONALITY RAYA ABI RACHID
QUSAI (DON LEGEND)
ASSALAH KAMEL
WISSAM BREIDY
FAVORITE INFLUENCER IBRAHIM BASHA
TAIM AL FALASI
BIN BAZ
MINA AL SHEIKHLY
FAVORITE GAMER
FIR4SGAMER
NEROGAMER55 AHMED AL NASHEET
IIKLAY
FAVORITE CARTOON SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
TOM AND JERRY
MAJID
GUM BALL
FAVORITE RADIO STATION
NRJ RADIO VIRGIN RADIO
PEARL FM
AL ARABIYA
FAVORITE SPORTS STAR
RAMY NACHAR
RAHA MOHARRAK
ZAHRA LARI RASHID AL DHAHERI
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
NASSIF ZEYTOUN - KEL YOM BHEBIK
MAYA DIAB, MASSARI & FRENCH MONTANA - YA NOUR EL EIN ADHAM NABULSI - HOWEH EL HOB
NORA FATEHI AND FNAIRE – DILBAR
FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL STAR BILLIE EILISH
SHAWN MENDES
CAMILLA CABELLO
KHALID
BROADCAST
The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 was recorded on September 20th at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and made its world debut exclusively on Nickelodeon on OSN in KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain on September 24th at 17:00 UAE/16:00 KSA. The show is also airing on Nickelodeon channels internationally in the USA, UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, India, China, Philippines and Pakistan.
The Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 has been sponsored by Kellogg’s and Movenpick.
More coverage of the Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 can be found on Nickelodeon’s channels on Facebook, Instagram and through the following official hashtags:
#KCAAD2019
#KidsChoiceAwardsAbuDhabi2019
#NickelodeonArabia
#InAbuDhabi
#FamilyWeekInAbuDhabi
#ف أبوظ ب
ABU DHABI FAMILY WEEK
The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 was part of Abu Dhabi Family Week, a 10-day programme of fun-packed, educational events dedicated to children’s and family entertainment organised by DCT Abu Dhabi. Additional activities included the brand new The World of Nickelodeon, a three-day Nickelodeon activation taking place from 19th to 21st of September at ADNEC
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About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 40th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family, with 1.2 billion cumulative subscriptions in more than 500 million households across 170+ countries and territories, via more than 100+ locally programmed channels and branded blocks. Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com/. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc.
About the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world- Globally, sustainable destination of distinction, which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The organization manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programs relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. DCT - Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.
Schedule source: Digiguide.Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon UK and Kids' Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 News and Highlights!
Sophie Michelle & Gavin Magnus Wrap Presents in a BLIZZARD! 🎁 Holiday Melee Episode 1 | Nick
Did you know that an elf can wrap the perfect present… even in a blizzard? Sophie Michelle and Gavin Magnus will put their elf skills to the test when Matte Martinez, a Santa in Training, presents them with their first challenge: Whirlwind Wrap! With only two minutes to wrap the perfect present during a winter storm, will this challenge be a breeze?
Ho Ho Hold onto your Santa hats as Sophie and Gavin face off in the first episode of Nick Holiday Melee!
Masked Video Game Dancer Celebrity Edition FUN FACTS! ft. Ariana Grande, Beyoncé & More! | All That
Masked Video Game Dancer Celebrity Edition returns with fresh fun facts about Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Adam Sandler, Nick Cannon, and so much more! Featuring Lex Lumpkin, Chinguun Sergelen, Gabrielle Nevaeh Green, Ryan Alessi, Nathan Janak and Reece Caddell! Catch more All That on Nickelodeon!
‘iChristmas’ 🎄 Carly Wants the Old Spencer & Freddie Back on iCarly | NickRewind
After her guardian angel Mitch (Danny Woodburn) grants Carly’s wish of turning Spencer (Jerry Trainor) “normal” for Christmas, she just wants the old Spencer, Freddie (Nathan Kress), and Sam (Jennette McCurdy) back to their weird selves. In this clip from the special ‘iChristmas’ episode, Carly learns to be careful of what you wish for! Watch more of your favorite shows on Nickelodeon!
Watch all your ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s Nickelodeon favorites on NickRewind, your late-night destination for your favorite childhood Nickelodeon cartoons and live-action shows! NickSplat doesn't question football-shaped heads, but embrace them - along with Reptar bars, a Big Ear of Corn, orange soda, and even slime for Pete (and Pete's) sake. Make your slime-covered Nickelodeon childhood dreams come true every night at 11 PM ET/PT on TeenNick USA, and anytime you want on NickSplat on VRV AND NOW ON Nick Pluto TV!
Like NickRewind on Facebook, subscribe to the NickRewind YouTube channel and follow NickRewind on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive digital content from all of your throwback favorites like Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, iCarly, Victorious, Kenan & Kel, CatDog, Doug, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Amanda Show, Clarissa Explains It All, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and so much more!
Additional source: IMDb.Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Classic Nickelodeon, NickRewind and iCarly News and Highlights!
L'actualité Fresh | Semaine du 09 au 15 décembre 2019 | Nickelodeon France
Cette semaine dans Fresh : Bob l'éponge débarque très prochainement sur grand écran dans Fresh Ciné ; le top 5 du fun dans Fresh News ; et un focus sur Jennyfer dans Fresh Zik.
All times CET; Unless otherwise noted, localised episode titles are Hungarian.
--- This December, Nicktoons Central and Eastern Europe will be premiering:
-- Brand-new episodes of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!:
- 2019-12-08 18:15 1x21 Man vs. Sewer / The Mutant Menace
- 2019-12-15 18:15 1x23 Turtle-dega Nights: The Ballad of Rat Man / The Ancient Art of Ninja Hide and Seek
- 2019-12-22 18:15 1x24 One Man's Junk / Snow Day
- 2019-12-29 18:15 1x25 Cloak and Swaggart / Jupiter Jim Ahoy!
"Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is locally titled "A tini nindzsa teknőcök felemelkedése" in Hungary and "Ascensiunea Țestoaselor Ninja" in Romania.
-- The brand new Breadwinners Christmas special!:
- 2019-12-21 14:15 2x09 A Crustmas Story
"Breadwinners" is locally titled "Kenyér királyok" in Hungary and "Curierii de Pâine" in Romania.
-- Brand new episodes of Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty:
- 2019-12-02 17:55 1x14 Rudy ébredése / Baráti kötelék (Rudy Awakening / Bound to Be Friends)
- 2019-12-03 17:55 1x18 A kacsintó / A kvízverseny (The Winky / Trivial Per Hoot)
- 2019-12-04 17:55 1x19 Kis változás / Szagos Rip (Small Change / Rip Van Stinkle)
- 2019-12-05 17:55 1x20 Excali-burt / Behálózva (Excali-Burt / Ratted Out)
- 2019-12-06 17:55 1x21 Csak cukormáz kell / A varázstoll (Just Add Sprinkles / The Write Stuff)
- 2019-12-09 17:55 1x22 Okos süti / Az eltűnés (Smart Cookie / Disappearing Act)
- 2019-12-10 17:55 1x23 Darázstestű mágneses karaoke víziló / Időtúllépés (Bumblebee Magnetic Karaoke Hippo / Time Out)
- 2019-12-11 17:55 1x24 Piper dala / Zsugorodó jeti (Playing the Piper / Shrinking Yeti)
- 2019-12-12 17:55 1x25 A kicsi szörny / A muszklis mítoszföldi maraton (Little Monster / The Great Mighty Mythic Marathon) - évadzáró
- 2019-12-21 10:55 1x26 Boldog mítoszkarácsonyt! (Merry Mythmas)
"RBUK" is locally titled "Szivárványos egyszarvú pillangócica" in Hungary and "Pisicuța Unicorn Fluturaș Curcubeu!" in Romania.
--- Additionally Nicktoons CEE will host special marathons of popular Nicktoons throughout December 2019!:
NEW YORK—Nov. 19, 2019—Nickelodeon today announced that following a critically lauded run on Broadway, The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage!, which reunites members of the original award-winning Broadway company, will simulcast on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT) across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons and Nick Jr. Joining the cast is veteran SpongeBob SquarePants voice actor Tom Kenny as “Patchy the Pirate,” performing the original Sara Bareilles song “Poor Pirates.” The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! was filmed for television in front of a live theater audience, capturing all-new depths of theatrical innovation, where the power of optimism really can save the world.
Update (12/11) - The ratings for the premiere of The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! on Saturday, Dec. 7, simulcast over Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, TeenNick and Nick Jr. totaled 1.359 million total viewers from 7-9:30 p.m.!
Update (12/8) - If you missed The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage!, or just want to rewatch it again and again, it is now available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video, here!
“I’ve had a blast portraying live-action suburban buccaneer and President of the SpongeBob SquarePants Fan Club, ‘Patchy the Pirate,’ since the character’s first appearance in season two of SpongeBob SquarePants way back in 2000,” said Kenny. “I loved The SpongeBob Musical, and I was thrilled to be included in it both in pre-recorded (‘French Narrator’) and songwriter (‘Best Day Ever’) forms! But to now have the opportunity to actually step onstage and perform alongside members of the original Broadway production is truly a unique honor. It’s ‘meta times ten,’ and I think Nickelodeon’s audience will really get a kick out of it!”
Today, Nickelodeon also revealed a first look of the special, where the stakes are higher than ever, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the potential of total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises and takes center stage.
The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! cast will include Ethan Slater as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gavin Lee as Squidward Q. Tentacles, Danny Skinner as Patrick Star, Brian Ray Norris as Eugene Krabs, Wesley Taylor as Sheldon Plankton, Christina Sajous as Sandy Cheeks and Tom Kenny as ‘Patchy the Pirate’. The ensemble will include Kyle Hamilton, Katie Lee Hill, Curtis Holbrook, Jesse JP Johnson, L’ogan J’ones, Jai’len Josey, Kelvin Moon Loh, Lauralyn McClelland, Vasthy Mompoint, Bryonha Marie Parham, Oneika Phillips, Jon Rua, JC Schuster, Abby C. Smith, Robert Taylor Jr., and Allan Washington.
Adapted from the beloved Nickelodeon series, the Broadway musical was hailed by The New York Times as “brilliant,” and “effervescent candy-for-the-spirit” by New York Magazine. This new musical earned its place on 2017’s “Best of Broadway” lists, including Broadway.com, BuzzFeed, Chicago Tribune, The Daily Beast, Deadline, ET Online, Forbes, Time Out New York and Variety.
Named Best Musical by the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle, and earned 12 Tony Award nominations – the most nominated musical of the 2017-2018 theatre season – winning for Best Scenic Design of a Musical (David Zinn).
Acclaimed Steppenwolf director Tina Landau and the groundbreaking designers behind Fun Home, Hedwig, and Spring Awakening have brilliantly reimagined Bikini Bottom for the Broadway stage, on tour, and now for television, bringing the spirit of SpongeBob to life with humanity, heart, and pure theatricality. With an original score from some of the biggest names in pop and rock, The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! explodes with energy.
The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! is a musical production conceived and directed for the stage by Tina Landau, book by Kyle Jarrow, orchestrations, arrangements & music supervision by Tom Kitt, with choreography by Christopher Gattelli, produced for television by Austin Shaw, and directed by Glenn Weiss. Nickelodeon’s Vice Presidents Paul J Medford and Susan Vargo serve as executive producers, alongside Senior Vice President of Music & Talent Doug Cohn and is executive produced and overseen by Executive Vice President of Unscripted and Live Events Rob Bagshaw.
This one-of-a-kind television musical event features original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! At The Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, and T.I. (Clifford Harris, Jr.), Domani Harris, and Darwin Quinn, and additional songs by David Bowie, and by Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton. Additional music by Tom Kitt. Along with “The SpongeBob Theme Song” by Derek Drymon, Mark Harrison, Stephen Hillenburg, and Blaise Smith.
The design team includes scenic and costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Kevin Adams, projection design by Peter Nigrini, sound design by Walter Trarbach, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe and casting by Telsey + Company/Patrick Goodwin, CSA.
Prior to making his on-stage debut, Patchy takes a fun-filled journey through the world of SpongeBob SquarePants’ best musical moments during the original special SpongeBob SquarePants: Patchy’s Playlist, premiering Sat., Nov. 30, at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. During the special, Patchy highlights fan-favorite songs of the animated series, including “Ripped Pants,” “The F.U.N. Song,” “Sweet Victory,” and more.
In addition, SpongeBob’s number one fan Patchy the Pirate appears in five original short-form videos leading up to the premiere of The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! In each, he goes behind-the-scenes, interviewing principal cast members and checking out the production, while trying to score a ticket to the big show. Catch Patchy on Nickelodeon Monday, Dec. 2 through Friday, Dec. 6.
The Original Cast Recording is available now from Masterworks Broadway wherever music is sold and streamed.
Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in Viacom International Media Networks history, seen in more than 170 countries, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 140 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants is created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurably optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 40th 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 brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location based experiences, publishing and feature films. 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).
The SpongeBob SquarePants musical is airing on TV. Why theaters are thrilled
“The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!” reunites most of its original Broadway cast and will be shown Dec. 7 across Nickelodeon’s channels. (Nickelodeon)
On Sept. 16, 2018, Ethan Slater braced himself for the final performance of “SpongeBob SquarePants.” The Nickelodeon musical had been open on Broadway for nine months, and it received generally positive reviews and 12 Tony Award nominations. But the Palace Theatre was closing for multiyear renovations, forcing the undersea spectacle to shutter as well.
That last audience was filled with devout fans, some who had seen the show dozens of times. Families had flown in from out of town, millennials came dressed in cartoon costumes. And before anything had really begun, they were all on their feet and cheering loudly at the entry of foley artist Mike Dobson, who performed hundreds of sound effects that animated the actors onstage.
Backstage, Slater — who portrays the porous, persistently optimistic sponge — was moved to tears.
“Even though he wasn’t visible on the Broadway stage, the foley was such a quintessential part of the show,” he recalled of Dobson, who was in the orchestra pit. “It was this perfect moment when I realized that even though we were closing, our audience had understood what we were doing. It ended up being like that for the whole show, full of these beautiful little realizations that this was the last time we were gonna perform this.”
Or so he thought. Last month, the cast and creative team reunited for “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!” which will simulcast at 7 p.m. Saturday across Nickelodeon, TeenNick and Nicktoons. The airing is part of the yearlong celebration of the 20th anniversary of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” created by the late Stephen Hillenburg.
“This is something that deserves a wider audience, so we absolutely wanted to film it in whatever way we could,” said Rob Bagshaw, Nickelodeon’s executive vice president of unscripted and live events. “‘SpongeBob’ has always been at the forefront of many of our tentpole characters, and the fact that it’s an existing title made it obvious for our first project. We love the results, and we’d like to do more.”
“The SpongeBob Musical” sets to song the sincere simplicities of the long-running series. (Nickelodeon)
Like the many entries into the “live musical event” space — whether airing on network television or broadcast to movie theaters through National Theatre Live — the upcoming “SpongeBob Musical” aims to make theater accessible to a new audience.
“Even though our show always had affordable options when it was on Broadway, if you live in Kansas, a $35 ticket to the show also comes with a round-trip plane ticket,” Slater said. “As a young person who didn’t grow up in New York, this would’ve meant a lot to me. I hope this will inspire a new generation of theatergoers, who aren’t close to Broadway, to check out regional productions or tours.”
Nickelodeon’s presentation less resembles the offerings from NBC, Fox and ABC than those from PBS, Netflix and BroadwayHD. “The SpongeBob Musical” will be captured and edited for an airing rather than broadcast live. Most of these pretaped titles do not air — or, sometimes, are not even announced — until after the original stage show has closed, possibly as a cautionary move to not cannibalize ticket sales.
Recently, that unofficial rule was broken when Netflix announced that Mike Birbiglia’s one-man Broadway show “The New One” would premiere on the streaming platform in a month’s time. Netflix made the announcement just before the tour began its month-long stop at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. CTG producing director Douglas C. Baker didn’t think the Netflix news negatively affected ticket sales.
“If anything, it raised the profile of the production and brought us the attention of a lot of people who wouldn’t have otherwise known about us,” he said in a statement. “We are working in a crowded entertainment market, so any opportunity to introduce new audiences to the theater is priceless. Hopefully we hooked them on the live theater experience and will be seeing them back at Center Theatre Group for future productions.”
But if TV audiences nationwide can watch “The SpongeBob Musical” from the comfort of home and through a service for which they already have paid, will they buy tickets to the touring version of the Broadway show, now on the road and coming to the Dolby Theatre in L.A. in the spring?
Pantages’ general manager, Jeff Loeb, whose company is bringing “SpongeBob” to the Dolby, is throwing his full support behind the airing.
“We have seen our fans enthusiastically engage on social media whenever a musical is aired on television, and for fans of musical theater, seeing the show once and only once is never enough,” he said in a statement. “Being able to see a live capture performance on television or in a movie theater gives fans additional opportunities to enjoy the art form they love. It is also a great way for patrons who may not have been able to travel to Broadway to see the show prior to seeing it locally at the Dolby Theatre. Live broadcasts are a win-win for everyone.”
Bagshaw said that Nickelodeon supports both endeavors equally and that the airing might encourage viewers to buy tickets to the “SpongeBob” tour. Tina Landau — who directed the show on Broadway, on tour and on-screen with seasoned awards show helmer Glenn Weiss — is OK with the concurrency, as long as the show is being seen in some way.
“For me, this show was, and continues to be, a vessel of joy and hope and optimism,” Landau said. “It has been nothing but a gift that we all want to give and share with audiences, and however we do that works for me.”
Ethan Slater, behind the scenes of “The SpongeBob Musical” with director Tina Landau, plays the beloved sponge. (Alex Baily)
What “The SpongeBob Musical” does have going for it over network television’s other live musical events is the luxury of time. This is the taping of a production that was created over a decade, and it features most of the entire original cast, who spent years developing their characters and played them for Broadway audiences eight times a week for nine months. They bring the brand’s beloved cartoon characters to life without wearing the theme-park bodysuits.
Slater, who perfected his personification of SpongeBob over six years, spends the entire show dressed in a gingham yellow shirt, skinny red tie and brown plaid pants. He evokes SpongeBob through a high-pitched, nasal voice and a zippy head-to-toe physicality. He even added some new bits for the taping — an extra backflip here, a riskier trick fall there.
“Ethan had some incredible moves and facial expressions that we really took advantage of with a close-up, to accentuate moments and really bring it home on TV,” said Weiss, who directed the telecast. “It’s like the cartoon, which you’re not watching from a faraway seat. It always zooms in on his eyes, so we wanted to do that too.”
During the two-day shoot at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in England, Weiss and Landau worked together to capture as many design elements as possible: the intricate ensemble formations in "(Just a) Simple Sponge.” The apocalyptic lighting design in “No Control.” The invaluable work of foley artist Dobson, now primely positioned in a visible corner of David Zinn’s vibrant, Tony-winning scenic design.
To make the show work for a television schedule, Landau and book writer Kyle Jarrow had to identify spots for commercial breaks and trim the script by about 15 minutes. The latter was a tougher task, because every song is composed by a different songwriter — among them David Bowie, Sara Bareilles, John Legend, Yolanda Adams, and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.
“I always felt like the Broadway version was too long, but I didn’t know how to get those minutes before we opened,” Landau said. “I was so happy with how we ended up doing it because rather than cutting any whole songs, we did small nips and tucks and somehow got it down for the time. Coming back to this with a little distance, it was like, ‘We don’t need that favorite joke of mine.’”
The musical draws on SpongeBob’s biggest ambition in the series: to manage the Krusty Krab.
With 20 years of brand recognition on its side, “The SpongeBob Musical” sets the sincere simplicities of the series to song. SpongeBob belts out about his dream to manage the Krusty Krab; its greedy owner, Mr. Krabs (Brian Ray Norris), wails of his love of money. The pessimism of Squidward (Gavin Lee) manifests in a spectacular tap-dance number that uses his numerous tentacles and comes complete with a clarinet solo. And starfish Patrick (Danny Skinner) wonders, with all his might, what words rhyme with “rock.”
Instead of being based on any particular episode, “The SpongeBob Musical” features an original story line: A fatal volcano eruption is on the horizon, invoking sheer pandemonium among the residents of Bikini Bottom. Science-minded squirrel Sandy (Christina Sajous) calls it a symptom of “tidal warming.” She’s scapegoated as an outsider and told to go back where she came from. A dictator-like mayor eggs it all on.
The musical has become all too prescient, noted Landau.
“From the beginning, the story was always about the end of the world and how approaching danger can turn a society or a community in on itself,” she said. “That just became more a mirror of what seems to be happening in the world, as time went on. It was interesting how increasingly political and timely it became without our ever working towards that as a goal.”
According to Slater, its applicability is what makes it so fit for a television broadcast. “Unfortunately, the themes of xenophobia and climate disaster are always relevant,” he said. “But there’s a broader consciousness and a larger discussion about these things now, so it’s a great time for it to be on TV and reach a wider audience.”
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The SpongeBob Musical Sketch to Stage
SpongeBob is coming to life -- on stage! Don't miss The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! this Saturday at 7p/6c!
Tina Landau Returns to Bikini Bottom to Bring Her SpongeBob Musical to Nickelodeon
Landau restages her Broadway show with its original cast for an upcoming TV broadcast.
Tina Landau was shocked when she heard that Nickelodeon wanted to bring her longtime labor of love, The SpongeBob Musical, to the small screen. Landau conceived and directed the innovative production on Broadway (then titled SpongeBob SquarePants) and earned one of the show's 12 Tony nominations for her work. But after it closed — owing, at least in part, to construction in and around the Palace Theatre — she never imagined the world at large will get to see her brainchild in all its glory.
"Nickelodeon was very determined to have this be a gift that would be part of the holiday season," Landau says of the December 7 broadcast, which reunited all but three members of the original Broadway company for a taping that took place before two live audiences last month in Plymouth, England. But it all happened very quickly.
"When our lead producer came to me with the idea and asked if it was possible, I said, 'No, it's in no way possible,'" recalls Landau, but somehow it all came together thanks to the hard work of a very dedicated company and crew. "God bless the tons of folks who worked round the clock to replicate and adjust and build from scratch the set and the costumes and the props, because it was a lot of work in a very short time."
Where did you begin when Nickelodeon asked you and your collaborators to rebuild the stage production for TV?
We knew we could not re-create what we did at the Palace Theatre. That would be virtually impossible because it was so specific to that space and it took so long to construct. I knew this had to be some kind of hybrid that would be part of what we did at the Palace and on tour. There were things that were very important to me to have that we do not have on tour, like the passerelle that goes around the front of the stage, but there were also things I discovered from the tour that were beneficial to the show. That included some cuts and putting the Foley artist onstage, which I really love. So I conceived it as a third version, for this specific theater and under the constraints we had.
You have two hours on TV, but the show runs around two-and-a-half hours, including the intermission. How hard was it to kill your darlings in an effort to fit the timeslot?
Kyle Jarrow, the book writer, and I knew immediately that we didn't want to cut any whole plot line or song or character, so we committed to the idea of taking a little of this and a little of that, slowly over time and throughout rehearsal. It was a constant process of "What if that verse came out of this song?" Almost everything has trims in it, but the show still stands and represents itself.
The one thing I didn't want was to give them something that was too long and then someone else would edit it. I always wanted the Broadway show to be 10 minutes shorter, but I didn't know how to do it at the time. When I readied the tour, which was in August, I made six or seven minutes of cuts to strengthen the show. [For television], we've cut 16 minutes of the Broadway show, which was really hard but such a great exercise. Yes, all these things are your favorite moments or jokes, but the show is stronger without some of them.
All but three members of the original Broadway cast have been reassembled for the taping. What was it like to get back in the rehearsal room and dig into the show once again?
It felt like this raucous cocktail party. The first couple days of rehearsal, I felt like I was a scolding schoolteacher because all I was asking them to do was calm down and be quiet. They've all become such close friends and they're all besties outside of the show. They were so happy and hyped to be together, because, as Ethan said to me recently, they see each other all the time, but not all together.
I will say that there was something about how they all feel about the show, the fact that we had to close, and the fact that they had this time away, that have made their performances and understanding of the material actually deepen. There were shadings in performances that I feel only found expression because they had been through this experience of saying goodbye and missing each other.
Will the massive Rube Goldberg machines of David Zinn's Broadway set be there to shoot "boulders" onstage?
Sadly, no, the Rube Goldberg machines in their full form will not be there. Those were the hardest things to build and install for Broadway. They took many, many months of research and engineering, and I don't imagine those could ever be replicated other than in a very long sit-down production somewhere. Even though I'm sad to miss certain elements — the Rube Goldbergs, particularly — I have learned that the show still holds up. It's OK. There are other ways to deliver balls. [laughs]
It's really badass that Nickelodeon is airing this musical about global warming and catastrophe over the holiday season.
What makes me very happy is that you interpret it as such! My favorite way of thinking about it is, I'm very happy Nickelodeon is airing a musical about the power of imagination, and yes, global warming, and also community and otherness and fearmongering, all those things. But the kernel of this musical was an episode of the series called "Idiot Box," where Patrick and SpongeBob get a box with a TV in it, and they throw out the TV so they could play with the box. Isn't it great that we're doing a musical about throwing out the TV and playing with the box, on TV?
Kelvin Moon Loh on Having a Ball in Beetlejuice, Panicking About the SpongeBob Film & More
Kelvin Moon Loh can currently be seen as Otho in Beetlejuice on Broadway. Previously appearing in SpongeBob SquarePants, Loh recently returned to Bikini Bottom to film the musical for its upcoming premiere on Nickelodeon. Loh stopped by Broadway.com's #LiveatFive to talk with Beth Stevens about going from Bikini Bottom to the Netherworld, his love for Sutton Foster and more.
Growing up in Long Island, Loh was always fascinated with musical theater, especially a certain two-time Tony winner. "I knew I loved musicals but I didn't know I wanted to do them," he said. "Sutton Foster's performance of 'Forget About the Boy' at the Tony Awards for Thoroughly Modern Millie did it for me. I just looped it over and over again. When I moved to NYU, I saw her walking her dog once, but I didn't scream after her. We eventually met at the Side Show opening night party, and it was everything. I could talk about Sutton Foster for the rest of the night."
Now, Loh is on stage playing a life guru, opposite Leslie Kritzer's Delia, to a packed house nightly. "Leslie Kritzer doesn't need any guidance in real life, but on stage I get the pleasure to pretend as if I'm actually giving her advice throughout the entire show," he said. "The thing that's most surprising is how much Beetlejuice has thrived. These last couple months as been insane, just this past week we surpassed the Winter Garden box office record. We continue to see our audiences grow and grow and grow. We're sold out nearly every night."
Only one month separates Loh closing SpongeBob on Broadway to his appearing in the world premiere engagement of Beetlejuice in Washington, D.C. and he has director Alex Timbers, with whom he previously worked on Here Lies Love, to thank. "I could see the writing on the wall for SpongeBob because I'm a dirty Broadway performer and read all the chat rooms and message boards," he said. "So after they told us our really successful, amazing show had to close, I started texting my agent. Beetlejuice was previously off the table for me contract-wise, and I told them to not forget about it. I emailed Alex [Timbers] and he said, 'I'm out of town doing Moulin Rouge!, but, of course, I would love to see you for the role of Otho.' I sent him a video that night, and he got back to me in a week. Without ever having to walk into the room, I booked it. It's pretty crazy."
Loh recently took a break from Beetlejuice to film The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage with most of the show's original Broadway cast. "We filmed it in front of an audience in London, and they loved it the same way it was loved in New York," he said. "The day SpongeBob closed, I hit a flush button and forgot everything. To be called a couple months later and be told that we're doing it again made me go into a full-on panic because I had no recollection. Everyone says it's muscle memory, but that doesn't work for somebody that has very little muscle. But once you're in the room with everyone again, there is an emotional attachment to certain moments. I think it must have worked out in the end. It felt good to go back."
See Loh in Beetlejuice, playing at the Winter Garden Theatre
SpongeBob Musical'S Ethan Slater and Tina Landau Tease Why Saturday Will Be Nickelodeon's Best Day Ever!
Are ya ready kids? We hope so, because Nickelodeon is taking a deep dive to Bikini Bottom this Saturday as is airs The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! (7pm EST).
Acclaimed Steppenwolf director Tina Landau and the groundbreaking designers behind Fun Home, Hedwig, and Spring Awakening have brilliantly reimagined Bikini Bottom for the Broadway stage, on tour, and now for television, bringing the spirit of SpongeBob to life with humanity, heart, and pure theatricality. With an original score from some of the biggest names in Pop and rock, The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! explodes with energy.
"I got the call out of the blue that Nickelodeon wanted to do it. They were sad that they hadn't gotten to do it at the Palace Theatre," Tina told BroadwayWorld. "We all feel so strongly about the message of joy, optimism, and community that this show carries within it. The chance to share it with more people who have not been exposed to it was a real gift."
The television event reunites much of the original Broadway cast, including Ethan Slater, who earned his first Tony nomination for his portrayal of the title character in 2018. "It was like a family reunion," Ethan explained. "It was a nerve-racking experience too, because we've been away from it for a little while. But we're coming back and doing it in a way that is going to reach more people than we were able to on Broadway... so the stakes were high! But fortunately, we had each other and Tina, and this amazing creative team. It became a really artistically fulfilling experience again to remount it. We got to approach it differently, which was really exciting. I think that will be felt. There is new depth to it that we got to infuse because of our time away."
How will the world of Bikini Bottom, which was recreated this fall in London, be transformed for TV? "It's not what was at the Palace Theatre, because one could never replicate that exactly," says Landau, "But it is a good version that was created anew by all of the designers who originally worked on the show. I feel like it represents and speaks to exactly what the production is."
"What has always happened with this show, no matter how skeptical someone might be, the second it begins and they enter our world, they are somewhat converted. I look forward to that experience of discovery for a huge TV audience," said Tina.
Watch the full conversation with Ethan and Tina as they give BroadwayWorld the inside scoop on the special. Don't forget to tune in on Saturday, December 7, at 7pm (ET/PT) to watch The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage!
