Production Begins on Playhouse Disney’s ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’; Series Features Captain Hook
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Disney Television Animation has begun production on “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” an interactive 2-D and CG animated series for preschoolers and parents featuring the music and fun-filled adventures of classic characters Captain Hook and Smee, plus a new crew of kid pirates led by the enthusiastic and courageous Jake. The series, which will premiere on Playhouse Disney-branded blocks and channels around the world, is designed to emphasize teamwork. The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, senior vice president, Playhouse Disney Worldwide.
Kanter said: “’Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ will introduce preschoolers to the excitement of Never Land, an imaginative, engaging pirate world for kids and a wonderfully memorable one for their parents. Comedic foils Captain Hook and his well-meaning sidekick, Smee, will continue to amuse young kids, as the enthusiastic Jake leads his team of kid pirates on adventures that model teamwork for our young viewers.”
Each episode features two fun and music-filled stories, as Jake leads his team – including Izzy, Cubby and their parrot lookout, Skully – aboard their amazing ship, Bucky, sailing from their Pirate Island hideout on a lost treasure hunt throughout Never Land. There, Jake and the team learn that they must work together to outsmart Captain Hook and Smee, earning gold doubloons as they conquer tasks. Whether the treasure is a skateboard, a guitar or a prized seashell, Captain Hook will do anything to get his hands on it, so Jake and his fellow kid pirates invite viewers to use teamwork, problem-solving and physical activity such as sliding down waterfalls, pulling vines and flying with the magic of pixie dust to reclaim their treasures.
“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” stars Colin Ford (“Sweet Home Alabama”) as Jake, Disney Channel star Madison Pettis (“The Game Plan,” “Cory in the House”) as Izzy and Jonathan Morgan Heit (“Bedtime Stories”) as Cubby. The series will feature original pirate jigs and rock chanteys, as well as music underscore by Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson of the Portland, Oregon-based pirate rock band, Captain Bogg & Salty.
Rob LaDuca (“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”) is executive producer and Howy Parkins (“Emperor’s New School”) is director.
Categories: Television Tags: Captain Hook, Disney Channel, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mr. Smee, PHD, Playhouse Disney
Chuggington Set to Thrill on Playhouse Disney January 18 (Video)
Global television hit Chuggington is racing its way into American families’ homes this month. Kids and families can tune into Playhouse Disney, Disney Channel’s preschool-focused programming block, on January 18, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT for Chuggington’s U.S. premiere.
The train-centric series invites preschoolers to follow the humorous and educational adventures of three young ‘trainees’ as they learn to ‘ride the rails’ of life. Following the series premiere, Chuggington will air Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT and weekends at 7:30 a.m. ET/PT.
Using feature-quality CGI animation, Chuggington’s fast-paced, kid-centric stories highlight a colorful, modern cast of characters and are designed to teach simple, yet important, social-emotional lessons that help preschoolers ‘ride the rails’ through their learning years. Throughout each episode, children climb aboard and follow the trainees as they embark on different adventures where they learn to explore Chuggington, an exciting and safe world.
Chuggington was created by Ludorum, a London-based company whose founders and principals have extensive backgrounds in building and managing some of the most beloved children’s entertainment properties including Bob the Builder™, Barney™ and Thomas the Tank Engine™. Read more…
Categories: Television Tags: Chuggington, Disney Channel, PHD, Playhouse Disney
Handy Manny Educates New Tools in New Playhouse Disney Short-Form Series in January
A new group of tools joins Playhouse Disney with the premiere of the animated short-form series, “Handy Manny School for Tools,” MONDAY, JANUARY 25 (8:25 a.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel.
Inspired by the Emmy-nominated hit series “Handy Manny,” starring Wilmer Valderrama, the three-minute shorts feature Manny and his trusty tools alongside a set of 11 new tools: Beamer the laser level, Zip the power socket wrench, Pinzas the needle nose pliers, Sneeze the shop vac, Tick and Totts the socket wrenches, Roland the tool chest, Spinner the power drill and a family of crescent wrenches – dad Lefty, mom Lily and son Junior.
The stories are designed to provide young viewers insight into cooperation and the value of individual talent and contribution as Manny teaches his tools – Pat, Felipe, Dusty, Stretch, Squeeze, Rusty, Turner and Flicker – and their new tool friends how to complete simple jobs using their own unique skills.
The first eight new shorts will premiere throughout the week of January 25, and an additional 11 episodes will debut through the rest of the year.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Channel, Handy Manny, PHD, Playhouse Disney
Handy Manny to Fight Flu in New Disney Channel Interstitial Beginning December 11
Handy Manny, a hugely popular character among the preschool set and star of Disney Channel’s hit series “Handy Manny,” highlights the importance of washing hands and offers other tips to prevent the spread of germs, especially during flu season, in a new interstitial segment premiering FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 (9:25 a.m. ET/PT) during Playhouse Disney, the learning-focused programming block for preschoolers seen daily on Disney Channel. The interstitial will recur multiple times daily and will be available at PlayhouseDisney.com, with a link to the Center for Disease Control’s flu prevention micro-site and printable tips for parents on how to prevent and treat the flu.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Channel, Handy Manny, PHD, Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney Ushers in Holiday Season with Themed Episodes of Popular Shows
Playhouse Disney will usher in the holiday season with new themed episodes of “Special Agent Oso,” “Imagination Movers” and “Jungle Junction,” beginning SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 (8:00–11:00 a.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel. The month-long programming event includes the television premiere of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
New episodes include:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5
“Special Agent Oso” (8:00 a.m. ET/PT) – In “For Your Ice Only/Coldfingers,” Special Agent Oso puts his Keeping Your Balance Training Exercise on hold and glides in to help Carina learn to ice skate in time for a friend’s birthday party, and then helps some friends learn how to make a snowman.
“Imagination Movers” (10:00 a.m. ET/PT) – In “Happy Ha-Ha-Holidays,” it’s Christmas Eve and Santa seems to have lost his jolly ho-ho-ho. The Movers must get to the bottom of the problem and help Santa restore his laugh in time for Christmas.
“Jungle Junction” (10:30 a.m. ET/PT) – In “The Night Before Zipsmas/A Gift for Zooter,” as Miss Jolly shares a classic holiday tale, the Wheelers go on a nighttime ride to try to get a glimpse of Ellysanta, and Ellyvan sets out to give Zooter the perfect gift.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland” (9:00 a.m. ET/PT) – When Donald’s birthday gift for Daisy – a mechanical cuckoo bird – flies away, Mickey and pals go on a wild, imaginative “Alice in Wonderland”-styled adventure to retrieve the runaway gift.
“Imagination Movers” (10:00 a.m. ET/PT) – In “Snow Day,” when Nina and the Movers get snowed in at the Warehouse, Dave creates a Super Snow Vacuum to suck up the snow blocking the front door. When the vacuum bag bursts, it leaves the Warehouse filled with snow and the Movers with the task of figuring out how to melt the snow.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Channel, Imagination Movers, Jungle Junction, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, PHD, Playhouse Disney, Special Agent Oso
Disney Channel Debuts New Celebrity-Packed Season of ‘Handy Manny’ November 7
Disney Channel will debut the third season of its Emmy-nominated multicultural series for preschoolers, “Handy Manny,” starring Wilmer Valderrama, on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT). The third season will include a new primetime special, a new short-form series and the introduction of 10 new tool characters.
Guest stars include Rosario Dawson as a marine biologist, Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a race car driver, Jim Belushi as a drawbridge operator and Giada De Laurentiis as the owner of a pizza parlor. Lance Bass returns in the recurring role of klutzy “surfer dude,” Elliot.
In addition to 31 brand new episodes, the third season will include the debut of the series’ second primetime special. The first primetime special, “Handy Manny Motorcycle Adventure,” delivered the series’ largest Total Viewer audience ever (Source: NTI, U.S. ratings, 10/4/09).
A new short-form series, “Handy Manny School for Tools,” will debut in mid-2010. The three-minute shorts will star Manny and his team of trusty tools alongside a group of 10 new tools: a jackhammer, a power screwdriver, a power socket wrench, a shop vac, a pair of needle nose pliers, a deluxe tool box, a laser level and a trio of crescent wrenches. Their names will be announced shortly.
Starring are: Wilmer Valderrama as Manny, Carlos Alazraqui as Felipe, Dee Bradley Baker as Turner, Grey Delisle as Flicker, Nika Futterman as Stretch and Squeeze, Tom Kenny as Mr. Lopart and Pat, Kath Soucie as Dusty, Fred Stoller as Rusty and Nancy Truman as Kelly.
“Handy Manny” airs weekdays at 9:00 a.m., ET/PT and weekends at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., ET/PT during Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block for preschoolers. The series carries a TV-Y parental guideline.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Channel, Handy Manny, Playhouse Disney
Fairy Tale Themed Episodes of ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’ and ‘Imagination Movers’ to Premiere November 14
Disney Channel will premiere new fairy tale-themed episodes of the hit Playhouse Disney series “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Imagination Movers” on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT). Disney Channel stars Nicole Anderson (“JONAS”) and Jason Dolley (“Good Luck Charlie,” “Hatching Pete”) guest star in the new “Imagination Movers” episode.
In the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” episode entitled “Mickey and the Enchanted Egg,” Mickey finds an egg which soon hatches a baby dragon. Determined to protect the baby dragon and bring it back to its home, Mickey and pals must convince Wizard Pete that they did not steal his egg. The episode was written by Ashley Mendoza and directed by Sherrie Pollack and Broni Likomanov.
In the “Imagination Movers” episode entitled “A Fairy Tale Ending,” the Movers must convince Cinderella to go home and back to her story so she can have her fairy tale ending with Prince Charming. The episode features the debut of new original song “When You Grow Up.” “A Fairy Tale Ending” was written by Randi Barnes & Rick Gitelson & Scott Gray & Michael G. Stern; the episode was directed by Linda Mendoza.
Categories: Television Tags: Cinderella, Disney Channel, Imagination Movers, Jason Dolley, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Nicole Anderson, Playhouse Disney
Imagination Movers Announce First-Ever National Concert Theater Tour
BURBANK, Calif. — With a hit Disney Channel series and a newly released Walt Disney Records CD under their belt, the wildly popular kid-pop quartet Imagination Movers will launch their first-ever U.S. concert theater tour. The “Live From The Idea Warehouse Tour” kicks off October 10 in Shreveport, Louisiana and winds up December 13 in Spokane, Washington. Details on the tour can be found at http://www.imaginationmovers.com/website/shows.php. Tickets for most dates go on-sale Saturday, August 15 at 10:00am at various outlets.
The Imagination Movers are: Rich Collins, a former journalist and father of five; Scott Durbin, a teacher and father of two; Dave Poche, an architect and father of two; and Scott “Smitty” Smith, a New Orleans firefighter who was part of the Hurricane Katrina search and rescue effort. “Imagination Movers” features the blue-suited band – Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty – as brain-stormers working hard to solve “idea emergencies” in their Idea Warehouse. Each episode features five songs.
After signing to Walt Disney Records, Imagination Movers released their debut album “Juice Box Heroes” in March 2008. The CD ranked in the Top 10 on iTunes Children’s Music chart. Parenting Magazine awarded it a “Parenting Pick” and Common Sense Media recognized Imagination Movers among the Best TV of 2008, citing the quartet’s “addictive sense of humor and quest for fun.” Their new Walt Disney Records CD, “For Those About to Hop,” shipped last month. The album’s smart, high-energy pop was described in the New York Times as “prized by many parents for non-condescending lyrics and music that evokes the Beastie Boys or Red Hot Chili Peppers.”
“Imagination Movers” airs weekdays at 9:30 a.m., ET/PT and weekends at 10:00 a.m., ET/PT during Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block for preschoolers. The series carries a TV-Y parental guideline.
Currently-scheduled tour dates are below, with additional dates planned (details to follow):
Categories: Music, Television Tags: Disney Channel, Imagination Movers, Playhouse Disney
Second Season of Playhouse Disney’s ‘Imagination Movers’ to Debut September 5
Disney Channel will debut the second season of its hit music-filled Playhouse Disney series, “Imagination Movers,” SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 (10:00 a.m., ET/PT). New episodes of the series, starring New Orleans’ favorite alternative rock band for preschoolers, will air every Saturday throughout September. The season will include more than 25 new original songs by the band.
Guest stars include Cheri Oteri (“Saturday Night Live”) as a slightly bumbling tooth fairy, Joey Fatone (‘N Sync, “Dancing with the Stars”) as a baseball player, Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”) as a sportscaster, Willie Garson (“Sex and the City”) as a famous bicyclist, Grammy Award-winning blues artist Chris Thomas King (“O Brother Where Art Thou”) as musician T-Bone Crosby, Duff Goldman (“Ace of Cakes”) as a baker, Joshua Gomez (“Chuck”) as a pirate, and Disney Channel stars Jason Dolley (“Good Luck Charlie”) and Nicole Anderson (“JONAS”) as Prince Charming and Cinderella, respectively.
“Imagination Movers” airs weekdays at 9:30 a.m., ET/PT and weekends at 10:00 a.m., ET/PT during Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block for preschoolers. The series carries a TV-Y parental guideline.
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Channel, Imagination Movers, Playhouse Disney
On the Disney Channel’s Secret Service, Special Agent Oso Assigned Second Season
Disney Channel has ordered a second season of its hit Playhouse Disney animated series, “Special Agent Oso,” starring Academy Award nominee Sean Astin. The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, senior vice president, Playhouse Disney Worldwide.
The interactive series emphasizes discovery, humor and organizational skills. Paying homage to special agent classics, the series follows Oso, voiced by Astin, a lovable yet bumbling stuffed panda bear who works for U.N.I.Q.U.E. (United Network for Investigating Quite Usual Events), an international organization of stuffed animals charged with helping kids accomplish everyday tasks such as mailing a letter, cleaning their room or learning how to use the library.
Kanter said: “‘Special Agent Oso’ has launched stronger and faster than any preschool series in our history – not just in the U.S., but around the world. This wonderfully playful, energetic series is all about problem solving, with endearing Oso enlisting kids at home to help solve the everyday problems of preschoolers everywhere.”
Astin said: “I’m so proud of this show, especially because my kids have connected with it and that makes me cool in their book. I can’t wait to start recording Oso’s new missions for the second season with our fantastic technical team and my incredibly talented castmates.”
Categories: Television Tags: Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney, Sean Astin, Special Agent Oso
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