Thursday, December 05, 2024

SpongeBob and Gary the Snail Star In New Walmart Holiday Spot

Walmart’s holiday campaign, themed “Give the Gifts that Show You Get Them,” continues with four new spots reuniting classic TV and movie duos, including SpongeBob SquarePants and his beloved pet, Gary the Snail!

This season give the gift that shows you get them, with Walmart. Watch as SpongeBob unwraps a surprise gift from Gary that’s so great, they can’t help but dance with holiday joy!

SpongeBob and Gary star in the 30-second spot below. Set in SpongeBob's pineapple abode, a big Walmart box floats down and lands at SpongeBob's front door. It turns out that it's a present from Gary to SpongeBob - a Jellyfish party lamp, which when Gary switches on (with his eye), turns SpongeBob's living room into a Jellyfish Disco, a callback to the iconic SpongeBob episode "Jellyfish Jam". The scene ends with SpongeBob saying "Now I can really party with the jellies!".

This season give the gift that shows you get them, with Walmart. Watch as SpongeBob unwraps a surprise gift from Gary that’s so great, they can’t help but dance with holiday joy!

Another spot in the campaign features a Gilmore Girls reunion. Starring Scott Patterson and Lauren Graham with a bonus cameo from Sean Gunn as Kirk Gleason and set at Luke’s Diner, the 30-second spot shows Luke giving Lorelai a Keurig coffee maker (packaged in a big Walmart box), indulging her caffeine addiction—as he jokes that she’s been “drinking him out of business.” 

Two other new spots reunite classic on-screen duos from Love Jones and Crazy Rich Asians.
 
The full campaign includes 15 spots in addition to 60-second and 30-second ads, which also feature a short episodic clip from SpongeBob SquarePants, that kicked things off in October. The campaign, which sidesteps many of the usual Yuletide tropes to embrace moments of gift-giving shown in fizzy pop cultural clips, is a collaboration among Publicis Groupe agencies including Fallon, Publicis New York, The Community, Contender and Digitas.

The 60-second ad expands on the campaign and has something for everyone, especially if you’re fond of recognizable comic flashes in such TV series and films as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gilmore Girls, The Simpsons and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, among others.

The Gilmore Girls clip features a telling scene between the on-again/off-again couple Lorelei and Luke, whose love language seems to be sarcasm.

Lorelei hands Luke a hat (a backwards baseball cap is part of his identity). But fearful of overdoing it or seeming too sincere or emotional, she qualifies it by saying,  “I just thought, God forbid, if something happens to that one….” pointing to the cap he never takes off his head.

Whereas SpongeBob is beside himself with joy at the prospect of a gift, and even Bart Simpson manages to hug Mamma Marge to thank her for a gift, albeit with an eyeroll.

These scenes are matched with exchanges between current day gift-givers (and okay, those include scenes with big blue boxes, Christmas trees, and snow.)

They seem straightforward enough, but watching closely, the team snuck in a few sugar-resistant nuggets.

A bunch of bowlers give their buddy a hideous Christmas sweater and he (lies?)  “You nailed it!” And in the last scene, a maybe 8-year-old boy in flannel pajamas hugs his mom tightly as she ponders the gift he just gave her and tries to love it: a plastic water cup with a straw.

These are recognizable, and even poignant, human moments.

“We’re always looking… to build emotional connection between our brand and the customer,”  Walmart Vice President of Creative David Hartman explained in a release.

The big box retailer has focused for a while on “putting the brand in culture, and culture in the brand,” according to Hartman.

That certainly was true for last year’s black Friday campaign, a clever update of the movie Mean Girls using the original featured actors Lindsay Lohan, Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried, who are now mean-ish millennials and mothers. “On Wednesdays, we still wear pink” Lohan says in a voiceover, referring to the most quoted line and showing the silliness of those sacrosanct rules in the 2004 film.

This year's video anthem, in 60- and 30-second form, is directed by Alexander Payne, who has helmed movies such as The Holdovers, Sideways and Citizen Ruth, and gets to the heart of holiday gifting, for all its beautiful, thoughtful intentions and resulting hits and misses.

And “if something happens to that one,” as Lorelei delicately put it, the spot certainly reminds a gift giver where to go so that everyone gets seen and, um, as the voiceover puts it, loved.

The SpongeBob spot follows a recent promotion between Walmart and Nickelodeon to celebrate the beloved Nickelodeon animated series' landmark 25th anniversary. In October, the first of three collectible free SpongeBob virtual items became exclusively available at Walmart when customers purchased a Roblox gift card in-store or online during the month. 

SpongeBob x Roblox x Walmart

SpongeBob fans were able to unlock the Rainbow SpongeBob back accessory for their Roblox avatar. Additional free virtual items dropped in November and will continue in December, including a Jellyfish Surfing Patrick & Clarineting Squidward, respectively. 

And to celebrate the free virtual items and 25th anniversary of SpongeBob, Walmart is inviting fans to go underwater in Bikini Bottom with the reskin of its Walmart Discovered augmented reality experience. People are able to see the free virtual item, complete a quest for free UGC, and try on and buy seasonal UGC.

Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart, says: “This is the first time any brand has partnered with an IP to provide a series of collectible free virtual items with the purchase of a Roblox gift card, bringing this fandom something special for the holiday season.”

“And a shoutout to our partners at Paramount and Nickelodeon for their enthusiasm and willingness to do something new & exciting for our customers and their fans of SpongeBob.” 

Watch the SpongeBob SquarePants Universe, including Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years and The Patrick Star Show on Nickelodeon and Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com.



Listen to The SpongeBob Musical here!

CALLING ALL GOOFY GOOBERS! (ROCK!) Are ya ready for a deep dive into the world of SpongeBob SquarePants? The SpongeBob YouTube channel is THE PLACE for all fan-favorite SpongeBob moments! Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/SpongeBobOfficial!


Originally published: December 05, 2024 at 01:22 GMT.


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Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for December 5, 2024 | Nickelodeon

Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for December 5, 2024 | Nickelodeon

Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for December 5, 2024 | Nickelodeon

Stream the classic Rugrats series on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!

Rugrats, provided to Creators Syndicate by Nickelodeon, based off the popular animated television series has been created for children and family's to laugh and enjoy together.

Follow these comics and their take on real episodes of the show and their own spin on hilarious adventures.

Read more Rugrats comic strips!: https://www.creators.com/features/rugrats

More Nick: Paramount+ Renews 'Rugrats' For Season 3!

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'The Agency' Renewed For Season Two As Espionage Thriller Becomes Most Streamed New Series In SHOWTIME History

THE AGENCY DELIVERS THE MOST STREAMED NEW SERIES IN SHOWTIME® HISTORY WITH 5.1M GLOBAL VIEWERS

Scores Season Two Pick-Up as the First Series in the Revitalized SHOWTIME® Slate after its Integration into Paramount+ as the Premium Tier Anchor

Global Espionage Thriller Stars Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith and Richard Gere and is Commissioned by Paramount+ and Produced in Association with SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios

'The Agency' Key Art (Cropped)

Dec. 4 – SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios today revealed its all-new espionage thriller THE AGENCY is the most streamed new series in SHOWTIME® history with 5.1M global cross-platform viewers and was renewed for a season two on the heels of its highly anticipated debut Friday, November 29 on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan and on Paramount+ internationally in the UK & IRE, Canada, Australia, Italy, Germany / Switzerland / Austria, Latin America and Brazil.

Try Paramount+ for FREE at ParamountPlus.com.

THE AGENCY features a star-studded cast, including two-time Academy Award® nominee Michael Fassbender and series regulars Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, Katherine Waterston, John Magaro, Alex Reznik, Andrew Brooke, Harriet Sansom Harris, India Fowler, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Reza Brojerdi and Richard Gere. Dominic West and Hugh Bonneville are guest stars. Recurring cast includes Adam Nagaitis, Ambreen Razia, Bilal Hasna, David Harewood, Kurt Egyiawan, Ray BLK, Sabrina Wu and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.

“The success of The Agency is proof that our new SHOWTIME® slate is poised to propel Paramount+ to its next phase of growth,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, SHOWTIME® & MTV Entertainment Studios. “This achievement is a testament to the creative power of the team led by George Clooney, Jez Butterworth, Joe Wright and David Glasser and our incredible cast including Michael Fassbender, Richard Gere, Jodie Turner-Smith and Jeffrey Wright.”

A fresh take on the critically acclaimed hit French drama Le Bureau des Legendes, the espionage thriller follows Martian (Michael Fassbender), a covert CIA agent, ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart; hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.


Le Bureau des Legendes centers on the daily life and missions of agents within France's principal external security service. It focuses on the "Bureau of Legends," responsible for training and handling deep-cover agents on long-term missions in areas with French interests. Living under false identities for years, these agents' missions are to identify and recruit good intelligence sources. Le Bureau des Legendes was created by Eric Rochant and is a CANAL+ Creation Originale series produced by TOP – The Originals Productions and Federation Studios.

The series is co-distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution and Federation Studios. THE AGENCY will also premiere on Paramount+ in Japan next year.

THE AGENCY is executive produced by Keith Cox and Nina L. Diaz (SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios); David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin and Bob Yari (101 Studios), George Clooney and Grant Heslov (Smokehouse Pictures); Alex Berger (TOP - The Originals Productions); and Ashley Stern and Pascal Breton (Federation Studios/Federation Entertainment of America); and Michael Fassbender. Jez and John-Henry Butterworth are writers and executive producers; Joe Wright is an executive producer and directed the first two episodes for season one.

For more information about Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and THE AGENCY, please visit paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus and @TheAgency_Sho on X, TikTok and Instagram, @TheAgencySho on Facebook with #TheAgency.

Source: VideoAmp and internal streaming data

***

About Paramount+

Paramount+, part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment and news brands, is a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combining live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment™. The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, the service's cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME® content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus on social media.

About SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks

SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks is a global network of media assets that reaches over one billion people in more than 180 countries featuring some of the most iconic brands in entertainment including SHOWTIME, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Network among others – and, its Studios arm which produces 120+ series annually, including some of today’s biggest hits such as Yellowstone, YELLOWJACKETS, Emily in Paris, 1883, 1923, GEORGE & TAMMY, South Park, TULSA KING, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Challenge and Jersey Shore, to name a few.

About 101 Studios

101 Studios is a global entertainment company dedicated to the acquisition, financing, development, production and distribution of high-caliber, creator-driven content. With an unmatched television slate partnered with outstanding filmmakers and talent, 101 Studios productions include the award-winning series Yellowstone, GEORGE & TAMMY, 1883 and 1923. We also produce some of the most critically acclaimed shows, such as LAWMEN: BASS REEVES, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, TULSA KING, SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS and LANDMAN.

Building upon this success, 101 Studios’ Unscripted Division works with talented storytellers in bringing their vision to life. Some of these projects include Amazon Prime documentary “Kickback,” which is an expose on the corruption inside the largest sport’s organization in the world: FIFA; “The Last Cowboy,” a documentary on the high stakes world of professional horse reining; and the upcoming HBO docuseries about the sexual abuse and cover-up at Ohio State University, co-produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smokehouse Pictures. On the scripted film side, past releases include the Sundance Audience award winner "Burden," as well as the family comedy “The War With Grandpa,” the historical drama "The Current War: Director's Cut," and FINESTKIND. 101 Studios advocates for first-class collaboration and innovation. As an example, we are partnered with iHeartRadio and Sports Illustrated Studios on the Ambie nominated podcast “Choosing Sides: F1.” 101 Studios also produces high-profile sports content under its own label, 101 Sports. Additionally, 101 Studios' Brand Division increases the exposure for the properties of our partners to millions across the world.

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Maximum Entertainment Reportedly Cancels Plans For New ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Multiplayer Fighting Video Game

A new Avatar: The Last Airbender game has reportedly been canceled. 

Avatar: The Last Airbender

When the world needed an Avatar: The Last Airbender game the most, it vanished. Fans have been awaiting the news on the next generation of Avatar games for a long time and will, unfortunately, have to wait longer.

According to Sweden-based entertainment company Maximum Entertainment’s Q3 2024 earnings report, an Avatar: The Last Airbender game was one of three titles the company canceled (the other two being Mudfest and Project Velos). It seems likely that the title in question is the fighting game announced back in February, however, this was not explicitly confirmed by the developer. Saber Interactive’s Avatar game, described as a AAA RPG, seemingly remains in active development.

In partnership with Paramount Games Studios, Maximum Entertainment’s Avatar: The Last Airbender title was described as a competitive multiplayer fighting game set in the universe of the original series. Although the project wasn’t confirmed for any specific platforms, it was announced that the game would launch in early access in 2025. The company never disclosed a developer for the title, so it’s unclear how far along the project was in its development cycle before its cancelation.

Notable fighting game player SonicFox hinted on social media posts that the game could be a 2D fighter and ‘involve a former Skullgirls developer.’ This wasn’t far-fetched, as Maximum Entertainment had acquired Mane6, the team behind Them’s Fightin’ Herds, back in 2022, fueling rumors of their involvement.

Nestled within report jargon of Maximum Entertainment’s latest financial report, the document confirmed a $947 million write-down, which includes three canceled projects: Mudfest, Project Velos, and the untitled Avatar game.

Maximum Entertainment suggested that the project did not meet the company’s financial viability standards. The cancellation marks a significant blow for fans who had dreamed of controlling their favorite Benders in an all-out brawl. Especially considering so far all Avatar game adaptations have been huge disappointments.

Avatar: The Last Airbender debuted on television in 2005 and follows Avatar Aang, the last living Airbender, and his friends Korra and Sokka, who must save the world by defeating Fire Lord Ozai and ending the Hundred Year War against the Fire Nation. The commercial and consumer successes led to two additional seasons, The Legend of Korra spin-off series, multiple best-selling graphic novels and a live-action television show which was released on Netflix last year.

Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s transition to video games was originally met with commercial success during the show’s original run, with games including 2006’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burned Earth in 2007, and both Avatar: The Last Airbender – Into the Inferno and Avatar: Legends of the Arena in 2008. The franchise has found some traction since with the mobile game Avatar: Generations in 2022 and Avatar: The Last Airbender – Quest for Balance last year.

Just like the pilot episode of the show, there is one hope to save the world from never getting a new Avatar game. In October, Paramount Game Studios, Avatar Studios, and Saber Interactive announced a AAA action-RPG game based in the Avatar Legends universe. The company called the title “the biggest video game in franchise history” and put players thousands of years in the past as an all-new Avatar character. For those who miss the cast from the original animated series, fans can play as Aang, Azula, Prince Zuko, and Korra in the crossover fighting game Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2.

Outside of gaming, Avatar Studios announced in April that Paramount is developing an animated movie titled Aang: The Last Airbender which is set to be released in theaters on January 30, 2026. Netflix has also renewed the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender for two more seasons.

Stream Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra on Paramount+ and Netflix! Try Paramount+ for FREE at ParamountPlus.com

Shop Avatar merch on the OFFICIAL Paramount Shop!

Listen to the official A:TLA podcast, Avatar: Braving the Elements!

Get more Avatar: The Last Airbender on: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok



Originally published: December 05, 2024.

Original sources: ComicBook.comThe Nerd Stash.

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Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Named NVP of Week 13 | 'NFL Slimetime' Season 4

NFL Slimetime has named Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson as Week 13's Nickelodeon Valuable Player (NVP)!

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Named NVP of Week 13 | 'NFL Slimetime' Season 4


Join Nate Burleson, Young Dylan, Dylan Schefter and Mia Burleson to see NFL highlights, interviews, and game picks as you've never seen them before. Most of all, find out which player takes home the slimiest trophy in sports, the NVP. Catch NFL Slimetime, every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon, and Paramount+ the following day! Try Paramount+ for FREE at ParamountPlus.com.

UK FANS: Catch Slimetime UK every Saturday at 11:00am on Nickelodeon UK & Ireland!

Shop your Nickelodeon favorites at ParamountShop.com


Historical list of NVP winners:

2020 WC Game - QB Mitchell Trubisky

Season 1 of NFL Slimetime:

Week 1: QB Kyler Murray
Week 2: QB Tom Brady
Week 3: K Justin Tucker
Week 4: QB Dak Prescott
Week 5: QB Josh Allen
Week 6: RB Derrick Henry
Week 7: WR Ja'Marr Chase
Week 8: QB Mike White
Week 9: OLB Josh Allen
Week 10: QB Patrick Mahomes
Week 11: RB Jonathan Taylor
Week 12: RB Leonard Fournette
Week 13: QB Justin Herbert
Week 14: TE George Kittle
Week 15: DL Christian Wilkins
Week 16: QB Joe Burrow
Week 17: WR Ja'Marr Chase
Week 18: WR Deebo Samuel
2021 Wild-Card Game: QB Dak Prescott
2021 Divisional round: Bills offense
2021 AFC Championship: QB Patrick Mahomes

NVP of NVPs (awarded during the off week before Super Bowl LVI) – QB Joe Burrow

Season 2 of Slimetime:

Week 1: WR Justin Jefferson
Week 2: QB Tua Tagovailoa
Week 3: Lamar Jackson
Week 4: Austin Ekeler
Week 5: Taysom Hill
Week 6: Quinnen Williams
Week 7: Joe Burrow
Week 8: AJ Brown
Week 9: Detroit Lions Defence
Week 10: Jonathan Taylor
Week 11: Travis Kelce
Week 12: Josh Jacobs
Week 13: San Francisco 49ers defense
Week 14: Baker Mayfield
Week 15: Jalen Hurts
Nickelodeon NFL Nickmas Game Hall of Fame: Baker Mayfield
Week 16: Patrick Mahomes
Week 17: N/A (episode canceled out of respect Damar Hamlin)
Week 18: Nyheim Hines
Week 19: Daniel Jones
Week 20: Travis Kelce
Week 21: Miles Sanders
Week 22: Austin Ekeler (NVP of NVPs)
Week 23: Patrick Mahomes (Nickelodeon Super Bowl LVII NVP)

Season 3 of Slimetime:

Pre-season: Deuce Vaughn (first ever 2023 Preseason NVP)
Week 1: Tyreek Hill
Week 2: Mike Evans
Week 3: Keenan Allen
Week 4: Christian McCaffrey
Week 5: D. J. Moore
Week 6: Dan Campbell (first-ever NVC award)
Week 7: Myles Garrett
Week 8: Will Levis
Week 9: Josh Dobbs
Week 10: C.J. Stroud
Week 11: Trevor Lawrence
Week 12: DaRon Bland
Week 13: Gardner Minshew
Week 14: Lamar Jackson
Week 15: Baker Mayfield
Nickelodeon NFL Nickmas Game: Bilal Nichols
Week 16: Amari Cooper
Week 17: Kyren Williams
Week 18: Jordan Love
Week 19: Josh Allen
Week 20: Travis Kelce
Week 21: Christian McCaffrey
NVP of NVPs: Gardner Minshew
NVP of Super Bowl LVIII: Patrick Mahomes

Season 4 of Slimetime:

Week 1: Saquon Barkley
Week 2: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Week 3: Sam Darnold
Week 4: Jayden Daniels
Week 5: Kirk Cousins
Week 6: Jordan Love
Week 7: Kenneth Walker III
Week 8:  Jameis Winston
Week 9: Zay Flowers
Week 10: Brock Purdy
Week 11: Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery
Week 12: Saquon Barkley
Week 13: Russell Wilson

Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


Originally published: December 05, 2024.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Named NVP of Week 13 | 'NFL Slimetime' Season 4

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