Nickelodeon UK Announces "Head 2 Head 2012" - Who Will Win And Be Crowned The Ultimate Champion Of Head 2 Head 2012?

Update (Saturday 30th June 2012) - Nickelodeon UK has announced the winner of "Head 2 Head 2012"! Is it "Victorious" or "Big Time Rush"? Find out here on NickALive!

Update - Nickelodeon UK is counting everyone's "Head 2 Head" votes! Find out the winning Nickelodeon UK shows between "iCarly" vs. "Big Time Rush" and "Victorious" vs. "Life with Boys" this weekend, only on Nick UK!

Below is a streaming video clip and transcript of Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's "Head 2 Head Week 2" promo/trailer:

Nickelodeon's biggest shows are going Head 2 Head!

Tune in this Saturday to find out who won between iCarly and Big Time Rush...

[James Diamond (James Maslow) and Carlos Garcia (Carlos Pena, Jr.): [...]]

[Sam Puckett (Jennette McCurdy): We can still win.]

[Logan Mitchell (Logan Henderson): [...]]

...and Victorious and Life With Boys...

[Sam Foster (Michael Murphy): I'm not leaving without my digity!]

[Tori Vega (Victoria Justice): Well!]

As the two winning shows battle it out for your vote to become the ultimate Head 2 Head Champion!

[Tori: I'm ready!]

[Kendall Knight (Kendall Schmidt): Move out!]

[Tess Foster (Torri Webster): I can do this!]

[Sam: Bring it!]

Head 2 Head, this Saturday 1pm to 4pm, only on Nickelodeon!

According to the official Nickelodeon UK websites official "Head 2 Head 2012" website, to celebrate Summer 2012 on Nickelodeon UK, Nickelodeon UK will be relaunching Nick UK's popular "Head To Head" Nickelodeon Programming Stunt, where over the next three weekends, Nickelodeon UK's most popular shows - "iCarly", "Big Time Rush", "Life with Boys" and "Victorious" - will be going head to head to see which hit Nickelodeon UK show can be crowned winner of "Nick Head to Head 2012" and will be able to say "I Am Victorious", as voted for by Nickelodeon UK viewers!

From the official Nickelodeon UK websites official "Head 2 Head 2012" website:

THIS SUMMER OUR BIGGEST SHOWS GO HEAD 2 HEAD!

Over the next three weekends, your favourite shows on Nick go Head to Head!

This Saturday sees iCarly and Big Time Rush battle it out for your votes, then on Sunday it's Life with Boys vs Victorious. Votes for this round will be counted after Midnight on June 17th and the winning shows will play back to back the following weekend.

That's three hours of back to back episodes for three weekends.

Hit the VOTE button [here on Nick.co.uk's official "Head 2 Head 2012 website"] NOW!

Who will be crowned winner of Nick Head to Head 2012? Be sure to tune in to find out!

Who's got your vote?

VOTE NOW!

Below are two streaming videos of two of Nickelodeon UK's brand new "Head 2 Head 2012" promos/trailers (with transcripts):

Nickelodeon Goes Head 2 Head This Summer!

This summer, it's iCarly versus Big Time Rush vs Victorious versus Life With Boys, as Nickelodeon's biggest shows go Head 2 Head!

Starts 16th June, only on Nickelodeon!

Nickelodeon's biggest shows are going Head 2 Head!

Nickelodeon's biggest shows are going Head 2 Head!

Next Saturday, the Web Stars are taking on the boy band.

[Carly Shay (iCarly; Miranda Cosgrove): Sit down, boy!

Kendall Knight (Big Time Rush; Kendall Schmidt): Hold my loofer.]

It's iCarly vs Big Time Rush!

[Carly Shay: Anytime, anywhere!]

Who will take home the Head 2 Head Title?

[Sam Puckett (Jennette McCurdy): We gonna find out!

James Diamond (BTR; James Maslow): Let's do this!]

You decide! Vote for your favourite at nick.co.uk now!

Head 2 Head, next Saturday from 1 'till 4, only on Nickelodeon!

[Carly Shay: You ready?

Carlos Garcia (BTR; Carlos Pena, Jr.): Bring it!]

Also, Tweeted (posted) Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):

Over the next three weekends, your favourite shows on Nick go Head to Head! Take a look here! http://ow.ly/bus0F

And:

@iCarly and #Bigtimerush eps coming up - thats Saturday avo sorted for me!

Also:

Can't wait to chill out & watch some back to back eps of @victorious and#lifewithboys - amaze!

And:

Loving the old skool @Victorious eps! Who's watching?

Also:

Loved head to head eps of @iCarly #bigtimerush @victorious & #lifewithboys! Whats ur fave?

Nickelodeon UK first launched their "Head To Head" programming stunt in the late 1990's, and allowed Nickelodeon UK viewers to vote for their favourite Nickelodeon UK shows via telephone and through the official Nickelodeon UK website [a bit like Nickelodeon UK's "Watch Your Own Wednesday"/"Watch Your Own Weekend"/"Watch Your Own Week" programming stunts]. Nickelodeon UK's H2H was regularly won by "Sabrina The Teenage Witch", except from in 2004 when the Japanese anime [Japanese animated] "Yu-Gi-Oh!" won "Head To Head 2004". Nickelodeon UK's "Head To Head Championships" in the early 2000's also regularly featured Nickelodeon stars as special studio guests, such as Kenan Thompson (Kenan Rockmore in Nickelodeon's "Kenan & Kel") and the cast of the Nickelodeon UK made show "Renford Rejects".

Below is a Nickelodeon streaming video featuring one of Nickelodeon UK's latest brand new "Head 2 Head 2012" promos/trailers (with transcript):

Nickelodeon's biggest shows are going Head 2 Head!

Tomorrow, the singer is taking on the wrestler!

[Tori Vega (Victoria Justice): [...]]

[Tess Foster (Torri Webster) to another wrestler: Might be you're lucky day!]

It's Victorious Vs Life With Boys!

[Tess: OH, YEAH!!!!]

[Tori: [...]]

Who will take home the Head 2 Head title?

[...]

You decide!

Vote for you're favourite at nick.co.uk now!

Head 2 Head, tomorrow from 1pm to 4pm, only on Nickelodeon!

[Tess: I'm taking you down town!]

[Tori: Let's do this.]

Nickelodeon UK Unveils "Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Press Kit Mailer

To celebrate and promote that Nickelodeon will launch and premiere Nickelodeon's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series on Nickelodeon's worldwide channels and markets (Nickelodeon International), including on Nickelodeon UK and on Nickelodeon USA, from Autumn 2012 (Fall 2012), Nickelodeon UK sent out a exclusive "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" mailer to press outlets, which contains a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" press kit and TMNT goodies, including a issue of IDW Publishing's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" comic book series, and a Nickelodeon Orange "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" bandana and is all packaged together in a "Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" takeaway pizza delivery box!

Below are a selection of Tweets from a few of the media outlets who received Nickelodeon UK's special "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" mailer who also Tweeted a few photographs of Nick UK's TMNT press kit mailer:

The first Tweet was Tweeted by Samuel Eads, who is the creative partnerships account manager at First News, the award-winning newspaper for kids, on his official Twitter profile page (@SamFirstNews), and Nickelodeon UK Press Office's reply Tweet:

@SamFirstNews: Special #FF to @First_News friends @NickelodeonUK and @NickelodeonUKPR for our TMNT cool goodies. Thanks! #NickTurtles http://pic.twitter.com/N5Zu8CEM - 12.15pm Friday 8th June 2012

.

@NickelodeonUKPR: @SamFirstNews @First_News great to see they were well received!! #nickturtles - 12.19pm Friday 8th June 2012.

The second Tweet was Tweeted by the UK Film Website Blogomatic3000 on their official Twitter profile feed (@Blogomatic3000):

@Blogomatic3000: Now that's how you do a press kit! #nickturtles http://twitpic.com/9s00zb - - 3.39pm Friday 8th June 2012

.

The third Tweet was Tweeted by 'We Love Pop' Magazine on their official Twitter profile feed (@WeLovePopMag) and ReTweeted by Nickelodeon UK Press Office on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUKPR), along with Nickelodeon UK Press Office's reply Tweet:

@WeLovePopMag: Oooo thanks for our #TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles goodies @NickelodeonUK! #TurtlePower http://pic.twitter.com/V0QB6nW4 - 1.37pm Monday 11th June 2012

great to see our press pack was well received! Orange is definitley your colour!! #nickturtles - 2.12pm Monday 11th June 2012.

Den Of Geek Attends The World Premiere Preview Of Nickelodeon's Brand New CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" TV Show At MCM Expo London Comic Con 2012

Below is a Nickelodeon "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" news article from Den of Geek, which features information and details about Nickelodeon's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series which were revealed by Nickelodeon's Senior Vice President for Current Animation, Rich Magallanes, and Kevin Eastman, the co-creator of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", at Nickelodeon's exclusive "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" presentation at the MCM Expo London Comic Con 2012 on Saturday 26th May 2012, which featured a exclusive sneak peek showing of Nickelodeon's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television show, and a exclusive Q&A session with Rich Magallanes and Kevin Eastman:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: the new CG series preview


Matt went along to a preview of Nickelodeon's new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV show, and here's what he thought...

Back in 2009, Viacom purchased the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property. Since then, various new Ninja Turtles projects have been set into motion. The new comic book series, published by IDW, is well underway, with several issues and reissues already on the market. A new movie, produced by Michael Bay and subject to much Internet fury, is currently targeted for a UK release in February 2014.

That’s not enough though, is it? After all, it wouldn’t be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles without a cartoon series on TV. Fortunately for us, Nickelodeon have been working on bringing the Turtles back to the small screen. A CG show will be launching in the Autumn and, much to the excitement of eager TMNT enthusiasts, the MCM Expo in London offered UK fans their first chance of a ‘sneak peek’ at the show.

I struggled through the repressive London heat because I had to cover the preview for this site. Er, and because I basically begged to go. Seriously, it’s Ninja Turtles. You don’t miss Ninja Turtles because of a bit of sun.


The Event

The event itself was a one hour session in a large room at the back of the Expo. I got there early and found myself sitting alone in the press area, while my wife and brother made themselves comfy in the general seating area, which was starting to fill up. On the seats were a free comic (one of the recent IDW ones), a bottle of Turtles’ label fizzy water and a coloured headband. I didn’t notice many of the other journalists checking their seats as they sat down, strangely, but I made sure to have a decent view and a Raphael red before picking my spot.

A host took to the stage (Nickelodeon doesn't still have live TV hosts, do they?), and we were introduced to Nickelodeon's Senior VP of Animation Rich Magallanes (who has worked on Rugrats and Spongebob Squarepants, amongst other things) and TMNT co-creator/the greatest person there is, Kevin Eastman. There were a few brief questions at the beginning, then Rich led everyone through a PowerPoint-like presentation of information about the new series, which included a couple of brief clips, and then the audience were invited to ask questions.

Early on in the presentation we were informed of the emphasis on the teenage element of the characters. In this new Nick series, the Turtles are still learning their skills and are behaving like four teenage siblings, arguing and fighting.

We were also told that, unsurprisingly, the show will be a mixture of action and comedy. While the look of the characters implied, and what we saw in clips (which we’ll come to in a minute) demonstrated the comedic element of the show, we were assured that work was going into the action scenes, too. In fact, Rich revealed, one of the production team studies Ninjitsu in his his spare time, and is an evening Ninja, and so apparently we can expect some authentic looking combat scenes. We were also told that storyboard artists would watch Ninja training sessions and incorporate what they had seen into the action. How this will work out, I don’t know, but it was a fun anecdote and suggests that they’re taking it seriously.


The Characters

Much of the presentation consisted of ‘character slides’, which told us who to expect and how to expect them.

Leonardo will be learning to lead. In this series, Leonardo has a hero – the captain of a spaceship from a 70s science fiction program. News that Leonardo will be voiced by American Pie’s Jason Biggs was warmly received by the crowd.

A bigger cheer came when it was revealed that Raphael would be voiced by The Lord of the Rings and The Goonies star Sean Astin. Raphael was described by Rich as a ‘pitbull with knives’. His rivalry with Leonardo over leadership and his temper will inform his character.

Michelangelo, who was pictured next to the catchphrase ‘Chuck you later’, will be voiced by cartoon voice actor Gregg Cipes, who I am not familiar with, but who I came to know about over the course of the event (every mention of his name at the event was greeted cheerily by Rich and Kevin). Michelangelo will serve as the comic relief, it seems, although he was described as being physically capable and witty.

Taller than his brothers (it was highlighted that each Turtle is visually unique, rather than looking the same but with a different colour headband), Donatello is also missing a tooth. No real changes to his role in the group – he’s the intelligent one and he makes all the Turtles' vehicles (including the Shellraiser, a van made from an abandoned train carriage). What is new is that Donatello has a crush on April, which the other Turtles will tease him about. Rob Paulson has been cast as Donatello, which is a fun choice as he provided the voice for Raphael in the 80s cartoon.


April O'Neil and Splinter will both be featured in this series, although they'll be a little younger than we're used to seeing them. A more active Splinter is intended as a worthy foe for the Shredder. April, meanwhile, was aged down to give girls an accessible character. April will be a teenager, the same age as the Turtles, which, we were told, removes the awkwardness of having a 30 year old woman hanging around teenage boys (who are mutant ninjas).

No actors were announced for these roles, but just as the information about who was voicing the Turtles has been available online for some time, information from the always reliable internet suggests that April will be voice by Mae Whitman (her?) of Arrested Development and Scott Pilgrim fame. Although I found it a little strange that Nickelodeon couldn’t announce information that was already public knowledge, I’ve never had to promote a multi-million dollar TV series before, so perhaps my insights are here are best consigned to my personal, tear-stained journal.

Villains were covered, too. The Shredder (voiced by Michael Kevin Richardson, although Kevin Eastman joked that he’d suggested Bobcat Goldthwait for the role) was described a serious villain, as opposed to a couple of the more bungling incarnations we’ve seen previously, who is obsessed with going after Splinter. He has a huge scar across his eye and armour featuring oversized blades. The Foot Clan were shown to be wearing traditional ‘Ninja’ dress, and will be a menace that travel in large numbers.

Finally, we got a look at the Kraang. Brain-shaped aliens with tentacles, fans will recognise the Kraang as being similar to either Utrom aliens or Krang. Unable to speak outside of their exoskeletons, the Kraang intend on colonising the Earth, but are unsure of how to. They also like to experiment with mutagen. Amusingly, they are all called Kraang, but can tell which Kraang is being spoken to regardless.

The Footage

The first of the two clips we got came tacked onto the end of a short behind the scenes feature. It was brief, but offered us our first look at the Turtles in motion and in their new setting, as well as letting us hear their voices.

Showcasing the Turtles in a bit of rooftop action, I’m thrilled with how the clip showed the series to look. You can see the Turtles from the pictures in this, and the world around them is nicely matched. There was a fun, silly tone throughout and, as I’ll come to in a moment, Michelangelo’s mischief dominated the clip. As far as the voice cast goes, they all work well, and I really like the casting of Jason Biggs as Leonardo.

The second clip was essentially a trailer and repeated some of the footage from the previous clip. However, we got a look at the Foot Clan in this one, and we got to see Mikey battling with a Kraang that had attached itself to his head.

There was not a lot of footage to base any opinions on, but what I think we can take from the clips is that it’s going to look great and that Michelangelo is going to be a ton of fun in this new series. Gregg Cipes stands out amongst the voice cast and it looks like Nickelodeon are really onto something with this take on the character. Silly, wacky and fun.


The Audience Questions
Finally, the audience were invited to ask questions. We got a lot of questions asking if a particular character or catchphrase would be back (which were nearly all met with a ‘we can't really say’) and a couple of less than hilarious non-questions about the Michael Bay movie/alien Turtles saga (which Kevin Eastman responded to by telling people he was working with Platinum Dunes, that he wishes he could tell us about it but that the story is respectful).

We learned that Bebop and Rocksteady won’t be back, that the theme song will possibly be a bit like the one from the first cartoon, that Baxter Stockman and Leatherhead will be featured (although it was not referenced, artwork for a toy of the robot-turtle Metalhead is about, so assume he will be too), that Casey Jones is being considered for a return, that the Triceratons aren’t currently planned but are possible and that people still don’t like the girl-Turtle Venus (although Kevin Eastman seemed to have genuine affection for the character).

The most interesting things to come of this section were confirmation that there would be a new computer game [new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Video Game], release dates for the new toys (August in the US, January in the UK) and information on the way episodes in the new series will work. In response to a question about whether the episodes will be standalone or whether they will follow an ongoing story (and whoever asked this question deserves a high five), we were told that they were doing a ‘soft serialisation’. Episodes will be accessible, but due to the amount of story they have to tell, there will be some on-going stories.

The Toys

Not part of the ‘event’, but on a stand outside, were preview displays of the toys that are coming out. Pictures were released online earlier in the year, but it was great to see them up close. The Nick Turtle toys look great, but I was particularly excited by the upcoming ‘classics’ range, which will feature the Turtles from the first cartoon. Incidentally, I am nearly thirty years old.

Wrap Up

So, to summarise – I think Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles looks brilliant. It’s too early to tell, and a bit more footage and a less coy attitude with information might have generated more of a response, but so far so good. When the response is that you want more, it’s fair to say that the preview has done its job. The attitude from the people involved was enthusiastic, and they were keen to stress that they were open to listening to the fans. If you want a character to come back, make some noise about it, was the message. The Twitter hashtag #NickTurtles was written everywhere I looked, so maybe use that.

To me, this reboot looks like great fun. Expect to see coverage of the series on this site.

Also, Tweeted [posted] by writer, Den of Geek columnist, Robocop enthusiast and Ninja Turtle Matt Edwards on his official Twitter profile page (@MattEdwards83) and ReTweeted by Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's Press Office on their official Twitter feed (@NickelodeonUKPR), witn Nickelodeon UK Press Office's reply Tweet message::

I attended a preview event for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series for Den of Geek http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/21563/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-the-new-cg-series-preview #NickTurtles #TMNT.

@MattEdwards83 #nickturtles yes we loved it great to see the inerview made it onto the home page!!

Blogomatic3000 Unveils Exclusive Video Interview With Nickelodeon Executive Rich Magallanes And "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Co-Creator Kevin Eastman Recorded At Nickelodeon's MCM Expo London Comic Con 2012 TMNT Event

From UK Film Website Blogomatic3000:

VIDEO INTERVIEW: KEVIN EASTMAN & RICH MAGALLANES TALK NICKELODEON'S 'TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE'



Last weekend Blogomatic3000 were at the MCM Expo London Comic Con where Nickelodeon unveiled of their new iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; as part of the unveiling we had the great privilege of being invited to a round table interview with Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman and Rich Magallanes the Senior VP, Current Series, for Nickelodeon.

The pair talked at length about the new series, the Turtles rich history and even the Michael Bay movie... Check out the extensive interview below:

Shot at the May 2012 MCM Expo London Comic Con, this interview features Kevin Eastman (co-creator of the Turtles) and Rich Magallanes (Senior VP at Nickelodeon) discussing the new Nickelodeon iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Also, Tweeted by the UK Film Website Blogomatic3000 on their official Twitter profile feed (@Blogomatic3000) and ReTweeted by Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's Press Office on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUKPR):

Interview: Kevin Eastman & Rich Magallanes talk @Nickelodeon's TMNT http://bit.ly/K1qe0D @NickelodeonUK @NickleodeonPR #nickturtles.

The Hit Nickelodeon Show "iCarly" Has Friends In Far-Flung Places

From Variety:

'iCarly' has friends in far-flung places

'iCarly' 100th Episode

Miranda Cosgrove, Jennette McCurdy, Noah Munck and Nathan Cress enjoy life on 'iCarly'
Nickelodeon's "iCarly" might be geared toward teens and tweens, but the half-hour sitcom became a cultural phenomenon beyond its core audience.

Its self-referential humor, top-notch guest stars and carefree attitude have claimed a global viewership. Celebrating its 100th episode and heading into the final stretch of its five-season run, the laffer has left its mark on TV history.

Since its 2008 international debut, "iCarly" has been among the top 10 shows in markets including the U.K., Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, South Korea, Mexico and Singapore. The skein has been referenced on shows including NBC's "Community" and Fox's "House," but nothing speaks to the show's influence better than Michelle Obama asking to appear, in part to address the issue of military families.

A guest star in "iMeet the First Lady," she told the cast and crew that the Obama family always watches the show at the White House.

Jerry Trainor side-by-side with first lady Michelle Obama during a five-season run filled with famous guest stars.
"This little show that we make in this soundstage, this box, on Sunset Boulevard, it's on in the White House," says Dan Schneider, series creator and exec producer, in disbelief.

In "iCarly," teen Carly Shay lives with older brother and guardian Spencer in a Seattle apartment. In the upstairs loft, she teams with best friends Sam, Freddie and Gibby to produce the hit Web show "iCarly." While they spend much of their time performing for their loving fans, they also deal with the everyday ups and downs of adolescence, not to mention a host of wacky adventures.

Despite the grand absurdity of the gang's wildest adventures, Nick original programming and development prexy Marjorie Cohn says the characters make it all feel attainable for younger viewers.

"The beauty of the show is that it makes it seem like the average teen can do it," she says. "I'm not sure a kid can open a secret restaurant in an unused school basement, but everything seems completely plausible."

The credibility is no doubt aided by the actual iCarly.com, complete with silly polls and extra bits consistent with the fictional Web show's sense of humor. In fact, star Miranda Cosgrove says viewers often think the show's events are real.

"Kids come up to me often and say, 'I like your Web show,' " Cosgrove says. "A lot of the young kids think that it's real, that our characters actually live in Seattle and that we have a Web show that's popular."

The aspirational, anything-goes atmosphere of the show is underlined by the lack of parental figures. Carly's father serves overseas in the Air Force, her mother is out of the picture, and Sam's single mother (guest star Jane Lynch) is an uncaring nightmare.

Schneider says the Shay household reflects a weekend he spent with his sister at Tufts U. in Boston when he was 13.

"I had a great relationship with my parents, but there's something about hanging out with your older sibling that just has a whole new level of cool for a kid," he says. "I just remembered how liberating that was and how it made me feel very grown-up."

In "iCarly," viewers find a parallel world, with everything an exaggerated version of its real-life counterpart. This Schneiderverse includes vaguely familiar parodies including Pear products (with all names bearing a "Pear" prefix), Inside Out Burger and B.F. Wangs.

Nathan Kress and Miranda Cosgrove work at the 'iCarly' version of a hot gadget shop, the Pear Store.
The show-within-a-show nature of the series in particular allows Schneider to lovingly poke fun at "iCarly" itself. In "iStart a Fan War," the writer-producer tackled the real world Creddie and Seddie shipper camps, divided on whether Freddie should date Carly or Sam. In the episode, the characters experience the rabid intensity of their fans at a Web convention.

Says Schneider: " 'iCarly' gives me the luxury of addressing the fans directly. It was a sort of loving nudge to the fans saying, 'We're just a fun little sitcom to make you laugh.' This isn't a heavy-duty soap opera."

Still, Schneider and the cast would be lying if they said they ignored what the fans have to say. All active on Twitter, they appreciate the instant feedback of viewers.

"You can just say, 'Hey do you guys like this?' And they're going to be honest," says co-star Jennette McCurdy. "I don't think I have a fan out there who will not tell me if they don't like something."

Schneider hopes his show is "a half-hour of ice cream and roller coasters." As his longest-running sitcom nears its end, he knows he has made an impact the way he knows best -- a quality show.

"I realize we're not curing diseases with 'iCarly,' and we're not doing Shakespeare. It's not an Academy Award-winning film, but it has definitely touched people universally," he says. "That's the goal with TV, to make something that everybody likes and that gets remembered forever."

Also from Variety:

Memorable moments for the 'iCarly' supporting cast

'iCarly' 100th Episode


Nathan Kress
Freddie Benson
Freddie Benson is essential as iCarly.com's technical producer, but he is typically not onscreen for the webcasts. Perhaps it's for the best, as he proves unfunny as a substitute co-host in the episode "iBalls." Often speaking with tech jargon and fending off his overprotective mother, this loveable nerd dates both Carly and Sam at different points in the show.


Jennette McCurdy
Sam Puckett
Carly's co-host and best friend Sam Puckett is a brash delinquent with an insatiable appetite. This tomboy loves picking on peers but hates the word "panties." In a crossover special with Dan Schneider's "Victorious," Sam uses her dissing skills to emerge the clear victor in a rap battle with the smack-talking puppet Rex.


Noah Munck
Gibby Gibson
Always using his name as an exclamation, Gibby started as a shirtless, witless guinea pig for the Web show's experiments. Luckily for fans, his newfound ability to keep his shirt on is the only way he's smartened up. Still, Gibby's subplots suggest he's the sharpest in his own clan. In "iStart a Fan War," he tries to get his family to Webicon while grandpa Gilbert (Jack Carter) demands soup at a burger drive-thru and Guppy (real-life sibling Ethan) orders multiple orders of fries.


Jerry Trainor
Spencer Shay
Spencer Shay balances fun and firmness as a guardian for sister Carly, but he lacks the sense to work safely on his art projects and inventions without incurring the wrath of the local fire department. Spencer is also willing to try any possible remedy for a problem. In "iFight Shelby Marx," he takes allergy medication with wild side effects ranging from excessive sweating to severe muscle spasms.

Also from Variety:

Schneider's passion for TV is unyielding

'iCarly' 100th Episode

Dan Schneider, second from left, looks over pages with Nathan Kress, guest David Archuleta, Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy at an 'iCarly' shoot.

With producing credits on seven Nickelodeon series, most of them his own creation, Dan Schneider has stayed hip with kids and their families since "All That" started in 1994. The "iCarly" creator offers a possible explanation for his nearly 20-year career in making young viewers laugh.
Married to Hungry Girl founder Lisa Lillien, Schneider remembers the first time he showed the couple's new home to his mother. She quipped with a memorable response to the abode decorated with lunch box collections and vending machines.

" 'Looks like teenagers with money,' " he recalls.

Schneider is also a rabid TV lover whose passion for the medium dates back to his own years as a youngster. Inspired by his love for sitcoms and a drive to improve, he pushes himself with each successive series he creates.

Growing up in Memphis, Tenn., young Schneider would have loved to write for TV as an adult, but it seemed an impossible goal considering his hometown.

"The only people I knew from Memphis who had ever made it in the entertainment business were Cybill Shepherd and Elvis," he says. "To me, that was like saying I want to be Superman, or I want to be a starship captain."

Though TV was not on his radar as a possible career, the class clown loved to make people laugh with impressions of teachers, principals and peers.

"I found pretty early on that being a funny person made people like you," he says. "I didn't have the best grades. I wasn't the sharpest dresser, but I was funny."

Through the years, television has been one of his best friends, he says. He pinpoints Glen and Les Charles of "Taxi" and "Cheers" as his biggest inspirations, but not without also mentioning Carl Reiner, "I Love Lucy," Larry David, Larry Gelbart and Norman Lear.

Nick original programming and development prexy Marjorie Cohn sees Schneider's love for sitcoms in his work. She points to the "Drake & Josh" episode "I Love Sushi," which features conveyor-belt shenanigans in tribute to the legendary chocolate factory scene from "I Love Lucy."

"He manages to offer a unique take on a classic situation, and it ends up resonating with everybody," she says. "It also feels slightly off-kilter, so it feels unique."

Schneider, whose acting career includes a series regular role on ABC's "Head of the Class," also finds inspiration in his thesps.

Each of his projects has been built around a performer from one of his previous shows. Amanda Bynes ("All That") starred in "The Amanda Show," which in turn featured Drake Bell and Josh Peck, the stars of "Drake & Josh." And finally, Bell's fictional counterpart had a little sister played by Miranda Cosgrove.

"You get somebody like a Kenan Thompson or Miranda Cosgrove, and you can really write things they deliver in exactly the way you envisioned it," Cohn says.

Coming up, Schneider has two separate projects with "iCarly" co-stars Jennette McCurdy and Noah Munck. Looking ahead, he promises he will never phone it in.

"A lot of guys in my position start to relax more and not try as hard because they feel, 'I got this. I've done this,' " he says. "I'm always trying to outdo what I did yesterday. Whatever series I did three years ago, five years ago, 10 years ago that was a big hit, I want my next one to be a bigger hit."

Also from Variety:

Cosgrove eyes college, comedy in bright future

'iCarly' 100th Episode

Spending five formative teen years as the star of "iCarly," Miranda Cosgrove has grown up in front of audiences worldwide. And sometimes, the parallels between her life and the adventures of Carly Shay have been striking.
For the 2008 episode "iSaw Him First," Carly had her first onscreen kiss, and Cosgrove's first off the set soon followed.


"In real life, I had my first kiss a week later," she says. "It's funny how I actually go through a lot of things my character goes through on the show."

With nearly 2 million followers on Twitter, Cosgrove has become a teen favorite along with her hit Nick show. Already a successful actress and musician at age 19, she looks ahead to a future of college books and big comedies.

For her first major gig, the young thesp acted in the pilot for Dan Schneider's "Drake & Josh." After wrapping the episode, she flew to New York to shoot the movie that would draw her notice, the 2003 Jack Black-led "School of Rock." Cosgrove played band manager and know-it-all Summer Hathaway.

"Working with Jack Black was the first time I ever really loved acting," she says. "I feel like a lot of what we do on 'iCarly,' I learned from just watching him for the five months I did that movie."

After the pic's success, she largely focused on four seasons worth of the successful "Drake & Josh." But at the tail of the series, Nickelodeon and Schneider approached Cosgrove about doing her own show, "iCarly."

In the ensuing years, Cosgrove learned to drive and, more impressively, embarked on a successful music career. She hit it big with her show's theme song "Leave It All to Me," and her first album "Sparks Fly" debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard album chart.

Cosgrove sees dramatic differences between her acting and music performing careers, specifically going on tour.

"When we're doing the show, we're just in this little soundstage, and you don't really get a good idea of how many people are watching," she says. "Being on stage in front of thousands of people, it's a whole different energy."

In the fall, Cosgrove will study theater at USC. With counselors advising her on scheduling, she hopes to balance acting and schooling.

She noted the opportunity to accrue class credit for acting jobs. But more than anything, she is excited to hit the books alongside peers after being homeschooled since sixth grade.

"It's going to be really cool to get to be around a bunch of people my age," she says. "I just loved elementary school, and I love learning."

Cosgrove also looks ahead to furthering her career in Hollywood. She's willing to try new genres, but more than anything, she wants to pursue comedy. Thesp hopes to someday topline a great comedy, perhaps a project like a Judd Apatow production, and follow in the footsteps of Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey and Emma Stone.

"There are a lot of really cool girl comedians right now getting more attention," she says. "If I could do anything, I'd really like to make people laugh."

The Official Sky Guide Website Confirms That Nickelodeon UK Will Show "Camp Orange UK 2012" In August 2012 As Part Of "Summer on Nickelodeon"

The official Sky Guide websites 'Sky TV's Children's Television Highlights For Summer 2012' webpage has confirmed the Nickelodeon UK News that Nickelodeon UK will be premiering and showing the second series of "Camp Orange UK", "Camp Orange 2012", during August 2012 as part "Summer on Nickelodeon 2012":

Jamie and Anna are back in August for another series of Camp Orange - the TV show that takes pairs of best friends away for a real-life Nickelodeon adventure. They record everything that goes on - all the kooky, spooky, crazy challenges and all the behind-the scenes dramas and pranks.

NickToons UK To Premiere Brand New Episodes Of "The Penguins of Madagascar" From Monday 11th June 2012

According to the official Sky Guide websites 'Sky TV's Children's Television Highlights For Summer 2012' webpage, Nickelodeon UK's animation channel, Nicktoons UK and Ireland, will be premiering brand new episodes of the animated Nickelodeon series ("Nicktoon") "The Penguins of Madagascar" from Monday 11th June 2012. According to Nickelodeon UK's "What's On" schedule section on the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website, Nick.co.uk, Nicktoons will be showing the 'brand new to Nicktoons' episodes of "The Penguins of Madagascar" at 7.30am and 3.30pm (repeated one hour later on Nicktoons's plus one (+1) timeshift channel at 8.30am and 4.30pm):

There are new episodes of The Penguins of Madagascar on Nicktoons from June 11. Follow the adventures of this group of penguins who believe they are leading an elite strike force from their headquarters in Central Park Zoo.

Nicktoons UK To Start To Show The Animated Original Nickelodeon Show "T.U.F.F. Puppy" From Monday 11th June 2012

According to the official Sky Guide websites 'Sky TV's Children's Television Highlights For Summer 2012' webpage, Nickelodeon UK's animation channel, Nicktoons UK and Ireland, will start to premiere Nickelodeon's all-action original animated Nickelodeon series ("NickToon") "T.U.F.F. Puppy" from Monday 11th June 2012 at 1.30pm (repeated one hour later on Nicktoons's plus one (+1) timeshift channel at 2.30pm):

Brand new to Nicktoons, it's Tuff Puppy! Find out what havoc Dudley Puppy is causing in Petropolis starting from Monday, June 11 at 1.30pm.

Nickelodeon's all-action animated original Nickelodeon series "T.U.F.F. Puppy" follows a 'dim-witted' but determined dog named Dudley Puppy (who is voiced by Nickelodeon Star Jerry Trainor), who, along with his co-workers, Kitty Katswell (voiced by Grey DeLisle), The Chief (voiced by Daran Norris), and Keswick (voiced by Jeff Bennett), works as a secret agent for an organization called T.U.F.F. (Turbo Undercover Fighting Force). "T.U.F.F. Puppy" takes place in a fictional city called Petropolis, which is populated by animal characters. "T.U.F.F. Puppy" is Butch Hartman's third animated series for Nickelodeon, after "The Fairly OddParents" and "Danny Phantom".