Thursday, July 09, 2015

Interview With Cesar And Calvin Millan, The Stars Of Nickelodeon's Brand-New Preschool Series "Mutt & Stuff"

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA starting to premiere and show the networks brand-new live-action preschool series "Mutt & Stuff" every Friday at 10:00am from Friday 10th July 2015, Chicago's WGN Morning News Crew has unveiled a PAWsome interview with Cesar and Calvin Millan, the stars of Nick's all-new preschool show! In the interview, Cesar and Calvin talk about their brand-new show and their love of Dogs! The video, below, also features sneak peeks at some of the scenes from "Mutt & Stuff"!:



"Mutt & Stuff" is a brand-new inventive live-action preschool series created by TV legends Sid and Marty Krofft, and Bradley Zweig. Set in a unique school for Dogs, the series stars Calvin Millan and his dad, Cesar, star of "Cesar 911" and former star of "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan", interacting with a cast of both real Dogs and puppets at a Canine school called Mutt & Stuff. In addition to adorable Puppies and unbelievable Dog tricks, the series balances moments of heart and comedy with a social-emotional curriculum that helps preschoolers with identifying and managing emotions, building interpersonal awareness and developing social skills. The show also carries a message of pet adoption and responsible pet care based on Cesar Millan's philosophies.


Cesar Millan, Calvin Millan and Stuff, stars of Nickelodeon's live-action preschool series, Mutt & Stuff. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Mutt & Stuff" joins Nick's number-one lineup of preschool content that features the top-rated "PAW Patrol" and "Blaze and the Monster Machines". "Mutt & Stuff" is created and executive produced by Sid and Marty Krofft ("H.R. Pufnstuf", "Land Of The Lost"), along with Bradley Zweig. Cesar Millan also serves as executive producer.

The series follows Calvin Millan and his best friend Stuff, a larger-than-life Dog with a personality to match, as they take preschoolers inside the doors of Mutt & Stuff, a school for Dogs, to explore the daily lives of these canine companions. Each episode features incredible tricks, training lessons and high-spirited humor. With the help of 15 playful puppies and charismatic puppets, Calvin educates preschoolers on how to train and guide their Dogs, as well as showcase the friendship and loyalty that puppies can provide. "Mutt & Stuff" airs regularly Fridays at 10 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon USA.

In the series premiere episode of "Mutt & Stuff", "Hip Hop Dogs", Calvin helps one of his canine students cope with missing his owner. In addition to helping his Pup pal, Calvin helps the Dog's owner when she needs back-up dancers for her dance performance. Cue the Mutt & Stuff Hip Hop Dog Dancers!


Pictured: Stuff, Zippy, Pixie, Cuddles, Grandma, Giggles, Wiggles and Mr. Shades in MUTT & STUFF on Nick Jr. Photo by: Evans Vestal Ward/Nickelodeon ©2015 Viacom, International, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Nickelodeon's award-winning NickJr.com and the Nick Jr. App features exclusive "Mutt & Stuff" content including episodic clips, series trailer and theme song. The series premiere of "Mutt & Stuff" will be available on NickJr.com, the Nick Jr. App, Nick VOD and DTO beginning Saturday 11th July 2015!

Calvin Millan, 16, is the son of Cesar Millan, star of Nat Geo WILD's "Cesar 911" and former host of the "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan". Calvin began his acting career at the age of eight when he appeared as a guest on the "Dog Whisperer" helping to train small Dogs. In 2012, he traveled with his father appearing in "CESAR MILLAN LIVE" touring shows in Asia and Canada. Calvin has one Dog named Coco and actively works with the Cesar Millan Foundation in support of the Mutt-i-grees elementary school program that teaches children empathy and compassion for animals. The program has been taught in over 1,200 school districts in the United States and Canada.

Cesar Millan is a best-selling author, a much-in-demand public speaker, a branded pet care product designer/entrepreneur, international star of Nat Geo WILD's "Cesar 911" and original host of the "Dog Whisperer". Cesar has co-authored several books as well as generated numerous instructional DVDs and CDs. In 2007, Cesar officially launched The Cesar Millan Foundation, a national non-profit organization designed to champion worldwide animal advocacy for animals through the support of community education and awareness programs.

Many of the most colorful and fondly remembered children's series of the 1970s and 1980s sprang from the imaginations of Sid and Marty Krofft. The Kroffts made their television debut in 1969 with NBC's "H.R. Pufnstuf" and introduced the brothers' innovative mix of live-action and puppetry. For the next two decades, the Kroffts developed several hit shows including "The Bugaloo", "Lidsville", "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" and "Land Of The Lost". The Kroffts also found success as producers of popular primetime variety series such as "The Donny and Marie Show", "The Brady Bunch Variety Hour" and the top-rated "Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters". In 2009, the Kroffts produced a feature film version of their classic TV program "Land of the Lost", which was distributed by Universal Pictures. The Kroffts recently signed a development deal with Amazon Studios to develop a reimagined pilot based on "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters". They are also producing a reboot of "Electra Woman & Dyna Girl", consisting of a series of eight 11-minute episodes that can also be released as an 88-minute movie, at Legendary Entertainment.


Pictured: Calivn and Cesar Milan, Rocket and Princess Pickles in MUTT & STUFF on Nick Jr. Photo by: Evans Vestal Ward/Nickelodeon ©2015 Viacom, International, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Bradley Zweig is an Emmy-nominated executive producer and writer who has worked on numerous live-action and animated preschool shows for Nickelodeon including "Yo Gabba Gabba", "Wallykazam!", "Zack and Quack" and "The Fresh Beat Band". He has also written and produced projects for The Jim Henson Company and Cirque Du Soleil. In addition to his television work, Zweig has written several live touring shows including Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and multiple touring musical productions for Disney Jr.
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Sneak Peek From Brand-New "SpongeBob SquarePants" Episode "Lost In Bikini Bottom" Premiering 7/16 On Nickelodeon USA

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA premiering the brand-new episode of the networks hit original animated series "SpongeBob SquarePants" titled "Lost In Bikini Bottom" on Thursday 16th July 2015 at 7:30pm ET/PT (6:30pm C), Nick USA have unveiled a Sponge-tastic sneak peek preview of the all-new episode on their official YouTube channel, which you can watch in the fantastic online streaming video clip below!:



Find out what happens to SpongeBob when he takes a wrong turn trying to find a short cut to work in the brand new episode, "Lost in Bikini Bottom", premiering 7/16 at 7:30pm ET/PT (6:30pm C), followed by Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports 2015" at 8:00pm (7:00pm C), only on Nickelodeon USA!
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Nickelodeon Partners With Plan International To Launch New Global Pro-Social Campaign "Together For Good"

Original Nickelodeon International and Plan International Press Release via Business Wire:

Nickelodeon International Launches Together For Good

Plan International Confirmed as Inaugural Partner

Multi-platform campaign to inspire and celebrate kids who make an impact in their local community begins July 21st

July 09, 2015 12:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickelodeon International announced today that it will launch Together For Good, its new initiative to empower kids to make positive changes in the world around them. Together For Good will serve as Nickelodeon's international platform to inspire its audiences to get involved in their communities, provide the resources and education to get the job done and celebrate the impact they're making every day.


The international-only campaign will launch on July 21st outside of the US across Nickelodeon platforms in 150 countries and territories with its inaugural campaign partner, Plan International. Founded more than 70 years ago, Plan International is one of the largest, most established children's development organizations in the world. Plan was selected for its long-term and child-centered work in communities around the world to break the cycle of poverty for millions of children and their families.

"We are excited to launch Together For Good. From our research, we know it's important to our audience to make a meaningful impact in their community and they want to support causes that are important to them," said Mark Levine, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Brand Strategy, Viacom International Media Networks and Head of Public Affairs, Nickelodeon International. "We're certain Plan International's passion, expertise and global presence make them a perfect partner to launch this campaign and help our audiences achieve their goals."

"The Plan International federation is thrilled to partner with Nickelodeon International in launching Together For Good. Plan believes that when children and adults work together as part of the change process, it is more likely that it will be successful and sustainable," said Tessie San Martin, President and CEO of Plan International USA. "This partnership is unique in that it empowers children around the world to inspire other children to become agents of change in their own communities. It is terrific to have an opportunity to work with a worldwide leader in children's programming like Nickelodeon to help children realize their full potential as empowered global citizens."

Nickelodeon Together For Good Awareness Spot from Three One NYC on Vimeo.

Beginning July 21st, Nickelodeon will kick off the campaign internationally on its channels, social media networks and online. Kids can log on to the dedicated microsite good.nickelodeon.tv to read inspirational stories about kids who are already making a change in their communities, provide information on how they can get involved and offer various activities and challenges to help them make an impact – big or small.

The second phase of the campaign will launch in August, inviting kids age six to 17 years old to log on to good.nickelodeon.tv to upload photos and videos of themselves making a difference in their community. Four finalists in each participating region outside of the U.S. will be selected by a panel of Nickelodeon and Plan International team members. Nickelodeon viewers will then have the opportunity to vote to select one special change-maker in each region. Those regional winners will be recognized for their achievements on Nickelodeon's websites and social channels in their respective regions. The campaign will culminate in the fall with a celebration honoring change-makers from around the world and the announcement of one lucky finalist who will be selected by Nickelodeon and Plan International to receive the ultimate prize, an all-expense-paid trip to the U.S. to attend a Nickelodeon event as a VIP guest.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company's portfolio includes television programming and production around the world, plus special events, consumer products, digital offerings, recreation, books, feature films and pro-social initiatives. Nickelodeon's brands reach nearly a billion cumulative subscribers in more than 160 countries and territories, via more than 80+ 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.

About Plan International

Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children's development organizations in the world. We work in 51 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan International is an independent organization, with no religious, political, or governmental affiliations. In 2014, Plan International worked with 86,676 communities. Our work areas had a population of 164.9 million people - including 81.5 million children.

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