Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Composer Jeremy Zuckerman on Scoring Avatar's Steampunk Jazz | Braving the Elements S4 Ep4 | Avatar

Composer Jeremy Zuckerman on Scoring Avatar's Steampunk Jazz | Braving the Elements S4 Ep4 | Avatar


Note: As of posting, this episode is currently restricted in the U.K. and Ireland, however, the audio version can be listened to here.

Award-winning composer and Avatarverse legend Jeremy Zuckerman returns to the Avatar: Braving the Elements podcast and joins Janet Varney (Korra) and Dante Basco (Zuko) to break down his sonic approach to The Legend of Korra, especially the eerie tension of Book One’s Equalist uprising. Jeremy joins Janet and Dante to discuss Episode 3, “The Revelation,” where Korra uncovers the terrifying rise of Amon, chi-blockers, and steampunk-inspired resistance fighters. The team examines how the show’s 1920s jazz influences and rhythmic experimentation contributed to Korra’s distinctive musical identity, from moody horns to haunting motifs. Additionally, they revisit the Avatar live concert, the legacy of chi-blocking from Ty Lee to the Equalists, and why limitations in the score made Korra’s world sound more raw, real, and revolutionary in this brand-new episode.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Introductions
01:09 – Meet Jeremy Zuckerman
02:25 – Avatar Concert & Dee Bradley Baker
04:15 – New Soundtrack Announcement!
05:41 – Dante’s Avatar Concert Experience
07:32 – Discovering the Sound of Korra
09:59 – Unique Instruments & Musicians
13:00 – Favorite Episode Soundtracks
15:00 – “Wang Fire’s Whimsical Moustaches”
16:37 – Jeremy’s Shinobi-Style Recap
17:46 – The Revelation
19:47 – Amon and Chi Blockers
21:32 – Clip Reaction: Korra & Mako Track Bolin
23:31 – Dante and Gambling
25:56 – Lightningbending & Gangsters
27:12 – Triads in Gangs and Music
29:46 – Clip Reaction: Amon’s Rally
31:44 – What’s Good About Amon?
34:01 – Villains in LOK vs. ATLA
35:55 – Clip Reaction: Korra Reacts to Amon
37:10 – Amon’s Power
38:01 – Did Dante Predict Correctly?
39:07 – Bolin Busking
40:17 – Iroh’s Tea Time
42:39 – Most Valuable Bending / Nonbending
45:30 – Dante’s NEXT Predictions
46:35 – Goodbyes

Enter the amazing world of Avatar through the official companion podcast, Avatar: Braving the Elements from Nickelodeon. Join hosts Janet Varney (the voice of “Korra”) and Dante Basco (the voice of “Prince Zuko”) each week as they re-watch every episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra then break down key themes, notable battles, and behind-the-scenes trivia you can’t get anywhere else. Special guests from cast members to producers join them to explore elements of the Avatarverse, including the origins of the story and how Avatar was brought to life.

🔥 *GET MORE BRAVING THE ELEMENTS* 🔥

►► Listen to Avatar: Braving the Elements wherever you get your podcasts: https://bit.ly/BravingTheElementsPodcast

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!

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#AvatarBravingTheElements #BravingTheElements #BTE

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Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for June 11, 2025 | Nickelodeon

Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for June 11, 2025 | Nickelodeon

Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for June 11, 2025 | 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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Paramount Makes More Layoffs: Several Hundred Domestic Employees Axed, Representing 3.5% of U.S. Workforce

Paramount Global is paring back another 3.5% of its U.S. workforce, eliminating several hundred jobs domestically.

Paramount Pictures Studios Water Tower
Michael Buckner/Variety

In a companywide memo published on Tuesday, June 10, the company’s trio of co-CEOs — CBS chief George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, president and Chief Executive Officer, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, and Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon head Brian Robbins — cited linear TV declines and a “dynamic macro-environment” for the layoffs. The pink-slips come as the media company, parent of CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount Pictures, Paramount+ and more, is in a holding pattern in its merger with Skydance Media, which is still pending FCC approval nearly a year after the agreement was announced.

CBS Studios casting is among many areas across Paramount impacted by today’s layoffs. They are believed to also include Comedy Central, MTV, kids and adult animation, business development operations, franchises and consumer products. Among those exiting is Lauren Ruggiero, Senior Vice President (SVP) Scripted Series at MTV Entertainment Studios.

Veteran casting director and executive Deborah Aquila, most recently Executive Vice President (EVP) and head of casting for streaming series at CBS Studios, is leaving as part of the companywide layoffs at parent Paramount Global. According to sources, Aquila and four other members of the studio’s casting team, ranging from coordinator to VP, were impacted by the Tuesday cuts.

Also leaving this week is Nick Bernstein, CBS’ SVP of late night programming, West Coast. His departure is tied to the wrap of the network’s After Midnight whose last show is airing on June 12. It is not directly related to the layoffs though any eliminated positions help divisions meet headcount targets.

In a restructuring well over a year ago, Aquila focused on casting for streaming series, including the Star Trek franchise, Happy Face and most recently, the Little House On the Prairie reboot for Netflix, while CBS head of Casting, Lyon, took over. That is a setup that mirrors CBS and CBS Studios’ integration of current programming under Eric Kim, while CBS Studios’ Stephanie Groves oversees current for streaming.

In another move toward streamlining and centralizing shared functions, EVP Claudia Lyon, who oversees casting for broadcast, will add casting for streaming series to her purview to oversee all casting for CBS Studios and CBS. She will continue to report to CBS Studios President David Stapf and CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach.

President Donald Trump’s crusade against the media (in this case CBS News) is holding up the deal despite the fact that Paramount controlling shareholder Shari Redstone and Skydance backer Larry Ellison are longtime Trump supporters. Along with filing a $20 billion lawsuit over routine business activities at 60 Minutes, Trump’s appointee to chair the FCC, Brendan Carr, has slow-walked the agency’s review of the merger. While mediation talks are ongoing in the lawsuit, hopes have not recently been high for a near-term settlement.

Paramount reportedly offered $15 million to settle the suit, however, in a letter sent on Friday, May 30 to former 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens and ex-CBS News and Stations boss Wendy McMahon, plus the Paramount Global board and the state Attorney General, the heads of the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee in Sacramento, California, Senators Josh Becker and Thomas J. Umberg have began an investigation to see if Golden State bribery and unfair competition laws are about to be violated.

Through last summer and fall, Paramount made layoffs and implemented restructuring aimed at cutting 15% of its domestic headcount, affecting about 2,000 employees. The cutbacks were part of efforts to slash $500 million in annual costs. As of the end of 2024, Paramount Global had 18,600 employees worldwide. As opposed to the multi-phase layoffs last year, the new round is taking effect Tuesday.

“We will be reducing our domestic workforce by 3.5%, with the majority of impacted staff being notified today,” Cheeks, McCarthy and Robbins wrote in the memo, obtained by Variety. They added that the layoffs “may also result in some impacts to our workforce outside the U.S. over time.”

Paramount isn’t alone among big media companies making job cuts: Recently, Disney laid off several hundred employees across TV, film and corporate finance groups, while Warner Bros. Discovery let go fewer than 100 in its cable TV business.

Separately, on Monday, Paramount disclosed that CFO Naveen Chopra is exiting the company after five years as of June 27. He will join gaming company Roblox as chief financial officer on June 30.

Read the memo from the three Paramount co-CEOs:

Hi Everyone,

As we navigate the continued industry-wide linear declines and dynamic macro-economic environment, while prioritizing investments in our growing streaming business, we are taking the hard, but necessary steps to further streamline our organization starting this week. 

We will be reducing our domestic workforce by 3.5%, with the majority of impacted staff being notified today. This process may also result in some impacts to our workforce outside the US over time. As always, any changes will be considered in accordance with local legal obligations.

We recognize how difficult this is and are very thankful for everyone’s hard work and contributions. These changes are necessary to address the environment we are operating in and best position Paramount for success.

Along with our HR leaders, we are committed to ensuring all impacted employees are supported with care and respect during this time.

We are deeply grateful to the many employees who have been a part of creating and propelling our record-breaking hit content — most recently Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, MobLand, and the NCAA Tournament — and for the impressive growth in streaming that our hits continue to drive. As our company transforms, there is so much to be proud of. Our progress is clear, and the results are meaningful.

As always, thank you for your commitment, compassion and support for one another as we continue to transition Paramount for the future.

George, Chris and Brian

In a separate message on Monday, Cheeks, McCarthy and Robbins paid tribute to outgoing EVP and CFO Naveen Chopra, and praised Andrew Warren, currently Strategic Advisor to the Office of the CEO and former Chief Financial Officer of Discovery Communications, who will assume the additional role of Executive Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer, saying:

"We thank Naveen for his leadership role during a dynamic period of transformation and growth. We are excited to partner with Andy, who has been our strategic advisor, in his new, expanded role as interim CFO and we are confident that his deep financial expertise and familiarity with our business make him exceptionally well-suited to step into this position."

Andrew Warren brings extensive financial leadership experience to the role, having previously served as CFO at Discovery Communications, where he was instrumental in driving strategic initiatives and growing the global business footprint. He also served as CFO of STX Entertainment and the NBCU Television Group. In his current role as Strategic Advisor to the Office of the CEO at Paramount, he has worked closely with senior leadership on key financial and strategic priorities.

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Additional source: Deadline.

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WEBTOON Entertainment and Dark Horse Comics to Bring Nickelodeon's 'The Legend of Korra' and More to WEBTOON’s English-Language Platform

WEBTOON Entertainment and Dark Horse Comics to Bring Cyberpunk 2077, Critical Role, The Witcher, Nickelodeon’s The Legend of Korra, and other titles to WEBTOON’s English-Language Platform

The titles expand the companies’ existing partnership, which brought Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender to WEBTOON

WEBTOON Entertainment continues to redefine digital storytelling, working with Dark Horse to bring some of the biggest franchises in fandom to webcomics

The Legend of Korra - Turf Wars

LOS ANGELES--Jun 10, 2025--WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world’s largest storytelling platforms, is expanding its collaboration with Dark Horse Comics, bringing five major franchises to WEBTOON’s English-language platform. WEBTOON will become the digital home of Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins, The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077, Plants vs. Zombies™, and new tales of Nickelodeon’s The Legend of Korra. Newly reformatted for WEBTOON’s vertical-scroll format, the new slate of titles will roll out on the platform throughout the second half of 2025.

The new slate joins WEBTOON and Dark Horse’s existing partnership to bring Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender comics to the platform, where these have accumulated over 13 million views.

“WEBTOON has made it easy for a new generation of fans to fall in love with comics,” said Yongsoo Kim, CSO and Head of Global WEBTOON at WEBTOON Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to work with Dark Horse to bring this new slate of world-class titles to WEBTOON. Whether we’re helping new creators build their fandoms or working with marquee publishers like Dark Horse to bring beloved franchises to fans around the world, we’re committed to delivering the highest quality storytelling to our passionate community of readers.”

“I couldn't be more excited about partnering with WEBTOON on this slate of new titles. They've done such an incredible job shepherding our Avatar: The Last Airbender comics to their audience that I know all of these new stories are in good hands,” said Tim Wiesch, Vice President of Business Development at Dark Horse.

The full slate of WEBTOON’s reformatted Dark Horse titles includes:

  • The Witcher – A dark fantasy epic featuring the witcher Geralt of Rivia, a mercenary monster slayer. Embark on the Path and explore the world of the best-selling video game franchise.
  • The Legend of Korra (Vertical Scrolling Format Exclusive to WEBTOON) – A continuation of the Nickelodeon animated television series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra series follows Avatar Korra and her friends in their continuing adventures.
  • Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins (Vertical Scrolling Format Exclusive to WEBTOON) – Based on the hit tabletop RPG series, Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins follows a band of unlikely heroes as they embark on high-stakes adventures, blending immersive storytelling with the creativity of roleplaying.
  • Cyberpunk 2077 – A collection of action-packed stories set in the same world as the best-selling video game, featuring a new cast of characters in the neon-lit streets of Night City.
  • Plants vs. Zombies™ (Vertical Scrolling Format Exclusive to WEBTOON) – The hilarious, action-packed battle between brain-hungry zombies and their unlikely plant defenders continues in this fan-favorite comic series based on the worldwide gaming phenomenon.

Launch dates for each series will be announced at a later date.

About WEBTOON Entertainment

WEBTOON Entertainment is a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world's largest storytelling platforms. As the global leader and pioneer of the mobile webcomic format, WEBTOON Entertainment has transformed comics and visual storytelling for fans and creators.

With its CANVAS UGC platform empowering anyone to become a creator, and a growing roster of superstar WEBTOON Originals creators and series, WEBTOON Entertainment’s passionate fandoms are the new face of pop culture. WEBTOON Entertainment adaptations are available on Netflix, Prime Video, Crunchyroll, and other screens around the world, and the company’s content partners include Discord, HYBE, and DC Comics, among many others.

With approximately 150 million monthly active users, WEBTOON Entertainment’s IP & Creator Ecosystem of aligned brands and platforms include WEBTOON, Wattpad--the world’s leading webnovel platform--Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Studio N, Studio LICO, WEBTOON Unscrolled, LINE MANGA, and eBookJapan, among others.


About Dark Horse Comics

Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson with the goal of creating a welcoming environment for comics professionals. The company strives to be an example of how integrity and innovation can broaden a unique storytelling medium and transform a company with humble beginnings into an industry giant. Dark Horse has published modern masters such as Yoshitaka Amano, Margaret Atwood, Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Colleen Doran, Janet Evanovich, Dave Gibbons, Faith Erin Hicks, Kazuo Koike, Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, Kentaro Miura, Moebius, Chuck Palahniuk, Eric Powell, Stan Sakai, and Gerard Way, as well as Hall of Fame legends Will Eisner, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Richard Corben. The company also set the industry standard for quality licensed comics, graphic novels, collectibles, and art books, based on properties such as Star Wars, Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Dragon Age, James Cameron’s Avatar, Game of Thrones, Mass Effect, The Witcher, and Halo. Dark Horse established an entertainment division in 1989, finding success with company-owned projects The Mask and TimeCop. Current hits from Dark Horse Entertainment include The Umbrella Academy on Netflix and Resident Alien on SyFy. Additionally, Dark Horse has a long tradition of establishing new creative talent throughout all of its divisions.

In 2022, Dark Horse Media, LLC was established as the parent company of all three divisions, and became part of Embracer Group AB, strengthening the company’s transmedia capabilities.

###

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: June 11, 2025.

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Paramount Hosts 'Dora' Launch Event In Celebration of New UK Consumer Products Range

Retail partners including Smyths Toys, The Entertainer, Character.com and Claire’s Accessories were all featured at the immersive event at The Barbican Conservatory on Sunday 8th June 2025.

Greg Rutherford | Dora’s Rainforest Fiesta
Greg Rutherford

Over the weekend, celebrity families including Charlotte Crosby, James Haskell, Lydia Bright, Greg Rutherford and Ashley James joined the tropical fun at The Barbican Conservatory as Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences UK hosted a fun-filled family celebration with Dora, marking the UK launch of brand-new toys and products inspired by the beloved preschool series.

The event also featured interactive product showcases where guests could experience the full Dora product line, including Spin Master toys available at Smyths Toys and The Entertainer, apparel from Character.com and accessories from Claire’s Accessories, which are all set to launch at retail in stores from this summer onwards.

Dora’s Rainforest Fiesta welcomed a star-studded lineup of celebrity and influencer families to an immersive celebration of the iconic pre-school adventurer. Guests were transported into Dora’s rainforest world through hands-on activities, themed entertainment and an exclusive screening from the brand-new series of Dora which launches from 4th July on Paramount+.

Event highlights included:

  • A rainforest-themed scavenger hunt
  • Claire’s Accessories hair styling station, offering braids and accessories
  • Face painting and glitter tattoo zone
  • Soft play area inspired by the rainforest setting
  • Dora product display and toy play corner
  • Appearances and photo opportunities with Dora herself
  • Private screening area with episodes from the new animated series
  • Jungle-themed refreshments and family goody bags

“We are thrilled to bring Dora’s world to life for UK families with this one-of-a-kind rainforest celebration,” said Simta Sawhney, senior director Licensing, Paramount Consumer Products. “The new Dora embodies adventure, curiosity and empowerment and this event was the perfect platform to showcase her new era, while introducing the new range of exciting consumer products.”

The event supported the consumer product rollout accompanying Dora’s all-new animated series. Season three of Dora will be available to stream on Paramount+ from Friday 4th July 2025 before launching on Nick Jr. on Monday 7th July 2025.

James Haskell | Dora’s Rainforest Fiesta
James Haskell

Lydia Bright | Dora’s Rainforest Fiesta
Lydia Bright

Charlotte Crosby and Jake Ankers | Dora’s Rainforest Fiesta
Charlotte Crosby and Jake Ankers

Dora’s Rainforest Fiesta

Shop Nickelodeon at ParamountShop.com

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


Original source: Licensing.biz; Additional source: LicensingSource.net.

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New 'TMNT' Short 'Chrome Alone 2: Lost in New Jersey' Set to Debut In Theaters In December 2025

The next feature-length Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, isn't set to be released in theaters until September 2027, however, fans won't have to wait long until the Heroes in a Half Shell leap back onto the big screen in their latest adventure!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Announced during Nickelodeon and Paramount Animation's Annecy 2025 presentation, "Smurfs x SpongeBob x Turtles: A Paramount Animation & Nickelodeon Presentation," a brand new TMNT animated short titled Chrome Alone 2: Lost in New Jersey is set to premiere in theaters on Friday, December 19, playing alongside The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants!

Directed by Kent Seki and featuring a visual style similar to Jeff Rowe’s Mutant Mayhem, this installment will take a comedic look at artificial intelligence.

Nickelodeon and Paramount also treated audience members to a first look at the new TMNT short during their Annecy presentation.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 was previously slated to open in theaters on Friday, October 9, 2026, however, Paramount announced in May that the film's release date had been delayed, with the animated sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 now set for wide theatrical release Friday, September 17, 2027. The shift stems from delays in animation physical production.

A follow up to Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies' 2023's megahit, which collected $180 million worldwide, the sequel was first announced in July 2023, prior to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem being released in theaters. The sequel is being produced by Point Grey Pictures and directed by Jeff Rowe, who also served as the director and co-writer of Mutant Mayhem. Seth Rogen is returning to produce this new installment with Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Ramsay McBean. Rowe has co-directors Kyler Spears and Yashar Kassai also on the team.

The star-studded voice cast for the first Mutant Mayhem included Micah Abbey (Cousins for Life) as Donatello, Shamon Brown Jr. (The Chi) as Michelangelo, Nicolas Cantu (The Walking Dead: World Beyond) as Leonardo, Brady Noon (Family Switch) as Raphael and Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) as April O’Neil, along with Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube and Paul Rudd.

It's currently unknown whether the film's new release date will affect the upcoming release of the second season of Tales of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a 2D animated series set in the world of Mutant Mayhem that bridges the two movies. Season one premiered in August last year, with season two currently slated to be released later this year.

In addition to Mutant Mayhem 2, Paramount is also working an an R-rated movie adaptation based on the critically-acclaimed TMNT comic, The Last Ronin.

Stream the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, including Mutant Mayhem on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


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Originally published: June 11, 2025.

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