Nickelodeon Russia Invites Viewers To Vote For What They Want To Watch With 'Дню самоуправления' 2019

Every year, Nickelodeon Russia (Россия) declares the 1st June as Дню самоуправления, a day in which Nickelodeon hands over the airwaves to kids, allowing viewers to pick that days schedule via online voting, and this year, Дню самоуправления is back, bigger and better than ever before!

For Дню самоуправления 2019, kids can choose Nickelodeon's schedule for Saturday 1st June 2019 in two stages:

-- Between Tuesday 7th and Monday 20th May 2019, kids can visit the official Дню самоуправления website, tvoyden.nickelodeon.ru and choose which shows they want to watch on Saturday 1st June 2019, selecting one show for each hour of the broadcast day.

- Additionally, whilst on the Дню самоуправления 2019 website, children across Russia are invited to create and tell Nick about their dream animated series. The winning ideas for a brand-new animated series will win a brand-new tablet for drawing with!

-- Between Tuesday 21st and Monday 27th May 2019, viewers will be invited to visit tvoyden.nickelodeon.ru and vote for their favourite fan-made schedules, with the results determining the final schedule for Saturday 1st June 2019!

Everyone who participates will receive a special Programme Director's Certificate, and every 100th participant will receive a exclusive puzzle featuring fan-favourite Nickelodeon characters!

2019 marks the sixth anniversary of Nickelodeon's Дню самоуправления campaign, timed to coincide with International Children's Day. Such an initiative allows the channel to better understand the preferences of its young viewers, giving them the opportunity to choose their favourite programmes for one whole day, as well as helping them better understand the profession of program director.

In addition to Дню самоуправления, Nickelodeon Россия regularly organises and supports campaigns that allow children to unleash their full creative potential. One of these initiatives is "We Need Your Voice", a unique interactive project on Russian television in which viewers can learn how animated characters are given their voices, and allows viewers the opportunity to dub characters with their own voices.

In addition to Дню самоуправления, Nickelodeon Россия also conducts a number of pro-social activities - which is one of the priorities of the television channel. Among Nickelodeon Россия's projects are "Правила интернет-безопасности" ("Internet Security Rules"), which teaches kids, tweens and teens how to effectively use modern technologies and about the dangers that can be found online; The "Earth Day" ("День земли") initiative, dedicated to educating viewers on how they can help the environment and protect nature; "Вместе к лучшему" ("Together For Good"), which, in partnership with a public organisation, touches on the important issues of society, from environmental safety to homelessness problems. Its goal is to inspire children to change the world for the better and to celebrate the achievements of those who have already taken an active part in this; "День, когда пора играть" ("Worldwide Day of Play"), which aims to remind everyone how important outdoor exercise is, and how having fun outdoors and being in touch with nature nurtures better physical, emotional and cognitive development in children; and the newly launched "
Друзья бывают разные. Главное — что они настоящие!"
("True Friends campaign", in which Nickelodeon reminds children and adults that there are no barriers when it comes to true friendship.

Below is Nickelodeon Россия's official press release announcing the exciting news!:

Опубликовано 07.05.2019

NICKELODEON РОССИЯ ПРЕДЛОЖИТ ЗРИТЕЛЯМ ПОПРОБОВАТЬ СЕБЯ В РОЛИ ПРОГРАММНОГО ДИРЕКТОРА КАНАЛА

По традиции 1 июня Nickelodeon Россия посвятит Дню самоуправления – в этот день канал покажет в эфире шоу, которые выберут сами дети.

С 7 по 20 мая зрители Nickelodeon Россия смогут составить собственную телепрограмму и увидеть результаты своей работы в эфире телеканала в первый день лета. Чтобы проголосовать за любимые передачи, детям предложат зайти на сайт tvoyden.nickelodeon.ru и выбрать по одному шоу на каждый час. Мальчики и девочки также получат возможность принять участие в творческом конкурсе — для этого им будет нужно придумать и описать идею своего мультсериала.

С 21 по 27 мая на сайте пройдет голосование за одну из трех самых популярных программ для каждого часа, по результатам которого определится итоговая сетка передач на 1 июня. Все принявшие участие в акции получат удостоверение программного директора, а каждый 100-й участник станет обладателем головоломки с героями Nickelodeon. Авторов лучших идей мультсериалов канал наградит специальным призом, графическим планшетом для рисования.

День самоуправления – ежегодная инициатива Nickelodeon Россия, приуроченная к Международному дню защиты детей. Она помогает каналу лучше понять предпочтения детской аудитории, а также дает зрителям возможность познакомиться с профессией программного директора.

Помимо Дня самоуправления, Nickelodeon регулярно проводит и поддерживает кампании, которые позволяют детям раскрыть свой творческий потенциал. Среди них уникальный интерактивный проект на российском телевидении «Нам нужен твой голос». Благодаря ему зрители могут узнать, как озвучиваются их любимые мультсериалы, и попробовать себя в роли актеров дубляжа.

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Update (25/5) - To further celebrate International Children's Day, Nickelodeon Russia (Россия) will be attending the "Big Family Festival" in St. Petersburg on Saturday 1st June 2019! From TRICOLOR TV MAGAZINE:

Триколор рекомендует: почему стоит посетить «Большой Семейный Фестиваль» в Петербурге

В Международный день детей – 1 июня – в Санкт-Петербурге пройдет первый «Большой Семейный Фестиваль».

На один день в Приморском парке Победы появится супергород для всей семьи под открытым небом – 1 июня пройдет первый «Большой Семейный Фестиваль». Гостям праздника подарят идеальный выходной в кругу самых близких.

Фестиваль объединит детей и родителей всех возрастов, чтобы напомнить, как важно проводить время вместе: отдыхать и учиться, играть, веселиться, познавать новое и проявлять свои лучшие таланты.

В программе фестиваля дюжина площадок, среди которых каждый найдет себе занятие по вкусу и интересам, а кое-какие стоит посетить всей семьей. На «Большом Семейном Фестивале» будет устроено сразу несколько секций, в каждой из которых пройдут встречи.

На «Семейном форуме» вместе с известной ведущей Туттой Ларсен гостям предложат обсудить важные семейные темы: здоровое питание, экологичный образ жизни, мифы о гаджетах, образование, правильное воспитание, планирование семьи, создание семейных традиций. К тому же Тутта и посетители фестиваля подискутируют о самых актуальных темах во взаимоотношениях детей и их родителей.

На площадке «Подслушано в Stories» вы сможете поделиться своими лайфхаками и лайф-стори и узнать о чужих. Об этом расскажут популярные семейные блогеры и «Ленивая мама – Анна Быкова». Гостям предложат обсудить, как заботиться о себе во время и после беременности, вредно ли вегетарианство во время беременности и как жить во время обучения детей в школе.

Для всех любителей литературы – специальный блок «Мой друг Саша Пушкин» – книжная зона от библиотек и издательства «МИФ», где можно почитать всей семьей книги от современных издательств. А в «Абракадабре» будут проходить творческие и спортивные мастер-классы.

К тому же будет работать развлекательная зона для всей семьи от телеканала СТС, где детей ждут интересные мастер-классы, а родителей – увлекательные настольные игры. Телеканал Nickelodeon устроит мульт-театр. В семейном кафе «О, да! Еда!» гостям предложат не только попробовать угощения на любой вкус, но и пройти кулинарные мастер-классы. Также будет работать Family Market – мастерские с товарами ручной работы (дизайнерская одежда, уютные керамические изделия, handmade-аксессуары, авторские развивающие игрушки). Кроме того, гостей ждут акции от благотворительных фондов «Алеша» и «Когда ты нужен», яркие флешмобы, сюрпризы, конкурсы, много музыки, эмоций и красоты.

«Большой Семейный Фестиваль» пройдет 1 июня в Приморском парке Победы в Санкт-Петербурге (Батарейная дорога Крестовского острова, метро «Крестовский остров»). Стоимость билета – 400 рублей.

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Dunia Fantasi in Jakarta Hosting 'SpongeBob Golden Show' Live Theatre Show Between Saturday 25th May - Sunday 16th June 2019

Between Saturday 25th May - Sunday 16th June 2019, fans can catch SpongeBob Golden Show, a brand-new live theatrical show starring SpongeBob SquarePants, daily at Dunia Fantasi, a internationally themed amusement park, in North Jakarta, Indonesia!

Foto: Moch Prima Fauzi/detikcom

From detikTravel:

Langsung dari Amerika, Aksi Spongebob Squarepants Hadir di Dufan

Jakarta - Libur Lebaran sudah mulai terasa. Untuk memeriahkannya, Dunia Fantasi (Dufan) menghadirkan hiburan baru untuk keluarga.

Tokoh kartun Spongebob Squarepants hadir di Jakarta dan didatangkan langsung dari Amerika Serikat. Pertunjukannya bisa disaksikan sejak 25 Mei lalu hingga 16 Juni nanti.

Karena didatangkan langsung dari Negeri Paman Sam, beberapa tokoh diperankan oleh warga asing. Misalnya saja sang kapten bajak laut. Namun ada juga pemeran lainnya yang berasal dari Tanah Air.

Foto: Moch Prima Fauzi/detikcom

"Ini pertama kali di Indonesia. Kita namakan Spongebob Golden Show. Kita datangkan langsung dari Amerika, Nickelodeon," kata Div Head Dunia Fantasi, Eddy Prastiyo di Ancol, Jakarta, Selasa (28/5/2019).

"Pemeran memang mix ada yang memang langsung dari sana ada yang penari-penari dari lokal, pemeran-pemeran utama langsung dari sana," sambungnya.

Langsung dari Amerika, Aksi Spongebob Squarepants Hadir di DufanFoto: Moch Prima Fauzi/detikcom

Total ada empat tokoh yang disajikan dalam pertunjukan ini, yakni Spongebob, Patrick, Squidward, dan kapten bajak laut yang menjadi pemandunya, ditambah penari latar.

Aksi Spongebob dan kawannya tersebut bisa disaksikan sebanyak dua kali setiap hari. Jadwal pertama berlangsung pada pukul 13.00 WIB dan kedua pukul 15.00 WIB.

Pertunjukan berdurasi selama 30 menit. Selama berlangsung, penonton terutama anak-anak diajak untuk berinteraksi baik bersorak dan menari. Setelah selesai, mereka pun bisa berfoto bersama para tokoh Spongebob Squarepants.

Eddy mengatakan sejauh ini animo pengunjung terhadap pertunjukan Spongebob ini cukup ramai.

"Kalau kapasitas panggung di Spongebob itu sekitar 500-an. Per hari sampai 750-an (pengunjung) dalam dua kali show," pungkasnya. (prf/mpr)

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Fans can also meet and greet Dora the Explorer at Pluit Village in North Jakarta, Indonesia between 24th May - 30th June 2019!

More Nick: Nickelodeon Asia Celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants' 20th Anniversary with 'Seronoknya Raya' Retail Activations in Malaysia | Best Year Ever!

Additional sources: Google Translate, Google.co.uk.

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Viacom Names Salt Communications Group as New Communications Partner for Brands in Turkey

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has named Salt İletişim Grup (Salt Communications Group) as its new communications partner in Turkey. The brand agency will now be the official communications partner for Viacom and its brands, including Nickelodeon, MTV and the Paramount Network, in the country.

From MediaCat:

Viacom iletişim ajansını seçti

Viacom ve markalarının Türkiye'deki iletişim çalışmalarını yürütecek ajans belli oldu.

Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount Network gibi kanalları bünyesinde barındıran Viacom, ülkemizdeki iletişim çalışmalarını Salt İletişim Grup’a emanet etti.

Farklı sektörlerden birçok markaya 360 derece entegre pazarlama iletişim hizmeti sunan Salt İletişim Grup, yeni dönemde Viacom ve markalarına hizmet verecek.

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From Marketing Türkiye:

Viacom iletişim ajansını seçti

Farklı sektörlerden birçok markaya 360 derece entegre pazarlama iletişim hizmeti sunan Salt İletişim Grup, portföyüne Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount Network gibi kanalları bünyesinde bulunduran yayın kuruluşu Viacom’u dâhil etti.

Kreatif tasarım, stratejik iletişim danışmanlığı, etkinlik ve sosyal medya yönetimi iş kollarını tek bir uzmanlık alanında birleştirerek, markalar için özgün deneyimler yaratan Salt İletişim Grup, Viacom’un ve markalarının iletişim ajansı oldu.

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Daha fazla Nick: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2019 International Nominees & Winners!

Additional source: Google Translate.

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Ramsey Naito, EVP, Animation Production & Development at Nickelodeon to Speak at the 2019 Women in Animation World Summit + Additional MIFA 2019 Highlights

Speakers Announced for Women in Animation World Summit at Annecy

LOS ANGELES and PARIS -- Women in Animation (WIA) and Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA) are pleased to announce the program lineup and initial list of speakers for the third Women in Animation World Summit, in conjunction with the Annecy International Animation Festival and MIFA 2019. The theme of this year’s Summit is “Belonging.”

The Women in Animation World Summit, taking place on Monday, June 10th at the Impérial Palace Hotel (Allée de l'Impérial, 74000 Annecy), will feature a day-long symposium of panels and discussions spotlighting top executives, filmmakers and artists from around the world covering a range of topics affecting women working in the animation industry today. As with last year’s summit, this year’s event will be livestreamed.

Julie Ann Crommett, Vice President of Multicultural Audience Engagement at the Walt Disney Studios and WIA Secretary, will kick off the summit and introduce the day’s theme of “Belonging,” the feeling of being personally accepted, respected, included and supported in your workplace.

Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President, Animation Production & Development, Nickelodeon

The day will lead with a presentation by Dr. Stacy L. Smith, who will announce the results of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s landmark study focused on women in the animation industry, entitled “Increasing Inclusion in Animation.” The study was conducted in partnership with Women in Animation and examines the percentage of women working in key animation roles in film and television, the barriers and opportunities facing women as they pursue careers in animation, and the classroom-to-career pipeline for women.

“As the leading voice in the advocacy of women in animation, we had a desire to pair with a highly-respected research institution,” says Women in Animation President Marge Dean. “For the last year, we have had the honor and privilege to collaborate with Dr. Smith and USC Annenberg on this groundbreaking study. We look forward to bringing the findings of this important study to the Annecy Animation Festival, the most important global gathering of the animation industry, and discussing next steps with leaders in the world of animation from then on.”

Dr. Smith, Founder and Director of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, commented, “Partnering with Women in Animation allowed us to engage in a broad investigation of the animation industry to understand the particular challenges facing women, animation companies, and educational organizations at this juncture. We are excited to share the results of the study and to work together to create solutions that move the industry forward and accelerate change.”

In the afternoon, WIA Vancouver’s Chair, Rose-Ann Tisserand, will present WIA Vancouver and Women in View’s “BC’s Five in Focus: Animation,” a program featuring the chapter’s innovative program to aid five women across various filmmaking roles – screenwriting, directing, producing, art direction and animation direction – in creating original animated shorts.

The day will close with a keynote presentation given by the French actress/producer, Julie Gayet. Gayet will talk about her advocacy for women in general and in the film business and share insights from the making of her film, Cinéast(e)s.

In addition to these key presentations, the Summit will also feature a series of panels throughout the day focused on the theme of “Belonging.” These panels will include:

In “Creating an Environment of Belonging,” a distinguished panel of top male leaders in the field will engage in a discussion of ally-ship and how men can help to drive the gender inclusion conversation forward. The panel will speak from personal experience, sharing what they’re doing to make change. Moderated by Dean, who is also Head of Crunchyroll Studios, speakers will include:

• Eamonn Butler, Director of Animation, Cinesite
• Ricardo Curtis, President and Co-Founder, House of Cool
• Michael Fukushima, Studio Head, English Animation, National Film Board of Canada
• Peter Gal, Chief Creative Officer, Television, DreamWorks Animation
• Chuck Peil, Executive Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, ReelFX

The “Supporting Students of Animation” panel will discuss how to handle the high volume of female students, many from abroad, and managing the cultural and technical challenges in animation schools. It will seek to answer the question “How can we be more supportive of the unique needs of female and non-binary students entering the workplace?” The panel will share some best practices and ideas of how to make students feel like they already belong to the community of the industry they are trying join after school. Moderated by Brendan Burch, COO Six Points Harness, and Chair of Students, Women in Animation, speakers will include:

• Hsiang Chin Moe, Director of Operations, School of Visual Arts and Co-Lead, WIA NY Chapter
• Deb Stone, Director, Recruiting & Talent Development, Blue Sky Studios and Co- Lead, WIA NY Chapter
• Additional speakers to be confirmed

In the Intergenerational Perspective on Belonging panel, moderator Alison Mann, VP of Creative and Strategy, Sony Pictures Animation, will lead a conversation about the importance of diverse perspectives among generations and what working together means today in the animation industry. Speakers will include:

• Jill Culton, Writer/Director, Abominable
• Elizabeth Ito, Creator, City of Ghosts, Netflix
• Natalie Nourigat, Story Artist, Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Additional speakers to be confirmed

“The Face of Animation Leadership in Hollywood” panel will end the day and feature top studio heads discussing their roles in influencing and implementing change and how they are working to create a culture at their studios that drives forward creative content that promotes diversity, inclusion and belonging. Moderated by Ann Le Cam, SVP Talent and Studio Planning, Walt Disney Animation Studios, speakers will include:

• Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President, Animation Production & Development, Nickelodeon
• Allison Abbate, Executive Vice President, Warner Animation Group
• Kristine Belson, President, Sony Pictures Animation
• Margie Cohn, President, DreamWorks Animation
• Melissa Cobb, Vice President, Original Animation, Netflix
• Andrea Miloro, Co-President, Twentieth Century Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios

“It is a great honor for Annecy to welcome and support, for the third consecutive year, the Women in Animation World Summit, said Mickaël Marin, CEO of CITIA, the organization behind the Annecy International Animation Festival and MIFA. “I would like to warmly thank the WIA team, the LFA team and all the sponsors who work so hard to make this day a success to enable more parity and inclusion in our industry. Together we will make it!”

Corinne Kouper, President of Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA) added, “LFA is thrilled to be co-hosting the Women in Animation World Summit for the 3rd year in Annecy. We feel we are now in a new phase in which a more balanced world is taking root. This change is quite tangible and inevitable, and we never thought this would happen so fast. We are very excited to see new rules and reflexes emerging. I am very happy to explore this year’s joyful theme of increasing our sense of Belonging rather than defining our differences--it will be a great Annecy!”

As with past years’ summits, this year’s summit logo was designed and created by a highly-talented and gifted artist working in animation today--award-winning production designer, Celine Desrumaux (The Little Prince, Google Spotlight Stories’ Age of Sail and Netflix/Pearl’s upcoming Over the Moon). “Celine took some time to really consider the theme behind the day, coming up with a beautiful graphic that shows the intersection and universality of women working in the field today,” offered WIA Vice President and Producer, Klaus and Escape from Hat, Jinko Gotoh. Added Celine, “Working in watercolor, I can let the colors flow together a bit, while still allowing them to retain their powerful individual presence. In my artistic perspective, it’s a representation of the diversity of women in our community, and how we inspire one another.”

Additionally, WIA and Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA) will once again host a series of breakfast meetings open to all badge-holders (Festival and MIFA) from Tuesday, June 11 to Friday, June 14 from 8:30-10:00am at the Chill Out Zone at MIFA (Espace Détente). These meetings will be informal and inspiring gatherings dedicated to promoting and building a better place for women in animation. Each day will cover new topics and feature an exciting lineup of top female animation talent from around the world.

Additional announcements regarding the Summit to follow, check here for more details and updates.

Also, from Animation News Network:

Mifa Announces Big Expansion and Special Slate of Events

Upcoming market during Annecy is set to break all previous attendance and size records with over 700 exhibitors inside a bigger exhibition platform, VR area, Buyer’s Club and new conference room.

Set to open its doors in Annecy, France next month on June 11, the 2019 Mifa has just announced an extensive set of market offerings and activities that should see the event break all previous records for both size and participation.

According to the organizers, the 2019 Mifa is on the verge of being the biggest in history, and will include an expanded market, a 1500m² (700m² in 2018) platform with a conference room by the lake, a bigger and better VR area, and a private Mifa beach.

New for 2019:

Gap Financing: Meet the Producers: Mifa provides support to feature film producers in the final stages of development or in production with at least 85% of their budget secured by offering them the chance to find new partners through targeted meetings.

Buyers’ Club: set up in a new dedicated area specifically for buyers to provide them with what they need for meetings and to make it easy to view video content.

A bigger and better VR area: twice the surface area reserved for studios and companies presenting their latest technological inventions as well as plenty of space to view and experience XR, with no less than 200m² available.

Pitching – Territory Focus: in addition to the Industry – Territory Focus showcasing a country’s or region’s industry, these sessions offer the chance to discover new talent through presentations about current projects in development. In the spotlight this year, Japan will arrive in force with a 214m² booth.

More than 700 other exhibitors representing 75 different countries.

Nora Twomey is the guest of honor for the third edition of Mifa Campus! Following Guillermo del Toro and Richard Williams, on Tuesday June 11 at 9:00am, come meet the iconic director of The Breadwinner, which won three awards at the 2018 Festival, alongside up-and-coming talent in the world of animation! Presented with Unity Technology, official 2019 Mifa Campus partner

Mifa Pitches from Tuesday June 12 to Wednesday 13:

Divided into 5 categories: Feature films / Short films / TV series or specials / Interactive & transmedia creations / Animation without borders

Mifa Recruitment from Tuesday June 11 to Friday June 14:

Notable recruiters present: Netflix, DreamWall, Jam Media, Zeilt Studio, Laika, Unit Image …

Share With on Tuesday June 12 and Wednesday June 13:

With: Nickelodeon, Arte France, The Walt Disney Company, TF1, Amazon Studio, Cartoon Network…

As well as other essentials:

TV Channel Press Conferences, Demo Sessions, Market Screenings, Shoot the Book Anim’, Meet the Composers, the Online Video Library, and many other Mifa events are scheduled during June 11 – 14.

Source: Citia

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More Nick: Nickelodeon Embarks on New Direction with its Biggest, Most Wide-Ranging Content Slate Ever!

Originally published: Sunday, May 26, 2019.

Original source: Animation World Network.

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'Jeopardy' Contestant James Holzhauer's SpongeBob Knowledge Helps Him Near Ken Jennings' Record

James Holzhauer continued his epic run on Jeopardy on Tuesday, May 28 - extending his streak to 29 straight wins and putting his total winnings at $2,254,293 USD. And this time, he can thank his cartoon knowledge for helping him lock up the win!

With Holzhauer going up against Sara and a dude named Jim-Bob, the Jeopardy star went into the Final Jeopardy round with a considerable lead.

The Final Jeopardy clue read, “This cartoon character was based on a character in the educational comic The Intertidal Zone.” While Jim-Bob, who was stuck at $8,400, wagered nearly his entire total (and got it wrong), Holzhauer ensured that he would hold on to win with an $18,000 bet.

The correct question was … “Who is SpongeBob SquarePants?” Both James and Sara had it correct.

Stephen Hillenburg, the late creator of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series and a trained marine biologist — first dreamt up the series' "somewhat nerdy, squeaky clean oddball" protagonist whilst teaching marine biology at the Orange County Marine Institute in 1989.

As a marine science teacher and self-described "ocean freak," Hillenburg has said he first drew natural sponges for the series, but after sketching a square household sponge, "it looked so funny" that he knew his star had been born.

Bob the Sponge in 'The Intertidal Zone'

After a few years, Hillenburg realized that his true passion was for art, and enrolled in Cal Arts’ prestigious animation program.

After graduation, Hillenburg made a few experimental shorts before being hired as a director on Nickelodeon’s Rocko’s Modern Life. When that series went off the air, some of his co-workers started pressing him to put a pitch together for his own show. One of the characters from The Intertidal Zone, Bob the Sponge, would be the core. He put a presentation together complete with a underwater terrarium with character models in it and it impressed Nick executives enough for them to fund a pilot in 1997.

They had two weeks to put it together, and Hillenburg and creative director Derek Drymon were panicked that it wouldn’t go over. But that first 11 minute clip was so solid that the Nick brass immediately watched it again and then decided to make SpongeBob SquarePants into an animated series.

He first named his "absorbent and yellow and porous" creation "SpongeBoy," but due to copyright issues with a mop company, he swapped a letter and settled on SpongeBob. He reportedly deemed it important to keep "sponge" in the moniker, out of fear that kids may mistake SpongeBob for a block of cheese.

With the win, James is within striking distance of Ken Jennings’ record of $2,520,700. He stands $265,762 away from history.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants, and Nickelodeon are commemorating 20 years of SpongeBob SquarePants with "Best Year Ever", a year-long global celebration of one of the most iconic TV series and characters ever created. The “Best Year Ever” includes with the premiere of “SpongeBob’s Big Birthday Blowout,” an original mixed live-action and animated special, and leads up to the Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies theatrical, The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge, coming summer 2020.

It’s SpongeBob’s birthday in “SpongeBob’s Big Birthday Blowout,” which features for the first time the celebrated voice talent behind SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Sandy, Squidward and Plankton playing live-action doppelgänger versions of the animated characters they voice. In the one-hour special, Patrick and SpongeBob journey to the surface world, where they come across a few familiar characters during lunchtime rush at The Trusty Slab restaurant. Meanwhile, the Bikini Bottom residents set up a surprise party for SpongeBob. The special, premiering Friday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon USA, also features special guest stars, including David Hasselhoff (Baywatch), Jack Griffo (The Thundermans), Daniella Perkins (Knight Squad), and Kel Mitchell (All That, Game Shakers).

SpongeBob launched July 17, 1999, and has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base.

Nickelodeon also recently revealed plans for a series of SpongeBob SquarePants spin-offs.

“That’s our Marvel Universe,” Nickelodeon president Brian Robbins said in February. “You have this amazing show that’s run for almost twenty years.”

Robbins pledged that the network would still continue to make our favorite yellow sponge. They’re simply looking to expand on the idea.

As far as spinoff options go, Robbins states they may be looking to “tell an original story about SpongeBob and Patrick, or maybe tell a Sandy Cheeks stand-alone story, or can Plankton have his own? I think the fans are clamoring for it.”

More Nick: Nickelodeon USA to Premiere 'Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader' on Monday, June 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT)!

Original source FTW! Culture.

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