Friday, September 27, 2019

Don't Turn Out The Lights | Are You Afraid of the Dark? | Teaser Trailer #9 | Nickelodeon

You're all invited to the Carnival of Doom...

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You're all invited to the Carnival of Doom.

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Caution: You may want to watch Are You Afraid of the Dark? with the lights on..

Nickelodeon is preparing for the return of The Midnight Society with the all-new Are You Afraid of the Dark? three-part limited series event. Based on the ‘90s kids’ cult classic, and reimagined for a new generation, part one of Are You Afraid of the Dark? will debut on Friday, Oct. 11, at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT), with parts two and three to follow Oct. 18, and Oct. 25, respectively.

Across the three hour-long episodes, Are You Afraid of the Dark? will follow members of an entirely new Midnight Society, who tell a terrifying tale of the Carnival of Doom and its evil ringmaster Mr. Tophat, only to witness the shocking story come frightfully to life. In the just-released trailer, viewers meet the new members of the Midnight Society, get a glimpse at the uncertainty that awaits and prepare for an adventure beyond their wildest nightmares.


The new members of the Midnight Society are: Rachel, played by Lyliana Wray (Top Gun: Maverick); Gavin, played by Sam Ashe Arnold (Best.Worst.Weekend.Ever.); Akiko, played by Miya Cech (Rim of the World, Always Be My Maybe); Graham, played by Jeremy Taylor (IT: Chapter Two, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween); and Louise, played by Tamara Smart (Artemis Fowl, The Worst Witch). The Carnival of Doom’s ringmaster, Mr. Tophat, is played by Rafael Casal (Blindspotting).

Are You Afraid of the Dark? is produced by ACE Entertainment (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, The Perfect Date) with ACE founder Matt Kaplan and Spencer Berman serving as executive producers. The series is written by BenDavid Grabinski (Skiptrace, Happily) and directed by Dean Israelite (Power Rangers movie, Project Almanac), both of whom are also executive producers. Chris Foss is also an executive producer.

One of the Nickelodeon’s most iconic series from the ‘90s, the original Are You Afraid of the Dark? delivered riveting stories of horror to young audiences, all from a kid’s perspective. Are You Afraid of the Dark? is owned by DHX and was created by D.J. MacHale and Ned Kandel, who are also executive producers on the project.

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More Nick: Nickelodeon to Host 'SpongeBob SquarePants' and 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?' Panels at New York Comic Con 2019!

Originally published: Friday, September 27, 2019.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Halloween on Nickelodeon and Are You Afraid of the Dark? News and Highlights!

'Sister Twister Part 2' Trailer + Sneak Peek | Henry Danger | Nickelodeon

OYMYGOSH! OYMYGOSH! OYMYGOSH! Piper now knows EVERYTHING about Kid Danger, and Captain Man doesn't know ANYTHING! And now Piper's on the TEAM that's going INSIDE Ray's head! Don't miss part two of Henry Danger: "Sister Twister", premiering Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), followed by an all-new All That at 8:30, only on Nickelodeon! Check out the trailer below!



In the all-new Henry Danger episode "Sister Twister Part 2", when Ray's (Cooper Barnes) memories accidentally get erased, Schwoz (Michael D. Cohen) devises a plan to send Henry (Jace Norman) deep inside Ray's brain to get them back. (#525; formally titled "Inside Job")




Leading up to the brand-new episode, fans can relive all the times Henry's Super Secret slipped - to Charlotte (Riele Downs), to Jasper (Sean Ryan Fox), and of course, the latest leak, to Piper (Ella Anderson)! Don't miss a week of spilled secrets, all this week at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT), only on Nick!






More Nick: Nickelodeon USA's October 2019 Premiere Highlights | Halloween | Nick or Treat!

Originally published: Sunday, September 22, 2019.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Henry Danger News and Highlights!

IV of Spades, Carlie Hanson, Alex Bruce and Philippine Allstars to Perform at Nickelodeon SlimeFest Philippines 2019

IV OF SPADES, CARLIE HANSON, ALEX BRUCE AND PHILIPPINE ALLSTARS, TO PERFORM AT NICKELODEON SLIMEFEST 2019!

Joining regional act Jannine Weigel and pop singer and The Thundermans star, Kira Kosarin

Actor Robi Domingo announced as co-host alongside Kira Kosarin

Tickets on sale at SM Tickets


Manila, Philippines, September 9, 2019Nickelodeon SlimeFest in the Philippines has revealed the full list of performers at the family-friendly music festival on September 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. With something for everyone in the family, Nickelodeon SlimeFest will be a full-day event comprising a free admission festival area (11am – 5pm) and a ticketed live music concert (6pm – 8pm). Globe customers can get a headstart on the festival with a first-hour exclusive from 10am – 11am[1]. Expect live performances by international and local artists, DJs, and tons of Nickelodeon’s trademark green Slime. Ticket prices start from 800 pesos and are available at SM Tickets.

The slimetastic music concert extravaganza will sizzle with ‘Best Southeast Asia Act’ nominee at the 2018 MTV EMAs, IV of Spades, with their funk-pop tunes and unmistakable flair. Rising pop singer, Carlie Hanson, will also deliver a fresh and energetic performance in her first showing in the Philippines! Or groove along and party to 11-year-old rapper Alex Bruce, who will dish out her rhyme-busting technique, alongside hip hop dance troupe Philippine Allstars.

These artists will join Jannine Weigel, Thai-German singer, songwriter and actress; and Kira Kosarin, pop singer and star of Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans, who will host as well as perform at Nickelodeon SlimeFest.

Adding to the festival feels is actor Robi Domingo who will co-host with Kira Kosarin at the concert arena, and amp up the party atmosphere.

At the free admission festival area in the day, festival attendees can get messy and have a blasting good time with Nickelodeon games and immersive one-of-a-kind experiences! Fans can meet and take photos with their favorite characters from shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol, and Dora the Explorer!

Event Details:

· Date: Saturday, September 28

· Venue: SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds

· Time: 10am – 8pm

o Festival:

o Gates open exclusively at 10am for Globe subscribers (show Globe signal or Globe at Home app as proof of entry)

o 11am for the general public

o Entry ends for non-ticket holders at 5pm

o Concert: Gates open at 4pm, concert from 6 – 8 pm

· Ticketing: Available at SM Tickets

o General Admission: 800 pesos

o Slime Pit: 1,500 pesos

Nickelodeon SlimeFest in the Philippines is presented by Globe, and sponsored by Krispy Kreme, Shakey’s, Richprime Global Inc, Yakult, Havaianas, and Bean Leaf.

The Nickelodeon SlimeFest in the Philippines will be the seventh installment of the successful global event that has brought kids and families the ultimate Slime-filled, multiplatform music and entertainment experience. This year, regional and international talents will deliver the Slimiest music festival experience to attendees!

In the weeks ahead, fans can get information and news updates on the Nickelodeon SlimeFest Facebook Event page to keep up with all things #SlimeFestAsia.


[1] Proof of Globe service required, such as the Globe signal or Globe at Home app

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ABOUT NICKELODEON

Nickelodeon, now in its 40th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. For more information about Nickelodeon in Asia, visit www.nick-asia.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

ABOUT GLOBE TELECOM

Globe is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It has major interests in financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding for startups, and virtual healthcare. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.

--Ends--

From InqPOP!:

POP! Exclusive: 5 fun facts about Jannine Weigel before her SlimeFest performance

This coming September 28, 2019, kids and kids-at-heart will witness the first-ever Nickelodeon SlimeFest in Asia!

To be held at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, this whole-day event will feature a series of fun activities for friends and families, as well as a stellar lineup of local and international music acts. And among their list of performers is the multi-talented Thai-German artist, Jannine Weigel.

From her early days as a model to becoming the first Thai YouTuber to receive a Gold Button for song covers, Jannine Weigel has come a long way in her career. And this time around, she will be the regional act for the first-ever Nickelodeon SlimeFest in Asia.

But before Weigel graces the stage with her unique brand of pop music, here are a few fun facts you might like to know about the talented singer-songwriter.

Her passion for music started at a very young age

Even though Jannine Weigel began her career as a model, she tells InqPOP! that she’s always had a passion for music and that this love was a result of her mother’s influence.

“Since I was very little, I think my mom influenced me a lot on music since she also loves singing. And she taught me how to sing–I guess that’s how it all started.”

This early discovery of music allowed Weigel to continue exploring her craft. Now, she not only does covers of her favorite songs, but she also writes and composes personal tracks.

“I just started songwriting a couple of years ago. [And] I don’t really have a specific how-to [process] to songwriting. Sometimes, I write the lyrics first or sometimes, I have the melody first and then, I put the lyrics into the melody. So, it really depends on my mood but I usually write songs on my piano,” she explains.

She further adds that fans would be delighted to know that she plans to release new music after her stint at SlimeFest.

“Actually, I just went to LA to write music. So, after SlimeFest, I’m probably going to do more music and performing at other concerts, as well. My fans can look forward to that.”

She effortlessly balances her career as a model, actress, and singer

Before she signed with Thailand’s largest media company, GMM Grammy, in 2012, Weigel had a steady career in modeling. But after realizing she wanted to devote more time for her other passions–namely, music and film–she decided to adjust her working schedule and improve her other crafts.

In doing so, she has earned recognition in the entertainment industry as not only a model but also as a singer and an actress. In fact, she was nominated in the ‘Daradaily the Great Awards 2015’ for Rising Female Star and Best Female Singer of the Year. She also won in the ‘2016 Thailand National Film Association Awards’ for Best Original Song.

Moreover, she has showcased her skill in acting in a number of Thai films and most recently, appeared as Jui in the 2019 horror film PEE NAK.

When asked how she’s able to balance all of these professions, Weigel says that it’s all about not overworking yourself and finding balance.

“For me, it’s about not overworking yourself. I’m kind of a workaholic so I tend to do that a lot–I just do this and do that, and I never give myself enough time to just relax. So, for me, it’s just about finding the balance between work and just having time to relax. I think balancing stuff out is important.”

She’s a proud ‘Swiftie’

When asked who she would be interested in doing a collaboration with, Jannine Weigel candidly admits that she’d love to do a song with Taylor Swift.

“Ultimately, I’d really love to work with Taylor Swift because she’s my number one artist. She’s my inspiration to start songwriting. And she really inspires me to go on and pursue music. Yeah, hopefully, it will happen one day,” she shares.

And like any loyal Swiftie, she admires her idol’s emotional approach in making music, so much so, that she one day hopes she could work with the International singer on a “breakup track”.

“I would definitely do a breakup song with her because I love her breakup songs so much–they’re just so good!”

She’s been a SlimeFest fan ever since she first saw it on TV

Like many of us, who have watched Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest broadcasts on television, Jannine Weigel is excited to see and feel the slime, in person.

“To be honest, I’m most excited about the slime part [of the event]. Since I was very young, I’ve always watched the SlimeFest on TV, and I always thought to myself, ‘maybe, one day in the future, I’ll get slimed’”

Now that she’s a part of the SlimeFest entertainment lineup, we can be sure that she’ll most likely experience being slimed that day.

Though she’s never been to the Philippines, Jannine Weigel can’t wait to see her Filipino fans

Though Jannine Weigel has never been to the Philippines before, she’s very excited to visit the country and is particularly eager to meet her Filipino fans.

“I really hope to see my Filipino fans at the Nickelodeon SlimeFest and I guarantee you it’s going to be so fun! I’ve got a couple of songs that are upbeat songs, and I hope that we can all jam out together and enjoy being together. I’m just so excited to see them!” she exclaims.

Jannine Weigel fans can watch the singer perform live on SlimeFest this coming Saturday, September 28, 2019, at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

###

From ABS-CBN News:

How Justin Bieber inspired this teen pop star to reach for the top

When Justin Bieber was breaking out of YouTube into the airwaves, little did he know he was going to inspire the next generation of pop stars. One of them comes from a small town, Olanaska in Wisconsin. At 19, Carlie Hanson is living her childhood dream—but not quite, for now. She just had done solo shows in Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin before arriving in London, where she’d take a call from the other side of the world at 9:30 am.

“That was just like nothing I'd ever experienced before,” she told ABS-CBN News, no hint of weariness in her voice. Her voice perked up as she shared how one fan got up on a friend’s shoulders at her show. “I never thought I would have a concert like that. I usually I'm the one going to the concert, you know, and watching the artist, but it was my concert… my fans.”

But things are still getting more and more "surreal." Hanson is set to perform for a Filipino audience for the first time at Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest —its first-ever in Asia— on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Grounds.

“I'm excited to see the culture of the Philippines and just like what the people are like and how it differs from the US. It's gonna be life-changing… I never thought I would be going over there this early on in my life,” she said.

Three years ago, Hanson was working as a cashier at McDonald’s in her hometown. She was 16 when she caught the eye of producers after she posted a cover of "Pillowtalk" by Zayn Malik on Instagram to get a chance to watch his concert. It was her breakthrough.

Her first single "Why Did You Lie?" was then released in 2017. Her second single "Only One" climbed the Spotify Viral Charts straight to Taylor Swift’s favorite playlist. A thumbs up from Swift is already good enough, but getting two feels like a stamp of approval—it should be. When Hanson released "Back in My Arms" in April this year, Swift then added it to her “songs I’m loving right now” playlist.

Last June, Hanson finally released her debut EP titled "Junk" and embarked on her very own "The WYA Tour" after hitting the road with Troye Sivan and Yungblud. In between cities, she's focusing her energy on making new music and exploring genres.

“I'm definitely experimenting lately. I've been listening to a lot more alternative music,” Hanson said, elaborating that she’s mixing rap and alternative rock with hints of Travis Scott and The 1975 for her new music.

In a span of three years, Hanson has made a strong case for herself. But for a girl with a big vision, she still has a long way to go and a list to tick off like bringing her family with her in Los Angeles where she’s based.

"I hope to get to a point where I can have my mom and my sisters, my whole family move out to California and just be with me more often," she mused.

Of course, she also dreams of collaborating with her music influences like Post Malone and Bieber ("Before my life is over!") Then, sell out a show at Madison Square Garden in New York.

“When I was younger and obsessed with Justin Bieber, I watched his documentary and he sold out Madison Square Garden. When I was little, I was like that's exactly what I want to do. That's what I want to do. I've just grown up and that still is my dream,” she said.

At 19, Hanson has learned that she can’t have it all in an instant. She knows the value of patience and hard work to make those dreams come true.

"It's gonna be a slow rise to the top for sure. Like right now, I wouldn't even say I'm close to making it to where I want to be and it's going to take time,” she said.

“If you really, really love what you do, you have to just make sacrifices and you just have to keep practicing and getting better at what it is that you want to do and what you want to achieve... If I wasn't posting covers all the time and I wouldn't have posted the one cover that helped me get found. I don't even know if I would be talking to you on the phone right now," Hanson added.

Sure, it’s a slow rise to the top. And this pop gem is on her way.

###

From Inquirer Lifestyle:

Carlie Hanson is ready to be slimy with Pinoy fans

The American singer behind the hit ‘Back in My Arms’ performs tonight at Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest

“It’s such a dream,” says Carlie Hanson of performing at Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest.

Carlie Hanson’s performance at Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest tonight at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds spells a number of firsts, both for the popular kids’ event and the 19-year-old American singer.

After sold-out shows in South Africa, Australia, Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain, SlimeFest, the multiplatform music and entertainment event that famously drenches its performers and audiences in bright green slime, marks its first-ever Asian show in the Philippines. The full-day event starts off with a free admission festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continues with a ticketed live music concert from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thai-German singer Jannine Weigel performs tonight, as will Hanson, who has never been to the Philippines.

Freaked out

“Actually, I don’t know anything about the Philippines, other than it’s way across the world,” says Hanson through a phone interview from the UK. “I remember telling my mom, ‘Wait, I might be going to the Philippines,’ and she’s like, ‘What? The Philippines? Oh, wow!’ I just thought I would never be going somewhere so cool this early on in my career, so I’m really excited.”

Appearing in Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest is likewise a first for the girl who grew up glued to the US cable channel for tweens and teens. “That was all I was watching when I was little,” says the fan of “Spongebob Squarepants,” “iCarly” and “Victorious.”

Naturally, she was ecstatic knowing that she was going to be a part of Nickelodeon’s biggest event. “I just freaked out,” she says. “I never thought in a million years I would be performing at one. I remember watching it on TV when I was a kid so it’s such a dream. I really hope I get slimed.”

McDonald’s cashier

Life has been a dream for the native of Onalaska, Wisconsin, who was working as a cashier at McDonald’s in 2016 when she recorded a video of herself singing former One Direction Zayn Malik’s hit “Pillowtalk” in her friend’s car. The video, which she posted on Instagram, was her entry to an iHeart Radio contest, and while she didn’t get the grand prize (tickets to see Malik in concert), she did catch the attention of music producers who invited her to record in Canada.

“It was so surreal,” says Hanson, who drove all the way to Canada from Wisconsin with her mom. “All I ever wanted to do was stand in a vocal booth and sing in a mic. It’s so crazy to think about, ’cause what if I never posted that video. I don’t even know if I would be talking to you right now.”

Musically, her influences range from Justin Bieber, with whom she was obsessed with (“he’s my biggest inspiration, I’m pretty sure I learned to sing from him”) to Nirvana (thanks to her older sister who burned CDs of the band to play during car rides) and some Usher, Ne-Yo and R&B in between.

The result is a sound all her own—mature, expressive, edgy pop that belies her teen years. Taylor Swift included Hanson’s single “Only One” to her playlist, prompting fans to discover all they could about the new talent.

Today, Hanson has released her five-song EP “Junk,” which includes “Back in My Arms,” another Taylor Swift-approved single that made it to her playlist. She has toured with Troye Sivan and Kim Petras and is on a world tour that includes Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest.

“I’m just so excited to jam out and be slimy with you guys!” she says to her Filipino fans.

Concert tickets are priced at P800 (general admission) and P1,500 (slime pit) and are available at SM Tickets. —CONTRIBUTED

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More Nick: Nickelodeon South East Asia and goGame Announce 'Nickelodeon Pixel Town' Mobile Game!

Originally published: Monday, September 09, 2019.
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Voices at Viacom: Making 'Henry Danger The Musical' A Nickelodeon Summer Event

Based on an article from the Viacom Newsroom:

VOICES AT VIACOM: MAKING ‘HENRY DANGER THE MUSICAL’ A NICKELODEON SUMMER EVENT

Paul DeBenedittis, Executive Vice President (EVP) of Programming and Content Strategy at Nickelodeon, transformed a musical episode of Henry Danger into a must-see moment.

In the Soundbites series, Viacom employees describe a project or experience that has influenced how they approach their work.



When Paul DeBenedittis took on the role of executive vice president of programming and content strategy at Nickelodeon just a few months ago, Henry Danger was already in its fifth season. The superhero comedy series, starring Jace Norman as Henry Hart, a normal kid by day and a sidekick to the superhero Captain Man by night, had an established and passionate fanbase. So when one of the show’s writers, Stephanie Martin, came to the team with an idea for a musical, DeBenedittis knew it was worth pursuing.

Henry Danger: The Musical aired July 27, reaching 2.2 million viewers—its most in more than two years. It also generated 9.2 million views on YouTube, contributing to a record-setting July for Nick, which scored its best month ever on YouTube in views and watch time. The reception was so positive that Nick decided to run a special sing-a-long version on Aug. 3.


A still from "Henry Danger The Musical"

“We knew we were onto something and we didn’t want the special to end there,” DeBenedittis says. “I like to think of content as us owning a bit of the Monday morning quarterback story. If you put something out there, you can’t just let it end. You have to keep the social conversation going, to keep our linear and digital channel still fueled by the moment.”

DeBenedittis worked on the programming side at Disney for a decade before joining Nickelodeon in January. As a competitor, he was familiar with Henry Danger’s avid following. Now, he’s in control of the story.

“Having been at Disney for 10 years and watching this series over multiple seasons, it’s a thrill for me to be at the helm, leading the content strategy and planning for the series,” DeBenedittis says. “It’s really quite fun now.”

Here’s how DeBenedittis landed at Nick and how his team made Henry Danger The Musical a Nickelodeon success story this summer:

Nicole Bitette: Tell me a little bit about Henry Danger. Why do you think it’s so successful?

Paul DeBenedittis: Henry Danger is really about a superhero kid by night and a regular teenage kid by day, having to live the duality of these two roles. In this fictional world, he is the sidekick to superhero Captain Man. He’s a kid who lives his regular life, while also trying to keep this secret from his family and friends.

It’s funny. It’s tremendously funny. The team is constantly about elevating the story and keeping the mythology moving. It never feels stale. There’s an element of relatability to a kid that could see himself or herself as a regular kid and fantasy of living this life.

NB: Where did the idea for the musical come from?

PD: From one of the key writers on this series, Samantha Martin. She put together some songs on spec and pitched out a story for half-hour version of the musical to Chris Nowak, the EP and showrunner. I was early on in the company when the show’s EIC pitched me the idea and played me the rough music tracks. It was so funny, so different, so unique that I just knew we had to elevate this and expand it to a 1-hour. That was the beginning of creating this huge tentpole for us. After asking if we could turn this into a 44-minute tentpole movie and event, Samantha and Chris worked to make that happen.

Then we partnered with many different individuals across Nickelodeon, both the creative teams, the strategy teams, our sales teams, even with talent, our social media, digital marketing, and promotion and event synergies, so that we really could lean in on what we saw as our version of Grease Live. We packaged it up this way. I loved seeing everyone lean in and really try to do something different and build this plan so that kids can really feel like this was something very special on Nickelodeon.

It was a huge success. It was our biggest in two years. Fans who had been part of the Henry Danger journey, no matter how old they were—and maybe they aged out of this show—came back to watch this because it’s just so different and fun.

"I LOVED SEEING EVERYONE LEAN IN AND REALLY TRY TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT." - Paul DeBenedittis, EVP of Programming and Content Strategy at Nick

NB: How did you get to your current position?

PD: I started at Nickelodeon about six months ago, when Brian Robbins came onboard heading up [Nickelodeon]. I’m happy to be back at Nickelodeon, because for me, it feels like I’m coming back to a newly refurbished home, given that I had worked for Viacom for about 10 years at MTV. It’s exciting to be back at Viacom with a lot of people that I have admired and worked with over the years.

Prior to Nickelodeon, I spent some time in the AI (Artificial Intelligence) space looking at creating digital personas and computer learning for various fictional characters. Prior to that, I was at Disney for 10 years, where I oversaw programming and content strategy for Disney Channels worldwide.

NB: What made you decide to return to Viacom?

PD: I’ve always had a passion for Viacom and believed in the brand. I was a competitor of Nickelodeon for 10 years, so it was exciting to join forces over at Nickelodeon. With all the change happening at both Viacom, and especially with Brian Robbins as the new lead here, it felt like an exciting opportunity to be at Nickelodeon.

NB: How do you describe what you do to your friends and family?

PD: My job as I describe it to my friends and family is looking at all the content we create, determining the best strategy to achieve the widest reach for our content across our various platforms, and ultimately guide the teams towards the areas that we’re not thinking about in terms of kids’ programming and kids’ content. And, beyond content, how our brand could be reaching kids everywhere they’re at, at as many different touch points, and as many different times in their day.

NB: Where do you go from here?

PD: You know, we’re always open to (doing more musicals). It all comes from a writer bringing a great idea.

I couldn’t be more excited about the new Nickelodeon networks. In addition to Henry Danger, which was an anchor for us on Saturday night, we launched the return of All That. We have a new cycle coming this fall in addition to a live-action scripted, we have a huge live-action non-scripted series and a musical competition show, called America’s Most Musical Family. It’s part of our initiative to bring in a broader kid and family audience in an effort to really lean in on the desire that families, parents, and kids are looking for this sort of co-viewing times that they can actually watch and be entertained together. This series launches this fall and it features Nick Lachey as host.

And then over to animation, we have the new series, The Casagrandes, which is going to be premiering this fall. It’s a really funny show that comes from the team that brings you Loud House. And then, it wouldn’t be Nickelodeon if I didn’t mention SpongeBob, there will be multiple new episodes that we’ll have premiering in the fall and into 2020.

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America’s Most Musical Family premieres Friday, November 1, 2019 on Nickelodeon

The Casagrandes makes it debut on Monday, October 14, 2019 on Nickelodeon.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Embarks on New Direction with its Biggest, Most Wide-Ranging Content Slate Ever!
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Mark Hamill Voiced 'Invader Zim' in Show's Original Pilot

We all know Invader Zim's iconic voice. But did you know that it could of sounded much different to what we know and love?


The original pilot for Invader Zim featured legendary actor Mark Hamill (Star Wars) provide the lead voice. Debuting on Nickelodeon in 2001, Invader Zim creator Jhonen Vasquez managed to launch a character that is still relevant today. Despite being canceled after just two seasons, the series has continued to find new life through various formats, such as the recent Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus movie on Netflix.

Following the antagonistic alien, Invader Zim was created to target an older demographic for the studio and had a surprisingly quick development process. Nickelodeon contacts Vasquez based on some of his comic books and he quickly came up with the idea for Invader Zim. Once Nickelodeon heard the pitch for the pilot and ordered Invader Zim to series, it then came time for Vasquez to figure out who would voice his lead character. Fans of the character may associate Richard Steven Horvitz (The Angry Beavers) with the role, but it was the man behind Luke Skywalker who was originally going to supply the voice.

Mark Hamill's casting came during Vasquez' initial search for the voice of Zim. When he started this search, Vasquez wanted to find someone with a distinct voice so that the actor didn't have to do a weird voice every time. This led him to Hamill - who has a prolific voice career - and he cast him in the role. Hamill recorded his part for the original pilot, but Vasquez decided late in the process that Hamill's voice was not working with Zim and they went their separate ways.

Despite having an entire pilot with Hamill's voice recorded, the audio of Hamill's take on the character has never been released. Considering Vasquez's preference to just let the natural voice of whoever he cast be how Zim sounds, then it isn't difficult to imagine what Hamill would bring to the role. If it would've stuck, Invader Zim could've been another notch in his voice acting work, which includes one of his most well-known roles as Joker, as well as voice work on Nickelodeon's Lucky, SpongeBob SquarePants, Danny Phantom and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the actor also wants to star in Netflix's upcoming live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series).

Once Invader Zim and Vasquez did move on from Hamill as the voice of the titular character though, it wasn't the last time that the voice was changed. Vazquez's first choice to take over the part was Billy West (Doug, Ren & Stimpy) and he did so in the pilot. But, West was replaced with Richard Steven Horvitz once the how was given a full-season order. One of the reasons for this was West's involvement with Futurama, as he voiced the lead character, Phillip J. Fry, with Vasquez saying that Billy West was "too well known" and that he wanted all of the voices for the main characters to be unique and not voices people had heard before. Also, due to Futurama still being on the air at the time, Vasquez did not want the same voice actor to be the lead in two contemporaneous sci-fi comedies.

Watch Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus, only on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81091957

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Original source: Screen Rant; Additional source: Wikipedia.
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