SNL Spoofs TMNT with 'Middle-Aged Mutant Ninja Turtles'

Every once in a while, Saturday Night Live (SNL) comes out of left field with an animated short that’s an absolute winner. The predominantly live-action sketch-comedy show - which for its latest episode filmed remotely due to the on-going COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic - has had a pretty good track record over the years when it comes to animation. Now, SNL is back with a classic spoof on one of the most popular animated action series of all time and a modern exploration!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles probably needs no explanation nor introduction. That’s part of the reason why SNL‘s Middle-Aged Mutant Ninja Turtles works so well; it needs no setup. And yet the double-bladed katana here cuts both ways: The nostalgic feel-good recognition of TMNT is quickly replaced by the all-too-familiar reality that these turtles have aged out of their fittest years. It’s hilarious to see how Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo have adapted to “retirement” from crime-fighting. The short also features a reworked version of the iconic TMNT theme song - Turtle Power!



The Mutant Ninja Turtles aren't teenagers anymore in an update of the animated series that shows how the superheroes face problems as middle-aged adults.
Considered one of the most popular kids' television programs of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a classic, global property created in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It first debuted as a successful comic book series and then became a hit animated TV show, a live-action television series and later spawned four blockbuster theatrical releases. The property has also translated into a significant consumer products business - with toys apparel, home goods, video games, DVDs and more--that has generated billions of dollars at retail. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a top selling action figure and the franchise is a previous recipient of the Toy Industry Association's top honor for Property of the Year at the TOTY Awards.

The adventures of the Heroes in a Half Shell currently continue in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Nickelodeon's current iteration for the iconic franchise.

The franchise recently celebrated its 35th anniversary.

Maybe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles could also find new life in a series that takes SNL‘s King of the Hill-like aesthetic and runs with it for a full-on series. All three fingers crossed!

More Nick: Synapse Games Developing New TMNT Game for Kongregate!

Original source: Collider.

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'90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days' Star Stephanie Matto Was a Finalist on Nickelodeon's ‘R U All That’ in 2003

29-year-old Stephanie Matto is currently starring on 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days as one half of the popular franchise’s first ever same-sex couple. But, being a reality star is not the first time Stephanie has been in the national spotlight. She has been in the entertainment industry for at least 16 years, dating all the way back to her appearance on Nickelodeon at the age of 13.

Nickelodeon’s comedy skit series All That (which included famous cast members like Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Nick Cannon, Amanda Bynes and Jamie Lynn Spears) launched a nation-wide contest looking for talented and funny young performers in early 2003. Stephanie was 13 years old at the time, and she submitted a video of herself as a senile, sausage-obsessed foreigner by the name of Quishva that was recorded in her basement.

The clip impressed the producers of R U All That? Nickelodeon’s Search for the Funniest Kid in America, and Stephanie was chosen as one of five finalists out of roughly 10,000 applicants. Stephanie and the other four finalists were flown out to Los Angeles where they each recorded a skit with the All That cast that was featured in the R U All That? Nickelodeon’s Search for the Funniest Kid in America special that aired in July of 2003.

In her skit, Stephanie reportedly played a cynical grief counselor named Mrs. Bloaf. Unfortunately, a video of this sketch doesn't appear to be available online.

Stephanie would end up not winning the competition as Christina Kirkman took home the grand prize of being an official All That Season 9 cast member. A young man named Colton Gosselin was the runner up, but it was finalist Ryan Coleman that would eventually join Christina as part of the All That cast after Jamie Lynn Spears left to star on Zoey 101.

Five years later, Stephanie would reflect on her All That experience in “My College Essay,” which she posted on writing.com. Here’s an excerpt about her time in front of the Nickelodeon cameras:

"Aside from the absurdity of playing a madwoman, I fondly remember playing Mrs. Bloaf, a cynical grief counselor. Playing Mrs. Bloaf not only required me to release a vicious “nut” monkey on a helpless 7th grader, but to work in front of a green screen . There I stood, my 13-year-old jittery self, in front of that neon canvas, my neck being weighed down by the enormity of the beehive sitting atop my head. The lights were directly on me, and I could count about three cameras pointing in my direction. If I mess up, will they release the “nut” monkey on me? I know this thought was preposterous, but I couldn’t help but remind myself that I was a girl who was only familiar with small school productions, and was now being thrown into the midst of actors who really knew what they were doing."

Grasping for some positivity in the nerve-racking situation, I reassured myself that out of 10,000 kids, I was the one chosen to be here. It was then that I began to close my mind off from any doubts and fears. I was no longer on the set of “All That“, but back in the comfort of my secret lair. I belt out a boisterous laugh, give an evil grin, and dance around the green screen (as Mrs. Bloaf would have naturally done), and when it’s all over, I feel elated. I realize, that no matter where I perform, in my basement or on a Hollywood set, I am capable of anything."

Unfortunately for Stephanie, her taste of Hollywood success ignited a hunger that would remain unfed for some time. Monagiza did a profile on Stephanie after her story about being diagnosed with the rare bone marrow disorder aplastic anemia garnered international attention, and they state the following about Stephanie’s career ambitions just after All That:

"As a young adult, she tried to make it in the world of acting, and would constantly travel between New York and LA to score movie or TV roles…Sadly, Stephanie’s acting career didn’t really work out, and she only bagged herself one acting role in 2009. Despite her path to stardom crumbling at her feet, Stephanie was determined to make a name for herself and show the world what she was made of. So, in 2012, she created her “Stepanka” YouTube page, and she has since racked up more than 55 million views on her videos."

The 2009 acting role looks to be the role of Alicia in the movie She’s Got It. IMDb says the film was released in January of 2009 and had a budget of $15,000.

In addition to the movie role, Stephanie also landed a role on Supreme Justice With Judge Karen Mills. And I say “role” because apparently Stephanie was given a script to act out — and the script was GOLDEN! More about that role can be found on starcasm.net.

More Nick: Nickelodeon's 'All That' Reunites Jamie Lynn Spears with the Cast of 'Zoey 101' in All-New Version of “Thelma Stump”!

Additional source: ScreenRant.

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Baby Shark | A Fish Out of Water | Teaser Trailer #1 | Nick Jr.

Doo doo doo! Baby Shark is heading to Nickelodeon! Check out a first look at Nickelodeon's first brand-new Baby Shark television series, inspired by the hit song, coming sooner or later to Nick (they just have to make it first)!:

View this post on Instagram

Doo doo doo! Baby Shark is heading to @nickelodeon! #babyshark #pinkfong

A post shared by Nick Jr. (@nickjr) on Nov 5, 2019 at 11:00am PST

Update (4/13) - Nickelodeon Animation are now hiring production crew to work on Nickelodeon's upcoming animated preschool Baby Shark series! There is a number of open positions currently available. Visit nickanimation.com/jobs to find out more information and to apply. Good luck!

Update (2/24/2020) - Nickelodeon is slated to premiere Baby Shark during early 2021!

Nickelodeon, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), and SmartStudy, the global entertainment company behind the beloved children’s brand, Pinkfong, announced earlier this year that they are partnering to develop a new original animated series based on Baby Shark for global distribution, while Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products (VNCP) will be managing consumer products licensing worldwide, excluding Asia, for the property.

Baby Shark became a breakout sensation when it launched on YouTube in November 2015. With music, characters, story and dance all combined together, Baby Shark took the world by storm, amassing 2.9 billion YouTube views and becoming the 9th most watched video in the platform’s history. The song recorded a 20-week-streak on the Billboard Hot 100 and spawned a viral phenomenon #BabySharkChallenge, generating over 700K cover videos around the globe.

“Baby Shark is a multiplatform phenomenon, and appetite for more content and products is strong around the world,” said Pam Kaufman, President, Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products. “Our outstanding creative teams are moving fast to get more Baby Shark product across multiple categories to retailers, and our content team is excited to develop a terrific original animated series that will bring this property to new heights and even more fans.”

“Baby Shark has captured the imagination of millions of fans around the world, so it’s no surprise it’s one of the top 10 most-viewed videos on YouTube ever,” said Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation. “At the heart of any popular piece of content is a terrific character, and we have a great opportunity to further explore the world of Baby Shark and follow this family through some great animated adventures on Nickelodeon.”

“We are really excited to be partnering with Nickelodeon to co-produce our first television series about Baby Shark and look forward to bringing our characters from the screen into the real world,” said Min Seok Kim, CEO, SmartStudy.

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

Originally published: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 19:18 GMT.

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ViacomCBS & Nickelodeon Are Still Hiring During COVID-19 Pandemic; Moves to Virtual Interviewing

With the globe currently wrestling with COVID-19 (aka coronavirus), we are living in unprecedented times. However, ViacomCBS and Nickelodeon are still actively recruiting for a variety of open positions! However, instead of face-to-face interviews, ViacomCBS have moved to Virtual Interviews, allowing the recruitment process to continue with social distancing in effect.

ViacomCBS currently have a wide variety of career opportunities open. You can find a list of current open positions at Viacom and CBS at https://www.viacbs.com/careers. Additionally, you can find a list of the current open positions at Nickelodeon Animation at nickanimation.com/jobs. Current open positions at Nick Animation include working on series such as Big Nate, SpongeBob SquarePants, Nick's upcoming animated Star Trek series, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years, Blaze and the Monster Machines, The Loud House / The Casagrandes and more.

Update (4/13) - Nickelodeon Animation are now hiring production crew to work on Nickelodeon's upcoming animated preschool Baby Shark series! There is a number of open positions currently available. Visit nickanimation.com/jobs to find out more information and to apply. Good luck!

For anyone new to Virtual Interviewing, ViacomCBS has created a guide to virtual interviewing to help applicants along the interview process, providing tips on how to nail your interview from afar. ViacomCBS' guide to virtual interviewing can be found at https://www.viacbs.com/virtual-interviews.

Best of luck to everyone applying for a job at ViacomCBS and/or Nickelodeon!

More Nick: Nickelodeon Launches #KidsTogether--A Global Prosocial Initiative to Help Kids and Families Stay Informed and Engaged With Activities; Noggin to be Offered Free to Kids in Need in Partnership with National Head Start Association and First Book

Originally published: Sunday, April 05, 2020.

H/T: Animation Jobs.

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Kidz Channel Israel Acquires Rights to 'Club 57'

CLUB 57 TO PREMIERE IN ISRAEL

Buenos Aires, April 8, 2020. - Viacom International Studios (VIS) announces the signing of a deal with Kidz Channel, the leading children's channel in Israel, for the broadcast of the musical series Club 57, co-produced by VIS and Rainbow Group.

The series premiered in May 2019 in Latin America and Brazil on Nickelodeon and in Italy on the RAI network in April 2019, achieving great ratings on both pay TV and free-to-air TV. In Argentina, it ranked #1 on Nickelodeon and also on the leading free-to-air (FTA) television channel, Telefe, in its time slot. The series’ music videos have been highly successful on the brand's YouTube channel.

"We are proud that Kidz Channel is adding our teen series Club 57 to its lineup; it fits perfectly with the content of the channel and its audiences will be able to enjoy an entertaining and fun series, produced with the highest standards quality,” said Guillermo Borensztein, Vice President (VP) of Sales and Co-productions of VIS. "We are sure this acquisition will open new opportunities for other children's content we have in our catalog.”

Club 57 follows the adventures of Eva and her brother Rubén, who are accidentally transported themselves to the year 1957. They try everyhting they can to return home, until Eva falls in love with JJ and decides to stay in the past, unleashing a butterfly effect that changes their lives. With a mix of music, dancing, and time travel adventures, Eva must now figure out a way to return to the present without giving up her first love.

The series has an international cast led by the Venezuelan actress, Evaluna Montaner (Eva), the Italian actor Riccardo Frascari (JJ), Sebastián Silva (Rubén) from Colombia, Martín Barba (Aurek) from Mexico, Cuban-American actress Isabella Castillo (Amelia), Angela Rincón (Sofía) from Venezuela, Carolina Mestrovic (Vero) from Chile, and Colombian actor Andrés Mercado (Manuel), among others.

The Club 57 soundtrack was composed and produced by singer-songwriter Ricardo Montaner, winner of the Latin Grammy Award for Musical Excellence, authors and producers Mau y Ricky, and Colombian singer-songwriter, Camilo Echeverry.

Club 57 has been renewed for a second season. The co-production, which will be produced by VIS with The Mediapro Studio will begin filming in the second quarter of this year.

The series was created by screenwriter Catharina Ledeboer, writer of multiple hits for Nickelodeon, including Every Witch Way (four seasons), WITS Academy, and Talia in the Kitchen for Nickelodeon USA; and three successful seasons of Grachi, Nickelodeon Latin America’s teen telenovela, of which Every Witch Way is based on.

VIS global sales include original productions, co-productions, format sales for local adaptations, and sales of canned goods. VIS content spans all genres, from soap operas to dramas, short and long comedy formats, and film productions.

For more information about Viacom International Studios (VIS) visit www.ViacomInternationalStudios.com or, our official social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

About Viacom International Studios

Intoduced in 2018, Viacom International Studios (VIS) is a division of ViacomCBS Networks International that produces content for all genres, both for ViacomCBS brands and platforms, including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Channel, Channel 5, Telefe and Porta Dos Fundos, as well as for third parties. VIS global sales include original productions, co-productions, formats sold for local adaptations, and sale of ready-made content. The content that VIS possesses covers all genres, from soap operas to dramas, short and long-form comedy formats and, feature film productions.

Below is Viacom International Studios' (VIS) official press release announcing the exciting news!:

Buenos Aires, 8 de abril de 2020. – Viacom International Studios (VIS) anuncia la firma de un acuerdo con Kidz Channel, el canal infantil líder en Israel, para la emisión de la serie musical Club 57, coproducida por VIS y Rainbow Group.

La serie se estrenó en América Latina por Nickelodeon y en Italia por la cadena RAI logrando un gran desempeño tanto de tv paga como en tv abierta. En Argentina, se posicionó #1 en Nickelodeon, al igual que en la franja horaria de Telefe, el canal de televisión abierta líder de Argentina. Los videos musicales de la serie han tenido gran éxito con la audiencia en el canal de YouTube de la marca.

“Es una enorme satisfacción que Kidz Channel agregue nuestra serie infanto-juvenil suceso Club 57, porque encuadra perfecto con el contenido del canal y sus audiencias podrán disfrutar de una serie entretenida y divertida, producida con los más altos estándares de calidad”, sostuvo Guillermo Borensztein, VP de Ventas y Coproducciones de VIS. “Estamos seguros que esta adquisición abrirá nuevas oportunidades para otros contenidos infantiles que tenemos en nuestro catálogo”.

Club 57 sigue las aventuras de Eva y su hermano Rubén, quienes accidentalmente se transportan al año 1957. Hacen todo lo posible para volver a casa, hasta que Eva se enamora de JJ y decide quedarse en el pasado, desencadenando un efecto mariposa que cambia sus vidas. Con una mezcla de música, baile y aventuras de viajes en el tiempo, Eva debe ahora ingeniarse la manera de volver al presente sin renunciar a su primer amor.

La serie cuenta con un elenco internacional encabezado por la actriz venezolana, Evaluna Montaner (Eva), el actor italiano Riccardo Frascari (JJ), el colombiano Sebastián Silva (Rubén), el mexicano Martín Barba (Aurek), la cubanoamericana Isabella Castillo (Amelia), la venezolana Ángela Rincón (Sofía), la chilena Carolina Mestrovic (Vero) y el colombiano Andrés Mercado (Manuel), entre otros.

La banda sonora de Club 57 fue compuesta y producida por el cantautor Ricardo Montaner, ganador del Premio Grammy Latino a La Excelencia Musical, los autores y productores Mau y Ricky y el cantautor colombiano, Camilo Echeverry.

La ficción fue creada por la guionista Catharina Ledeboer, autor de múltiples éxitos para Nickelodeon, incluyendo Every Witch Way (cuatro temporadas), WITS Academy y Talia in the Kitchen para Nickelodeon EEUU; y tres exitosas temporadas de Grachi, la novela juvenil de Nickelodeon Latinoamérica.

Las ventas globales de VIS incluyen producciones originales, coproducciones, ventas de formato para adaptaciones locales y ventas de productos enlatados. El contenido de VIS abarca todos los géneros, desde las telenovelas hasta los dramas, formatos de comedia corta y también largas y producciones cinematográficas.

Para más información sobre Viacom International Studios (VIS), visite www.ViacomInternationalStudios.com o nuestras redes sociales Instagram, Facebook y Twitter

Acerca de VIACOM INTERNATIONAL STUDIOS (VIS)

Presentao en el año 2018, Viacom International Studios (VIS) es una división de ViacomCBS Networks International que produce contenido para todos los géneros, tanto para las marcas como para las plataformas de Viacom, incluyendo Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Channel, Channel 5, Telefe y Porta Dos Fundos, como también para terceros. Las ventas globales de VIS incluyen producciones originales, coproducciones, ventas en formato para adaptaciones locales y ventas de productos enlatados. El contenido que posee el VIS cubre todos los géneros, desde telenovelas hasta dramas, formatos de comedia cortos y largos y producciones cinematográficas.

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From TVNIÑOS:

La historia de Club 57 de Nickelodeon debuta en Israel

Viacom International Studios (VIS) anuncia la firma de un acuerdo con Kidz Channel, canal infantil en Israel, para la emisión de la serie musical Club 57, coproducida por VIS y Rainbow Group.

La serie se estrenó en América Latina por Nickelodeon y en Italia por la cadena RAI logrando un gran desempeño tanto en televisión paga como en abierta, destaca la compañía. En Argentina, se posicionó en el primer lugar del mundo en Nickelodeon, al igual que en la franja horaria de Telefe. Los videos musicales de la serie han tenido gran éxito con la audiencia en el canal de YouTube de la marca.

“Es una enorme satisfacción que Kidz Channel agregue nuestra serie infantil juvenil éxito Club 57, porque encuadra perfecto con el contenido del canal y sus audiencias podrán disfrutar de una serie entretenida y divertida, producida con los más altos estándares de calidad”, sostuvo Guillermo Borensztein, VP de ventas y coproducciones de VIS. “Estamos seguros de que esta adquisición abrirá nuevas oportunidades para otros contenidos infantiles que tenemos en nuestro catálogo”.

Club 57 sigue las aventuras de Eva y su hermano Rubén, quienes accidentalmente se transportan al año 1957. Hacen todo lo posible para volver a casa, hasta que Eva se enamora de JJ y decide quedarse en el pasado, desencadenando un efecto mariposa que cambia sus vidas. Con una mezcla de música, baile y aventuras de viajes en el tiempo, Eva debe ahora ingeniarse la manera de volver al presente sin renunciar a su primer amor.

La serie cuenta con un elenco internacional encabezado por la actriz venezolana, Evaluna Montaner (Eva), el actor italiano Riccardo Frascari (JJ), el colombiano Sebastián Silva (Rubén), el mexicano Martín Barba (Aurek), la cubanoamericana Isabella Castillo (Amelia), la venezolana Ángela Rincón (Sofía), la chilena Carolina Mestrovic (Vero) y el colombiano Andrés Mercado (Manuel), entre otros.

La banda sonora de Club 57 fue compuesta y producida por el cantautor Ricardo Montaner, ganador del Premio Grammy Latino a la excelencia musical, los autores y productores Mau y Ricky y el cantautor colombiano, Camilo Echeverry.

La ficción fue creada por la guionista Catharina Ledeboer, autora de múltiples éxitos para Nickelodeon, incluyendo Every Witch Way, WITS Academy y Talia in the Kitchen para Nickelodeon Estados Unidos; y tres exitosas temporadas de Grachi, la novela juvenil de Nickelodeon Latinoamérica.

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From Prensario Internacional:

ViacomCBS: Club 57 llega a Israel

Viacom International Studios (VIS) anunció la firma de un acuerdo de venta con Kidz Channel, canal infantil en Israel, para la emisión de la serie musical Club 57, coproducida por VIS y Rainbow Group.

La serie tuvo su estreno en América Latina por Nickelodeon y en Italia por la cadena RAI logrando buenos números de audiencia tanto de tv paga como en abierta. En Argentina, se posicionó en el primer lugar en Nickelodeon, al igual que en la franja horaria de Telefe, en ese territorio. En tanto, los videos musicales de la serie han logrado gran número de visualizaciones en el canal de YouTube de la marca.

‘Es una enorme satisfacción que Kidz Channel agregue nuestra serie infanto-juvenil suceso Club 57, porque encuadra perfecto con el contenido del canal y sus audiencias podrán disfrutar de una serie entretenida y divertida, producida con los más altos estándares de calidad’, sostuvo Guillermo Borensztein, VP de Ventas y Coproducciones de VIS. ‘Estamos seguros que esta adquisición abrirá nuevas oportunidades para otros contenidos infantiles que tenemos en nuestro catálogo’.

La serie cuenta con un elenco internacional encabezado por la actriz venezolana, Evaluna Montaner (Eva), el actor italiano Riccardo Frascari (JJ), el colombiano Sebastián Silva (Rubén), el mexicano Martín Barba (Aurek), la cubanoamericana Isabella Castillo (Amelia), la venezolana Ángela Rincón (Sofía), la chilena Carolina Mestrovic (Vero) y el colombiano Andrés Mercado (Manuel), entre otros.

La banda sonora de Club 57 fue compuesta y producida por el cantautor Ricardo Montaner, ganador del Premio Grammy Latino a La Excelencia Musical, los autores y productores Mau y Ricky y el cantautor colombiano, Camilo Echeverry.

La ficción fue creada por la guionista Catharina Ledeboer, autor de múltiples éxitos para Nickelodeon, incluyendo Every Witch Way (cuatro temporadas), WITS Academy y Talia in the Kitchen para Nickelodeon EEUU; y tres exitosas temporadas de Grachi, la novela juvenil de Nickelodeon Latinoamérica.

Las ventas globales de VIS incluyen producciones originales, coproducciones, ventas de formato para adaptaciones locales y ventas de productos enlatados. El contenido de VIS abarca todos los géneros, desde las telenovelas hasta los dramas, formatos de comedia corta y también larga y producciones cinematográficas.

Club 57 sigue las aventuras de Eva y su hermano Rubén, quienes accidentalmente se transportan al año 1957. Hacen todo lo posible para volver a casa, hasta que Eva se enamora de JJ y decide quedarse en el pasado, desencadenando un efecto mariposa que cambia sus vidas. Con una mezcla de música, baile y aventuras de viajes en el tiempo, Eva debe ahora ingeniarse la manera de volver al presente sin renunciar a su primer amor.

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More Nick: Viacom International Studios Americas to Produce 'Planeta Marcia', a New Out-Of-This World Scripted Series for Nickelodeon!

H/T: TVKIDS; Additional source: VideoAge International.

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