‘DreamWorks Trolls Holiday’ Musical Special Set for NBC

Oct 19th, 2017

A funky-fresh new half-hour seasonal special DreamWorks Trolls Holiday is heading to screens, bringing back the hit feature film’s A-list talent for another animated musical adventure. The DreamWorks Animation production will premiere Friday, November 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

DreamWorks Trolls Holiday centers on eternally optimistic Poppy, queen of the Trolls, who learns that the Bergens no longer have any holidays on their calendar. With characteristic enthusiasm, she enlists the help of Branch and the Snack Pack on a mission to fix something that the Bergens don’t think is broken. Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake and Zooey Deschanel return as the voices of Poppy, Branch and Bridget, respectively.

Following the NBC premiere, DreamWorks Trolls Holiday will arrive on DVD and digital Nov. 28 from Universal Pictures Home Ent., packed with special bonus features such as episodes from various DreamWorks TV series, and a limited-time exclusive gift of two sticker sheets inspired by the special. Netflix will stream the title starting December 6.

Ahead of the holiday special’s release, DreamWorks/RCA Records will release the Trolls Holiday soundtrack globally no Oct. 27, with 7 tracks featuring songs performed by Poppy, Branch and the rest of the special’s voice cast.

Fans will also want to keep an eye out for the Netflix Original Series DreamWorks Trolls: The Beat Goes On, premiering Jan. 19, 2018. The show picks up where the movie left off, following Poppy, Branch and the rest of the Troll Village on all-new hair-raising adventures (netflix.com/trollsthebeatgoeson).

DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls totted up more than $153 million in domestica box office, including a $47 million opening weekend upon its November 2016 release. The film was directed by Mike Mitchell and co-directed by Walt Dohrn, who is returning along with producer Gina Shay for the sequel, due out Feb. 14, 2020.

DreamWorks Trolls Holiday is directed by Joel Crawford, and written by Josh Bycel and Jonathan Fener, with Shay, Dohrn and Mitchell serving as executive producers and Holly Edwards as producer.


             Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) in 2016’s Trolls from DreamWorks Animation

Trailer: ‘SpongeBob’ Stop-Mo Special Premieres Friday the 13th

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom

Nickelodeon has unwrapped a tasty treat fans, revealing that the previously announced stop-motion animated Halloween special SpongeBob SquarePants: The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom will make its spooktacular premiere on Friday, October 13 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. The debut date was dropped in our candy buckets along with a new trailer.

In The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom, the Flying Dutchman (Brian Doyle-Murray) comes to town to make sure everyone is scared — especially SpongeBob, who seems to think that spooky things are actually funny. For the occasion, SpongeBob is costumed as a flower, Patrick as a knight, Sandy as a mad scientist, Mr. Krabs as a dollar bill, Plankton as a devil, Squidward as himself, and Karen as a cat. The special features an original tune, “The Scare Song,” written by Mr. Lawrence with music by Eban Schletter, performed by the Flying Dutchman’s pirate ghost crew.

Harkening back to old-school holiday TV specials, this new scale-raising adventure sees the town of Bikini Bottom decked out for Halloween: Sandy’s treedome becomes a mad scientist’s lab (included remote-operated Acorn Monster); Mr. Krabs’ restaurant becomes a terror tour of Plankton’s culinary torture as “The Horrors of the Chum Bucket”; and Plankton in turn whips up “The Horrors of the Krusty Krab,” which claims to tell the scary truth about Krabby Patties.

Los Angeles-based Screen Novelties produced the animation for The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom. The final result features 27 unique sets shot across five stages. Fifteen boxes of breakfast cereal were used to texture Bikini Bottom’s coral reefs; eight pounds of glitter were used for SpongeBob’s Halloween pineapple house; hundreds of popsicle sticks were used to make a rollercoaster track, and black lights create an eerie fluorescent glow on puppets and sets. Screen Novelties previously collaborated with Nickelodeon on SpongeBob SquarePants: It’s a SpongeBob Christmas! (2012).

On top of stop-motion puppet animation, The special also features marionette puppeteering, hand puppets and hand-drawn 2D designed by Sally Cruikshank. Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller are co-executive producers on SpongeBob SquarePants. The special was written by Mr. Lawrence, with Brian Morante serving as the storyboard director and Jennie Monica as producer. The special is being directed by Mark Caballero and Seamus Walsh, and produced by Chris Finnegan of Screen Novelties.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom

Trailer: Netflix Unveils ‘Magic School Bus’ Re-Do

Magic School Bus

Hang on to your childhoods, ‘90s kids. Netflix has released the first trailer for its much anticipated revamp of Emmy-winning The Magic School Bus. Produced by 9 Story and Scholastic, the new Netflix Original Series The Magic School Bus Rides Again premieres exclusively on the streaming platform on September 29.

In the trailer, we get a first look at the slight makeover given the classic property — which includes a touch of de-frizzing for Ms. Frizzle and possibly an animated nose job — and meet the new teacher in town. A glimpse at the educational adventures that await is backed by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s re-recording of the iconic theme song.

Official synopsis: The kids are back at Walkerville School for another school year of astonishing, out-of-this-world field trips in this all-new reimagining of the iconic science-comedy-adventure series The Magic School Bus. But this year, there’s a new Frizzle (Kate McKinnon)! The younger sister of the famed Professor Frizzle (Lily Tomlin) has taken over the classroom! But worry not – the new Ms. Frizzle shares her sister’s zany ways and passion for science. Field trips this year are wilder than ever, into the clouds, across the internet, riding the continents – even a plunge into the depths of the Sun itself! And along the way, the kids we know and love bring their science investigations into the 21st century – still taking chances, making mistakes and getting messy!

Magic School Bus

9 Story Partners with Netflix, Scholastic on ‘Magic School Bus’ Reboot

Feb 10th, 2016

9 Story Media Group has partnered with Netflix and Scholastic to produce a new version of the Emmy Award-winning 1990s animated children’s series The Magic School Bus — set to launch worldwide in Fall 2017 as a Netflix Original Series.

“The original Magic School Bus series was one of the first series that I produced, 20 years ago,” said Vince Commisso, President & CEO of 9 Story Media Group. “I have a deep connection to the brand and a profound respect for its vision. We are so excited to work with Scholastic and Netflix and remake this wildly popular series for a whole new generation of kids.”

The original show debuted on PBS in 1994 and was based on the best-selling book series of the same name from Scholastic by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. The Magic School Bus taught kids science through the adventures of the inspiring teacher Ms. Frizzle, her inquisitive class and the enchanted bus that took kids everywhere from outer space to inside the human body.

Magic School Bus

‘SpongeBob’s Halloween Special Treat: Stop-Motion!

SpongeBob SquarePants:
The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom

Nickelodeon will take viewers on a spooky Halloween adventure throughout Bikini Bottom with the brand-new, stop-motion special, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom.

In the visual style of the classic stop-motion animation TV specials, The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom tells the story of the Flying Dutchman (Brian Doyle Murray) who wants to make sure everyone in town is scared, especially SpongeBob, who thinks scary things are funny. The special will premiere in October 2017 on Nickelodeon.

The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom is being produced at Screen Novelties, a Los Angeles-based stop-motion animation production company, where miniature puppets and sets bring Bikini Bottom to life in three dimensions. The production features 27 unique sets, across five stages, where 15 boxes of breakfast cereal were used to create texture on Bikini Bottom’s coral reefs; eight pounds of glitter were used to decorate SpongeBob’s Halloween pineapple house; hundreds of Popsicle sticks created the planks of the rollercoaster track that Patrick and SpongeBob ride; and “black lights” were used to create a fluorescent glow across the puppets and sets.

Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller are the supervising producers on SpongeBob SquarePants. The special was written by Mr. Lawrence, with Brian Morante serving as the storyboard director. The special is being directed by Mark Caballero and Seamus Walsh, and produced by Chris Finnegan of Screen Novelties.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom

Colorful Dr. Seuss WaterWorks Park To Be Featured On New Carnival Horizon Debuting In 2018

Apr 20th, 2017

First-Ever Dr. Seuss-Themed Water Park to Feature Exhilarating Slides, Fun-Filled Water Toys and Attractions Inspired By World's Most Popular Children's Author

Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, the 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon, will be the first in the fleet to feature Dr. Seuss WaterWorks, a vibrant water park inspired by the whimsical world and words of the legendary children's author. The 3,934-passenger vessel is set to debut in Europe April 2, 2018.

The announcement was made by Carnival President Christine Duffy and Dr. Seuss Enterprises President Susan Brandt at Cruise3Sixty, an annual gathering of travel agents held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Colorful Dr. Seuss WaterWorks Park To Be Featured On New Carnival Horizon Debuting In 2018

Dr. Seuss WaterWorks builds upon the line's distinction as the family cruise leader carrying nearly 800,000 kids a year as well as the incredible success of the fleetwide Seuss at Sea program, an exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises that features immersive onboard Dr. Seuss-themed youth, family, dining and entertainment experiences.

Located on Deck 12, Carnival Horizon's Dr. Seuss WaterWorks will offer two distinctly different slides each promising their own splash-tastic fun.

Inspired by everyone's favorite feline, The Cat in the Hat slide will feature an enclosed raft slide offering more than 450 feet of heart-racing twists and turns. The entrance resembles The Cat's famous red and white hat with the distinctive color pattern carried throughout the slide in alternating translucent and opaque sections.

Sure to be equally fun will be the Fun Things slide, an enclosed body slide with whimsical polka dots and special lighting effects and named after the mischievous duo Thing 1 and Thing 2 and encompassing 213 feet of exhilarating all-ages fun.

Dr. Seuss WaterWorks will also include a 150-gallon tipping bucket patterned after The Cat's hat, along with a kiddie splash zone with dozens of water spray toys.

Larger-than-life images of famous Dr. Seuss characters – including The Cat in the Hat holding an inner tube, The Grinch sporting a surf board tucked under his arm, and Thing 1 and Thing 2 frolicking atop their namesake slide – will greet visitors as they enter the park, with memorable Dr. Seuss phrases displayed on clear partitions that surround the facility.

"Our ships are designed as the ultimate seagoing playgrounds and Carnival Horizon will take this concept to the next level with the spectacular Dr. Seuss WaterWorks which promises fun for guests of all ages," said Duffy. "Dr. Seuss is an iconic American brand and we're delighted to expand our partnership with this incredible top-deck water attraction for our guests."

Added Brandt, "We're excited to build upon our relationship with Carnival by introducing our first-ever water park. Dr. Seuss is all about family fun and togetherness and we can't wait to see our characters come to life in this colorful and exciting space."

Dr. Seuss WaterWorks is just one of several family-friendly features on Carnival Horizon which will also feature the groundbreaking bike-ride-in-the-sky attraction called SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre and the SportSquare outdoor recreation area with a suspended ropes course. A wide range of accommodations will also be offered, including extra-roomy staterooms in Family Harbor, which will include a Family Lounge area with large screen TVs, board games and complimentary breakfast, cookies and other snacks.

Carnival Horizon will also feature the Dr. Seuss Bookville family reading and play venue and popular Seuss at Sea activities like The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends and the Seuss-a-palooza Parade and Story Time.

Carnival Horizon is scheduled to make its maiden voyage April 2, 2018, with a 13-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona – the first of four round-trip departures from this port. Carnival Horizon will reposition to the U.S. with a 14-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York May 9-23, 2018.

Following a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from the Big Apple, Carnival Horizon will shift to Miami and kick off a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning Sept. 22, 2018. Carnival Horizon will also offer a special two-day cruise to Nassau from Miami Sept. 20-22, 2018.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Carnival can also be found on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise 
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/carnival 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/carnival  
Instagram:  www.instagram.com/carnival 
Journalists also can visit Carnival's media site,  www.carnival-news.com or follow the line's PR department on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CarnivalPR.

About Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is "The World's Most Popular Cruise Line®" with 25 ships operating three- to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Two 133,500-ton Vista class ships are currently scheduled for delivery - Carnival Horizon in 2018 and an as-yet-unnamed vessel in 2019. Additionally, two new 180,000-ton ships are scheduled to enter service in 2020 and 2022.

About Dr. Seuss
Theodor "Seuss" Geisel is quite simply the most beloved children's book author of all time. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1984, an Academy Award, three Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, and three Caldecott Honors, Geisel wrote and illustrated 44 books for children. Hundreds of millions of copies have found their way into homes and hearts around the world. While Theodor Geisel died on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss lives on, inspiring generations of children of all ages to explore the joys of reading.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
The primary focus of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. is to protect the integrity of the Dr. Seuss books while expanding beyond books into ancillary areas. This effort is a strategic part of the overall mission to nurture and safeguard the relationship people have with Dr. Seuss characters. Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) said he never wanted to license his characters to anyone who would "round out the edges." That is one of the guiding philosophies of Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line

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Portfolio Gets Purring on ‘Cat in the Hat’ Season 3

 Feb 14th, 2017

Producer-distributor Portfolio Entertainment announces the production of a third season of the Dr. Seuss-inspired PBS KIDS animated preschool series The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!

“PBS KIDS is excited to build on the success of The Cat in The Hat Knows A Lot About That!, which supports our mission to use the power of media to spark children’s curiosity and excitement about learning,” said Linda Simensky, VP, Children’s Programming at PBS. “We look forward to continuing to work with Portfolio Entertainment on another outstanding season of this iconic series, bringing new natural science adventures to families.”

Produced in-house at Portfolio’s animation studio, the new 20 x half-hour season will continue the extraordinary adventures of The Cat and his friends on PBS in the US and Treehouse in Canada, joining the two existing seasons (60 x 30) and four specials.

“The new season of The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! features a brand new theme where the adventures take us out of the natural world to imaginary Seussian places where The Cat and his friends explore physical sciences and how things work,” said Susan Brandt, President, Dr. Seuss Enterprises. “Dr. Seuss was so passionate about nature and science; there is no doubt he would have loved seeing his characters fostering a love of learning and discovery in the next generation of children.”

The show recently received two Canadian Screen Award nominations for the hour-long Camping! special: Best Direction in an Animated Program for Paul Hunt, and Best Performance in an Animated Program for actor Martin Short, who voices The Cat.

The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! is produced in association with Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and funded in part by the US Department of Education through a Ready To Learn grant.

The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!