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Animation

Hey Kids: Say “Hello” To “Ni Hao, Kai-lan,” Season 2

by Karl J. Paloucek Whether you’re still feeling blown away by the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremonies, worried about the mounting U.S. debt to China or just like the idea of cute, little characters teaching your child Mandarin, you’ll be happy to know that Nick Jr.’s Ni Hao, Kai-lan is back for Season 2 starting May 11. This season presents new challenges and goals for Kai-lan and her audience. Season 2 brings 20 new half-hour episodes that not only deal with building a basic Mandarin vocabulary, but also engage preschoolers’ increasingly complex emotional issues. In the first week alone, in addition […]

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Family

“Yo Gabba Gabba!” Is Back For (Much) More

If you have young kids and cable, chances are they’ve either driven you nuts with a bit of Nick Jr.’s Yo Gabba Gabba! or you’ve gotten into it right along with them. Well, like it or not, there are more on the way. The preschool-centric network has picked up a third season of the series that marries the silly and the surreal with life lessons featuring a cast of multicolored, amorphous beings. It’s sort of a freak of a show, and one that’s obviously captured the imagination of more than just kids. It’s become something of a cool hangout for […]

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Animation

Nick Takes A Depp In Bikini Bottom

By RabbitEars For the first of its series of special on-air events during a yearlong celebration of SpongeBob SquarePants‘ 10th anniversary, Nickelodeon brings superstar Johnny Depp on board as a guest voice in the “SpongeBob vs. the Big One” episode, premiering April 17 at 8pm ET.

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Animation

Nickelodeon Unifies Its Branding, Kids!

by Karl J. Paloucek Hey, kids! Literally — all of you Nickelodeon fans, listen up. As it enters its 30th year devoted to bringing programming for kids, Nickelodeon is making a few bold moves and changes to its brand. Namely, first of all, the brand is re-christening some of its networks and website offshoots to bring all of them more firmly under the Nickelodeon umbrella. Here’s how it’s all gonna go down: Noggin will become Nick Jr: The preschool set need not fear, their wee li’l shows are staying put. Only the name will change. The N will become TEENick: […]

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Awards Shows

Black History Month 2009 Is HERE

Posted by: kjpaloucek Unless you’re living under a rock, you should be aware that Black History Month has a bit more to celebrate this year than in previous years. Thankfully, that means that there’s a bit more to look forward to in terms of meaningful Black History Month-themed programming on TV … because, frankly, we know — things had been getting a little wanting during February. (An explicit reminder to network programmers: Slotting repeated showings of Pootie Tang is not only NOT acceptable Black History Month programming, it diminishes the dignity of the occasion.) Here’s an overview of some the […]

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Comedy

Crushin’ on Nickelodeon

Posted By RabbitEars Isn’t it romantic? Well, not to me, personally, but I’m sure plenty of teeny- and tweeny-boppers will be crushing on Nickelodeon’s “Crush Night” programming event, airing Feb. 7, the week before Valentine’s Day, from 8-9:30pm ET/PT. Pop idol David Archuleta and iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove co-host the event, which celebrates teen romance with songs (Archuleta performs his current hit “Crush”) and the premieres of some new episodes of hot Nick shows. First up, Archuleta plays himself in “iRocked the Vote,” a new episode of iCarly, as a contestant on an American Idol-like singing competition series who gets […]