News

The Investigation Discovery series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV may shock people who have nostalgic recollections of watching kid-focused Nickelodeon TV shows like All That, The Amanda Show, and Drake & Josh.

With its in-depth examination of some of the toxic culture of children’s TV shows that young actors endured in the 1990s and 2000s—including numerous series produced by Dan Schneider—the docuseries is already garnering attention. Along with discussing the purportedly unsettling atmosphere behind the scenes, it also includes interviews with former cast members, writers, and crew from the popular Nickelodeon series All That, The Amanda Show, and Zoey 101.

Dan Schneider (Image via YouTube)

Details of Schneider’s alleged misbehavior towards Nickelodeon employees were made public in 2018 and 2022; nevertheless, the Memphis-born TV producer, 58, has denied any wrongdoing.

All That Alums Spoke In Quiet On Set Docuseries

As some of the few young...

TV producer Dan Schneider has issued a new response to an Investigation Discovery docuseries that uncovers the toxic and dangerous culture on the sets of his Nickelodeon children’s shows in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The first two installments that dropped Sunday were meant to reveal “an insidious environment rife with allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate dynamics with its underage stars and crew,” according to ID.

The next two episodes air tonight.

“Dan expected and asked a lot from his teams,” according to a statement obtained by Deadline. “They worked long hours and consistently made successful shows. In the challenges of production, Dan could get frustrated at times, and he understands why some employees found that intimidating or stressful. In a career spanning 30+ years, Dan worked with thousands of people, many of whom still tell him how much they enjoyed and appreciated working on his shows.

Dan Schneider is speaking out.

The 58-year-old TV show creator and producer, screenwriter and actor is denying allegations of a toxic workplace environment on the Nickelodeon series he created and ran, including The Amanda Show and All That.

The allegations include “sexualizing” child actors on those shows.

Keep reading to find out more…

“Everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network,” a spokesperson for the producer said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

“Had there been any scenes or outfits that were inappropriate in any way, they would have been flagged and blocked by this multilayered scrutiny.”

“Remember, all stories, dialogue, costumes, and makeup were fully approved by network executives on two coasts. A standards and practices group read and ultimately approved every script, and programming executives reviewed and approved all episodes,” the statement continues.

Embattled kids TV producer Dan Schneider has denied toxic workplace claims, which include “sexualizing” child actors, on Nickelodeon series he created and ran.

“Everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults, and approved by the network,” a spokesperson for the prolific kids TV producer of hits like The Amanda Show and All That said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “Had there been any scenes or outfits that were inappropriate in any way, they would have been flagged and blocked by this multilayered scrutiny.”

The spokesperson for Schneider said the kids TV producer’s scripts secured network approvals in both New York City and Los Angeles.

“Remember, all stories, dialogue, costumes, and makeup were fully approved by network executives on two coasts. A standards and practices group read and ultimately approved every script, and programming executives reviewed and approved all episodes,...

Within the same broad outline as Jean Renoir’s La Chienne, Fritz Lang’s Scarlet Street strikes many notes to emphasize the emasculation of Christopher “Chris” Cross (Edgar G. Robinson): at a dinner in his honor, the lowly bank cashier sees his boss (Russell Hicks) rush through a ceremonial toast to make time with his mistress; in his own home he’s obligated to indulge his unwelcome hobby of picture painting in the bathroom; and there’s a bit of business with a frilly smock he puts on to do the dishes.

Against the grain of what we might assume about put-upon little guys in movies and the way they lash out, Lang only dwells on the tableaux of Chris eunuchized doldrums to make one almost invisible moment work—when, over drinks with Katherine “Kitty” March (Joan Bennett), Chris doesn’t really correct her when she makes the fateful...

Across two decades, Nickelodeon hitmaker Dan Schneider has been at the center of hostile workplace allegations, #MeToo controversies, and now, the allegations that his tween-targeted shows overly sexualized its stars, among the likes of Amanda Bynes, Ariana Grande, and Jamie Lynn Spears.

“Sam and Cat” actress Jeannette McCurdy, who co-starred opposite Grande in the “iCarly” spinoff series, alleged in her memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died” that a Nickelodeon “creator” (believed to be Schneider) frequently supplied children with alcohol and requested massages on set. McCurdy alleged she was offered 300,000 in “hush money” to not come forward about the abuse; she declined the payment. The claims mirror those that have followed Schneider for years, and the showrunner was fired by Nickelodeon in 2018 following an investigation that found he had verbally abused colleagues.

In a recent Insider report, dozens of former Nickelodeon employees ranging from female writers to child stars came...

Earlier this month, “iCarly” star Jennette McCurdy’s bombshell memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” detailed alleged abuse she experienced while working at Nickelodeon.

Now, several former child actors and Nickelodeon staffers are speaking out against Dan Schneider, creator of “Zoey 101,” “Victorious,” “iCarly” and “Drake & Josh,” who reshaped the network and kids’ television at large.

According to a report from Insider, Schneider was known to push the boundaries of children’s TV, often “thumbing his nose” at Nickelodeon’s standards department and ramping up the series’ sexual innuendos, including scenes in which goo was squirted on young actresses’ faces. When it came to picking costumes, Schneider “signed off on all outfits” and “campaign[ed] for the skimpier options,” the report states. (McCurdy wrote in her memoir that she was pressured to wear a bikini on “iCarly.”)

Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon’s former president of content development and production, told...

Exclusive: Comedian Maz Jobrani has teamed with Grom Social Enterprises’ Curiosity Ink Media to develop an original animated sitcom that channels Jobrani’s experiences growing up as an Iranian-American immigrant in the U.S.

Co-created by Jobrani and Dustin Ellis Laugh On Lorb (working title), centers on an aspiring teenage comic who is selected to introduce Oprah Winfrey at an appearance at his school. He is mistakenly kidnapped from the stage by alien Lorbs who believe he is Oprah, and then taken back to their planet to meet their princess. After learning that she is on a mission to bring emotion back to Lorb to save it from disaster, he agrees to channel his inner Oprah to help her and, through the eyes of a teenage Iranian immigrant, share his own insight, wit and philosophy of life while learning about comedy – and himself- along the way.

Netflix released a trailer for Season 6 of “Nailed It!,” which premieres Sept. 15.

In the new season, the bakers face even tougher challenges than ever before, including making paranormal pastries, celebrating Black history by creating edible versions of historical icons, and recreating chocolate masterpieces inspired by judge and chocolatier Jacques Torres.

The trailer, which you can watch below, begins with host Nicole Byer playing with edible versions of herself, Torres and assistant director Weston Bahr as she gears up to have the contestants create pastries in their likeness for a competition.

“I just love seeing the misfortune of others,” says actor Jack McBrayer, who appears as a contestant this season. Naturally, this line of dialogue is followed by him making a mistake of his own while baking.

While McBrayer is the only celebrity contestant this season, celebrity judge in Season 6 include Wayne Brady, Sam Richardson, Reggie Watts, Big Freedia, June Diane Raphael and Sasheer Zamata.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jamie Ward, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Simon Harrison, Chipo Chung and Amber Fitzgerald-Woolfe have joined the third and final season of “His Dark Materials,” directed by Amit Gupta, Charles Martin and Weronika Tofilska.

The eight-episode season, which is currently in production, is based on “The Amber Spyglass,” the final novel in Philip Pullman’s bestselling trilogy.

Season 3 of “His Dark Materials” follows Lyra (Dafne Keen) and Will (Amir Wilson), the bearer of The Subtle Knife, as they travel through multiple worlds to find and protect each other.

Also starring Ruth Wilson, Simone Kirby, Will Keen, Jade Anouka, Ruta Gedminstas and James McAvoy, “His Dark Materials” is produced by Bad Wolf in association with New Line Cinema for BBC One and HBO. Executive producers include Jane Tranter, Dan McCulloch, Joel Collins and Julie Gardner for Bad Wolf; Philip Pullman, Jack Thorne, Tom Hooper; Deborah Forte, Toby Emmerich and Carolyn Blackwood for...

It’s pretty scary to think that as late as 1940 both Washington and the American public were sharply divided over Nazi Germany. Poland had been overrun and France was about to fall, but MGM waited until June of that year to release this softened adaptation of a novel written as a warning to the world in 1937. Handsomely produced with MGM’s high-gloss production values, it’s remembered as a valiant and courageous anti-Nazi film. Its all-star cast reunited the potent romantic team of James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan for sentimental fireworks.

The Mortal Storm

Blu-ray

Warner Archive Collection

1940 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 100 min. / Street Date November 3, 2020 / available through the WBshop / 21.99

Starring: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Robert Young, Frank Morgan, Robert Stack, Bonita Granville, Irene Rich, William T. Orr, Maria Ouspenskaya, Gene Reynolds, Russell Hicks, Esther Dale, Dan Dailey, Ward Bond, Rudolph Anders, Brad Dexter.

Cinematography: William H. Daniels

Film Editor:...

Former Nickelodeon president of production and development Russell Hicks and partner Brent Watts’s Curiosity Ink Media has signed with the literary division of Abrams Artists Agency.

Hicks is the company’s president and chief creative officer, while Watts is the company’s chief executive officer. Richard Yanofsky serves as COO and publishing veteran Jon I. Rosenberg as Evp publishing, leading creation and publishing of all physical content.

The company was formed last May.to focus on the creation of original and re-imagined iconic TV shows and characters, with a strong emphasis on family/kid friendly content. The company is producing feature films, television series, and developing books that will be linked in every corner of entertainment, including the storytelling technology for the digital space.

The executive team hopes to leverage its deep ties and partnerships in the distribution and licensing space. No titles or projects have been announced, but...

In today’s roundup, Netflix has announced the release date for Season 2 of Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” and YouTube drops the first trailer for the second season of “Cobra Kai.”

Dates

Season 2 of Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” will return to Netflix on May 24. The comedy follows Nola Darling (DeWanda Wise) on her journey of self-discovery as she figures out whether to follow her passion for music or give into the stability of the corporate world. With Wise’s character’s newfound success, the new season sees the evolution of her love life with Mars Blackmon (Anthony Ramos) who is now pursuing his own music career, as well as her many close-knit friends in their home of Fort Green, Brooklyn.

Netflix has announced that Season 2 of “On May Block” will be released on March 29. The coming-of-age comedy, co-created by Laura Iungerich of “Awkward...

Nickelodeon alum Russell Hicks has teamed with three other industry veterans to launch the family-friendly content production banner Curiosity Ink Media.

Based in Los Angeles, The company has ambitious plans to venture into TV animation and live-action programs, Vr, publishing, and live event production starting in early 2019. Curiosity is also in hunt for vintage cartoon and family entertainment characters and brands that can be brought back into the public eye with TV shows, books, and merchandising. The venture is being financed with the backing of a what is described as a handful of high net worth private investors.

Hicks, the exec who shepherded such hits as “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Dora the Explorer” during his 18-year run at Nickelodeon, serves as president and chief creative officer of Curiosity Ink. Brent Watts, formerly creative director of ad agency Struck, is chief strategy officer. Michealene Cristini Risley, a filmmaker and former creative executive with Zynga,...

Even lesser Abbott & Costello movies are still comedy gravy to the avid fans of the fast-talking duo. Their first film deal away from Universal yields a so-so production graced with a string of their patented old-time comedy routines. And the transfer beats anything we’ve yet seen.

The Noose Hangs High

Blu-ray

ClassicFlix

1948 / B&W / 1:37 Academy / 77 min. / Street Date August 15, 2017 / available through ClassicFlix / 24.99

Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Joseph Calleia, Leon Errol, Cathy Downs, Mike Mazurki, Fritz Feld, Murray Leonard, Ellen Corby, Russell Hicks, James Flavin, Minerva Urecal, Fred Kelsey.

Cinematography: Charles Van Enger

Film Editor: Harry Reynolds

Assistant Director: Howard W. Koch

Original Music: Walter Schumann

Written by John Grant, Howard Harris from an earlier screenplay by Charles Grayson, Arthur T. Horman story by Julian Blaustein, Daniel Taradash, Bernard Feins

Produced and Directed by Charles Barton

A few famous movie comedy teams prospered with good will and parted with hugs,...

Wow! Fritz Lang's second western is a marvel -- a combo of matinee innocence and that old Germanic edict that character equals fate. It has a master's sense of color and design. Robert Young is an odd fit but Randolph Scott is nothing less than terrific. You'd think Lang was born on the Pecos. Western Union Blu-ray Kl Studio Classics 1941 / Color /1:37 flat Academy / 95 min. / Street Date November 8, 2016 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95 Starring Randolph Scott, Robert Young, Virginia Gilmore, Dean Jagger, John Carradine, Chill Wills, Slim Summerville, Barton MacLane, Victor Kilian, George Chandler, Chief John Big Tree, Iron Eyes Cody, Jay Silverheels. Cinematography Edward Cronjager, Allen M. Davey Original Music David Buttolph Written by Robert Carson from the novel by Zane Grey Produced by Harry Joe Brown (associate) Directed by Fritz Lang

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Darryl Zanuck of 20th Fox treated most writers well, was good for John Ford...

As expected, Cyma Zarghami, President of Viacom’s Kids and Family Group, today officially announced the departure of Nickelodeon’s President of Content Development and Production Russell Hicks. In an internal memo, she described the 18-year Nick veteran as “an incredible creative partner not just to me, but to our entire organization.” As we reported, there will be no immediate replacement for Hicks. “The current temporary structure for our teams will remain in place…...

Nickelodeon is losing a longtime executive at the top of its ranks. Russell Hicks, president of content development and production for the Nickelodeon Group, is stepping down after 18 years at the company. “Russell Hicks has decided to step down from his position effective immediately,” a spokesperson for Nickelodeon on Tuesday told The Hollywood Reporter. His resignation is expected to be formally announced Wednesday in an internal memo. At this time, there are no plans for him to be replaced. { "nid": 892193, "type": "blog", "title": "Comedy Central Shake-Up: Kent Alterman Replaces Michele Ganeless at Top", "path": "http://www.

read more...

Russell Hicks has stepped down as president of content development at Nickelodeon, TheWrap has learned. Hicks served as president, Content Development and Production for the Nickelodeon Group and oversaw all development and production for live-action and animation across all of Nickelodeon’s platforms and channels, including Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick and Nicktoons. “Russell Hicks has decided to step down from his position effective immediately,” a Nickelodeon spokesperson told TheWrap. Also Read: 'All That' Cast Reunion to Air on Nickelodeon (Video) President of Viacom Kids and Family Group Cyma Zarghami, who oversees TV Land and Cmt in addition to the Nickelodeon Group,...

Exclusive: Russell Hicks, an 18-year Nickelodeon veteran, has stepped down as President, Content Development and Production for the Nickelodeon Group. I hear his resignation, which is expected to be announced internally tomorrow, came soon after he’d returned from a four-month medical leave. There are no plans for him to be replaced at this time. “Russell Hicks has decided to step down from his position effective immediately,” a rep for Nickelodeon confirmed to Deadline…...

Ginger should tell us, herself. MoviePilot.com reported that Nickelodeon is reviving the animated As Told by Ginger TV series. The story claimed to have been an exclusive with Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon Group President for Content Development and Production, and Chris Viscardi, Senior Vice President, Content Development at Nickelodeon Franchise Properties.

Update: We are sorry to report that, per Nick, there is no validity to this rumor.

Although widely circulated and seemingly legitimate, MoviePilot.com has taken down the original piece. It quotes Hicks as saying, "Kids who grew up on these characters are now of the age that they are having kids and families themselves.” Reportedly, series creator Emily Kapnek is on board as Ep. It is possible MoviePilot.com published, ahead of the getting the green light from Nick. It is also possible it is a hoax.

Read More…...

Nickelodeon has been spending some time in its prestigious archives, sifting through the likes of Ren & Stimpy, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Wild Thornberrys and the beloved Hey Arnold! series as it looks to bring back the NickToons of yesteryear. Out of the candidates for a revival, the studio has reportedly settled on the latter property, which will be strutting back onto the small screen soon in the form of a made-for-tv movie.

Word comes by way of Variety, who report that newly-appointed executive Chris Viscardi is keen to tap into some of the palpable nostalgia with this renewed focus. Spearheading the charge is a new installment in the Hey Arnold! series which would, in an attempt to tie up the loose ends of the original show, locate the whereabouts of Arnold’s parents.

In light of today’s announcement, Russell Hicks of Nickelodeon Group had the following to say:...

Everyone's favorite Football Head is making a comeback: Nickelodeon has revealed that it's set to make a new "Hey Arnold!" movie.

Variety reports that the telepic will "feature a storyline that picks up where the original series ended and resolves unanswered plotlines–including the whereabouts of Arnold's parents, long missing from the program." There's no word yet on when the special is set to air, but according to network executives, there could be more classic shows coming back, too.

Chris Viscardi, the co-creator of '90s Nick series "The Adventures of Pete & Pete," was recently named the network's new senior vice president of content development for franchise properties -- and that wordy position was created specifically to "mine the network's vast library of original series to develop new shows for modern audiences," per Variety. And while Viscardi says that reconnecting with Millennial viewers that are now grown is part of...

The football head is back in action. E! News has confirmed Nickelodeon is reviving Hey Arnold! as a TV movie. Variety first reported the revival of the classic Nick cartoon that ran from 1996-2004. The new movie will pick up where the original series ended and resolve some lingering plots, including the whereabouts of Arnold's missing parents. No premiere date was given. This could just be the first show Nickelodeon is bringing back for new audiences. "Kids who grew up on these characters are now of the age that they are having kids and families themselves," Russell Hicks, president of content development and production at Nickelodeon Group, told Variety. "Our library has come to fruition and it's...

Everyone's favorite Football Head is making a comeback: Nickelodeon has revealed that it's set to make a new "Hey Arnold!" movie.

Variety reports that the telepic will "feature a storyline that picks up where the original series ended and resolves unanswered plotlines-including the whereabouts of Arnold's parents, long missing from the program." There's no word yet on when the special is set to air, but according to network executives, there could be more classic shows coming back, too.

Chris Viscardi, the co-creator of '90s Nick series "The Adventures of Pete & Pete," was recently named the network's new senior vice president of content development for franchise properties -- and that wordy position was created specifically to "mine the network's vast library of original series to develop new shows for modern audiences," per Variety. And while Viscardi says that reconnecting with Millennial viewers that are now grown is part of the...

Never underestimate the power of nostalgia. These days, anything and everything can and will be rebooted.

Variety reports that Nickelodeon is considering reviving some of its classic shows from the '80s and '90s, including "Rugrats," "Hey Arnold!," and "You Can't Do That on Television."

"We are looking at our library to bring back ideas, shows that were loved, in a fresh new way," said Russell Hicks, president of content and development at Nickelodeon.

The old shows won't necessarily be transformed into new series; they might come back in the form of a movie or special. But the network is hoping to appeal to viewers who grew up watching those shows and now have kids of their own.

Not only that, those Nickelodeon shows helped launch current stars, including Ariana Grande and Victoria Justice, who were in "Victorious." Perhaps the network is hoping to bring them back with guest appearances.

Hey football-head! Have you heard that Nickelodeon might be reviving a bunch old shows? Well, they're thinking about it...

Cards on the table, here – this is one of those news stories that is clearly born from a fairly small statement. There’s only a nucleus of an idea here, but if it comes to fruition we could be seeing comebacks for some beloved children’s programming.

Nickelodeon’s content president Russell Hicks said this to Variety: “We are looking at our library to bring back ideas, shows that were loved, in a fresh new way.”

Variety went on to extrapolate that “the network might seek to experiment with retooled versions of classics that could include Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, You Can’t Do That On Television or Victorious.”

These could be series revivals, or another sort of come back, according to the report. The Rugrats are no strangers to the big screen,...

Nickelodeon is ready to stage the ultimate Throwback Thursday—the network is considering reviving some of its most beloved '90s series for modern audiences. That means you could see a rebooted version of Rugrats, another teenager Explaining It All, or new kids climbing a bigger, even more mega Aggro Crag in the near future. "We are looking at our library to bring back ideas, shows that were loved, in a fresh new way," Nickelodeon's president of content and development Russell Hicks said in an interview with Variety. "We are getting ready to bring back some of the ones they've told us multiple times they want to have brought back." Hey, it worked for Degrassi! In honor of your...

Survivor's Remorse

Starz has renewed its critically acclaimed but little seen comedy "Survivor's Remorse" for a third season. The second season recently kicked off with new ratings highs, and the most recent episode grew again to 1.34 million Live + Same Day viewers. Jessie T. Usher stars in the comedy as a basketball star negotiating his family's needs with his meteoric rise. [Source: The Live Feed]

Sneaky Pete

Amazon has given a series order to "Sneaky Pete," the Giovanni Ribisi and Bryan Cranston-led drama series that CBS ordered to pilot and then passed on.

Cranston and David Shore are producing the series about a conman who, after leaving prison, takes cover from his past by assuming the identity of his cell-mate Pete. [Source: The Live Feed]

Nickelodeon

Viacom-owned children's programmer Nickelodeon is reportedly considering ways to reboot a small handful of its oldest programs. Russell Hicks, president of content and development at Nickelodeon, says: "We are looking at our library to bring back ideas,...

Gary Cooper movies on TCM: Cooper at his best and at his weakest Gary Cooper is Turner Classic Movies' “Summer Under the Stars” star today, Aug. 30, '15. Unfortunately, TCM isn't showing any Cooper movie premiere – despite the fact that most of his Paramount movies of the '20s and '30s remain unavailable. This evening's features are Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Sergeant York (1941), and Love in the Afternoon (1957). Mr. Deeds Goes to Town solidified Gary Cooper's stardom and helped to make Jean Arthur Columbia's top female star. The film is a tad overlong and, like every Frank Capra movie, it's also highly sentimental. What saves it from the Hell of Good Intentions is the acting of the two leads – Cooper and Arthur are both excellent – and of several supporting players. Directed by Howard Hawks, the jingoistic, pro-war Sergeant York was a huge box office hit, eventually earning Academy Award nominations in several categories,...

Robert Walker: Actor in MGM films of the '40s. Robert Walker: Actor who conveyed boy-next-door charms, psychoses At least on screen, I've always found the underrated actor Robert Walker to be everything his fellow – and more famous – MGM contract player James Stewart only pretended to be: shy, amiable, naive. The one thing that made Walker look less like an idealized “Average Joe” than Stewart was that the former did not have a vacuous look. Walker's intelligence shone clearly through his bright (in black and white) grey eyes. As part of its “Summer Under the Stars” programming, Turner Classic Movies is dedicating today, Aug. 9, '15, to Robert Walker, who was featured in 20 films between 1943 and his untimely death at age 32 in 1951. Time Warner (via Ted Turner) owns the pre-1986 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer library (and almost got to buy the studio outright in 2009), so most of Walker's movies have...

For many young consumers, YouTube and its cachet of homegrown stars provide the primary entertainment destination. One of the TV networks that has traditionally targeted that audience is aware of its circumstances, and as a result, it is looking online to find a new wave of talent. At VidCon, Nickelodeon held a casting call, through which it searched for fresh talent from among hundreds of assembled content creators.

Nickelodeon’s casting call expands the Viacom-owned channel’s relationship with the online video community. It has launched several TV programs adapted from web properties, including a variety show led by creators from within the AwesomenessTV network and an extension of The Fine Bros’ React franchise called React To That. Other YouTube stars are set to appear on Nickelodeon in the future, too. GloZell Green, for example, will have a guest role on Game Shakers, a sitcom that will debut on September 12th.

Nickelodeon has filled the vacuum in its top animation ranks, expanding the responsibilities of James Stephenson who has been named to the newly created position of Svp, Animation and Games. He will be adding animation production and development to his current duties of digital content creation. Stephenson will be based at Nickelodeon's animation studio in Burbank, Calif., reporting to Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon Group. The…...

Nickelodeon has renewed their daily musical comedy series Make It Pop for a second season of 20 episodes. The announcement was initially made via a short video on YouTube (below).

The series debuted on March 26th and concluded its first season of 20 episodes last Friday, May 1st.

Here's the official announcement:

Nickelodeon Greenlights Second Season Of Daily Scripted Musical Comedy Series, "Make It Pop"

Santa Monica, Calif., - May 4, 2015 - Nickelodeon today announced it has renewed its hit live-action, music-infused daily strip, Make It Pop, for a second season with 20 episodes. Demonstrating Nick's commitment to innovative formats and storytelling, since launch, Make It Pop is Nick's #1 show with K6-11 and G6-11. The series ranks as the most-watched long-form content on Nick.com and on the Nick App. The announcement was made by Russell Hicks,...

For the first time ever, Nickelodeon is taking one of its digital properties and moving it to television. The popular children’s network will produce a new version of Welcome to the Wayne, Nickelodeon’s first web series, for release on linear television.

Welcome to the Wayne debuted on August 4, 2014, as Nickelodeon’s first web-only series. Created by Billy Lopez (of Phineas and Ferb fame), the animated series tells the story of ten-year-old boys Olly Timbers and Ansi Molina as they explored their wacky, unpredictable apartment building called The Wayne. Welcome to the Wayne was distributed through the network’s Nick App, as well as through the re-launched, side-scrolling Nick.com.

The TV version of Welcome to the Wayne will boast 20 episodes, created and written by Lopez. In addition to the traditional TV series, Nickelodeon will debut a companion app called The Wayne. The series’ app will provide an interactive...

Nickelodeon has partnered with Get Schooled, a national non-profit co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom, to award one skilled and innovative animator with a $25,000 scholarship, by creating an original animated short. This partnership marks the first-ever animation scholarship program between the 2 organizations, which will help elevate and support the best up and coming animators by giving an opportunity. "With a rich history of championing artist-driven shows and shorts, Nickelodeon is on a mission to bring these ever-growing, young animators to the forefront," said Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon. "By...

Last week, we reported that Nickelodeon had renewed The Thundermans for a third season. The cable channel has now made it official and has also announced that they've picked up Bella and the Bulldogs for a second season as well.

Here are the details:

Nickelodeon Renews Two Live-action Hits "Bella And The Bulldogs" And "The Thundermans"

Santa Monica, Calif., (March 4, 2015) - Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids, today announced it has renewed live-action hit comedies Bella and the Bulldogs for season two, and The Thundermans for a third season. The announcement was made by Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon's President of Content Development and Production.

Year-to-date, Bella and the Bulldogs is the number-one show on Nickelodeon with premieres averaging two million total viewers. Since its January launch, the show has reached more than 20M total viewers. Since its...

Jean Arthur films on TCM include three Frank Capra classics Five Jean Arthur films will be shown this evening, Monday, January 5, 2015, on Turner Classic Movies, including three directed by Frank Capra, the man who helped to turn Arthur into a major Hollywood star. They are the following: Capra's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, You Can't Take It with You, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; George Stevens' The More the Merrier; and Frank Borzage's History Is Made at Night. One the most effective performers of the studio era, Jean Arthur -- whose film career began inauspiciously in 1923 -- was Columbia Pictures' biggest female star from the mid-'30s to the mid-'40s, when Rita Hayworth came to prominence and, coincidentally, Arthur's Columbia contract expired. Today, she's best known for her trio of films directed by Frank Capra, Columbia's top director of the 1930s. Jean Arthur-Frank Capra...

Season two of Instant Mom is coming to Nick at Nite on Thursday, October 2nd.

That certainly won't be the end of the show either. Nickelodeon has already ordered a third season of 20 episodes. They're expected to start airing some time next year.

Here's the official announcement:

Nickelodeon Greenlights Third Season Of Nick At Nite Original Family Comedy "Instant Mom," Starring Tia Mowry-hardrict

Season Two Premieres on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. (Et/Pt) in New Timeslot

Los Angeles- Sept. 9, 2014 - Nickelodeon has ordered a 20-episode third season of its hit family comedy Instant Mom for Nick at Nite and NickMom, it was announced today by Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon's President of Content Development and Production. Beginning Oct. 2, season two of Instant Mom will premiere in its new timeslot on Nick at...

"School of Rock" is coming to the small screen. Nickelodeon has greenlit a TV adaptation of the popular 2003 film straight-to-series, with 13 episodes set to begin production in the fall, according to the network. Casting is set to be announced shortly. Like the movie, which starred Jack Black in his breakthrough role, the series will center on down-on-his-luck slacker/wannabe rock star Dewey Finn, who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious private school and upends the curriculum to teach the basics of rock 'n' roll to a group of young students. “'School of Rock' is one of those great movies that always felt quintessentially Nickelodeon in its tone and humor, and we jumped at the opportunity to partner with Paramount Television and bring it to life as a TV series,” said Nickelodeon Content and Development President Russell Hicks in a statement. “Once again, kids will be able to laugh and rock!

Nickelodeon hasn’t been making headlines for good reasons lately. The kid-targeted network lost its popular Victorious/iCarly crossover series Sam & Cat sooner than expected due to a clash involving its stars Ariana Grande and Jennette McCurdy, and it also recently moved animated fantasy series The Legend of Korra online after extremely low ratings. However, things may be turning around for the network today, with word that it has partnered with Paramount TV to revive the 2003 Jack Black comedy School of Rock as a live-action series.

The new show, which has landed a 13-episode, straight-to-series order from Nickelodeon, will follow the same premise of the film, in which rocker Dewey Finn (Black’s role) posed as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school, imparting to his young pupils the skills necessary to play and appreciate rock ‘n’ roll.

No cast members for School of Rock have yet been announced,...

Nickelodoen's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be back for a fourth season on Nickelodeon airing in 2015! The animated series hasn't even finished airing it's second season (with a third to be released later this year) but execs at Nick are confident that the show will maintain it's popularity and have ordered a 20 episode-long series. The studio had this to say on the future of the show: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been a global hit, maintaining impressive numbers across the network's ratings and our digital and consumer products platforms," said Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon's President of Content Development and Production. "While new episodes will continue to debut on Nickelodeon, we look forward to propelling the momentum with a fourth season for our loyal fans. On top of that, Jason Biggs ("American Pie") will be replaced as the voice of team leader Leonardo in the upcoming third season. Comedian Seth Green...

As the heroes in a half shell celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, Nickelodeon has picked up a fourth season of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" CG-animated series with a 20-episode order. The announcement was made by Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon. "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" ranked as one of the top five animated series for first quarter across all of television, and in consumer products is a retail success around the world. New "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" episodes currently air on Nickelodeon, with season three to debut this fall, and season four slated for fall 2015.

The heroes in a half shell aren't going anywhere. Nickelodeon has renewed their 2012 series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for a fourth season. They've ordered 20 episodes this time around. Season two is currently airing and season three is expected to start airing later this year.

Here's the press release:

Nickelodeon Greenlights Season Four Of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" With 20-episode Pickup

Seth Green to Join Turtles Pack as Leonardo Beginning Season Three Airing this Fall

Burbank, Calif. - June 17, 2014 - As the heroes in a half shell celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, Nickelodeon has picked up a fourth season of the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles CG-animated series with a 20-episode order. The announcement was made today by Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ranked as one of the...

The Turtles are kicking their way into another season! Nickelodeon has ordered a fourth season of animated series “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” The 20-episode season is set to premiere in Fall 2015. The order is a clear vote of confidence that the show will continue to hold its audience as new episodes are currently airing, and the series’ third season is scheduled to debut this fall. “‘The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ has been a global hit, maintaining impressive numbers across the network's ratings and our digital and consumer products platforms,” said Russell Hicks, Nick's president of content development and production. Also read: Nickelodeon.

Cowabunga, dude!

Nickelodeon has renewed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Season 4 ahead of the animated show's third season premiere, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been a global hit, maintaining impressive numbers across the network's ratings and our digital and consumer products platforms," Nickelodeon's President of Content Development and Production, Russell Hicks, in a statement.

Read More >...

All 208 episodes of How I Met Your Mother, The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air‘s entire 148-episode run and all 212 episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond have been added to Nick at Nite‘s primetime lineup. Himym will bow in early fall, followed by Fresh Prince in October and Raymond in early 2015. The deals are not exclusive. “How I Met Your Mother, The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air and Everybody Loves Raymond are perfect additions to Nick at Nite’s lineup of proven hit series with great characters like Full House and originals like Instant Mom,” said Russell Hicks, President of Content Development and Production at Nickelodeon Group. Related: ‘Himym’ DVD Set To Include Alternate Ending To Series Finale How I Met Your Mother recently wrapped its nine-season run with over 13 million total viewers tuning in to the finale. The Emmy-winning comedy Everybody Loves Raymond ran in primetime on CBS for nine seasons,...

Exclusive: There’s going to be more Breadwinners flyin’ around on Nickelodeon. The cable network said today it will be bringing the animated series about a duck duo and their rocket van delivery service back for a second season with a 20-episode order. “The popularity and success of Breadwinners is a testament to our commitment to creator-driven animation,” said Nickelodeon’s Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production. “We’re thrilled to bring our audience another season of this great show as part of our continued pledge to building our pipeline of original animation.” Nickelodeon picked up the show from animator from Gary “Doodles” Diraffaele and former Mad and Teen Titans Go! writer Steve Borst last February. Discovered in Nickelodeon’s 2012 Animated Shorts Program, the first season of 20-episodes starting airing in February of this year on Saturdays.

Scarlet Street

Written by Dudley Nichols

Directed by Fritz Lang

USA, 1945

In a private party set up by J. J. Hogarth (Russell Hicks), president of one of New York’s largest banks, honours are bestowed upon the company and its employees for their diligent service. Among those celebrated is Christopher Cross (Edward G. Robinson), faithful cashier for 25 years. Chris is a mild-mannered, milquetoast sort of chap. He lives with his wife Adele (Rosalind Ivan), who only married him out of convenience after the passing of her first husband; she actually loathes him. A hopeful painter, all Chris has to call his joy is amateur painting on Sundays. Fate has something far different in store for Chris once he leaves his employer’s party. He stumbles upon a man physically assaulting a woman on the sidewalk, prompting him to come to her aid. The young woman, Katherine (Joan Bennett), is thankful...

Hey animators all over the world: Nickelodeon has announced a call for submissions for what it's calling its 2014 Global Animated Shorts Program, which is designed to identify and develop new and up-and-coming animation talent. Now in its 3rd year, Nickelodeon will choose a minimum of 10 pitches to develop into shorts that will appear on the network, as well as on Nick.com, and the Nick app, with the potential to be developed into full series. “We’re on an ongoing mission to create the funniest animated content for this next generation of kids, and find the freshest creative voices from around the world,” says Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon’s president of content development and...