ROBIN ROBERTS GUEST STARS IN A SPECIAL EPISODE OF DISNEY JUNIOR'S ACCLAIMED ANIMATED SERIES
'DOC MCSTUFFINS,'
PREMIERING ON NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY,
SUNDAY, JUNE 4
-- Special Advance Screenings set at Children's Hospitals across the US --
Beloved "Good Morning America" anchor and cancer survivor Robin Roberts guest stars in a special episode of Disney Junior's "Doc McStuffins" premiering on National Cancer Survivors Day, SUNDAY, JUNE 4 (8:00-8:30 a.m. EDT), on Disney Channel.
Modeling compassion and care for kids age 2-7, the Peabody Award-winning animated series tells the imaginative story of six-year-old Doc McStuffins who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and broken toys.
Roberts plays the voice of "Audrey's Mom" in an episode titled "Hannah the Brave." In the heartwarming story, Audrey is a four-year-old chemotherapy patient whose doll Hannah has an issue that leads to her hair loss too. The episode includes an original song, "Brave Like You."
Chris Nee, creator and executive producer of "Doc McStuffins," said, "Since 'Doc McStuffins' premiered, we've been contacted by numerous families of children who have been dealing with very serious illnesses. With this episode, we set out to tell a story for those kids whose illnesses can't be cured by just a kiss and a cuddle. It was important to me to let them know that we see them and they matter. Having Robin Roberts portray Audrey's mom in the episode is so special because she has experienced what many of these kids are going through and she's exactly who you would want cheerleading them through the tough times in their lives."
As part of Disney|ABC's Summer of Service campaign that launched Thursday, June 1, Doc McStuffins will volunteer at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), where Disney has a long-standing relationship. Doc will meet with kids and families during the hospital's First Annual Butterfly Clinic, an event designed to help children feel more comfortable and engaged in the hospital environment through medical play. CHLA is one of more than 40 children's hospitals across the country that will hold special advance screenings of the episode for young patients.
"Doc McStuffins" is a production of Academy Award-nominated Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Channel. The Hollywood Health & Society division of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center serves as the series' health and medical consultants, advising on basic health issues that are relevant to young kids and families. "Doc McStuffins" airs daily on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
More information on Disney|ABC's Summer of Service campaign, including a list of volunteer opportunities for kids and families, is available at www.Disney.com/BeInspired.
Prepare to re-enter the whimsical world of Whisker Haven Tales with the Palace Pets in Season 2 of “Whisker Haven Tales with the Palace Pets,” premiering TODAY, MARCH 16 on the Disney Junior app, following a special Easter-themed episode that aired last Wednesday, March 9th.
Season 2 will include 10 three-minute episodes and three seasonal specials timed to Easter, Halloween, and Winter Holidays, is rich with themes of adventure, friendship, and humor, and celebrates the “Royal Heart of friendship” at the center of each story. It also introduces viewers to MANY more royal pets, including Aurora’s pet fox Nuzzles, Belle’s pet puppy Teacup, and Jasmine’s pet elephant Taj, among other critterzens (there’s even a sloth!).
Episode 1, “Pets on the Hunt!” brings viewers on a delightful scavenger hunt around the village of Whisker Haven, where the pets must work together in order to understand confusing clues and make the hunt a success. New episodes will release on the Disney Junior app every Wednesday (known as #WhiskerHavenWednesday) through April 13, with additional episodes rolling out later this year. The episodes will also air on Disney Channel and Disney Junior beginning Wednesday, March 23 with the Easter special “Hearts, Hooves, Eggs!”
More fun facts about this franchise:
· Season 1 generated over 204 million views across all platforms in 2015
· “Whisker Haven Tales with the Palace Pets” first debuted as a series of books
· The Palace Pets in Whisker Haven app has been downloaded 1.1 million+ times
· Lego is debuting a royal castle featuring Windflower and Dreamy and Pumpkin’s Carriage featuring Cinderella’s puppy, Pumpkin
· There will be new figures and a playset themed after select new episodes from Season 2
DISNEY JUNIOR BEGINS PRODUCTION ON TWO ORIGINAL SERIES -"VAMPIRINA," EXECUTIVE-PRODUCED BY "DOC MCSTUFFINS" CREATOR CHRIS NEE, AND "PUPPY DOG TAILS," CREATED BY COMEDIAN HARLAND WILLIAMS
Second Seasons Ordered for Hit Animated Series
"The Lion Guard" and "Goldie & Bear"
Disney Junior has ordered two new animated series, "Vampirina," executive-produced by "Doc McStuffins" creator Chris Nee, and "Puppy Dog Tails," created by comedian Harland Williams. Both series have begun production and are slated to premiere in 2017. Disney Junior, which includes a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel, #1 among all preschooler networks in Total Day, Kids 2-5, Girls 2-5 and Women 18-49 for three consecutive years, has also ordered second seasons of its hit animated series "The Lion Guard" and "Goldie & Bear." The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, Original Programming and general manager, Disney Junior Worldwide.
Kanter said, "Five years ago, we launched Disney Junior with the goal of providing inspired storytelling and aspirational characters that would resonate with our young audience and their parents and caregivers, while also introducing age appropriate social-emotional concepts and other key learnings relevant to kids age 2-7. Our programming has upheld these values and we are pleased to introduce two new series that are sure to do the same."
"Vampirina," inspired by Disney Publishing's popular children's book series "Vampirina Ballerina," tells the story of a young vampire girl who faces the joys and trials of being the new kid in town when her family moves from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. Many of the key creative professionals behind Disney Junior's Peabody Award-winning series "Doc McStuffins" are at the helm, including executive producer Chris Nee and co-executive producer Norton Virgien. Nicky Phelan ("Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty") is directing the series, and the Academy Award-nominated animation studio Brown Bag Films is producing in association with Disney Junior.
"Puppy Dog Tails," created by comedian and actor Harland Williams, centers on two fun-loving pug puppies, Bingo and Rolly, whose thrill-seeking appetites take them on daily adventures around their neighborhood and beyond. Williams also serves as consulting producer with Sean Coyle ("The Awesomes," "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse") as executive producer and Dean Batali ("That '70s Show") as story editor. The series is a production of Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior.
Disney Junior's newest hit series "The Lion Guard," continues the epic storytelling of "The Lion King" and follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands. The story of Kion and his friends was introduced in the animated television movie "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar," which premiered on Disney Channel in November 2015 and became the #1 primetime cable TV telecast of 2015 among Kids 2-5.
"The Lion Guard" series premiered in January 2016 and, for the second consecutive month, ranked as the #1 series across preschooler networks in Total Viewers and key target preschoolers 2-5. In February 2016, the series placed among the month’s Top 10 series with Kids 2-5 across all cable TV networks for its airings on both Disney Junior and Disney Channel. Ford Riley ("Special Agent Oso") is executive producer and Howy Parkins ("Jake and the Never Land Pirates") is co-executive producer and supervising director. The Education and Science experts at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park serve as consultants and author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is the language and cultural advisor. "The Lion Guard" is a production of Disney Television Animation.
"Goldie & Bear," 2015's #1 series across preschool networks, chronicles the adventures of best friends Goldie and Bear following the story of "Goldilocks and The Three Bears." The series was developed for television and is co-executive produced by Jorge Aguirre ("Giants Beware!" graphic novel series); Chris Gilligan ("Frankenweenie") is executive producer and director. "Goldie & Bear" is a production of Titmouse in association with Disney Junior.
Disney Junior's Peabody and Emmy Award-winning animated series "Doc McStuffins" has some great news!
Grandma, Doc, Mom, Donny, Dad
- This spring, the McStuffins family will experience the joys of adoption and also must learn to adjust to having a baby in the house when Mom and Dad McStuffins reveal to Doc and her little brother, Donny, that they are adopting a baby! The multi-episode story arc begins March 4 (8:00-8:30am EST) on the Disney Channel, and will include storylines focusing on a variety of emotions and situations young children can encounter when a new baby arrives in the family.
Experts Adam Pertman, President and Founder of the National Center on Adoption and Permanency and author of "Adoption Nation," and David Brodzinsky, Ph.D., Director of Research, National Center on Adoption and Permanency, and Professor Emeritus of Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Rutgers University, served as consultants on the episodes.
Rescue Ronda, Stuffy, Lambie, Doc
- Season four of "Doc McStuffins" will debut later this summer and will find Doc and her toy friends magically transported to a make-believe town, made up entirely of toys, where Doc serves as chief resident of the Toy Hospital.
Anthony Anderson (ABC's "black-ish"), Molly Ringwald ("Sixteen Candles"), Ellen Pompeo (ABC's "Grey's Anatomy"), Gabourey Sidibe ("Empire"), Vanessa Williams ("The Good Wife") and Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges ("Furious 7") will guest star in the new season.
Disney Junior's "Goldie & Bear," has its television premiere Wednesday, November 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel. The fairy-tale animated series premiered on WATCH Disney Junior in September.
In Wednesday's episode called "Too Much Jack & Jill/Tiny Tale," Goldie and Bear teach clumsy Jack and Jill (Miles Brown and Marsai Martin from "black-ish") how to fetch pails of water so that they can reopen their lemonade stand. Then, Fairy Godmother (Lesley Nicol from "Downton Abbey") casts a spell that goes awry and she unknowingly shrinks Goldie and Bear.
GOLDIE AND BEAR - "Jack & Jill/Tiny Tale" premieres Wednesday November 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel. Goldie and Bear try to teach clumsy Jack and Jill (voiced by Miles Brown and Marsai Martin from "black-ish") how to fetch pails of water so that they can reopen their lemonade stand. Then, Fairy Godmother (played by Lesley Nicol from "Downton Abbey") casts a spell that goes awry and she unknowingly shrinks Goldie and Bear. (Disney Junior)
BEAR, JACK, JILL, GOLDIE
Clip 1 (Jack and Jill)
GOLDIE AND BEAR - "Jack & Jill/Tiny Tale" premieres Wednesday November 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel. Goldie and Bear try to teach clumsy Jack and Jill (voiced by Miles Brown and Marsai Martin from "black-ish") how to fetch pails of water so that they can reopen their lemonade stand. Then, Fairy Godmother (played by Lesley Nicol from "Downton Abbey") casts a spell that goes awry and she unknowingly shrinks Goldie and Bear. (Disney Junior)
BEAR, GOLDIE, FAIRY GODMOTHER
Clip 2 (Fairy Godmother)
Disney Junior will debut the first six episodes of fairytale-inspired "Goldie & Bear" on the popular WATCH Disney Junior platforms, beginning SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, with one new episode premiering on the WATCH Disney Junior app and WATCH Disney Junior.com each Monday from September 21 through October 12. Set in the magical world of Fairy Tale Forest, the animated series for kids age 2-7 reunites Goldie and Bear, after the renowned porridge incident featured in "Goldilocks and The Three Bears." The series premieres on November 11 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
Reflecting Disney's deep roots in storytelling that resonates across generations, "Goldie & Bear" captures the timeless appeal of sharing stories through fairy tales, folk tales and nursery rhymes. Each episode features two 11-minute stories that showcase the new, unexpected friendship between Goldie and Bear as they seek out fun and adventure along with their friends and neighbors, all of whom are drawn from beloved storybook characters. Whether it's helping the Big Bad Wolf learn to consider others before blowing down their houses, helping Jack and Jill get up that hill, or rescuing accident-prone Humpty Dumpty after his great fall, Goldie and Bear enjoy living in a fairytale world filled with real-life situations, humorous mishaps and heartfelt moments.
Beginning where the classic tales leave off, "Goldie & Bear" celebrates the distinct personalities of Goldie, Bear and their quirky pals, and encourages children to develop their own enchanting friendships. The series is populated with a diverse cast of storybook characters who model friendship, community, respect for individuality, resilience in the face of adversity and compassion for others, and is meant to spark conversations among kids and parents about the narratives and morals highlighted by Goldie and Bear's unlikely friendship and their comedic interactions in Fairy Tale Forest.
Maria Tatar, chair of Harvard University's program in Folklore and Mythology and series consultant, advising on storytelling, fairy tales and folklore, said, "When we are stumped, a story often provides the answer - not in the form of a one-liner but in a conversation about the things that mattered to us in the tale."
DisneyJunior.com and WATCH Disney Junior will roll out a suite of more than 20 "Goldie & Bear" micro-games throughout the fall, with the first six debuting with the series. Housed in a storybook containing an interactive map of Fairy Tale Forest, each game centers on a classic fairy tale or nursery rhyme character.
"Goldie & Bear" stars Natalie Lander ("The Middle") as Goldie and Georgie Kidder ("Star Wars: The Clone Wars") as Bear. Recurring guest stars include Lesley Nicol ("Downton Abbey") as Fairy Godmother, Isabella Day ("Cristela") as little witch Rosita, Debby Ryan ("Jessie") as Thumbelina and Miles Brown and Marsai Martin ("black-ish") as Jack & Jill. "Goldie & Bear" was developed for television and is co-executive produced by Jorge Aguirre ("Giants Beware!" graphic novel series); Chris Gilligan ("Frankenweenie") is executive producer and director; Joe Ansolabehere ("Recess") is story editor and Rob Cantor (from the band Tally Hall) is songwriter.
WATCH Disney Junior makes full-length episodes of popular Disney Junior shows, games and show-themed activities available to fans on their desktop, mobile and connected TV devices. Viewers who verify with a participating pay TV service can also watch a live stream of the linear channel feed and access exclusive content.
Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel reaching over 73 million U.S. homes. In total, there are 34 Disney Junior channels in 25 languages around the world.
Sofia the First "Clover Time"
(9:30 AM – 9:55 AM ET/PT)
Sofia and Clover learn to be more considerate of others after Clover's warren gets flooded and Sofia invites him to stay with her, causing friction in their friendship when they realize that they both have very different habits.
Sofia the First "In a Tizzy"
(9:55 AM – 10:20 AM ET/PT)
After teaming up with an over-eager fairy godmother, Sofia's friend Ruby learns that a little assistance is nice, but sometimes you have to do things on your own.
*Guest-starring: Melissa Rauch ("The Big Bang Theory") as Ruby's fairy godmother, Tizzy.
Sofia the First "A Tale of Two Teams"
(10:20 AM – 10:50 AM ET/PT)
When a game of dazzleball pits the villagers against the royals, Sofia must decide whether to play with her old friends or her new family.
On Friday, June 20th, Disney Junior will debut "Lucky Duck," the first Disney Junior Original Movie, about a group of misfit tub toys in search of the kids who will love them just the way they are. Leading the voice cast are Broadway and television stars Christian Borle, Megan Hilty and Tom Cavanagh.
The story introduces an unflappable rubber ducky with a broken squeaker named Lucky (voiced by Borle) and two kindred spirits – an extroverted hippo with mis-matched eyes named Flo (voiced by Hilty) and a timid turtle named Snap (voiced by Cavanagh) – as the they find themselves stranded at sea when the cargo ship they are being transported on is caught in a storm.
Showcasing its musical theater cast, "Lucky Duck" features six original songs, including the ballad "I'm a Lucky Duck," the up-tempo "Tub Toy Twist" and the heartfelt "Friends Will See You Through."
"Lucky Duck" premieres Friday, June 20 on Disney Junior (7:00 p.m., ET/PT) and Saturday, June 21 on Disney Channel (9:00 a.m., ET/PT). It will be available for verified users on the WATCH Disney Junior app for smartphones and tablets and on WATCHDisneyJunior.com beginning Friday, June 6. On Monday, June 16, DisneyJunior.com/LuckyDuck will launch with the online puzzle game "Tub Toy Tumble."
On Tuesday, March 11th - A multi-platform event celebrating the music of Disney Junior kicks
off on Disney Channel and Disney Junior with the debut of a music video
for the new Disney Junior anthem "DJ Shuffle," performed by internet
sensation Parry Gripp. Also beginning that day, parents/caregivers are
invited to submit videos via the Disney Junior Facebook page of their child performing popular songs from hit Disney Junior series. The videos will be highlighted across WATCH Disney Junior and DisneyJunior.com/DJShuffle,
with some chosen to air on Disney Channel and Disney Junior during a
special programming event in April featuring new music-filled episodes
and culminating with a family night sing-along.
On Tuesday, March 18th - Walt Disney Records will release "DJ Shuffle,"
the first-ever Disney Junior compilation album featuring new songs and
beloved favorites from Disney Junior series. In addition to the new "DJ
Shuffle" anthem song, the album will debut the song "Hoppin' Out With
You," a duet performed by Sofia and Clover from "Sofia the First" and
features karaoke tracks for "Blue Ribbon Bunny" from "Sofia the First,"
"Jake and the Never Land Pirates (Swashbucklin' Version)" from "Jake and
the Never Land Pirates," "Time For Your Check-Up" from "Doc McStuffins"
and "DJ Shuffle."
On Monday, March 24, DisneyJunior.com/DJShuffle
will debut the game "DJ Jamboree" where kids can create their own
unique versions of popular Disney Junior songs. The site will also
feature Disney Junior lyric sheets and music-inspired crafts.
The on-air programming event debuts on Disney Channel with a new "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" airing Tuesday, April 1 (9:00 a.m. ET/PT), where the Clubhouse gang joins Minnie on the road for a pop song performance. The event also includes a new episode of "Doc McStuffins" guest-starring Broadway star Sutton Foster on Friday, April 4 (9:30 a.m. ET/PT); a musical-inspired episode of "Sheriff Callie's Wild West" premiering Tuesday, April 8 (9:30 a.m., ET/PT); and a song-filled episode of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" featuring guest stars Sharon Osbourne, Leigh-Allyn Baker and Ariel Winter, who recur as Mama Hook, the Mermaid Queen and Marina the Mermaid respectively, airing on Friday, April 11 (9:30 a.m. ET/PT). All episodes will encore on Disney Junior as part of a family night sing-along event on Friday, April 18 (5:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT). Make sure to save this information (I will try to remind you), and set your DVR's!
*Snow White Makes Special Appearance Friday, April 4th
*Mulan, Tiana and Rapunzel Also Appear in Season Two
Season two of Disney Junior's hit animated series "Sofia the First," 2013's #1 TV series among Girls 2-5 and the #2 cable TV series overall among Kids 2-5, debuts FRIDAY, MARCH 7 (9:30 a.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel. A special episode featuring Snow White will premiere FRIDAY, APRIL 4 on Disney Channel (9:00 a.m. ET/PT) and Disney Junior (6:00 p.m. ET/PT). A preview of the episode will be available for verified users on WATCHDisneyJunior.com and the WATCH Disney Junior app for smartphones and tablets beginning Tuesday, March 25 and will become available on iTunes beginning Saturday, April 5.
The new season includes appearances by Disney Princesses Mulan (voiced by Ming-Na Wen), Tiana (voiced by Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose) and Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore). The guest voice cast for season two includes Alyson Hannigan ("How I Met Your Mother") as a young faun who always felt she wasn't special enough; Ginnifer Goodwin ("Once Upon A Time") as the castle's kitchen maid who aspires to be an inventor; Melissa Rauch ("The Big Bang Theory") as Ruby's fairy godmother; Anna Camp and John Michael Higgins (both of "Pitch Perfect") as a charmingly sinister princess and a tall fire-breathing dragon; Isla Fisher ("The Great Gatsby") and Sean Astin ("Lord of the Rings") as two adventurous young sprites; Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation") as a well-connected fox who reigns over Enchancia's woodland creatures; Robert Morse ("Mad Men") as an elderly retired sorcerer; Christian Borle ("Smash") as an ambitious, young castle steward out to take Baileywick's job; Oliver Platt ("The West Wing") as a sickly old dragon; Tracey Ullman ("The Tracey Ullman Show") as a happily wicked witch; and Phylicia Rashad ("The Cosby Show") as a cranky ice witch who eventually allows her heart to be melted by the power of music.
Created for kids 2-7 and their parents/caregivers, "Sofia the First" tells the story of an ordinary girl who becomes a princess and, throughout her journey, learns that possessing the characteristics of a true princess – honesty, loyalty, compassion and grace – is what makes one truly royal. The series stars the voices of Ariel Winter as Sofia, Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda, Wayne Brady as Clover, Tim Gunn as Baileywick, Darcy Rose Byrnes as Amber, Zach Callison and Tyler Merna as James, Travis Willingham as King Roland II, and Jess Harnell as Cedric. Recurring guest stars include Eric Stonestreet, Ellie Kemper, Viola Davis and Bonnie Hunt.
In the season two premiere episode, "Two Princesses and a Baby," Amber asks royal sorcerer Cedric to cast a magic spell that will give her and twin James separate birthdays so that she can celebrate the day all by herself. After the spell accidentally turns James into a baby, Sofia helps Amber realize how special it is to have a twin, and then they work together to help Cedric reverse his spell. The episode features the songs "Sisters and Brothers" performed by Sofia and "Two By Two" performed by Amber.
Then, in "The Enchanted Feast," Snow White appears to help Sofia learn the importance of trusting one's instincts after she suspects that a visiting sorceress is not who she says she is. Snow White is voiced by Katie Von Till and Megan Mullally ("Will and Grace") recurs in the episode as Miss Nettle, an evil fairy who disguises herself as a powerful sorceress to attempt to steal Sofia's magical amulet.
On Saturday, March 1, DisneyJunior.com/Sofia will launch the game "Sofia's Royal Bubble Rescue."
"Sofia the First" is executive-produced by Craig Gerber ("Pixie Hollow Games") and Jamie Mitchell ("Special Agent Oso"), who also serve as story editor and director, respectively. John Kavanaugh ("Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo") serves as songwriter/music director and Kevin Kliesch ("Tangled Ever After") is the composer. "Sofia the First" is a production of Disney Television Animation.
Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel. There are 33 Disney Junior channels in 24 languages around the world.
The second Sofia the First "appisode" is now available on the Disney Junior Appisodes app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. In "The Great Aunt-Venture," Sofia reluctantly agrees to help her Aunt Tilly (voiced by Bonnie Hunt) bake a pie, but this is no dull day in the kitchen. In search of the perfect apples, Sofia and Aunt Tilly end up on a journey full of unexpected obstacles that kids can help Sofia navigate. The Disney Junior Appisodes app offers true interactive viewing for young fans to touch, tap, swipe, tilt, shake and talk their way through various fun-filled activities embedded into full episodes of some of their favorite Disney Junior shows.
JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES - "Treasure of the Pirate Mummy's Tomb" - Jake's crew encounters a pirate mummy while they search for a magical staff that will dig Captain Flynn's ship out of desert sand. This episode of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" airs Friday, January 3 (8:30 AM - 9:00 AM ET/PT), on Disney Junior. (DISNEY JUNIOR)
Pictures above came from Disney Junior.
Season
three of Disney Junior's Emmy-nominated animated series "Jake and the
Never Land Pirates" will premiere Friday, January 3 on Disney Channel
(8:30 a.m., ET/PT) and Disney Junior (7:50 p.m., ET/PT). The new season
introduces rival characters including pirate ghosts, mummies and
robots, and incorporates special super powers and spectacular gadgets
for Jake and his crew, including Jake’s Mega-Mecha Sword, a robot suit
and an invisibility ring that will help the gang outwit their new
adversaries. The season will also include action-packed extended length
episodes and a revamped rock and roll-style theme song performed by
Sharky and Bones of The Never Land Pirate Band.
Celebrity
guest stars include Jack McBrayer as a pirate mummy, Mark Hamill as
chilling pirate Shiverjack, Carl Reiner as ghost pirate Captain Treasure
Tooth, Rico Rodriguez as Snow-Foot, Estelle Harris as Peg-Leg Peg and
Jo Frost as Nanny Nell, Captain Hook's no-nonsense nanny.
New
episodes of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" will air every Friday
throughout January and February culminating with the premiere of a
special extended episode on Friday, February 28, featuring three
11-minute stories that pit Jake against Hook in an ultimate showdown.
All featured episodes will be simulcast for verified users on WATCH
Disney Junior in conjunction with the television premieres and will
become available the following day on WATCH Disney Junior, Disney Junior
on Demand, iTunes, Xbox and Amazon.
Beginning Friday, January 31, DisneyJunior.com/Jake
will debut the new game, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates: The Super
Pirate," where players can take on the role of Jake as he attempts to
retrieve the Mega-Mecha Sword that Captain Hook has stolen. Each Friday
through February 28, kids are invited to unlock a new game level.
The
strong connection kids 2-7 and their parents have with the characters
and stories of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" has led to brand
extensions across other Disney businesses. The series is prominently
featured in Feld Entertainment's 90-city nationwide tour, "Disney Junior
Live On Tour! Pirate and Princess Adventure," and Jake and his crew are
an integral part of the popular "Disney Junior Live on Stage!"
attraction at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort
and Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in
Florida where the Jake character also meets with fans daily. Disney
Consumer Products has licensed LEGO® DUPLO® sets, action figures and
playsets, board games, bikes, apparel and bedding, available at major
retailers nationwide.
"Jake and the
Never Land Pirates" airs daily on Disney Junior and Disney Channel's
Disney Junior programming block for kids age 2-7. The series stars
Cameron Boyce as Jake; Madison Pettis as Izzy; Jonathan Morgan Heit as
Cubby; David Arquette as Skully; Corey Burton as Captain Hook; Jeff
Bennett as Mr. Smee and Bones and Loren Hoskins as Sharky. Rob LaDuca is
executive producer, Mark Seidenberg is producer/story editor and Howy
Parkins is director, all of "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse." The series is
produced by Disney Television Animation.
Disney
Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have
to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and
contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney
experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters,
while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed
for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled
storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including
early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social
skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on
Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel. There are 33 Disney Junior
channels in 24 languages around the world.
