NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Please replace the release with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.
The corrected release reads:
NICKELODEON AND SID & MARTY KROFFT UNLEASH PLAYFUL PUPPIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS IN MUTT & STUFF--NEW SERIES PREMIERING FRIDAY, JULY 10, AT 10 A.M. (ET/PT)
Calvin Millan and Cesar Millan Star in Live-Action Series
Created by Sid and Marty Krofft, and Bradley Zweig
*High-res art available at www.nickpress.com
Nickelodeon is expanding its hit preschool roster with the launch of the inventive Mutt & Stuff, a live-action preschool series created by TV legends Sid and Marty Krofft, and Bradley Zweig. Set in a unique school for dogs, the series stars Calvin Millan and his dad, Cesar, star of Cesar 911 and former star of Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, interacting with a cast of both real dogs and puppets at a canine school called Mutt & Stuff. In addition to adorable puppies and unbelievable dog tricks, the series balances moments of heart and comedy with a social-emotional curriculum that helps preschoolers with identifying and managing emotions, building interpersonal awareness and developing social skills. The show also carries a message of pet adoption and responsible pet care based on Cesar Millan’s philosophies.
Mutt & Stuff will premiere Friday, July 10, at 10 a.m. (ET/PT), joining Nick’s number-one lineup of preschool content that features the top-rated PAW Patrol and Blaze and the Monster Machines. Mutt & Stuff is created and executive produced by Sid and Marty Krofft (H.R. Pufnstuf, Land Of The Lost), along with Bradley Zweig. Cesar Millan also serves as executive producer.
“Mutt & Stuff will capture the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers everywhere with its upbeat energy, heartwarming friendships and valuable lessons,” said Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon Group. “Sid and Marty Krofft have been entertaining kids for decades with shows that expertly blend fantasy and reality, and Mutt & Stuff truly embodies their colorful signature style.”
Added Marty Krofft, “From the moment we met with the Millans it was clear that partnering with them was going to lead to something extraordinary. Mixing their dynamic talent with the unmatched appeal of puppies and the quirkiness of puppets, we knew that Mutt & Stuff would be a one-of-a-kind show that would pique the interest of preschoolers and enable us to connect with a new generation of kids.”
The series follows Calvin Millan and his best friend Stuff, a larger-than-life dog with a personality to match, as they take preschoolers inside the doors of Mutt & Stuff, a school for dogs, to explore the daily lives of these canine companions. Each episode features incredible tricks, training lessons and high-spirited humor. With the help of 15 playful puppies and charismatic puppets, Calvin educates preschoolers on how to train and guide their dogs, as well as showcase the friendship and loyalty that puppies can provide. Mutt & Stuff airs regularly Fridays at 10 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.
In Mutt & Stuff’s series premiere, “Hip Hop Dogs,” Calvin helps one of his canine students cope with missing his owner. In addition to helping his pup pal, Calvin helps the dog’s owner when she needs back-up dancers for her dance performance. Cue the Mutt & Stuff hip hop dog dancers!
Nickelodeon’s award-winning NickJr.com and the Nick Jr. App will feature Mutt & Stuff content including episodic clips, series trailer and theme song. The series premiere of Mutt & Stuff will be available on NickJr.com, the Nick Jr. App, Nick VOD and DTO beginning July 11.
Calvin Millan, 16, is the son of Cesar Millan, star of Nat Geo WILD’s Cesar 911 and former host of the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. Calvin began his acting career at the age of eight when he appeared as a guest on the Dog Whisperer helping to train small dogs. In 2012, he traveled with his father appearing in CESAR MILLAN LIVE touring shows in Asia and Canada. Calvin has one dog named Coco and actively works with the Cesar Millan Foundation in support of the Mutt-i-grees elementary school program that teaches children empathy and compassion for animals. The program has been taught in over 1,200 school districts in the United States and Canada.
Cesar Millan is a best-selling author, a much-in-demand public speaker, a branded pet care product designer/entrepreneur, international star of Nat Geo WILD’s Cesar 911 and original host of the Dog Whisperer. Cesar has co-authored several books as well as generated numerous instructional DVDs and CDs. In 2007, Cesar officially launched The Cesar Millan Foundation, a national nonprofit organization designed to champion worldwide animal advocacy for animals through the support of community education and awareness programs.
Many of the most colorful and fondly remembered children’s series of the 1970s and 1980s sprang from the imaginations of Sid and Marty Krofft. The Kroffts made their television debut in 1969 with NBC’s H.R. Pufnstuf and introduced the brothers’ innovative mix of live-action and puppetry. For the next two decades, the Kroffts developed several hit shows including The Bugaloo, Lidsville, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and Land Of The Lost. The Kroffts also found success as producers of popular primetime variety series such as The Donny and Marie Show, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour and the top-rated Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters. In 2009, the Kroffts produced a feature film version of their classic TV program Land of the Lost, which was distributed by Universal Pictures. The Kroffts recently signed a development deal with Amazon Studios to develop a reimagined pilot based on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. They are also producing a reboot of Electra Woman & Dyna Girl, consisting of a series of eight 11-minute episodes that can also be released as an 88-minute movie, at Legendary Entertainment.
Bradley Zweig is an Emmy-nominated executive producer and writer who has worked on numerous live-action and animated preschool shows for Nickelodeon including Yo Gabba Gabba, Wallykazam!, Zack and Quack and The Fresh Beat Band. He has also written and produced projects for The Jim Henson Company and Cirque Du Soleil. In addition to his television work, Zweig has written several live touring shows including Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and multiple touring musical productions for Disney Jr.
Nickelodeon, now in its 36th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
