Kevin Nealon, Catherine O'Hara, Judy Greer to Headline Nick At Nite's New Stop-Motion Animated Comedy, Glenn Martin, DDS from Michael Eisner's Tornante Animation
Original Series to Debut This Summer
NEW YORK, March 12 -- A star-studded voice-over cast featuring Kevin Nealon (Weeds, Anger Management), Catherine O'Hara (For Your Consideration, Chicken Little) and Judy Greer (27 Dresses, Arrested Development) has been tapped for Nick at Nite's upcoming stop-motion animated comedy, Glenn Martin, DDS set to premiere this Summer. The first television production to come from Michael Eisner's Tornante Animation, Glenn Martin, DDS follows a beleaguered dentist and his family trading in the suburbs for life on the road. Crisscrossing the country, the Martins are beset by an array of colorful locals and crazy situations in locations ranging from Las Vegas to Amish Country. Many of the characters they encounter are voiced by enough instantly recognizable guest stars to fill a parking lot of RVs, including: Chrissie Hynde, Betty White, Gene Simmons, Wendie Malick and more.
Each of season one's 20 episodes follows the life of Glenn Martin (Kevin Nealon), who yearns for a change of scenery and a deeper connection with his family. Determined to bring the family closer together, Glenn takes the Martins on a road trip to protest the destruction of a beloved childhood park. As things unravel right from the get-go, the family is forced to make the dental-mobile - replete with a giant decorative toothbrush on the roof - their new home. Glenn, Jackie and Courtney (Jackie Clarke) - an 11-year-old future corporate maven who brings along her personal assistant, Wendy (Judy Greer), a 14-year-old North Korean exile - and son, Conor (Peter Oldring), the 13-year-old hormone-addled tween who's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed--quickly learn when hitting the road that the road can sometimes hit back in unexpected ways. The Martins are accompanied on their journey by the family dog, Canine, who's pronounced buttocks only add to the hilarity.
The show was developed for Nick at Nite by Michael Eisner, who co-created the series along with Alex Berger. The show is being produced by Steven Cohen and Noel Bright for Tornante Animation, a division of The Tornante Company LLC. Eric Fogel, of MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch fame, will supervise the animation while the writing team of Sivert Glarum and Michael Jamin serve as show runners.
"As we continue to fortify Nick at Nite with co-viewing entertainment, we couldn't be more excited about enlisting Michael Eisner, a man who knows a thing or two about entertaining families," said Marjorie Cohn, Nickelodeon's Executive Vice President, Development and Original Programming. "Eisner brought us this groundbreaking series that puts a bright spotlight on the modern American family in a laugh-out-loud new comedy. Taking the Martins on the road across America allows us to explore the beauty - and comedy - of the family dynamic as the Martins play out in contemporary culture."
"Nick at Nite is one of the most recognized and respected names in family programming and we're very excited that Glenn Martin DDS will be a part of the upcoming summer lineup," said Michael Eisner, The Tornante Company. "Watching what this incredibly talented cast and crew is capable of has been a gratifying and totally hilarious experience. What a wonderful way for Tornante Animation to break into the animated entertainment space."
Nick at Nite has had 16 consecutive months of double-digit year-over-year growth in delivery and is poised to be the number-one cable network with Women 18-49 in total day for 1Q to-date. Nick at Nite is averaging a 0.6/692,000A18-49 (up +20%) and 1.5 million total viewers (up +9%). In January 2009, the network had its best month in its history and was number one with Adults 18-49, delivering more A18-49 impressions that month than any other network. Nick at Nite was the number-one basic cable network in 2008 with Adult 18-49 in delivery on a total day basis.
Nick At Nite is Nickelodeon's nighttime programming block that also features popular hit family comedies including the Emmy Award-winning series Home Improvement, George Lopez, and Family Matters, as well as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Roseanne. Also coming in 2009 is the hit comedy Everybody Hates Chris, from co-creator and narrator Chris Rock and inspired by his real-life childhood experiences.
Nickelodeon, now in its 30th 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, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 98 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 14 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).
ABOUT THE TORNANTE COMPANY
Founded in 2005 by Michael Eisner, The Tornante Company is a privately held company that makes investments in and incubates companies and opportunities in the media and entertainment space. The Tornante Company's investments include Topps, Vuguru, and Veoh Networks. In the summer of 2008, the company launched Tornante Animation to produce animation for television and multi media platforms.
All numbers above are based on Nielsen Media Research and Nick at Nite's total programming day unless otherwise noted. Nick at Nite: M-Th 9 p.m. - 6:30 a.m., Fri 10 p.m. - 6:30 a.m., Sat 10 p.m.-6 a.m. and Sun: 9 p.m.-6:00 a.m. (ET/PT).
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