Destiny Brings Boy and Talking Snake Together in Nickelodeon's Newest Animated Series "Sanjay and Craig," Premiering Saturday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m. (ET/PT)

First-Time Nickelodeon Creators Jay Howell, Jim Dirschberger and Andreas Trolf Team Up with Network Alumni Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi; Featuring Maulik Pancholy, Chris Hardwick, Linda Cardellini and More

BURBANK, Calif., April 22, 2013 -- Two best friends, one of whom happens to be a talking snake, seek maximum awesomeness in the brand-new animated series Sanjay and Craig, debuting Saturday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. This 20-episode series, produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studios, follows the misadventures of Sanjay, an excitable and irreverent 12-year-old boy ( Maulik Pancholy , 30 Rock) and Craig, a smooth-talking snake and master of disguise ( Chris Hardwick , Nerdist, Back at the Barnyard). Together, they embark on epic kid-inspired quests that are at times totally ridiculous, absolutely gross and weirdly sweet. Sanjay and Craig will air regularly Saturdays at 10:30a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

"The comedic and outrageous adventures of Sanjay and Craig deliver the perfect yet distinctive mix of weird, wonderful and random humor that is both unconventional and modern, which this post-millennial world has a strong affinity for," said Russell Hicks , President of Content Development and Production.

Sanjay and Craig is created and co-executive produced by Jay Howell , Jim Dirschberger , and Andreas Trolf , a trio inspired by the Nickelodeon cartoons they grew up watching. These first-time creators were teamed with award-winning writers and producers Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi (The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Alvin and the Chipmunks) to make an original animated series for a new generation of Nickelodeon kids - the post-millennials. The series features the voice talents of Pancholy and Hardwick in the lead roles with additional cast members that include: Linda Cardellini (Mad Men, Freaks and Geeks) as Megan; Matt Jones (Breaking Bad) as Hector; Tony Hale (Veep, Arrested Development) as Mr. Noodman; Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) as Vijay; Grey DeLisle (The Fairly OddParents) as Darlene and Sandy Dickson ; and Remington Tufflips as himself.

Sanjay and Craig's relationship is an alliance of equals, with Sanjay relying on his best buddy to aid his misadventures through their suburban neighborhood. From perfecting the ultimate bike skid, tightroping across a pool of garbage on a dare or Craig manipulating a contest to win his best buddy one hundred dogs, their routine hijinks often cross into the land of the fantastical and the absurd. Only Sanjay and his closest friends can hear Craig's warped words of wisdom. The only thing that stands in their way is their unhinged, snake-phobic neighbor, Mr. Noodman, who's always on the verge of figuring out that Craig can talk.

During the half-hour series premiere, Sanjay and Craig infiltrate the hospital to see the world's first butt transplant in "Brett Venom MD." Then in "Laugh Quake," the two go on a quest to find the ultimate laugh.

Nickelodeon, now in its 34th 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 18 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).