Category: Television (Page 59 of 66)

The Simpsons’ 20th season will begin airing this Fall, but there’s one problem — the voice talent hasn’t signed new contracts yet.

Because of this, production on the 20th season was put on hold and will result in a shorter season — probably 20 episodes instead of the regular 22.

According to Varierty, the key cast members — Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Hank Azaria (Moe) and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns) are believed to make around $360,000 an episode. A new deal could raise the deal to $500,000 per episode.

However, an insider said it could all be resolved as soon as this week. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that they settle this ASAP and FOX gives them the money they deserve. When you think about, their pay is quite small compared to the billions of dollars that The Simpsons franchise is worth.

THE SIMPSONS RIDE is officially open at Universal Studios Hollywood, California and Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.

Guests are swept into Krustyland, a theme park created by the show’s cash hungry clown. Meanwhile, maniacal Sideshow Bob has escaped from prison and has taken control of the park to get his revenge on Krusty and the Simpson family. Hand-picked by Krusty to be the first to ride his newest attraction, you are thrust into the middle of the action.

The attraction is larger than life — from the 32-foot-tall Krusty the Clown at the entrance (guests walk through Krusty’s mouth on his extended tongue) to the giant wrap-around cinematic experience created for this great new adventure. Guests soar through Krustyland and Springfield on a ride that features the world’s first ever cork screw that’s animated.

“For 20 years I’ve been dreaming about this, and here it is — a wild, thrilling SIMPSONS RIDE put together by a huge number of talented artists and amusement-park maniacs,” Groening said.

Check out a preview clip for the upcoming Family Guy spin-off, The Cleveland Show.

Comedy Central is set to air the South Park IMAGINATIONLAND trilogy as a feature-length, director’s cut film, complete with previously unaired footage created especially for the movie. The movie will air at 10 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, July 27.

IMAGINATIONLAND tells the story of Stan and Kyle trying to stop the United States Army from nuking Imaginationland while Butters leads the resistance from inside everyone’s wildest dreams. Meanwhile, a wronged Cartman is out to get Kyle down on his knees to pay his dues. Al Gore and Mel Gibson also make an appearance.

According to TV Guide, Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy, has signed a deal with 20th Century Fox worth $100 million and will keep him there until 2012.

The deal makes him the company’s highest-paid writer/producer and includes new media, retail projects, Family Guy, American Dad and the upcoming Family Guy spinoff The Cleveland Show and a new sitcom that he is developing with Family Guy writer Gary Janetti.

“I couldn’t be where I am today without all the white people who paved the way before me,” joked MacFarlane. “This goes out to them.”

Ben 10: ALIEN FORCE proved to be a ratings juggernaut when it premiered on Cartoon Network last Friday night (8-9 p.m., ET/PT). It set new records as the most-watched original series premiere in Cartoon Network history among kids 6-11, boys 6-11, boys 2-11 and Households, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The one-hour premiere also scored as the #1 telecast of the day on all television — both cable and broadcast — with kids 9-14, boys 6-11 boys 2-11 and households. Also, the BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE premiere out-performed the original BEN 10 series premiere on January 13, 2006.

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE begins the next chapter in the continuing BEN 10 saga five years later when 15-year-old Ben Tennyson chooses to once again put on the OMNITRIX and discovers that it has reconfigured his DNA and can now transform him into 10 brand new aliens. Joined by his super-powered cousin Gwen Tennyson and his equally powerful former enemy Kevin Levin, Ben is on a mission to find his missing Grandpa Max. In order to save his Grandpa, Ben must defeat the evil DNALIENS, a powerful alien race intent on destroying the galaxy, starting with planet Earth.

Via AWN

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Mitch Hurwitz has recruited three of his “Arrested Development” cast members — Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Henry Winkler — to voice roles in his animated Fox comedy “Sit Down, Shut Up.” Also joining the voice cast are Cheri Oteri, Will Forte, Regina King, Nick Kroll, Tom Kenny and Maria Bamford.

“Sit Down, Shut Up” centers on staff members at a high school who are preoccupied with their own needs and agendas, which means the students come second. The show is based on the live-action Australian series.

Nicktoons Network announced that it will premiere Speed Racer: The Next Generation on Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m.

The 90-minute premiere will launch the television series just prior to the Lionsgate DVD release on Tuesday, May 6, and the live-action feature film on Friday, May 9. The 26-episode, half-hour series will air regularly Fridays at 7 p.m. (ET) on Nicktoons Network.

The series follows Speed after he arrives at The Racing Academy only to find himself intimidated by his fast-paced classmates. Armed with his new friends Conor, Lucy and Conor’s robot monkey, Chim Chim, Speed quickly lives up to his name and becomes the one to beat in the driver’s seat.

On April 22 at 10PM ET/PT, Starz will air The Pixar Story — a film that takes an in-depth look at the most influential animation studio of its time. The movie features behind the scenes footage along with interviews and archival footage.

After the movie, Stars will air The Pixar Story Continues, which consists of footage from Ratatouille and the upcoming WALL-E.

Disney Channel has acquired global rights for the stop-motion animated series Timmy from Aardman Animations. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2009 on Playhouse Disney channels and programming blocks around the world.

The short-form series stars a sheep, 3-year-old Timmy, a character based on sketches by Nick Park and introduced on the series Shaun the Sheep airing on Disney Channels around the world. Each episode will follow a day in the life of Timmy as he learns something about himself and his friends.

Animation fans rejoice! FOX has renewed King of the Hill for its 13th season. FOX has ordered 13 new episodes that will air during the fall. I’m assuming they’ll air at 8:30PM after The Simpsons, and followed by Family Guy and American Dad.

This new 13th season will make it the second longest-running animated sitcom, behind The Simpsons which will air its 20th season in the fall. It’s great to see that FOX still believes in King of the Hill and hasn’t given up on it just yet.

Cartoon Network today announced its programming line-up for 2008.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS will anchor the fantasy/adventure block on Friday nights, the network announced, along with the new animated action series from Warner Bros. Animation, BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD; BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE; and the previously announced THE SECRET SATURDAYS, which will premiere with 26 episodes in the fall.

Cartoon Network announced today that it is also developing a sequel to the record-breaking original live-action movie BEN 10: RACE AGAINST TIME.

Cartoon Network has designated Thursday nights as the new destination for comedy. Anchored by its new animated hit CHOWDER, which the network announced today has been picked up for a second season, Thursdays will also feature existing laughers FOSTER’S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS, CAMP LAZLO and GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE and offer a platform for new series launches including this summer’s THE MARVELOUS MISADVENTURES OF FLAPJACK.

Sunday nights will be the destination for Cartoon Network’s new movie franchise (as yet unnamed). Launching in June, the network will showcase a must-see movie each week, including the world television premieres of much-loved films such as ANT BULLY, HOODWINKED, MONSTER HOUSE and OPEN SEASON, as well as Cartoon Network firsts like KICKING AND SCREAMING and CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN.

A special week of BEN 10 shows will air on Cartoon Network, leading up to the premiere of BEN 10: Alien Force on Friday, April 18 at 8 p.m.

April 13 – BEN 10 marathon
April 14 at 8 p.m. – Ben 10 special featuring the results of the ultimate BEN 10 fan challenge
April 15 at 8 p.m. – A previously unseen episode of BEN 10
April 16 at 8 p.m. – Enhanced version of the animated movie BEN 10: The Secret of the Omnitrix
April 17 at 8 p.m. – BEN 10: Race Against Time movie

At last night’s 2008 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, Pixar’s Ratatouille won the award for Favorite Animated Movie while Alvin and the Chipmunks won Favorite Movie. Topping off the animation awards was Eddie Murphy winning the award for Favorite Voice in an Animated Movie for Shrek the Third.