Nick greenlights host of new shows

Dan Schneider and Dana Olsen’s superhero show Henry Danger

ViacomCBS-owned kids’ net Nickelodeon has ordered two animated series, two live-action comedy shows and renewed three existing programmes, it was revealed at the channel’s virtual upfront yesterday.

In animation, Nickelodeon has greenlit ZJ Sparkleton (w/t) and The Hamster Show (w/t), both of which are produced by Nelvana and will premiere in the US in 2022, followed by international markets.

Created by Brian Morante and aimed at children aged six-to-11, ZJ Sparkleton (26×30’) follows a creative vlogger and her goofy alien best friend as they film their daily mishaps and adventures around their town.

Targeting preschoolers, The Hamster Show (26×30’) centres on a motley crew of hamsters that work together to protect their owner, who they mistake as their king and beloved ruler of their elaborate tubed kingdom. The series is created by Zach Smith.

In live-action, Nickelodeon has ordered That Girl Lay Lay (w/t), a 13-episode comedy series starring teen sensation Alaya High about an avatar from a personal affirmation app that magically comes to life and helps her best friend navigate life as a teenager.

Created by David A Arnold and produced by Will Packer Media, the project is the first to come out of Nickelodeon’s overall talent deal with High. Production will begin this spring, with a premiere slated for this summer.

The second new live-action series is Warped!, a 13-episode comedy about the beloved head geek at a popular comic book shop, who forms an unlikely alliance with his new quirky and excitable co-worker to create the world’s greatest graphic novel.

Warped! is co-created and written by Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert. Production will begin later this year.

Elsewhere, Nickelodeon has renewed Danger Force and Young Dylan for second seasons, and extended the first season of Side Hustle by six episodes.

Danger Force is a live-action comedy from Christopher J Nowak that acts as a spin-off to Dan Schneider and Dana Olsen’s superhero show Henry Danger. The first season of the series, which is aimed at six-to-11s, premiered last year. Season two will comprise 26 episodes.

Young Dylan, meanwhile, is created by Tyler Perry and follows a young aspiring hip-hop artist who moves in with his aunt and uncle. Season one premiered last year, with season two set to return with a further 20 episodes.

Finally, Side Hustle is a buddy comedy series created by Dave Malkoff about two friends who accidentally destroy a boat belonging to their neighbour and are forced to come up with creative ways to earn money to pay for the damages. The show premiered late last year and will now run to 26 episodes with the latest six-episode order.