Nickelodeon and Columbia/Epic Label Group Partner on Big Time Rush, a New Comedy Series About Finding, Making and Breaking A Band

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon partners with Columbia/Epic Label Group (a label group of Sony Music Entertainment) on Big Time Rush, a live-action, scripted comedy series that chronicles the journey of four best friends who are given the opportunity of a lifetime when they get a chance to be part of the glamorous L.A. pop music scene. The network has ordered 20 episodes of the new comedy from Scott Fellows, creator of the top-rated Nickelodeon series Ned's DeClassified School Survival Guide. A special one-hour preview of the new series will air on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT), following an all-new episode of iCarly at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Currently in production in Los Angeles, Big Time Rush marks the second television collaboration with Columbia/Epic Label Group (Victorious being the first) and is slated to premiere in early 2010 on Nickelodeon.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091103/NY04148 )

"Our audience loves stories about wish fulfillment and beating the odds, and that is what is at the heart of Big Time Rush," said Marjorie Cohn, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon. "We think kids and tweens will quickly connect with the story of Kendall, Logan, James and Carlos. They'll be laughing at their misadventures and rooting for them as they try to attain that elusive goal of pop stardom."

"Music is a key element of the show, and our four stars really know how to deliver on that front," said Jay Landers, Senior Vice President A&R, Columbia Records. "They each have the vocal ability and personal charisma to make it as bona fide pop stars. Big Time Rush will be a terrific platform to showcase their considerable talents."

In the special one-hour preview of Big Time Rush, 16-year-old Kendall (Kendall Schmidt, AI, Gilmore Girls), is inadvertently discovered by eccentric record executive Gustavo Rocque (Stephen Glickman) during a nationwide casting call and must choose between staying home in Minneapolis with his friends and pursuing a singing career in Hollywood. Not seeing himself as a solo act, Kendall strikes a deal with the Hollywood image-maker and agrees to undergo "pop group 101" training in exchange for giving his best friends - James (James Maslow, iCarly), Logan (Logan Henderson) and Carlos (Carlos Pena, Ned's DeClassified School Survival Guide) - the opportunity to be in a music group with him. The boys travel with Kendall's mom (Challen Cates) and younger sister (Ciara Bravo) from the snowy Midwest to sunny Los Angeles, where they move into the Palm Woods, a swanky temporary housing development where entertainment companies house their budding new talent. But the boys soon learn that life in Hollywood is not all about hanging at the pool and attending late-night parties: they quickly realize they have a very short window to prove to themselves and their record label that they are serious about their new career choice.

Big Time Rush is a series about friendship and brotherhood that chronicles the finding, making and breaking - of a potential chart-topping music group. Each of the guys brings something different to the group as they figure out their place in the crazy business of music and entertainment. A naturally gifted singer, Kendall never planned on becoming famous but definitely has the swagger of a music star. After seizing this opportunity of a lifetime, he leads his friends on an exciting comedy and music-filled journey. James has big dreams for himself and his pals and his confidence in their potential for success helps the other guys deal with the more difficult moments. Carlos looks at life as a big playground and this foray into music as an awesome ride that he is on with his buddies. The brains of the operation, Logan is the voice of reason and his sharp wit gives everyone the perspective they need to stay true to themselves and their goals. Life in the business is not easy and their antics often get them in trouble with the record label. From falling for the same girl to redecorating their apartment at the Palm Woods to misbehaving with a new school teacher at the recording studio -- the group learns that success comes with hard work and dedication - and the support of one another.

Big Time Rush will feature original songs performed by the group under the guidance of Columbia/Epic Label Group, with music by some of today's most successful songwriters and producers, including Desmond Child (Katy Perry, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith), Matthew Gerrard (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne), Charlie Midnight (Hilary Duff, Britney Spears), Kevin Rudolph (Let It Rock) and Eman (David Archuletta). Nickelodeon entered into an expanded partnership with Columbia/Epic Label Group to collaborate on music and television projects in 2007. Most recently the label produced and distributed the iCarly soundtrack and is currently in production on Miranda Cosgrove's first solo release.

Show creator and executive producer Scott Fellows began his career as a production assistant on America's Most Wanted and has since become a prolific writer, producer and creator. A prop job on Nickelodeon's puppet-variety show Weinerville blossomed into his first writing break where he eventually became head writer/voice actor/puppeteer on that show. Fellows gravitated naturally to kids' TV and proceeded to write and produce many live-action and animated shows including Nickelodeon's The Fairly OddParents, Doug, 101 Dalmatians and Kablam. He also served as show runner for Nickelodeon's live-action comedy series 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd and has written many of Nick's Kids' Choice Awards as well as the Teen Choice Awards, the Billboard Awards and the Country Music Awards. The creative mind behind Nickelodeon's Ned's Declassified Survival Guide, Fellows also executive produced the hit live-action series. He is also the creator and executive producer for Cartoon Network's animated sci-fi comedy Johnny Test.

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 almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 15 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. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

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