Nickelodeon Orders New Live-Action Comedy

SANTA MONICA: Nickelodeon has ordered 20 episodes of Big Time Rush, a new live-action comedy series from Scott Fellows, the creator of Ned’s DeClassified School Survival Guide.

 Nickelodeon is partnering with Columbia/Epic Label Group on the show, about 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 channel will air a special one-hour preview of the new series on November 28. The show is currently in production in Los Angeles and is slated to premiere in early 2010.

"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, the executive VP of original programming and development at 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," added Jay Landers, senior VP for A&R at 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."

Nickelodeon is already working with Columbia/Epic Label Group on Victorious, the new live-action series from Dan Schneider about students at a Hollywood school for the performing arts. Big Time Rush will feature original songs performed by the group under the guidance of the label; 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.