Go Po!
“Kung Fu Panda” fans (and their parents) have reason to celebrate today. Nickelodeon is adding the high-flying, black-and-white bear to its afternoon line-up.
The kids’ cable channel just announced that it plans to premiere “Kung Fu Panda: The Series” later this year. The show will be based on Po, the frisky martial arts panda, who starred in the hit 2008 animated film, “Kung Fu Panda.”
Nickelodeon execs say the series’ 26 episodes will be animated in the same computer-generated process as the big-screen version.
The decision to offer Po his own show was made following the success of another DreamWorks Animation/Nickelodeon project. In March, Nick debuted “The Penguins of Madagascar,” adapted from DreamWorks’ successful 2005 film “Madagascar.”
The show has generated big ratings for Nick, and my preschooler happens to be the show’s No. 1 fan.
While Po preps to make this TV debut, Jay Leno is making plans for his farewell.
According to show producers, Leno’s last “Tonight Show” guest will be the man who’s taking over for him – Conan O’Brien.
Mark your calendars: Leno’s last hurrah as the host of NBC’s late-night show is May 29th. After 17 years on the job, Leno will bid farewell to his timeslot and make way for O’Brien’s reign. The Irish funnyman steps in as “Tonight” host beginning June 1st.
NBC execs recently announced who will appear on Leno’s last shows. They include: Mel Gibson, Prince, Sarah McLachlan, and Billy Crystal – who was Leno’s first guest when he took “Tonight” over from Johnny Carson in 1992.
Carson decided against having guests on his final “Tonight” show broadcast. Rather, he had Bette Midler and Robin Williams come on the night before his last show.
Of course, Leno is not following in Carson’s footsteps and leaving the limelight behind forever. The comedian will star in a nightly primetime show for NBC this fall.