Nickandmore!

[via press release]

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? On Kids’ WB!

(January 15, 2002 – Pasadena, CA) — Zoinks!! Kids’ WB! is proud to announce the production and pick-up of “ALL NEW SCOOBY-DOO! THE ANIMATED SERIES” (working title), featuring the timeless and loveable Scooby gang in all-new adventures. This new animated comedy from Warner Bros. Animation is a joint pick-up by Kids’ WB! and Cartoon Network. The all-original series is slated to debut on Kids’ WB! in Fall 2002 and will air subsequently in the 2002-2003 season on Cartoon Network. The announcement was made this morning by Donna Friedman, Executive Vice President, Kids’ WB!, at the Television Critics Association Press Tour.

“ALL NEW SCOOBY-DOO! THE ANIMATED SERIES” (working title) will bring the meddling gang to the 21st Century. Everyone’s favorite Great Dane and his intrepid cohorts – Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred – will continue to stumble upon creature-related comedy mysteries with various twists and surprises in a world of spooky ghosts, scary curses and menacing villains.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network to bring all-new episodes of Scooby-Doo to a whole new generation of fans,” said Ms. Friedman. “While staying true to the classic elements that have made Scooby one of the most beloved shows for over 30 years, this new series will amp up the suspense, the comedy and the quality of the animation to match the expectations of kids today.”

“Kids’ WB! and Cartoon Network are providing us with a unique opportunity to take an already successful animated franchise and update it with a contemporary look and sensibility, while still delivering Scooby fans the zaniness and suspense they love,” said Sander Schwartz, President, Warner Bros. Animation.

“At Cartoon Network we have experienced firsthand that Scooby fans just can’t get enough of him, so we are very excited to be working with Kids’ WB! and Warner Bros. Animation to present the next chapter in his storied showbiz career,” added Jim Samples, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cartoon Network.

In addition, the network is excited to announce another new Warner Bros. Animation comedy-adventure for the 2002-2003 season, “OZZIE & DRIX,” based on the breakout characters from the feature film “Osmosis Jones.” The animated buddy-cop series will follow the adventures of white blood cell cop Ozzie and his partner, over-the-counter cold pill Drix, as they defend the City of Hector – the body of a 13-year-old Latino boy. Ozzie and Drix will investigate and combat – from the inside – the adolescent viruses of zits, body odor…and the realization that girls exist.

“’OZZIE & DRIX,’ this new buddy-cop comedy for fall, will give kids – literally – a microscopic view inside adolescence,” said Ms. Friedman.

“’OZZIE & DRIX’ will be a fun, eye-popping adventure with humor, heart and fast-paced action that we believe will be just what the doctor ordered for Kids’ WB!,” added Mr. Schwartz.

Kids’ WB!, a leader in kids’ television, is the children’s programming service of The WB Network. Maintaining its position as the #1 broadcast network since Spring of 1999, Kids’ WB! continues to set precedent with its powerhouse 2001-2002 programming schedule, including its first-ever live-action series from best-selling author R.L. Stine, “The Nightmare Room,” and the breakout animated series “The Mummy,” based on the theatrical blockbuster smash hit “The Mummy Returns,” as well as Japan’s hottest animé series “Yu-Gi-Oh!,” the stunning 3D-CGI animated series “Cubix” and the socially-responsible series “Rescue Heroes: Global Response Team.” The network also brings viewers the returning highly-rated hits “Jackie Chan Adventures,” “Pokémon: Johto League Champions,” “X-Men: Evolution,” “Static Shock,” “The Zeta Project” and other Kids’ WB! favorites. Kids can find more on Kids’ WB!’s web site at www.KidsWB.com.