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via Nickelodeon press release:

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

Network Orders 20 Episodes from Scott Fellows, Creator of Nickelodeon’s Ned’s
DeClassified School Survival Guide

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 3 — 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.

“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).

SOURCE Nickelodeon