Nickelodeon Greenlights Second Season of Hit Comedy Series True Jackson, VP Starring Keke PalmerSANTA MONICA, Calif., May 5 -- Nickelodeon has ordered a
second season of the hit live-action comedy series True Jackson, VP, which
currently ranks as the number two show for kids and tweens on Saturday nights.
The 20 episode pick up was announced by Marjorie Cohn, Nickelodeon's Executive
Vice President, Development and Original Programming. The series stars
multi-talented actress Keke Palmer as 15-year old True Jackson, who is tapped
to head the youth division of a major fashion label.
"Keke Palmer is an extraordinarily talented actress who is both relatable
and aspirational to her viewers," said Cohn. "Her star quality, coupled with
a dynamic cast and funny, compelling storytelling, has been a winning
combination. We are thrilled to be bringing this successful series back for a
second season."
During its premiere, True Jackson, VP bowed with the network's largest
audience ever of kids 6-11, tweens and total viewers for a live-action series
debut. Since then, the series has consistently ranked number two on Saturday
nights with kids and tweens on all of broadcast and basic cable.* True
Jackson, VP also ranks among the top five live-action programs on basic cable
with kids and tweens. Premiere episodes from the first season of True
Jackson, VP will continue airing this year and will feature special
appearances by Nickelodeon stars Jennette McCurdy (iCarly) and Victoria
Justice (Spectacular! and Zoey 101).
True Jackson, VP - which airs regularly on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT)
- follows True as she navigates work life, social life and love life
adventures around the Mad Style offices with her best friends Lulu (Ashley
Argota) and Ryan (Matt Shively). True navigates her very first job, battles
real-world obstacles like competitive co-workers and corporate politics and
builds new friendships, romantic interests - as well as her niche as a fashion
maven. Danielle Bisutti, Greg Proops (Whose Line is it Anyway?) and Ron
Butler round out the cast. An accomplished singer, Palmer also co-wrote and
sings the series' theme song. Andy Gordon (NewsRadio, Just Shoot Me!, Mad
About You) is Creator and Executive Producer of the series. Dan Kopelman
(Malcolm in the Middle) also serves as Executive Producer.
A hit on and off-the-television screen, the True Jackson, VP web page on
Nick.com has received over 1.7 million visits and 3.6 million page views since
its launch in October. The True Jackson, VP games on Nick.com have brought in
more than 4.1 million game sessions on Nick.com since its launch, while the
"Fashionista Fix" game has garnered over 1.7 million game sessions since it
went live in November. The critically-acclaimed Palmer also recently won a
second NAACP Image Award, for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's
Program for her role as True. Additionally, True Jackson, VP was nominated
for the 2009 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children's Program and is the
recipient of a 2009 Gracie Award for Outstanding Adolescent Program as well as
a 2009 Parents' Choice Award.
Fifteen-year-old Palmer has already established herself as one of the
fastest rising young stars of her generation, with credits that span film,
television, and music. Palmer's breakthrough performance was starring as the
title character in the Lionsgate Films/Starbucks Entertainment sleeper hit
Akeelah and the Bee, opposite actor Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett.
Her performance garnered a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a
Motion Picture. Palmer also received a SAG nomination in the Best Leading
Actress category for her role in the
Emmy-nominated made for TV movie, The Wool Cap, opposite William H. Macy
in 2004, marking her as the youngest actor to ever be nominated by the Guild
in a Lead Actor Category. In 2007, she also released her debut pop/R&B album
So Uncool on Atlantic Records. Palmer was most recently seen starring
opposite Ice Cube in the Weinstein Co. feature, The Longshots based on the
true story of a female quarterback that makes Pop Warner history. Palmer also
recently wrapped production on Shrink for Lionsgate starring opposite Kevin
Spacey and Robin Williams.
Award-winning comedy veteran Andy Gordon has written and produced such
shows as Back to You (CBS), Just Shoot Me (NBC), News Radio (NBC), Get a Life
(Fox), The Jeff Foxworthy Show (ABC), Dream On (HBO) and Mad About You (NBC),
for which he received a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award. With former writing
partner Eileen Conn, he co-created the NBC comedy DAG, starring David Alan
Grier, and co-wrote the play Arrivals & Departures, which premiered at the
Aspen Comedy Festival. Gordon has also done punch-up on dozens of movies,
including Curious George, Ant Bully, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Walter the
Farting Dog, Space Chimps, and Meet Dave. Most recently, Gordon co-wrote the
cheerleader comedy Fired Up, which hit theaters in March of 2009.
About Nickelodeon
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 more than 98 million households and has been the
number-one-rated basic cable network for 14 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: Nielsen Media Research, Live + 7 Day from 12/29/08-4/12/09; Live
+ Same Day from 4/13/09-4/19/09).
SOURCE: Nickelodeon
05/05/2009
NOTE TO EDITORS: For downloadable photos and additional information
visit: www.nickpress.com/
CONTACT: George Cabico, Nickelodeon/LA, +1-818-736-3119,
George.Cabico@mtvstaff.com;
Maria Poulos, Nickelodeon/NY, +1-212-846-6283,
Maria.Poulos@nick.com
Web Site: http://www.nickpress.com