Handy Manny Heads To A New Primetime Special

"Handy Manny," the Emmy-nominated Playhouse Disney series that celebrates Hispanic culture and language through its loveable handyman, moves into primetime with an all new special, "Handy Manny Big Construction Job," premiering during Hispanic Heritage Month, MONDAY, OCTOBER 11 (7:00-7:55 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

Press Release from Playhouse Disney

"Handy Manny," the Emmy-nominated Playhouse Disney series that celebrates Hispanic culture and language through its loveable handyman, moves into primetime with an all new special, "Handy Manny Big Construction Job," premiering during Hispanic Heritage Month, MONDAY, OCTOBER 11 (7:00-7:55 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. In the fun-filled event for preschoolers and their families, Manny (played by Wilmer Valderrama) and the tools leave Sheet Rock Hills to work on a big out-of-town construction job where they meet new tool friends, Jack the jackhammer and Spinner the power drill.

Valderrama and Maria Canals-Barrera, of "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam," will host interstitials highlighting Hispanic traditions which will air daily throughout the month-long celebration (September 15–October 15) on Disney Channel. The interstitials will also feature kid viewers sharing cultural traditions such as La Arana, Los Pollitos, salsa dancing and Quinceañeras.

On Monday, October 4, a full-length preview of the primetime special will be presented on Disney Channel On Demand. The episode will simulcast on mobile providers Sprint TV, FloTV and MobiTV in concurrence with its television premiere, and beginning Tuesday, October 12, it will be available on mobile VOD for AT&T CV, Sprint TV and Verizon V Cast customers. The special will be available on iTunes and Xbox Live on November 16, in conjunction with the DVD release of "Handy Manny Big Construction Job" from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Building up to the premiere on Disney Channel, PlayhouseDisney.com will launch the interactive "Manny's Big Crane Game," as well as activities, do-it-yourself craft ideas and healthy kid-friendly recipes all themed to "Handy Manny Big Construction Job."

In "Handy Manny Big Construction Job," Manny and the tools – Felipe, Pat, Turner, Stretch, Squeeze, Dusty, Rusty and Flicker – head to Concrete Falls to take on the exciting challenge of working on a big city construction job where they meet exciting new power tool friends, Jack the jackhammer and Spinner the power drill.

In Manny's absence, Mr. Lopart is busy handling repairs in Sheet Rock Hills, causing the town to slowly fall apart. After friends and neighbors rush to Kelly's store to inquire when Manny and the tools will return, Kelly sets out to find Manny and the tools and convince them to come home. The special features three new original songs – "Hey Manny," "Power Tools" and "It's Good to be Back Home" – performed by Manny and the cast of tools.

A Top 10 preschool series on TV with children age 2-5 this year to date, the Emmy-nominated "Handy Manny," which is set in a multicultural, multi-generational community and follows a curriculum that models problem-solving, is available in 157 countries and in 30 different languages, reaching over 131 million unduplicated viewers worldwide in 1Q10. (Source: NTI, U.S. most current ratings, 2010: 12/28/09-8/1/10. Program ranks based on 000s, then rating with a minimum 15 telecasts. Based on trackage level data // Reach based on a 6 minute qualifier. 1Q10=12/28/2009-3/28/10, Live +7 000s).

Starring are: Wilmer Valderrama as Manny, Carlos Alazraqui as Felipe, Dee Bradley Baker as Turner, Grey Delisle as Flicker, Nika Futterman as Stretch and Squeeze, Tom Kenny as Mr. Lopart and Pat, Kath Soucie as Dusty, Fred Stoller as Rusty and Nancy Truman as Kelly.

The series' cultural consultant is Marcela Davison Aviles, president and CEO of Mexican Heritage Corporation. Language specialist Dr. Rose Marie Garcia Fontana is the series' language consultant. Rick Gitelson is executive producer and story editor of "Handy Manny." "Handy Manny" is a production of Nelvana Limited in association with Disney Channel.

The series carries a TV-Y parental guideline.