Press Release from Nickelodeon

NEW YORK, April 5, 2010 – Nickelodeon celebrates Earth Day with the premiere of an environmentally conscious SpongeBob SquarePants’ special, “SpongeBob’s Last Stand,” on Thursday, April 22, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.  The half-hour special is part of a green-themed day of programming, beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT, which includes new episodes of preschool series Team Umizoomi, The Fresh Beat Band, Go, Diego, Go!, Ni Hao Kai-lan and The Backyardigans, encores of iCarly, True Jackson, VP and SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as family favorites on Nick at Nite.  The network’s ode to Mother Earth begins with Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Your Thirsty World, a special about kids who are taking action to fight for everyone’s right to free and clean water, on Sunday, April 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.  

In “SpongeBob’s Last Stand,” SpongeBob and Patrick learn the “Shelly Super Highway” is coming to Bikini Bottom – right through Jellyfish Fields!  Devastated by the news, they launch a campaign to stop the construction, but everyone else in Bikini Bottom seems to love the idea of a new superhighway.  They must find a way to galvanize their neighbors, or it could be the end for Jellyfish Fields forever.  The special, which will be preceded by a two-hour marathon of nature-themed SpongeBob SquarePants episodes, features two musical numbers: “The Jellyfish Song” and “Give Jellyfish Fields a Chance,” a nod to the protest songs of the 1960s.  “SpongeBob’s Last Stand” is currently available on DVD from Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.  

Since its launch in July 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has emerged as a pop culture phenomenon drawing more than 100,000,000 total viewers every quarter across all Nickelodeon networks, and has been the number-one animated program with Kids 2-11 for more than eight consecutive years on Nickelodeon.  The show is seen in 171 markets in 26 languages and is the most widely distributed property in MTV Networks’ history.

Nickelodeon’s Earth Day celebration begins on Sunday, April 18, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT with the half-hour special Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Your Thirsty World.  One in five people has no access to clean, safe drinking water.  This water crisis is found in developing countries and here in the United States.  Organizations and volunteers are coming together to solve this crisis.  This special takes a look at the kids who are fighting for everyone’s right to free and clean water.

Additionally, Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment have released Nick Jr. Favorites: Go Green ($16.99) in spirit of Earth Day.  The DVD, complete with eco-friendly packaging, features more than two hours of entertainment, including environmental-themed episodes from Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, The Wonder Pets!, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Blue’s Clues and Ni Hao, Kai-lan.  

The roll-out of Earth Day premieres is as follows, all times ET/PT:

10 a.m. – Go, Diego, Go!, “Ocean Animal Rescuer”
Ever since Diego and Baby Humpback Whale saved him, Bottlenose has wanted to be an ocean animal rescuer just like them.  It takes a lot of practice to be an ocean animal rescuer, but Diego can do it.  And when a boat spills some oil into the ocean, it’s Baby Humpback who needs help warning the other animals.  Diego and the viewers at home must help Baby Humpback rescue the ocean animals before the oil gets too close.  

10:30 a.m. – The Backyardigans, “Elephant on the Run”
Park Ranger Tasha has a very important job for delivery agents Tyrone and Pablo.  However, this isn’t just any package, it’s an Indian elephant that must be safely delivered to the Dandeli Nature Preserve.  Alternative rock music moves the action along as Tyrone and Pablo must keep their precious package out of the hands of the unscrupulous elephant thieves Miss Rhamaswami and her assistant, Austin-Ji.  

11:00 a.m. – Team Umizoomi, “Playground Heroes”