Nick also to Air Specially Commissioned 10th Anniversary Dora Documentary, Executive-Produced By Academy Award®-Nominated Brett Morgen and Featuring Anderson Cooper, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Salma Hayek Pinault, Shakira, Soledad O’Brien and Sherri Shepherd

NEW YORK – July 27, 2010 – She did it! She did it! Nickelodeon celebrates the landmark 10th anniversary of the world’s most beloved Latina heroine, Dora the Explorer, with a brand-new, hour-long primetime TV movie, “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure,” premiering Sunday, Aug. 15, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The TV movie, which follows Dora and Boots on a whirlwind journey through Magic Storybook Land and guest stars Rosie Perez as La Bruja (the witch), John Leguizamo as the Flying Monkeys and Hector Elizondo as the Wishing Wizzle.

Following the TV movie, at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT), Nickelodeon will premiere the first-ever Dora 10th Anniversary documentary, a special 12-minute tribute executive-produced by Academy Award®- nominated Brett Morgen (The Kid Stays in the Picture) and directed by Debra Eisenstadt. The documentary explores the series’ cultural and educational impact and features appearances by Dora and her friends, commentary from creators Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner, industry experts, real-life kids and celebrities including Anderson Cooper, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie Perez, Salma Hayek Pinault, Shakira, Soledad O’Brien, Sherri Shepherd and more.

“For the past 10 years, Dora the Explorer has been a pioneer – a symbol of empowerment, diversity and education,” said Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon. “She has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world and will continue to inspire and entertain preschoolers for many years to come.”

Since launching on Nickelodeon Aug. 14, 2000, Dora the Explorer has emerged as a pop culture phenomenon and is currently the number-one rated preschool show on commercial television year-to-date. (Source: NMR, Live+7 Blended with Live+SD from 12/28/09-7/20/10). Dora the Explorer, which can be seen in 151 markets and is translated into 30 languages, has been honored with awards including the Peabody, NAACP, Alma, Imagen, Latino Spirit, Gracie Allen, Parents’ Choice Award, the Television Critics Association Award and has received 16 Daytime Emmy nominations.

In “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure,” a twisting wind has blown Dora and Boots into Wizzle World, a land located in the Magic Storybook. Dora and Boots can’t jump out of the Magic Storybook without first taking Dora’s crystal to the Wishing Wizzle (Hector Elizondo) so he can wish them back home in time for Dora’s birthday party with all her family and friends. They set off an adventure to Wishing Mountain, but they better watch out for La Bruja (Rosie Perez) and her Flying Monkeys (John Leguizamo) who don’t like wishes and try to stop Dora and Boots. In order to overcome the obstacles, Dora and Boots reflect back on past adventures to guide them along the way.

The premiere of “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure” will simulcast on Nick Mobile on Sunday, Aug. 15. Additionally in August, a selection of fan-favorite Dora the Explorer episodes will be available on Nick on Demand and celebratory-themed episodes of Dora will be released across Nickelodeon’s Download-to-Own partners. Fans can also visit www.nickjr.com for a sneak peek of “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure” on Monday, Aug. 2. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, the “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure” DVD will be available on Aug. 3, 2010. New Dora the Explorer content will be updated monthly for preschoolers and their parents at www.doratheexplorer.com.

Nickelodeon also is marking the 10th anniversary of Dora the Explorer, with a multi-year, multi-platform pro-social campaign titled “Beyond the Backpack.” Named for Dora’s iconic backpack, “Beyond the Backpack,” champions overall school readiness for preschoolers as they prepare for the important adventure of starting school.

In partnership with National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and other experts and leaders in school readiness, “Beyond the Backpack” provides parents with tools and resources that can help kids prepare for a well-rounded, positive experience as they enter kindergarten. The components of “Beyond the Backpack,” include dedicated PSAs; a web site (www.dora.beyondthebackpack.com) with customized resources and learning activities including a curriculum-focused checklist for parents to determine if their child is ready for kindergarten, links to partner organizations, financial resources and grants; fundraising activities; and community events.

Also, in support of “Beyond the Backpack,” Salma Hayek Pinault along with other celebrities will be featured in PSAs alongside Dora speaking about the campaign. Hayek Pinault, Shakira, and Slash along with other celebrities are designing one-of-a-kind, Dora-inspired backpacks to be auctioned globally this summer. One hundred percent of the U.S. proceeds will benefit the Children’s Defense Fund and international proceeds will go toward childhood education.

Dora the Explorer, created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner, is a play-along, animated adventure series starring Dora (Caitlin Sanchez). Dora is a seven-year-old Latina heroine whose adventures take place in an imaginative, tropical world filled with jungles, beaches and rainforests. She explores her world just as preschoolers do everyday, and the show is designed to actively engage its audience in an interactive quest using a variety of learning techniques.

Technorati Tags: Dora the Explorer, Press Release, Kids, TV, Television Show, Anderson Cooper, Birthday Party, Dora’s Tenth Anniversary

DVD Available on July 13, 2010

New York, NY – June 18, 2010 – Get ready for the first day of school with your preschool pals from Nickelodeon! Dora the Explorer leads the way in this adventure-filled DVD, which also includes episodes from Go, Diego, Go!; Blue’s Clues; The Wonder Pets!; and Ni Hao, Kai-lan! Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Nickelodeon: The First Day of School comes to DVD on July 13, 2010 and contains over two hours of educational entertainment for preschoolers.

Nickelodeon: First Day of School Synopses:

Dora the Explorer – First Day of School
Boots and Tico are really excited because it’s their first day of school and they’re going to learn in English and Spanish! Dora leads the way, teaching Boots Spanish and Tico English as they head out to school. At the river, their Guatemalan friend Camila shows them how to find turtles to ride across, then they go through the Forest where Swiper swipes Tico and Boots’ lunches and they have to find them.

Go, Diego, Go! –“ Linda the Librarian”
Alicia is opening a new library on the mountain top. Linda the Llama was supposed to bring the books for the library — but she’s late and it’s almost time to open the library. Diego finds Linda the Llama and they set off for the library. But first they’ve got to go up and down the rocky mountains by saying “arriba/abajo,” then a big wind blows away the library books and it’s up to the viewer to find them.

Blue’s Clues – “Blue Takes You To School”
It’s Periwinkle’s first day at preschool, and everyone needs to help Periwinkle make it through his first day. From finding his cubby and getting through circle time, to reading the job chart and understanding how to take turns and respect others, Periwinkle has a lot to learn.

The Wonder Pets! – “Off to School / Save the Pangaroo”
• Off to School — The Wonder Pets help our old friend the Baby Blowfish overcome her separation anxiety on her first day of Fish Preschool.
• Save the Pangaroo — The Wonder Pets help a kid-art Pangaroo, a fictional animal that is part kangaroo and part parrot, who has been thrown away in the trash.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan –“Lulu Day”
Today, Kai-lan is having a playdate with her best girl friend, Lulu the rhino. Kai-lan has all sorts of games to play with Lulu, but Lulu wants to play with different things than Kai-lan. Kai-lan and Lulu need the viewers’ help to figure out a way to compromise and play things that make them both happy.

Nickelodeon: The First Day of School Fast Facts:
Street Date: July 13, 2010
DVD SRP: $16.99
DVD Running Time: Approximately 122 Minutes

Technorati Tags: Nickelodeon, First Day of School, DVD, Blues Clues, Ni Hao Kai Lan, Go Diego Go, Dora the Explorer, Wonder Pets

NEW YORK, June 21, 2010 – What happens when three text-happy, techie tweens take a challenge to unplug for a week? Nick News with Linda Ellerbee finds out in Middle School Unplugged, premiering Sunday, June 27, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon. Nick News asked kids across the country to go online and nominate a tech-obsessed friend or sibling who needed an intervention. Three offenders were chosen and challenged to abstain from using any form of technology for one week. The half-hour special follows their journey as they go seven days without smartphones, iPods, computers, MP3 players, video games, TV or radio. Yep. No texts, tweets or tunes.

“They are definitely the most connected generation ever, but should we worry about that?” asks Ellerbee. “If you’re becoming a tool of your tools, worry. If you’re confusing technology with (or substituting it for) real life, worry. This was an experiment. Did the experiment change these kids? See what you think.”

Michaela, 12, and Maddey, 12, nominated their friend Mary Catherine, 12, from St. Louis, Mo., for a tech intervention because, they say, she pays more attention to her cell phone than to her friends. Mary Catherine says, “I’m most definitely addicted to my phone and my computer and my iPod…in a day, I send over 200 texts.” And when her family goes out to eat? “My mom and dad, they just usually talk to each other, and I’m just in my own little world.” How was her week unplugged? Partly: “I learned I didn’t need technology all the time.” Partly: “They tried to teach me how to fish, but it didn’t work.”

Wade, 14, from Half Moon Bay, Calif, agreed to take the week-long challenge when his friend Eric, 14, nominated him. On a typical day, Wade watches at least an hour of online videos; he also video chats, tweets, instant messages, goes on Facebook, plays games on the iPad and reviews tech products for his blog, Teencastic. “I agreed to take this one week without technology,” says Wade, “but I felt like I wanted to call and cancel because I don’t think I’m fully prepared…technology is sort of part of my identity.” Sure enough, without technology, Wade got lost. Literally.

Deisha, 13, from Boston, Mass., was nominated by her friend Tara, 13, who feels that Deisha puts her “on hold” in order to text other people while they’re hanging out. Part way through the week, Deisha hit a wall. “I thought I was gonna be able to take it, handle it and I can’t. I might as well just go to bed and be sleeping right now.” But then she began to strum the guitar, to cook, to really be with her friends. And Deisha saw a way to be a different kind of kid. “I haven’t played like this since I was seven!”

Nick News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is now in its 19th year and is the longest-running kids’ news show in television history. It has built its reputation on the respectful and direct way it speaks to kids about the important issues of the day. Nick News recently was honored with its first ever Edward R. Murrow Award for “Network News Documentary” for the documentary special, “Coming Home: When Parents Return from War,” marking the first-ever kids television program to receive the prestigious award. Over the years, Nick News has received more than 20 Emmy nominations and recently won its seventh Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Children’s Nonfiction Program for “Coming Home: When Parents Return from War.” Additional Emmy wins for Outstanding Children’s Programming include: “The Untouchable Kids of India” (2008); “Private Worlds: Kids and Autism” (2007); “Never Again: From the Holocaust to the Sudan” (2005); “Faces of Hope: The Kids of Afghanistan” (2002); “What Are You Staring At?” (1998). In addition, in 1994, the entire series won the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Programming. Nick News has also received three Peabody Awards, including a personal award given to Ellerbee for explaining the impeachment of President Clinton to kids, as well as a Columbia duPont Award and more than a dozen Parents’ Choice Awards.

Technorati Tags: Nick News, Linda Ellerbee, Middle School Unplugged, Television Show, Technology, Tech, Wired

SPECIAL INCLUDES CELEBRITY GUEST VOICES – VICTORIA BECKHAM, JOHN O’HURLEY AND SEBASTIAN BACH

Available on DVD July 13, 2010

New York, NY – June 22, 2010 –Join SpongeBob and your favorite underwater friends as they try to make King Triton’s birthday extra special, only to have the arrival of a surprise guest backfire, leaving SpongeBob to save the day – and the party! The Clash of Triton features celebrity guest stars Victoria Beckham as Queen Amphitrite; John O’Hurley as her husband, King Neptune; and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) as their rebellious son, Triton. Catch this hilarious special, along with six other silly, quirky and outrageously funny episodes and never-before-seen special features when the DVD hits shelves on July 13, 2010.

Triton’s Revenge Episode Synopses:

The Clash of Triton
King Neptune wants to celebrate his 5,000th birthday at the hottest spot in town – none other than the Krusty Krab! SpongeBob and crew spare no expense for the gala, rolling out the red carpet to welcome the royal family. Despite their best efforts, the absence of Neptune’s son, Triton, brings down the king’s spirits and spoils the festivities for everyone, especially his wife, Queen Amphitrite. The gang soon learns that Neptune banished his son to a deserted island until Triton is ready to follow in his father’s footsteps. Determined to make this the king’s happiest birthday ever and save the day, SpongeBob sets out to find Triton and bring him back to the party. Unfortunately no one anticipated Triton’s wrath and now Bikini Bottom may get caught in the net of revenge meant for his father.

Sand Castles in the Sand
A friendly day of building sand castles soon turns into all out war when SpongeBob and Patrick use their sand creations to battle each other.

Shell Shocked
When Gary’s shell breaks, SpongeBob tries to find him a replacement.

Chum Bucket Supreme
Plankton hires Patrick to create advertising slogans for the Chum Bucket.

Single Cell Anniversary
SpongeBob helps Plankton find the perfect anniversary gift for Karen.

Tentacle-vision
Squidward becomes the star of his own public access TV show.

I Heart Dancing
Squidward tries to sabotage SpongeBob’s big dance audition.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Triton’s Revenge Fast Facts:
Street Date: July 13, 2010
DVD SRP: $16.99
DVD Running Time: Approximately 89 Minutes

DVD Special Features:
• The Clash of Triton Shorts
o SpongeGod
o Neptunes Origins
• Fan Boy & Chum Chum Wizboy/Pick A Nose

Technorati Tags: DVD Details, Spongebob Squarepants, Triton’s Revenge, July 13, Upcoming Release, Nickelodeon, Sebastian Bach, Victoria Beckham

Available on DVD on July 13, 2010

NEW YORK – June 21, 2010 – Go wild with delivery agents Pablo and Tyrone as they try to bring an elephant to a wildlife sanctuary in India in the new DVD, The Backyardigans: Operation Elephant Drop. Featuring four new to DVD episodes, preschoolers will be introduced to the music genres of Alternative Rock, Forró, Bo Diddley-Style Rock and American Country Rock. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, The Backyardigans: Operation Elephant Drop DVD hits shelves July 13, 2010, for the suggested retail price of $16.99.

In every episode of The Backyardigans, five high-spirited neighbors meet in their adjoining backyards and use their imaginations to transform themselves into different locations for epic adventures. Each half-hour episode of this Emmy® Award-winning show features a unique music/dance genre with four original songs, along with real choreographed movements recreated in animation. The Backyardigans airs everyday on Nick Jr.

The Backyardigans: Operation Elephant Drop Episode Synopses:

Elephant on the Run
Park Ranger Tasha has a very important job for delivery agents Tyrone and Pablo — to get an endangered Indian elephant safely to the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and to avoid the bad guys.
Music Genre: Alternative Rock

The Magic Skateboard
Tyrone really wants to be a great skateboarder. He may not know all the tricks yet, but he’s going to compete in the Show-Off Showdown. Once he finds the magic skateboard, even his top competition takes notice.
Music Genre: Forró

The Flipper!
Uniqua, Tasha and Pablo are the Meteor Watch Squad. But when meteor obsessed Pablo accidentally spills toxic space stuff all over himself, he becomes the super strong, super excitable Flipper!
Music Genre: Bo Diddley-Style Rock

Super Team Awesome!
Tyrone is a tour guide for the world’s only lava geyser, Old Gushie. When a loose boulder in the cavern threatens to cause a geothermal disaster, Tyrone calls for help. Not one, but three superheroes come to save the day!
Music Genre: American Country Rock

The Backyardigans: Operation Elephant Drop Fast Facts:
Street Date: July 13, 2010
DVD SRP: $16.99
DVD Running Time: 95 Minutes

Technorati Tags: The Backyardigans, Operation Elephant Drop, DVD, TV Show, Kids, Cartoons, Nickelodeon, DVD Details

To announce the Beyond the Backpack website a Public Service Announcement was created that features Salma Hayek Pinault and Dora the Explorer. The PSA and the new website are meant to help support the network’s new pro-social initiative, “Beyond the Backpack,” which champions school readiness.

The “Beyond the Backpack” campaign launched as part of Dora the Explorer’s landmark 10 year anniversary, which Nick will be celebrating throughout the year.

Technorati Tags: Dora the Explorer, Video, PSA, Beyond the Backpack, Educational, Nickelodeon, Salma Hayek, Cartoon, School Readiness

A Kids’ Countdown of Gripes about Parents Includes Memories from Famous Former Kids: Tina Fey, Marlon Wayans, Wendy Williams, Brad Garrett, Howie Mandel, Jenna Elfman, Aisha Tyler, Maya Rudolph, Fran Drescher and Tracey Ullman

NEW YORK, May 7, 2010 – Parents know what kids do that annoys them, and they are quick to say so. But do parents know what things they say and do that annoy or embarrass their kids? The truth is revealed in Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: So NOT Cool: The Most Annoying Stuff Parents Say and Do, premiering Sunday, May 16, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The half-hour special features a countdown of kids’ top 10 gripes about their parents and commentary from some famous former kids, including: Tina Fey (30 Rock), Marlon Wayans (actor/comedian), Wendy Williams (The Wendy Williams Show), Brad Garrett (actor/comedian), Howie Mandel (Deal or No Deal), Jenna Elfman (Accidentally on Purpose), Aisha Tyler (Bedtime Stories), Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live), Fran Drescher (The Nanny) and Tracey Ullman (Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union).

“If you’re a parent, it’s probably in your self-interest to watch this show,” says Ellerbee. “And if you’re a kid, and one day become a parent, maybe you’ll remember this show. Because it is in the nature of all parents to embarrass our kids.”

To compile the countdown, kids across the country were polled about what irritates them the most about their parents. Then kids ranked their gripes online, “ten” being the least annoying.

It’s so annoying when parents…

10) …say, “Go ask your mom!” or “Go ask your dad!”

9) …obsess about things that don’t matter.

…say, “Because I said so, that’s why!”

7) …say, “When I was your age…”

6) …say, “When you’re older, you’ll understand.”

5) …tell old and really corny jokes to my friends.

4) …treat me like a little kid.

3) …nag me.

2) …say, “Act your age!”

And, finally, the number-one MOST annoying thing kids say parents do is when parents

…don’t act their age!!!!

In addition to kids’ stories about their parents’ quirks, So NOT Cool features Tina Fey’s claim that her family called her “Baby” until she was 29; Brad Garrett’s insistence that his parents used to tell him, “When you’re taller, you’ll understand,” and Tracey Ullman’s tales of her mother embarrassing her by dancing and singing in front of her friends.

Technorati Tags: Nick News, So Not Cool, The Most Annoying Stuff Parents Say and Do, Linda Ellerbee, Television Show, Nick

There is as much water in the world today as there ever was, yet one in five people do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. Water-related illness is the leading cause of human sickness and death, killing almost four million people every year. Nick News with Linda Ellerbee looks at this global crisis in Your Thirsty World, premiering Sunday, April 18, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. In the half-hour special, kids in Honduras, Bangladesh, California and New Jersey explain the water problems where they live, and what, if anything, is being done to help.

“Safe, clean water is not only a basic human necessity,” says Ellerbee, “it’s a basic human right. Or ought to be. That’s what kids believe, and I agree.”

Alvaro, Elias, Nelli and Melvin are kids who live in Capuca, Honduras. They get up at 4 a.m., walking miles to haul pots of water for their family’s drinking and cooking. “If we don’t haul water, we don’t have water,” says Melvin. “And if we want to bathe, we walk three hours to a waterfall.”

Shirin and Masoum are kids who live in a housing slum in Dhaka, in Bangladesh. There it’s a different problem. Not distance, but cost. Every day they must stand in line for three hours to buy clean water. Their local pond is unsanitary. “We get so many diseases, like fever, coughing, diarrhea”, says Masoum. But buying water brings its own problems. Shirin says she must wait in line so long every day that “I am often late to class and the teacher gets mad at me.”

The causes of this water crisis are politics, poverty and pollution. And the problem is not limited to developing countries. Joanna and Jessica are kids from Central Valley, California where agriculture (fertilizer and pesticides) has contaminated their water. “We get a bill every month for water that we can’t use to drink,” says Jessica. “We have to buy bottled water so we can have safe drinking water.”

But bottled water has drawbacks. Plastic bottles hurt the environment, it takes more water to make a plastic bottle than actually goes inside of it, and the plastic used to make the bottles can also contaminate it. Which is why kids in Bergen Country, New Jersey, are focused on getting rid of plastic bottles used in their schools. Says Rachel, “The water crisis is a major problem that our generation is going to have to face, and this is our way of doing something to spread awareness.”

And there is hope. For instance, in Guanticara, another village in Honduras, a new and simple water system has given kids such as Delmi, Cristian and Donaldo the opportunity to have clean water, a sink and even a bathroom in their home.

Mike McCamon, chief community officer at Water.org, explains. “In communities like Guanticara that are up in the mountains, we’ll find a spring that’s higher in elevation above the community and what we’ll do is we’ll cap it…and then from there, there is a distribution network of pipes that go out to the actual homes themselves.”

“If there is no life without water, there is also no problem without a solution,” says Ellerbee. “And it’s clear that kids mean to be a part of the solution.”

“We may be different in where we live or what social class we’re in” says Andrew, a kid who lives in New Jersey, “But what really defines this crisis is that water is necessary for all life on this planet. We cannot live without it. I hope that idea dissolves the boundaries that keep us from coming together as humans to help defeat this water crisis.”

Technorati Tags: Your Thirsty World, Drinking Water, Earth Day, Linda Ellerbee, Nickelodeon, Nick News

Half-Hour SpongeBob SquarePants Anchors Day of Green-Themed Programming, Including Preschool Premieres of Team Umizoomi, The Fresh Beat Band, Go, Diego, Go!, Ni Hao Kai-lan and The Backyardigans and Eco-Friendly Encores of iCarly and True Jackson, VP

Festivities Kick Off April 18 with Premiere of Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Your Thirsty World

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”
Milli, Geo and Bot reward themselves for cleaning up Umi Headquarters with a trip to the playground. But just as they’re getting ready to leave, they get a call on the Umi Alarm from their friend Mia. A storm has left the sandbox, swings, slide, and bouncy bridge in disarray and until everything gets fixed, the park will remain closed. The Umizoomi team tackles the task using mighty math powers and soon the playground is as good as new. The park ranger unlocks the gate and Milli, Geo and Bot join Mia and her friends for some hard-earned playtime. The curriculum highlighted in the episode is Geometry, Numbers & Counting and Computation.

11:30 a.m. – Ni Hao Kai-lan, “The Place Where We All Live”
Yeye gives Kai-lan and her friends some special presents today – kites (Feng zheng). But when they unwrap them, they drop the wrapping paper on the ground and it flies all over the backyard causing major problems for the ants, snails and worms working on building a fruit stand for Ant City. At first, Kai-lan and her friends don’t understand why there’s trash all over the backyard, until they figure out it’s their fault. They need to clean up the wrapping paper so the ants, snails, and worms can finish their fruit stand before the grand opening. Along the way, everyone realizes why it’s important to take care of the place we live.

12:00 p.m. – The Fresh Beat Band, “Bubble Blast”
It’s Clean & Green Day and the entire neighborhood is cleaning the street. Shout can’t wait to finish cleaning so The Fresh Beats can do what they love most, playing music. Shout tries to get the street cleaned as quickly as possible, but he overfills a trashcan, which blows up, making the street even messier than before. Shout is bummed and Twist, in one of his classic bright idea moments, conjures up a machine that allows them to clean the street and play music… and they actually build an out of control bubble-making music-cleaning machine. They clean the street until it’s cleaner than it’s ever been, all while playing music and blowing the biggest, brightest, best bubbles imaginable.

8:00 p.m. – SpongeBob SquarePants, “SpongeBob’s Last Stand”

Technorati Tags: Spongebob Squarepants, Patrick Star, Nickelodeon, Earth Day, April 22, The Fresh Beat Band, Go Diego Go, Ni Hao Kai Lan

In “Swiper the Explorer,” Swiper attempts to swipe Dora and Boots’ ball and notices them with a lost baby fox. Swiper takes heart and asks Dora if he can help her bring the baby fox back to his Mami. To find the fox hole, they must scoot past the volcano and, with cousin Diego’s help, make it through the Prickers and Thorns forest. The adventure is a big success as baby fox is returned to his Mami, and Swiper learns to say “thank you!”

Nickelodeon’s new ultimate Dora the Explorer online destination www.DoratheExplorer.com will feature a “Swiper the Explorer” theme month to teach preschoolers about helping, sharing and caring for babies. Kids can use their color and number recognition skills to play “Swiper’s Big Adventure,” the first game in “Dora’s Great Big World,” an interactive online play environment for kids. The site will also feature a personalized Dora Explorer Kit, family expedition ideas, recipes, crafts, printables, additional games and more.

Nickelodeon will roll out content from “Swiper the Explorer” across the following platforms:

Beginning Monday, March 15, Nick Jr. Video, Nick Jr.’s broadband video service available on Nickjr.com, will begin streaming a sneak peek from “Swiper the Explorer.”

A sneak peek from “Swiper the Explorer” will be available on wireless carriers beginning Monday, March 15.

“Swiper the Explorer” will be simulcast in full on Nick Mobile.

Dora the Explorer, created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner, is a play-along, animated adventure series starring Dora. Dora is a seven-year-old Latina heroine whose adventures take place in an imaginative, tropical world filled with jungles, beaches and rainforests. She explores her world just as preschoolers do everyday, and the show is designed to actively engage its audience in an interactive quest using a variety of learning techniques.

In every episode, Dora and Boots invite the audience to participate in an exciting adventure, where each step of their journey consists of a problem or puzzle that Dora and the audience must think their way through in order to solve the next problem. Dora is proudly bilingual and uses her knowledge of English and Spanish to communicate with her friends, overcome obstacles and reach her goals. In each episode, Dora teaches Spanish words or phrases to the viewers and then asks them to use it to solve a problem and forge ahead. Ultimately, Dora and her best friend, Boots, triumph, and the story always ends with a “We Did It!” anthem.

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