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DOLL OF THE YEAR FINALIST, THE FRESH BEATS DOLLS SET FOR ANIMATED SHORT SERIES

Ahead of the Biggest Week in Toys, The Dr. Lisa Company and Composition Media to Bring Entertainment Content to Diverse Audiences

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ORLANDO, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — Rocking to the rhythm of authenticity and diversity, The Fresh Beats Dolls, Doll of the Year Finalist at this week’s 2023 Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards, will come to life in an animated short series from EPI, the toy and publishing division of The Dr. Lisa Company, founder Dr. Lisa Williams, and Carl Reed’s animation studio Composition Media.

Being honored as a Doll of the Year Finalist with the biggest names in the toy industry is monumental for EPI

2023 TOTY (Toy of the Year) 2023 Doll of the Year Finalist

“From being honored as a Doll of the Year Finalist with the biggest names in the toy industry, showcasing our diverse line at Toy Fair, and preparing for our first animated series, this is a monumental week for EPI,” said Dr. Lisa Williams, The Dr. Lisa Company, CEO and Founder.

“We’ve been working to expand into content behind the scenes for some time,” Williams continued. “Carl’s extensive experience and mission to highlight minority and underrepresented communities perfectly align with our vision – to ensure Black and Brown children see themselves reflected in toys and entertainment, to embrace their beauty and build their self-esteem.”

“It’s an honor to be working with Dr. Lisa Williams, a pioneering leader in the toy industry who shares the same commitment to bringing diversity to young audiences,” said Carl Reed. “By bringing The Fresh Beats Dolls to life, we’re expanding the opportunity for kids to experience these relatable and captivating characters in a new way.”

The Fresh Beats Dolls is an animated series of six, three-minute shorts and centers around a titular girl group forming over the course of a EuroVision-type singing competition. The short series is set to debut later this Fall on YouTube.

Each 10″ doll in The Fresh Beats Dolls Collection features custom-blended skin tones and premium rooted hair with authentic textures, including patent-pending locs. From pop princess Bao BBY, to non-binary hip hop queen Beigne au Lei, and rock star Loxx, each embraces diverse and relatable personalities and stage-ready fashions. Dolls are available now at Target for $17.99 each.

Dr. Lisa Williams is also a 2023 Toy of the Year Finalist in the Champion of Diversity and Inclusion category and recognized as an individual who has made outstanding contributions or acted as a change catalyst to develop purposeful, environmentally friendly, and mission-driven programs that lead the way in creating a better future for the toy industry. The 2023 Toy of the Year Award winners will be announced on Friday, September 29, in New York City ahead of this year’s Toy Fair®.

EPI won Doll of the Year in 2022 for Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Fresh Fierce Collection. The company will be showcasing The Fresh Beats Dolls and more at New York Toy Fair at Booth 2779.

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Carl Reed, producer of the Academy Award-winning short “Hair Love,” founded Composition Media to present universally themed stories to audiences seeking elevated content. Earlier this year, the company announced a major anime production partnership with Black Sands Entertainment, a leading force in Black comic book publishing. Additional projects in development include a feature film co-produced alongside Steve Harvey’s East 112; and “Sky & Luna,” the first movie in an eight-picture slate partnership with Labid Aziz’s PoC Studios and Man of Action Entertainment. Reed most recently served as a producer on Max’s “Young Love,” the “Hair Love” spinoff series starring Issa Rae and Kid Cudi.

About The Dr. Lisa Company:
The Dr. Lisa Company is a Black Woman-Owned multi-million dollar powerhouse, incorporating EPI, a leading multicultural toy manufacturing and design firm, including an animation division. Since establishing the company in 2003, to create dolls so children of all ethnicities can grow up seeing their beauty reflected back at them, Dr. Lisa Williams has since been recognized as a pioneer and leader in the industry. Dr. Lisa was named the 2022 Women in Toys Wonder Woman Rising Star Manufacturer and 2023 Toy Association’s Finalist for Champion of Diversity and Inclusion.

EPI brands include The Fresh Dolls (named Oprah’s Favorite Things), The Fresh Beats (2023 TOTY Doll of the Year Finalist), Positively Perfect Dolls, Fresh Squad, Simply Fresh Dolls, Fresh Fashions and Accessories. The sculpts are one-of-a-kind pieces of art, with unique facial features, custom blended skin tones, and a variety of hair textures, reflective of ethnicities found around the world – African American, Afro-Latina, Latino/Hispanic, Caucasian, and Mixed-Race/Bi-Racial. EPI dolls are priced for every budget, so every child has access and can be found in stores across the globe, including giant retailers like Target, Walmart, Meijer, Amazon, and Macy’s. https://thefreshdolls.com/

About Composition Media: 
Founded by Carl Reed, Composition Media is a diverse and forward-thinking animation studio with an innovative approach to making animated film and TV content for a global audience.

As an organization that embraces and embodies disruption in the entertainment ecosystem, Composition Media presents universally themed stories to audiences looking for elevated content. Adopting a transmedia approach to seed and develop IP through collaboration with storytellers around the world, Composition Media brings fresh entertainment properties to audiences globally.

Prior to launching Composition Media, Carl Reed co-founded Lion Forge Comics, and later co-founded Lion Forge Animation, serving as its President and Chief Creative Officer. While with Lion Forge, Reed produced Matthew Cherry’s “Hair Love,” which won an Academy Award® for Best Animated Short, “Rise Up, Sing Out,” an Annie Award and NAACP Image Award-nominated animated musical series featuring music by The Roots for Disney Junior/Disney+, and the Emmy-nominated animated musical series “Rhymes Through Times” created by Nick Jr./Noggin featuring music performed by Christopher Jackson (“Hamilton”).

SOURCE The Dr. Lisa Company

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Calling all ‘King of the Hill’ fans! Mike Judge is bringing back the laughter and Texas-sized fun in this exciting revival of the animated comedy

Mike Judge’s ‘King of the Hill’ revival promises a blend of nostalgia and new twists, capturing the essence of the beloved animated comedy.

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King of the Hill, the beloved animated series created by Mike Judge, is a classic that captured the essence of American suburban life in the fictional town of Arlen, Texas. Rooted in Judge’s own experiences and observations, the show’s humor and characters resonated with audiences for its authentic portrayal of everyday struggles and relationships.

Exciting revival of 'King of the Hill' promises a blend of nostalgia and fresh humor in the animated comedy series.

Set in a blue-collar, conservative town, King of the Hill centers on the life of Hank Hill and his eclectic group of neighbors, bringing to light the clash between traditional values and a rapidly changing society. The show’s setting in a real-feeling location, based on a Dallas suburb called Richardson, adds a layer of authenticity that sets it apart from other animated series of its time.

Judge’s knack for drawing inspiration from his own life experiences shines through in King of the Hill, just as it does in his other works like Beavis and Butt-Head, Office Space, and Silicon Valley. The revival of King of the Hill, with Judge and co-creator Greg Daniels at the helm, promises a return to the heart and humor that made the original series a fan favorite.

With the original voice cast set to return and the anticipation building for the revival, fans can look forward to a blend of nostalgia and new twists in the upcoming episodes. The potential for the new King of the Hill to capture the essence of the original while infusing it with contemporary ideas and storylines presents an exciting opportunity for both longtime fans and new viewers to enjoy the humor and charm of this beloved animated comedy.

As we await the premiere of the King of the Hill revival, the prospect of revisiting Arlen, Texas, and its quirky residents stirs up a sense of anticipation and excitement. With the blend of authenticity, humor, and relatability that defined the original series, the return of King of the Hill is sure to be a welcome treat for fans of Mike Judge’s iconic creation.

Check out this article in Screen Rant about the ‘King of the Hill’ reboot https://screenrant.com/king-of-the-hill-reboot-what-will-change/

King of the Hill: An American Animated Classic

“King of the Hill,” an American animated sitcom created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, first aired on Fox in 1997 and continued until 2009, with a few additional episodes in 2010. Set in the fictional town of Arlen, Texas, the show revolved around the Hill family, led by protagonist Hank Hill, who works at Strickland Propane. Alongside Hank are his wife Peggy, son Bobby, niece Luanne, and loyal bloodhound Ladybird. The series humorously explores the lives of the Hills and their eclectic cast of neighbors and friends, highlighting the humor in everyday situations.

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Judge conceived the show during his time working on “Beavis and Butt-Head.” Paired with experienced writer Greg Daniels, the show quickly gained popularity, becoming one of Fox’s longest-running series with a total of 259 episodes over 13 seasons. Its realistic approach to humor resonated with audiences, leading to global syndication and a dedicated fan base. The show’s success was further solidified by critical acclaim, earning two Emmy Awards and multiple nominations.

Featuring a range of celebrity guest stars and addressing various themes, “King of the Hill” was recognized by Time magazine in 2007 as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. The show’s legacy continues, with Judge and Daniels announcing a revival through their new company, Bandera Entertainment, in 2022. Hulu picked up the revival in 2023, signaling the return of this beloved animated classic to the screens, delighting fans old and new.

Created byMike Judge
Greg Daniels
Voices ofMike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Brittany Murphy,Johnny Hardwick, Stephen Root, Toby Huss, Ashley Gardner, Jonathan Joss, Lauren Tom, Breckin Meyer, Tom Petty

Visit our Entertainment section for more articles and videos on the topic. https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

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ORIGINAL ANIMATED MUSICAL ADVENTURE BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE

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PREMIERING FRIDAY, DEC. 8, ON NICKELODEON AND PARAMOUNT+NICKELODEON, PARAMOUNT+ AND PINKFONG REVEAL OFFICIAL TRAILER

BURBANK, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Nickelodeon, Paramount+ and The Pinkfong Company today released the official trailer and key art for BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE, the first-ever feature-length original animated movie based on the globally beloved preschool property. The upcoming fin-tastic musical adventure is set to debut Friday, December 8, at 12 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada, and the following day in the UK and Australia. The family-friendly film will debut in additional Paramount+ international markets, where the service is available, in 2024. In Korea, Southeast Asia and China, BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE is distributed by The Pinkfong Company. The film will be featured in the Paramount+ Holiday Collection that features fan favorite festive movies and iconic seasonal episodes from beloved series for the whole family.



Co-produced by Nickelodeon Animation and The Pinkfong Company and directed by Daytime Creative Arts Emmy® winner Alan Foreman (The CasagrandesWelcome to the Wayne), the movie follows Baby Shark and his family as they move to Chomp City – the big city of sharks.

Fans will be able to sing and dance along to original songs from BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE, including the previously released “It’s Stariana!” and “Keep Swimmin’ Through” singles, with the release of the film’s official soundtrack on Friday, Dec. 8. Released through a partnership with Sony Music Entertainment UK’s Relentless Records, the BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE soundtrack album will be available globally on all music streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Music and more. Music for BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE was composed by Jon Chau. Songs were written and produced by Matthew Tishler, Andrew Underberg, Chen Neeman, Doug Rockwell, Tova Litvin and Pinkfong. The track list is as follows:

  1. Baby Shark (Movie Version)
  2. It’s Stariana!
  3. Peak Fin-ship
  4. Keep Swimmin’ Through
  5. Dive On In
  6. It’s Stariana! (Sea Me Now)
  7. Peak Fin-ship Reprise
  8. Oceans Apart
  9. It’s My Ocean x Baby Shark (Finale) Mashup
  10. Nothin’s Gonna Beat Our Fin-ship
  11. Keep Swimmin’ Through x Baby Shark (Dance Remix)
  12. It’s My Ocean
  13. Baby Shark (Finale)

BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE features a jaw-some lineup of guest voice actors, including: actress, singer and producer Ashley Tisdale (Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe, High School Musical) as Stariana, a sharp-witted and manipulative, rising pop starfish who wants to take center stage with a splash hit; Aparna Nancherla (Mira, Royal Detective) as Gillie, a charmingly chaotic, bumbling boxfish and Stariana’s assistant; Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live) as Leah, a lantern shark and Mommy Shark’s best friend from college; Chloe Fineman (Saturday Night Live, Father of the Bride) as Lannie, Leah’s hyper, lovable daughter; ENHYPEN as an underwater powerhouse K-pop band of belugas; and Lance Bass as TV announcer Lance Bass.

The new voice actors join the swim-sational lineup of series regulars from Baby Shark’s Big Show!, including: Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black) as Baby Shark; Luke Youngblood (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) as William; Natasha Rothwell (Insecure) as Mommy Shark; Eric Edelstein (We Bare Bears) as Daddy Shark; Debra Wilson (MADtv) as Grandma Shark; and Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld) as Grandpa Shark. The film also features returning guest star Grammy®-winning, multi-platinum superstar Cardi B as rap icon Sharki B and her family: Offset as Offshark; Kulture as Kulture Sharki; and newcomer Wave as Wavey Shark.

In BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE, Baby Shark is forced to leave behind the world he loves after his family’s move to the big city and must adjust to his new life without his best friend William. When Baby Shark encounters an evil pop starfish named Stariana, who plans to steal his gift of song in order to dominate all underwater music, he must break her spell to restore harmony to the seas.

The first season (26 episodes) of the hit preschool series Baby Shark’s Big Show! is available now to stream on Paramount+. The series launched globally in 2021 across Nickelodeon-branded channels and platforms and is currently in its second season.

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Prior to the premiere of BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE, kids and families can also dive into this year’s 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on Thursday, Nov. 23, to see Nickelodeon and Pinkfong’s Baby Shark float featuring an underwater seascape that includes members of the Shark family who will bring their own special brand of aquatic holiday cheer. Showcasing a special performance by ENHYPEN of their single “Keep Swimmin’ Through” from the movie, the 18-foot-long float will also be followed by a larger-than-life 25-foot-long Baby Shark balloon.

“Pinkfong’s Baby Shark” launched on YouTube in November 2015 and took the world by storm and became the world’s first-ever video to hit 10 billion views on YouTube, making it the most-viewed video in YouTube history. With music, characters, story and dance all combined together, the song earned RIAA Diamond certification (11x platinum), having sold more than 11 million units in the U.S. and spawned a viral phenomenon, #BabySharkChallenge, which generated more than 1 million cover videos around the globe.

BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE is executive produced by Gary “Doodles” DiRaffaele (Breadwinners), Tommy Sica (Breadwinners) and Whitney Ralls (My Little Pony: Equestria Girls), along with Minseok Kim, Ryan Lee and Bin Jeong for The Pinkfong Company. Ralls also serves as writer for the movie. Baby Shark’s Big Show! is executive produced by DiRaffaele, Sica and Ralls. Both BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE and Baby Shark’s Big Show! are produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, Calif., with production overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation, Global Series Content. Miriam Ritchie serves as Nickelodeon’s Executive in Charge of Production for BABY SHARK’S BIG MOVIE and Max Goodman serves as Nickelodeon’s Executive in Charge of Production for Baby Shark’s Big Show!.

About The Pinkfong Company
The Pinkfong Company is a global entertainment company that delivers content and entertaining experiences around the world. Driven by award-winning brands and IPs, the company has created and distributed a range of content across genres and formats including original animated series, world live tours, interactive games, and more. Believing in the power of entertaining and engaging content, The Pinkfong Company is committed to connecting people around the world and bringing joy and inspiration to worldwide audiences of all ages. For more information, please visit our website or follow the company on LinkedIn.

About Paramount+
Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combines live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment™. The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, the service’s cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME® content including scripted hits, critically acclaimed nonfiction projects, SHOWTIME SPORTS® (including industry-leading SHOWTIME Boxing®) and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf to basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis. 

About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 44th 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 brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @ParamountPlus @nickelodeonfamily @Nickelodeon @pinkfong.official @babyshark_global

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SOURCE Nickelodeon

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Commander Callie Continues Moon Mission in NASA’s New Graphic Novel

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“Astronaut Callie Rodriguez continues her space adventures as the first woman to walk on the Moon in NASA’s new graphic novel, “First Woman: Expanding Our Universe.”

Fictional astronaut Callie Rodriguez continues exploring space as the first woman to walk on the Moon in a new issue of NASA’s First Woman graphic novel series. Now available digitally in English and Spanish, “First Woman: Expanding Our Universe,” follows Callie and her crewmates as they work together to explore the unknown, make scientific discoveries, and accomplish their mission objectives.

This second issue of the graphic novel series features a diverse crew of astronauts on the Moon’s surface, learning and growing as a team navigating the unexpected while conducting experiments and technology demonstrations for the benefit of humanity.

Through the First Woman series, NASA is inspiring the next generation of explorers – the Artemis Generation – as it works in real life to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon under the Artemis program.

“Diversity is at the core of NASA’s missions, and the reason we continue breaking the boundaries of what’s possible. First Woman embodies the rich history of countless women who broke barriers and continue to lead NASA to the stars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “So much of what NASA does is to inspire future explorers because each member of the Artemis Generation should feel represented in our missions. Callie’s story reminds us that we will do what has never been done before — land the first woman on the Moon, and it will inspire the world.”

When readers last met Callie, she and her robot RT were sheltering inside of a lunar lava tunnel. Find out what happens next by visiting the revamped First Woman website, which includes a new Spanish-language option, and the agency’s updated First Woman app available for download on Android and iOS.

The website and immersive app allow audiences to explore a new virtual 3D environment, technologies and objects related to lunar exploration. Fans also can explore updated First Woman content, including videos, interactive games, and other materials related to ongoing and future NASA missions.

“Callie is an inspirational character for underrepresented communities and, as a person of Indian descent with young children, I deeply understand the power of a diverse fanbase seeing a place for themselves within our ambitious missions. To solve the many challenges of sustainable lunar exploration, we need innovative ideas from diverse sources and non-traditional communities,” said Dr. Prasun Desai, acting associate administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We continue that aspirational theme with our second issue, diving further into the crew’s complex mission and personal backgrounds while expanding a wealth of interactive, multilingual science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content across our digital platforms.”



The series debut, “First Woman: Dream to Reality,” saw a large response across the United States and abroad, with nearly 100,000 print copies distributed. The digital audience garnered nearly 300,000 webpage views, and the First Woman app was downloaded by thousands of users, earning a 2022 Webby Award for Best Integrated Mobile Experience.

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NASA will collaborate with its international partners to translate First Woman into more languages in the future.

To learn more about the graphic novel and interactive experiences, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/calliefirst/

Source: NASA

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