Disney Rebooks 'Imagination Movers'

The Disney Channel has ordered a second season of its hit music-filled Playhouse Disney series "Imagination Movers," starring New Orleans' favourite alternative rock band for preschoolers.
The announcement was made earlier this month by Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Playhouse Disney Worldwide. Production of 26 new episodes will resume in New Orleans in spring 2009.
"We are thrilled with the response from preschoolers and parents to 'Imagination Movers' catchy, energetic music and stories that inspire kids to be creative thinkers," said Kanter.
"We're excited to return to New Orleans to produce more episodes that will have viewers 'brainstorming' with the Movers."
Since its September 2008 premiere, "Imagination Movers" has received critical acclaim, especially from influential "mom bloggers".
The series is a strong ratings performer, showing continual growth on a week-to-week basis since its launch.
The popular Imagination Movers are: Rich Collins, a former journalist and father of five young children; Scott Durbin, an award-winning teacher and father of two young children; Dave Poche, an architect and father of two young children; and Scott "Smitty" Smith, a New Orleans firefighter who was a member of the Katrina search and rescue effort.
"Imagination Movers" features the blue-suited band – Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty – as everyday guy brain-stormers working hard to solve "idea emergencies" in their Idea Warehouse, a place of infinite inspiration.
Each 30-minute episode features five songs presented in music video style performances. Three songs are repeated in every episode, while two new original songs revolving around each episode's storyline will be introduced.
The quartet started writing music for their own children and went on to perform nationwide in high-energy, interactive rock/hip-hop concerts. Their funky, catchy songs, which have won over critics, parents and kids alike, are heard on satellite radio, where they've topped the charts.
They've won multiple national music awards and were named a Parenting Pick by Parenting Magazine. The Imagination Movers' latest CD, "Juice Box Heroes," which was released by Walt Disney Records earlier this year, features songs from the television series.
"Imagination Movers" airs daily at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel.
Episodes are also available online, on mobile and on-demand, with all new episodes premiering on Disney Channel On Demand up to one week prior to their linear channel debut, and on iTunes one day after their television premiere.
Select episodes are also available at www.playhousedisney.com and on mobile via Sprint TV and MobiTV.
(BMcC)