Nicktoons Greenlights Series Based on Skateboarder Rob Dyrdek
SAN DIEGO — July 21, 2011 — Professional skateboarder/entrepreneur Rob Dyrdek (star of MTV’s Rob & Big and Fantasy Factory) will bring the fun, fast-paced world of skateboarding to Nicktoons with an original, animated series, Wild Grinders, it was announced today by Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Nicktoons and TeenNick. Inspired by Dyrdek’s real-life experiences, the half-hour comedy follows the cartoon adventures of a group of friends bonded by their love of skateboarding. The 26-episode series is produced in partnership with Home Plate Entertainment, Moonscoop and Dyrdek’s Wild Grinders LLC, and will premiere on Nicktoons in 2012, preceded by a number of some shorts and other original multi-platform digital content launching this fall. Agogo Corporation, Telegael Teoranta and Copernicus Studios are also co-producers on the HD production.
“Wild Grinders is a great fit for Nicktoons because it has the comedy and adrenaline boys love,” said Dawkins. “Rob Dyrdek brings an authentic look at the skateboard culture and a diverse cast of characters who reflect our audience. We think they’ll enjoy this dynamic journey of a 12-year-old skater and his friends.”
“I wanted to make a cartoon that made me laugh. I have always tried to create programming that was funny. Skateboarding is a backdrop to our main characters comedic situations, but not necessarily our primary focus,” stressed Dyrdek, who also is voicing the lead character and Exec Producing.
Rooted in fun, humor and a genuine take on the attitude and spirit of today’s skateboarding, Wild Grinders follows a quick-thinking skater kid, Lil Rob, his right hand dog, Meaty, his nerdy inventor buddy, Goggles, and his middle school friends, known as the Wild Grinders. Lil Rob and his thrill-seeking crew, who come from all walks of life, find themselves amid many zany skateboarding adventures in and around their hometown of Sprawl City, from shrink rays that make “getting through the living room” an imaginative adventure to a story about cursed pumpkin zombies, the show features the bright appealing look of original artwork.
Dyrdek will be signing exclusive Wild Grinders posters at San Diego Comic Con at the Nickelodeon booth on Friday, July 22, at 11 a.m. (PT). Additionally, Wild Grinders shorts, behind-the-scenes videos, character descriptions and more will be available on Nicktoons.com/wildgrinders beginning this September.
