Newsletter - Turbo Dogs - qubo - Beverly Hills Chihuahua - Animalia

Screen Scene Newsletter
Vol. I, Issue No. 6
Oct. 3, 2008

In This Issue:

Kids TV - Turbo Dogs

Family Movie - Beverly Hills Chihuahua

TV Highlights

Children's DVD - Animalia

Kids TV

The Rising popularity of qubo is due in part to its entertaining children's programming and its efforts to win the trust of parents. Joining qubo's line-up is Turbo Dogs, a racing action series that encourages fair play and literacy. Turbo Dogs premieres Friday, Oct. 3, at 3:30pm ET on ION; Saturday, Oct. 4, at 12:00 Noon ET on NBC; and Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8:00am ET on Telemundo.

Emmy-winning Bindi Irwin continues the second leg of her "American Road Trip," Bindi: The Jungle Girl Oct. 4 at 5:00pm e/p on Discovery Kids Channel. The colorful video postcard is both funny and informative.

Family Movie
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
In Theaters Oct. 3, 2008
Adventure / Comedy / Kids / Family
Walt Disney Studios Films
Rated: PG for some mild thematic elements (Parents cautioned.)

Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore) is a Beverly Hills Chihuahua living the poshest of lives. She is so content with the life she leads that she barely notices that the gardener's Chihuahua, Papi (voiced by George Lopez), is passionately in love with her. But when an irresponsible dog-sitter loses Chloe on a weekend vacation to Mexico, Chloe embarks on her own adventure in the country of her ancestors. Meanwhile, Papi is desperately searching for his beloved.

In spite of some critics' early reviews knocking it, this movie may be a funny adventure movie that families will enjoy seeing together. There will be spectacular Mexican scenery and its ancient ruins. Audiences will get a message about tolerance, self-worth, and responsibility. Beverly Hills Chihuahua Synopsis, Cast & Fun Facts About the Production >>

TV Highlights

CBS and CTV premiere the fourth season of Ghost Whisperer Friday, Oct. 3, 8:00pm e/p. During the season premiere, "Firestarter," Jamie Kennedy will be introduced as a series regular, portraing Pscyhology Professor Eli James. Jay Mohr (Gary Unmarried) will make a guest apperance as Prof. Rick Payne.

At 9:00pm e/p on Oct. 3, CBS and Global TV premiere The Ex-List. Bella Bloom (Elizabeth Reaser, Grey's Anatomy is in her 30s and a successful business owner. She's also unmarried.

One day, a psychic informs Bella that she has already dated her future husband, but doesn't tell her who it is. Furthermore, Bella has only one year to find him or she will be single forever. At a bachelorette party for Bella's sister, Daphne (Rachel Boston, American Dreams), the psychic gives her a tip - Bella will find her soul mate if she revisits her past relationships and sorts through the mistakes. Bella is doubtful, but begins analyzing every liason and failed romance. Her friends help her dissect her past.

"High Exposure" is the fifth season premiere of Numb3rs, Oct. 3, 10:00pm e/p on CBS. When two rock climbers are killed, Don and the team search for the killers. Meanwhile, Charlie decides if he should get his FBI clearance reinstated and Agent Nikki Betancourt (Sophina Brown - Shark) joins the team. Lou Diamond Phillips ("La Bamba") returns as Agent Ian Edgerton.

America's Funniest Home Videos returns Sunday, Oct. 5 at 7:00pm ET on ABC and, in Canada, "A."

More TV Premieres >>

Children's DVD
Animalia: Welcome to the Kingdom

The first Animalia DVD has been released on standard and Blu-ray by Porchlight Entertainment.

The series subtly shows the importance of strong communication and literacy skills. The episodes encourage viewers to be knowledge seekers to solve problems. The library is the center of knowledge for both our world and that of Animalia. The stories show the value of using books to find solutions - sometimes with facts and sometimes by triggering creative solutions from our imaginations. The value of team work and overlooking each others differences is also demonstrated.

In addition to first four episodes from the series, the release includes informative and interesting featurettes. "Animalia Book to Screen" features an interview with author Graeme Base, who discusses how he lost an advertising job and turned to illustrating which led to the book. "The Animation Process" shows the various steps required to transport Base's illustrations to television. Both are excellent extensions of the series, showing kids and their parents the creative process behind writing a successful book and producing a hit educational cartoon series.

Halloween DVDs for Kids
Get Goosebumps!

As a child, I loved scary stories and spooky movies and TV episodes, similar to R. L. Stine's books. Scholastic and Fox Home Entertainment have released three Goosebumps DVDs based on Stine's writings: One Day at Horrorland; Monster Blood; and A Night in Terror Tower DVDs. The first title is part of the Stine's HorrorLand series that also includes books and video games. The Goosebumps book and television series receives a great deal of criticism from some parents' groups. Nevertheless, they are entertaining scary stories for the preteens who love this genre. Stine's stories seem to be inspired by O'Henry's surprise endings and Twilight Zone's twists and turns.