National Geographic Announces Star-Studded Earth Day Eve Celebration

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This year, National Geographic will offer multiple ways for people to celebrate Earth Day with a lineup of activities that will meet people wherever they are, kicking off with an Earth Day Eve virtual celebration. Hosted by travel expert Jessica Nabongo, Nat Geo’s Earth Day Eve 2021 will feature performances from Angélique Kidjo, AURORA, José González, Maggie Rogers, Rostam, Valerie June, Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma, and Ziggy Marley, as well as a world premiere new music video from My Morning Jacket.

Beginning Wednesday, April 21, at 8:30 p.m. ET, Nat Geo’s Earth Day Eve 2021 concert will premiere exclusively on the National Geographic YouTube channel and at NatGeo.com/EarthDayEve. Fans can join the conversation online with #NatGeoEarthDay.

As viewers join in the musical event remotely from around the world, they will be introduced to extraordinary National Geographic Explorers, including world-renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, carnivore ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn Grant, environmental journalist Lillygol Sedaghat and biologist Dr. Lucy Hawkes. A highlight of the event will include National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, one of the world’s leading marine photographers, as he previews the new four-part Disney+ original series Secrets of the Whales, from Academy Award®-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer at Large James Cameron. Narrated by award-winning actress and conservationist Sigourney Weaver, the series from National Geographic takes viewers deep within the epicenter of whale culture to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of whales. The series will anchor National Geographic’s activities on Earth Day and becomes available on Disney+ at 12 a.m. PT on April 22.

The event will also include a number of exciting announcements by the brand and be followed by a virtual afterparty on the new National Geographic TikTok account at 10 p.m. ET. In Nat Geo’s first-ever TikTok Live, viewers will be invited to drop by to hear Jayda G. spin an original set accompanied by stunning visuals from the new Disney+ series Earth Moods. In the meantime, National Geographic has published a newly created Spotify playlist that’s the perfect soundtrack for Earth Month.

“For over 133 years, National Geographic has strived to inspire people to care more deeply for the planet. This Earth Day, we hope to provide that inspiration with a one-of-a-kind celebration that invites audiences everywhere to unite around the power of music,” said National Geographic Chairman Gary Knell. “Our Earth Day Eve event—virtual and accessible to everyone—will showcase environmentally passionate artists from around the world together with some of National Geographic’s most extraordinary Explorers. From AURORA’s forest performance in Bergen, Norway, to Jane Goodall’s greeting from her home in England, the celebration will give us even more of a reason to fall in love with the place we all call home—and empower us to act to protect it.”

The event art is by Cachetejack, whose colorful illustrations and playful style perfectly bring the music of National Geographic’s Earth Day Eve 2021 to life. Nuria Bellver and Raquel Fanjul of Cachetejack are a Spanish freelance illustration duo working together since 2011 to bring an irreverent and playful style to their work that honors their ancestors.

Real Life Money Matters Inspire Hilarious Family Matters in ABC’s Home Economics

April 7, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

Home Economics executive producers Michael Colton and John Aboud have had what Colton describes as both “good years and bad years” throughout a creative partnership that goes back nearly two decades. Their new series, which premieres Wednesday, April 7, (8:30–9 p.m. ET/PT) on ABC, is inspired by one of the particularly difficult years—a year in which Colton found himself completely unemployed while his twin brother was enjoying his best year ever, making a sizable amount of money by selling a company he’d built. The imbalance between the siblings was challenging to Colton. During ABC’s recent Television Critics Association virtual event, he recalled his feelings at the time as a mix of anxiety, pride, jealousy and insecurity. He also remembered thinking the situation had the makings of a show.

The new comedy series looks at the complicated dynamic between three adult siblings who find themselves in wildly different income brackets. Topher Grace (That ’70s Show) stars as eldest sibling Tom, who is based on Colton. Tom is firmly in the middle class in Home Economics, while Connor (Jimmy Tatro) has reached the 1% while youngest sister Sarah (Caitlin McGee), a social worker, is barely hanging on.

“It’s so important that the show really be about something, so that you want to tell all these different stories about it,” emphasizes Grace, who is also one of the Home Economics’ executive producers.

Colton and Aboud set out to create a relatable family sitcom that reflected their lives, as well as the lives of the viewing audience. Aboud shared, “We’ve been fans of Modern Family for forever, but when you look at those three families and how those stories intersect, you look at their houses—all those guys are rich… We wanted a family where there were different levels.”

Like Colton, in Home Economics Tom is also a writer. He’s secretly working on a novel about his family, though in real life Colton kept his siblings in the loop about the pilot he and Aboud were developing. Tom’s book also serves as a jumping-off point for narration, which plays a similar role as the documentary device in Modern Family. “He’s actually telling the story. We’re seeing what he’s putting in his book,” Aboud explained. “We get to see Tom’s perspective and get a lot of extra information in a really simple and fun way.”

In the initial pilot, Tom was the middle sibling in the family. But once the executive producers met Tatro and McGee, they re-conceived the family dynamic. “You always go with the best actors you have,” Colton said.

Grace is the eldest sibling, and he’s also something of an elder statesman among the Home Economics cast, which he praised as a “dream team,” similar to the ensemble he was part of at the start of his career on That ’70s Show. “Maybe I know slightly more about being on a dream team than some of [the cast]. We’ve been working together a short time and it’s like going on a date except not just with one person. You either kind of have that chemistry or you don’t,” Grace shared. “I would say almost every scene, we have trouble finishing the scene because we’re all laughing so hard and then that feeling bleeds into the show.”

Grace admits he was hesitant to return to network television after an extended period of time spent working on feature films and series for streaming services. But, he shared, “My agent did a tricky thing. She sent me the pilot without the cover page on it. When I looked back I said, oh right, I guess there aren’t any swears in that. I really fell in love with the characters and the writers.” Any nerves Grace was feeling about launching a new network show quickly disappeared. “About 48 hours into it became overconfident,” he admitted. “And the reason is because of these actors.”

According to Colton, he and Aboud always envisioned Home Economics as an ABC show, continuing the tradition of must-watch series for the entire family, such as Modern Family. “This didn’t need to be a show that was edgy and has swears. Everybody who has read it, has said, ‘Oh, I’m the Tom in my family. Or ‘I’m the Connor in my family’ or ‘I’m the Sarah in my family.’” He believes it’s the most relatable project the pair has written, noting that at some point, everyone struggles with money or siblings who may need it, and he noted, “It seems like it’s hitting a chord.”

Katey Sagal Plays a Rebel with a Cause in ABC’s New Drama

April 7, 2021April 5, 2021

By Zach Johnson

A rebellion is coming to ABC this week.

The new series Rebel debuts April 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, adding even more drama to ABC’s Thursday lineup. Inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich, it centers on Annie “Rebel” Bello (Katey Sagal), a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. She’s a funny, messy, brilliant, and fearless woman who cares deeply about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. For better or worse, Rebel will do whatever it takes to win—at any cost.

Krista Vernoff, of Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 fame, is the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Rebel. The Rebel cast also includes John Corbett as Grady Bello, James Lesure as Benji, Lex Scott Davis as Cassidy, Tamala Jones as Lana, Ariela Barer as Ziggy, Kevin Zegers as Nate, Sam Palladio as Luke, and Andy Garcia as Cruz. “We’ve made a show that is going to offer some light in the darkness, some humor, some connection, and some inspiration to understand that there’s always more you can do,” says Vernoff. “I’m really excited about it.”

Brockovich says Rebel is inspired by recent events in her life—meaning it’s not a retelling of the 2000 feature film that bears her name and stars Julia Roberts, who received an Academy Award^® for her dynamic, nuanced performance. “I am still just as frustrated at being underestimated or put into a box, which results in me trying to jump out of that box however I can,” Brockovich says. “It’s a different character. I’m older, wiser—more evolved.”

“I can still be up in your face,” she adds, “but only when I’m pushed to that corner.”

Brockovich is the first to admit that she doesn’t always behave in a “calm, cool, and collected” manner—nor does Rebel. “Sometimes it’s just a reaction. It’s like, ‘Really? What is going on here?’” But that, of course, is what makes her so fun. Jokes Vernoff, “If Erin edited herself more effectively, we’d have a way less exciting, dramatic, comedic TV show!”

Before Sagal was cast in Rebel, she met Brockovich to get a better sense of who she was. “I got it just sitting and hanging out with her,” Sagal recalls, “because clearly the passion and the fire comes [through] over lunch.” Brockovich says she was equally impressed by Sagal, raving, “Katey just gets it. It’s her energy. It’s her presence. It’s just there. She just oozes it.”

Brockovich will often visit the writers’ room, where her insights and her quirks lead to endless sources of inspiration. “We listen, we absorb, and we try to put it back into the script,” explains Vernoff. “Katey just gets it. It’s a beautiful, divinely feminine collaboration.”

Like the woman who inspired her, the character of Rebel isn’t easily defined or labeled. She is charismatic and passionate, yes, but there’s much more to her than that. “Whenever I’m on set and a director asks me, ‘Is it supposed to be this or is it supposed to be that? Is it supposed to be funny or is it supposed to be dramatic? Is she supposed to be angry or does she really love him?’ My answer is always, ‘Both,’” Vernoff says. “There’s no binary. There’s no either/or. There’s no funny or dramatic. She’s all of those things at once. Erin is all of those things at once, in her work and in her humanity. Katey brings it to life so beautifully.”

Read an Exclusive Excerpt from Hello, Cruel Heart, A New Original Novel Exploring Cruella’s Teenage Years

April 5, 2021

By the D23 Team

Before she became Cruella—the iconic Disney villain we love to hate—she was Estella, a 16-year-old girl with big dreams in swinging London, 1967. Her life of petty crime turns into glitz and glamor in this original novel by author Maureen Johnson. Can Estella keep up with the fast lives of the rich and famous, or will she face the price of a lavish life? Hello, Cruel Heart is hitting shelves tomorrow, but if you must jump into the action now, check out this exclusive excerpt from the story:

Estella arrived at the Caterpillar early, by almost a full half hour, but didn’t want to be seen doing so. She knew enough about the fashionable set to know late was on time. Early was just sad. Early lost the game.

She wandered up the street and around the corner and back again, repeating the process until she was sure to be at least fifteen minutes late. One thing she noted: the plastic dress was hot. Very hot. Sweat poured down her back and legs. The bright side was no sweat marks.

When she saw Magda and Richard’s Jaguar pull down the street, she ducked behind a postbox, emerging only when a woman came to drop a letter and jumped back with a startled yelp at the sight of a girl dressed as a tin of beans—or several tins of beans—squatting nearby. Estella sprang up and strode toward the Caterpillar as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. This was Swinging London, after all. People were bound to squat behind postboxes and spring out from time to time.

She waited long enough to be sure that Magda and Richard would be seated and ready to take in her entrance. She found them sitting at the same table they had occupied two days before. Magda’s face broke into a smile as Estella entered.

“What a gas!” Magda said upon seeing her. “An absolute gas!” She nudged her brother. “Richard, do you see?”

Richard saw, of course, and nodded distractedly. He had a book of poetry in front of him.

Magda rose from her low-slung seat and walked all the way around Estella, taking in the bean dress from every angle.

“A gas,” she said again. “I love it.”

Estella allowed herself one small, unimpressed smile, as though this were praise that was heaped upon her all the time, and then sat down with them. This time, she made an effort not to stare at the clouds on the floor or the grass on the ceiling or any of the outfits or people. Look bored. She tipped up her chin the way Magda held hers. Regal. That was what it was.

Their server that day was wearing a simple and elegant white mini shift dress with tiny bells along the hem. They tinkled gently against her mid thighs as she walked. Estella did minute calculations in her mind regarding the precise length of the skirt. Five inches above the knee. Straight cut.

“Same?” the server asked.

“Same,” Magda said.

“Same,” Richard said.

Estella blanked for only a moment before saying, “Same.”

The server tinkled away and through the beaded curtain. The music played low and soft, and everyone eased back onto the cushions.

“So what did you think of last night?” Magda asked Estella.

“I liked it. A lot.”

“It was all right, wasn’t it? Not too terribly dreadful. Everyone thought you were a gas. An absolute gas.”

Estella noticed Magda was saying that word a lot that day. She had not said it the day before. What did it mean when she repeated that word? Was repetition in vogue now?

“You were talking to Peter for a while,” Magda observed.

“Oh, we just happened to meet while he was . . . making tea,” Estella replied, a bit lamely, flattered and surprised that Magda had noticed.

Magda smiled knowingly. “He’s rather something, isn’t he? You know they’re going to be massive, absolutely massive. Everyone’s saying so.”

The cups of green tea arrived, and this time Estella didn’t look the slightest bit surprised by the color. The grassy liquid would never replace her cuppa, but it wasn’t bad. She could get used to it.

Richard was in a chatty mood after he put down his poetry book. “I’m working on a new idea,” he said. “A sort of Joycean-inspired process, but I’ve been thinking a lot about Burroughs, and what I’m really aiming to do is combine those two basic processes into one process, if you see what I mean.” He had a habit of drawing out his words and pulling lightly on his chin as if he had a beard, which he did not.

“Sounds marvelous,” Magda said. Estella nodded in agreement, though she had no clue what he was talking about.

The server brought the same meal as they’d had two days earlier. Magda and Richard picked at theirs as they dissected all the people and things they’d seen the night before. Who was with whom, who was wearing what, who hadn’t shown.

“I thought today we might do a bit of clothes shopping,” Magda said as the dishes were cleared away.

The plastic dress squeaked on the seat. It was like a rain forest inside. Plastic did not breathe.

“Oh,” Estella said. “I’m not sure . . . I’ve got to be somewhere. . . .”

Magda flicked her hand as though waving away Estella’s protests. “Surely you can spare the time. We’ll only go for a moment. You’re so wonderful with clothes, I’d just love to shop with you. Don’t you want everyone to see your fabulous dress?”

Those were the words Estella needed to hear. She had no greater desire than for people to see her dresses. She didn’t really have to be home, she reasoned to herself. They could do a run anytime. Jasper and Horace could wait.

“Of course,” Estella said with a warm smile. “Some shopping.”

“Here,” Richard said, handing his sister the car keys. “I’m going to walk. I want to stop by the gallery. There’s a marvelous painting I want to buy.”

“Smashing,” Magda replied. “Come on, Stellar. Let’s go.”

Bobby Rubio, Director of Pixar’s Float, Talks Autism Acceptance Month and the Importance of AAPI Storytelling

April 5, 2021April 5, 2021

By Michael Louie

Throughout April, celebrations across the globe promote autism acceptance and ensure that people with autism are seen, heard, and celebrated for their unique experiences of the world. Inclusion is also at the heart of Pixar Animation Studios’ SparkShorts program, an experimental storytelling initiative that welcomes new creative voices at the studio to share their stories.

The 2019 SparkShort Float, which is now streaming on Disney+, is centered around a father who discovers that his son is different from other kids in the most unusual way. To keep them both safe and from judgment, Dad covers him and keeps him out of sight—but when his son’s ability becomes public, Dad must decide whether to run and hide or to accept his son as he is.

In this Q&A, Bobby Rubio, director of the Disney+ Original short, talks about the care and authenticity that went into bringing Float to the screen and the impact of creating a story with Asian American representation at the forefront.

Of all the projects you’ve worked on, it’s no secret that Float, now streaming on Disney+, is a story that is very close to your heart. Could you tell us about how the story came together, and what inspired you?
Bobby Rubio (BR): Yes, the story is very close to my heart. It’s based off my relationship with my son, Alex, who is my heart. He’s on the autism spectrum, and was diagnosed at 2 ½ years old. But years ago, when he was first diagnosed, I didn’t handle it well—in fact, I went into a depression.

My wife said to me one day, “Hey you’re a story artist—why don’t you tell your story and just get it out of you?” So I decided to do a comic book. It was going to be called “Alex,” starring a father and son. On the cover, the two of them were standing in a field of dandelions and the son was floating. I was going to do it, but I was still having a lot of intense feelings from the news of the diagnosis.

Flash forward eight years, and I decided to restart the process through a storyboard instead. I created a short, showed it around to my storyboard/artist friends, and they recommended that I show the short to Lindsey Collins, executive producer of Pixar’s SparkShorts program. Lindsey thought it was the perfect story to tell—and I was so grateful for that opportunity. Now it’s all across the world.

In Float the son’s ability to actually float is what makes him so unique. What made you go in this creative direction?
BR: People have asked that a lot—why floating? I think I wanted to take advantage of the animation medium and show the child being different visually. A floating animated child is already so different than a regular animated child.

Also, I wanted to show that children that are different are special. I wanted to show that in a positive light. I didn’t want the “power” to be negative in any way. I’m glad that floating had a lot of great reviews and responses—I was overwhelmed with the positive feedback.

Floating was also meant to be a metaphor for anyone to interpret for themselves. I’ve received notes from [people in] the LGBTQ and special needs community who often feel like an outsider, and I’m glad they were able to identify with the metaphor.

You’ve previously stated that your original script featured Caucasian characters, who were later switched to Filipino-American characters in the final production. This is the first time lead Filipino-American characters were portrayed in a digital format. Can you talk about the motivations for the change?
BR: You’re right that when I made the storyboards, the characters were Caucasian. I showed it to our story manager at Pixar at the time, as well as development, and they both asked why the characters were Caucasian. “This is your story, and you’re Filipino so the characters should be Filipino,” they told me. “How will Alex feel when he looks on the up on the screen and sees a Caucasian boy?” And that hit me. I didn’t want my son to think that he wasn’t worth it. I didn’t want him to think I was ashamed of him or our culture in anyway. From that point on, I knew the characters were going to be Filipino-American. I am grateful for having Pixar standing behind me and pushing me and encouraging me to make them Filipino-American. Now they’re the first Filipino-American CGI lead characters and I couldn’t be more proud.

With the worldwide call to end social injustice and the recent increase in bias, violence, and hate crimes against the AAPI community, films like Float that depict AAPI storytelling are becoming increasingly important. What are your thoughts and perspectives on this issue?
BR: It affects me deeply because I am Asian. I just saw on the news the other day about a 65-year-old Filipina woman who was attacked in New York. Even after, security didn’t help her and even closed the doors on her. That’s horrific, and it hurts and affects me deeply. I’m shocked and angry. I’m frustrated this is happening to my community. I know Pixar and Disney have made statements and showed support to the AAPI community and creators by featuring Float on YouTube.

Hopefully, by telling stories, we can bridge the gap. We’re not the outsiders anymore. That’s how I’m trying to get through all of this: by telling stories. Hopefully we can let people start to see each other in a different light.

April is Autism Acceptance Month. You’ve been very open and vulnerable about sharing your journey to embrace your son’s autism. What advice would you give to parents with children with autism, especially in communities where the condition may not be widely accepted or understood?
BR: My suggestion and advice would be to know that you are not alone in this journey. I’ve been through what other parents are experiencing. It’s a rough journey. But it’s OK to ask for help. Even for myself—it was tough, but once I asked for help, things got a lot better.

I’d also suggest to get access to supportive resources either online or with others in your community to help you and your family heal. Don’t hide. Come out and try to reach out to others. This journey starts with you, then the healing begins. This is also expressed in Float. The dad could easily have walked out of the park after his son threw a tantrum, but he embraced it instead. If the dad continued to walk out of the park with his son, he would have gone home and been even more miserable… nothing would have changed.

What is the best lesson your son Alex has taught you?
BR: Patience, to enjoy the moments, and enjoy the wins.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

April 5, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Tune in Tuesday for the season finale of Soul of a Nation on ABC, which will take a look at America’s New Reconstruction. The network will also debut two new series this week, starting with Home Economics on Wednesday, followed by Rebel on Thursday. Then, join us in celebrating the 26th anniversary of A Goofy Movie on Wednesday by streaming it on Disney+. And on Thursday, Freeform’s Everything’s Gonna Be Okay returns for season two.

Soul of a Nation—Tuesday, April 6, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
As the country grapples with the Derek Chauvin trial, the critically acclaimed newsmagazine Soul of a Nation explores America’s New Reconstruction. Can the Black community turn pain into promise, prosperity, and power? Guest host Michael Kenneth Williams explores the hope and resilience of the Black community throughout history. In addition to Williams, ABC News’ Linsey Davis, Sunny Hostin, Steve Osunsami, Rachel Scott, and Pierre Thomas lead the hour, which features an interview with and performance by singer Andra Day. The episode also looks back at the Tulsa Race Massacre nearly 100 years later; features the unseen Black men who have been sentenced to death row; and delves into the racial reckoning in present-day America, which some call “the third reconstruction.”

Home Economics—Wednesday, April 7, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Executive produced by and starring Topher Grace, the new series—inspired by the life of writer and executive producer Michael Colton—joins the network’s Wednesday night comedy block. Home Economics explores the heartwarming yet super uncomfortable and sometimes frustrating relationship among three adult siblings: one in the 1%, one middle-class, and one barely holding on. The series also stars Shiloh Bearman, Jordyn Curet, Caitlin McGee, Jimmy Tatro, Chloe Jo Rountree, Karla Souza, JeCobi Swain, and Sasheer Zamata.

A Goofy Movie—Wednesday, April 7, on Disney+
In this animated adventure, Goofy (voice of Disney Legend Bill Farmer) takes his son, Max (voice of Jason Marsden), on a fishing trip in an effort to spend some quality time together… even though Max would rather be spending time with his girlfriend, Roxanne (voice of Kellie Martin). Rather than explaining to Roxanne the real reason for his trip, Max concocts a story involving the pop star Powerline (voice of Tevin Campbell), which results in all sorts of complications. Goofy and Max head for Lake Destiny, and along the way have an encounter with Bigfoot and visit the dilapidated Lester’s Possum Park. Unbeknownst to his dad, Max reroutes their trip to Los Angeles, where the Powerline concert is taking place. It leads to some hurt feelings, but ultimately helps the father and son duo see “I 2 I.”

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay—Thursday, April 8, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform
The season two premiere finds the family alone… again. In the midst of the pandemic, Nicholas (Josh Thomas), Alex (Adam Faison), Matilda (Kayla Cromer), and Genevieve (Maeve Press) are doing their best to get through the day, but they’re bored and tired. It doesn’t help that Matilda is in a dark place, which prompts Genevieve to invade her privacy.

Rebel—Thursday, April 8, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
Inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich today, Annie “Rebel” Bello (Katey Sagal) is a blue-collar legal advocate. She may not have a law degree, but she has gumption. In the series premiere, Rebel tries to convince Cruz (Andy Garcia) to join her fight against Stonemore Medical and simultaneously enlists Lana (Tamala Jones) and Cassidy (Lex Scott Davis) to protect a woman from her abusive boyfriend. While she is out saving others, Rebel’s husband, Grady (John Corbett), stands on the sidelines and picks up the pieces at home.

Disney Junior Announces Premiere Date and Guest Cast for The Chicken Squad

April 5, 2021April 5, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

We’ve got egg-cellent news: Disney Junior’s new animated comedy-adventure series The Chicken Squad will premiere with two back-to-back episodes on Friday, May 14 (7:30 p.m. EDT/PDT) on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW. The series, which takes inspiration from the popular books from Doreen Cronin, follows three young chicks—Coop, voiced by Ramone Hamilton; Sweetie, voiced by Gabriella Graves; and Little Boo, voiced by Maxwell Simkins—and their retired search-and-rescue dog mentor, Captain Tully, who is voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown. The chicken siblings and Captain Tully embark on all manner of adventures in their very own backyard—from rescuing a stranded puppy from a creek to helping a bird track down its missing food—and are always at the ready to lend a helping wing.

Today’s announcement also hatched a stellar recurring guest voice cast: Tony Hale (Forky Asks a Question and Disney+’s upcoming The Mysterious Benedict Society) will voice Frazz, a nervous squirrel; Jane Lynch (Glee) is Dr. Dirt, a forensic scientist snail; Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) plays the chicks’ mother, Dinah; Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs) voices gruff pack rat Riley; Malcolm-Jamal Warner (The Resident) lends his voice to retired firehouse dog Lt. Scruffy; and Melissa Villaseñor (Saturday Night Live) and Zack Pearlman (Dragons: Race to the Edge) will voice mischievous raccoon siblings Wheeze and Snick. Also keep an ear out for Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect franchise), who are among the guest stars fans will hear during The Chicken Squad’s first season. Bloom and Fit will lend their voices to Rebeecca, a nervous honeybee, and Quilla, a friendly porcupine, respectively.

A digital soundtrack, Disney Junior Music: The Chicken Squad, featuring the theme song and music from the series, is also set for release Friday, May 14, on Walt Disney Records. Check out the series’ catchy theme song, below (and you might just be tempted to cluck along):

Each episode is comprised of two 11-minute stories in which the chicks model what it means to be good community helpers and find the joy in assisting others. Every new mission will heralded by the recurring “Chicken Charge” anthem, sung by the chicks; and new original songs will showcase a wide range of musical styles, including pop, R&B, country, hip-hop, and electronic.

The Chicken Squad was developed and is executive produced by Emmy^® Award winner Tom Rogers (Elena of Avalor). Humanitas Prize and Emmy® Award winner Rachel Ruderman (Sofia the First) is co-producer and story editor; Tony Trujillo (FarmVille 2) is art director; and Emmy Award-nominated Elliot M. Bour (Elena of Avalor) and Scott Bern (Puppy Dog Pals) are supervising directors.

GRAMMY^®Award winner Alex Geringas (Voltron: Legendary Defender) and Emmy Award-nominated Mike Himelstein (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) are the series’ songwriters, and Emmy Award winner Gregory James Jenkins (T.O.T.S.) is composer. The Chicken Squad theme song is performed by multitalented actress, singer, and recording artist Renée Sandstrom (Kids Incorporated/Wild Orchid), along with Geringas.

The series is produced by Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior.

Mira, Royal Detective Returns April 5—Plus More in News Briefs

April 2, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Tune In for Season Two of Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective

We’re big fans of Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective around here—so we’re positively thrilled that season two of the animated mystery adventure will debut this Monday, April 5, at 5 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW… with new episodes every Monday for eight consecutive weeks.

Inspired by the cultures and customs of India, this tuneful series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a young girl who travels throughout the fictional land of Jalpur solving mysteries for her friends, family, and extended community. Season two will include an episode highlighting the Eid al-Fitr holiday debuting Monday, May 3 (5 p.m. EDT), and episodes celebrating the festivals of Teej and Dasara—as well as four extended-length music- and dance-filled specials! But that’s not all: Season one of the series will begin streaming on Disney+ on Friday, April 30.

Mira, Royal Detective celebrates authentic Indian music, dance, food, fashion, language, and art by incorporating the diversity of the culture into entertaining, mystery-laden storylines. The series’ voice cast includes Leela Ladnier, Freida Pinto, Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Hannah Simone, Jameela Jamil, Aparna Nancherla, and Aasif Mandvi; recurring guest stars include Danny Pudi, Kunal Nayyar, Hari Kondabolu, Karen David, and Aarti Sequeira. Guest stars for this season’s special Eid al-Fitr episode include Schitt’s Creek costar Rizwan Manji and his real-life daughter Ayana.

Don’t miss the fun!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Much like April showers, this weekend’s viewing enjoyment from around the worlds of Disney will definitely make your proverbial mind-garden grow. (Or something like that; we may need more caffeine.) Look for two brand-new, sure-to-be-thought-provoking documentaries to premiere on FX and Hulu, respectively; adventures from a galaxy far, far away on Disney+; and so much more.

Disney+ Reveals New Trailer for Star Wars: The Bad Batch

As we soar ever closer to Star Wars Day next month, that means that the debut of Star Wars: The Bad Batch is approaching at light speed as well! To celebrate all that impending adventure, our pals at Lucasfilm just released a brand-new trailer for the original animated series launching exclusively on Disney+ on Tuesday, May 4 (the aforementioned Star Wars Day), with a special 70-minute premiere—followed by new episodes every Friday starting on May 7.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in The Clone Wars) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch is executive produced by Dave Filoni, Athena Portillo, Brad Rau, and Jennifer Corbett, with Carrie Beck serving as co-executive producer and Josh Rimes serving as producer. For more info on all things The Bad Batch, check out StarWars.com.

Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu Launch Black History Always and Initiative 29

Amplifying Black voices all year long… that’s the idea behind two new initiatives from several of Disney’s streaming platforms. Black History Always, available on Disney+ and ESPN+, and Initiative 29, available on Hulu, will debut new content on the 29th of each month throughout the year with pieces that are unique to each.

Hulu’s Initiative 29 will feature socially conscious short-form content available to view in Hulu’s Black Stories hub on Hulu’s YouTube Channel and via the Hulu Facebook page. Plus, each month Hulu will add new classic films, nostalgic TV shows, and documentaries to the growing library of Black programming featured in the permanent Black Stories Hub. Recent additions include All of Us, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Malcom X, and Brooklyn’s Finest.

Over on Disney+, Black History Always content will include new YouTube episodes, with the first installment focusing on The Proud Family—and the Disney+ “Celebrate Black Stories” collection will be featured on the streamer’s homepage all year and include recent titles like Soul and Black Is King; fan-favorites like Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Black Panther; and newer stories like The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Meanwhile, on ESPN+: A Love Letter to Black Women, presented by The Undefeated, honors and celebrates the Black women who positively impact all of our lives.

Keep your eyes peeled for more Black History Always and Initiative 29 content in the coming months…

2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Kicks Off This July

This news should tickle your taste buds: Our good pals over at the Disney Parks Blog recently announced that the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will run from July 15 to November 20 at Walt Disney World Resort! This year’s event will kick off with Global Marketplaces, featuring the returns of favorites such as Canada, Greece, Germany, Hops and Barley, Appleseed Orchard, and more. Additional marketplaces will join the international smorgasbord as the festival continues into the fall.

Families will be able to have a veritable “charcuterie plate” of fun, by way of sampling delicious cheeses served in fun ways as part of Emile’s Fromage Montage (and if you collect a stamp from five different Global Marketplaces, you’ll also earn a prize!); scavenger-hunting with Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak all over the park; listening to musical favorites performed by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and the Jammin’ Chefs; and taking tasty souvenirs home, courtesy the festival’s new merchandise collections.

Look out for more delicious deets as we get closer to July, and do check out TasteEPCOT.com for further dish.

ICYMI: New Food and Drinks Arriving at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts

Speaking of delectable delights, this news just about broke the “interwebs” earlier this week: There’s a ton of amazing new food and beverage options coming to both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida—including a whole new way to be refreshed at Disneyland’s iconic Blue Bayou Restaurant. Read all about it right here at D23.com.

Cast Announced for Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi

Thrilled, this scoop makes us: Mere days ago, Disney+ and Lucasfilm Ltd. announced that Obi-Wan Kenobi, the new Disney+ special event series starring Ewan McGregor as the iconic Jedi Master, has its full cast… and will begin shooting this very month!

The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, where Kenobi faced his greatest defeat: the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who became the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.

Obi-Wan Kenobi marks the return of Hayden Christensen in the role of Darth Vader. Also joining McGregor in the series are Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie.

Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Chow, McGregor, and writer Joby Harold are the series’ executive producers, and it’ll be directed by Deborah Chow—director of two critically acclaimed episodes of The Mandalorian, Season 1.

6 Times Julie Andrews Dazzled in the Worlds of Disney

April 2, 2021

By Courtney Potter

It’s one of the most popular and most acclaimed movie musicals ever produced… and it just celebrated its 56th anniversary! The Sound of Music, based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of the same name—itself based on the true story of the Von Trapp family in the lead-up to World War II—was originally released in 1965; Disney Legend Julie Andrews stars as Maria, the compassionate postulant-turned-matriarch who helps her new love, Captain Georg Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), and their brood escape the clutches of evil in 1938 Austria.

The film’s anniversary got us to thinking about all the times Andrews shone her signature talents throughout the worlds of Disney. Below, in chronological order, are six occasions the Oscar®-winning actress Disney-dazzled on screens large and small… Several of the following titles are available on Disney+, so don’t miss out on celebrating these moments along with us.

Mary Poppins
The iconic 1964 film for which Andrews won the Academy Award® for Best Actress, Mary Poppins needs very little by way of introduction. But here’s a gentle reminder to give it a(nother) looksee on Disney+, should you not recall the last time you gave this hilarious, heartfelt, tuneful movie a watch. There’s Dick Van Dyke as a chimney sweep; dancing penguins; “the biggest word you’ve ever heard”; and Andrews being “practically perfect in every way.”

The Sound of Music
Also available on Disney+ is The Sound of Music, another of Andrews’ most quintessential works. The Oscar-winning film features truly indelible songs including “Climb Every Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” as well as the title song, “The Sound of Music”… and if you didn’t literally imagine Andrews twirling around on a Austrian mountaintop as you read that, it might be time for another viewing!

The Princess Diaries
The Princess Diaries stars Anne Hathaway as shy San Francisco teenager Mia Thermopolis—who receives the shock of her life when she finds out she’s the heir apparent to the crown of Genovia, a small European principality. Andrews co-stars in this 2001 film—available to stream on Disney+—as Mia’s formidable but warmhearted grandmother, Queen Clarisse. (Let’s be honest: Who amongst us hasn’t dreamt of Andrews being their real-life grandma?)

Eloise at the Plaza / Eloise at Christmastime
These two Wonderful World of Disney TV movies aired on ABC in 2003 and were based on the popular Eloise books written by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight. Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) is a super-precocious but totally lovable 6-year-old who lives in the penthouse of New York City’s Plaza Hotel and causes mischief and mayhem wherever she goes—often with her beleaguered Nanny (Andrews) in tow.

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
This 2004 sequel finds Mia (Hathaway) almost ready to live life as a princess when she’s suddenly faced with having to assume the crown from grandma Queen Clarisse (Andrews)—but when she finds out she’s got to marry before she can, she’s faced with a parade of suitors. Also starring Chris Pine as Nicholas Devereaux, much of this film was shot on Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch in Southern California.

Enchanted
Andrews doesn’t appear in this 2007 film, but her dazzling voice does carry the story as narrator… This charming fairytale spoof follows beautiful Giselle (Amy Adams) as she’s banished from the colorful kingdom of Andalasia and finds herself in modern-day New York City. Thankfully, it seems “true love’s kiss” might still be possible once she meets a handsome, albeit no-nonsense, lawyer named Robert (Patrick Dempsey). Three songs from Enchanted, written by Stephen Schwartz and Disney Legend Alan Menken, were nominated for Academy Awards.

Get Early Access to the April Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited Edition Bambi Plush, Amazon Exclusive

April 1, 2021April 2, 2021

Access the April Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Bambi Plush Amazon Exclusive Plush

Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited Edition Bambi Plush, Amazon Exclusive

Relive the magic of Disney with the Treasures From the Vault Plush. Inspired by Disney’s Bambi, the Limited Edition Bambi is the fourth collectible character in this exclusive Amazon series. Standing 13 inches tall and made of soft fabric with embroidered eyes, Bambi is showcasing his signature white spots. He even includes a Certificate of Authenticity and comes in a window box featuring exclusive Disney Treasures from the Vault packaging with gold foil detailing; ideal for collectors. Collect all 12 of these commemorative plush. Ages 3+

More than five years in the making, Bambi tells the coming-of-age story of a young fawn who grows up to become the Great Prince of the Forest. In addition to studying filmed footage of deer in the wild, Disney animators studied the movements and anatomy of two live deer, named Bambi and Faline, that lived in a pen at Disney’s Hyperion Studios. The art style of the backgrounds of the film suggested the mood, seasons, and atmosphere of the forest as a contrast to the realism of the animal character designs. A reporter noted during the film’s production that “Reviewers will hesitate to describe Bambi as a cartoon… It is more like a fine painting.”

Fourth commemorative plush in the Treasures From the Vault Plush collection.
Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Amazon exclusive.
Bambi stands 13 inches tall.
Made with soft fabric with embroidered eyes.
Collect all 12.
Ages 3+

D23 Members will be the first to be notified about each month’s theme and have an opportunity to order the month’s design. Each month, D23 will provide Members with advance notice of the date the plush will be available for purchase on Amazon.com. On Friday, April 2, at 9 a.m. PST,visit this page on D23.com for the link to purchase the April Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited Edition Bambi Plush, Amazon Exclusive Please Note: You must be signed in as a D23 Member to access the link to purchase. Click “Sign In” at the top of the page. Please note limited quantities of the plush will be available on Amazon.com.

For more Disney favorites, visit amazon.com/Disney for a full assortment of products.
Disney Treasures from the Vault Limited Edition Bambi Plush offer available to D23 Members for a limited time. Limited quantity of plush are available, while supplies last at Amazon.com.
Items not eligible for any additional promotional discounts or offers except available shipping offers. Offer subject to restrictions and to change without notice. Void where prohibited.