Duo hip to 'Hippo' toon

RDF, Cinemation to co-produce series

By DENISE MARTIN

By DENISE MARTIN RDF Media Group has pacted with Cinemation, the production company owned by director Rob Minkoff ("The Lion King," "Stuart Little"), to co-produce animated series "The Adventures of Hippo-T Hopp."

RDF director of family entertainment Nigel Pickard will exec produce. First 26 episodes will air first in the U.K.; RDF USA will begin shopping the show Stateside shortly.

Half-hour comedy revolves around rapper Hippo-T Hopp as he heads for musical superstardom while overcoming the obstacles set by his archenemy, Ton Def.

Minkoff, Michael and Patty Silversher and John Semper Jr. created the show.