Nickelodeon orders series, ups exec

Kid channel greenlights three pilots

By STUART LEVINE

'Planet Sheen'

Nickelodeon has ordered two new animated series, greenlit three pilots and upped an exec with VP stripes.

Kid cabler is asking for delivery of 26 episodes of "Planet Sheen," a spinoff of its popular "Jimmy Neutron" toon, from creator Steve Oedekerk. After directing "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" in 1995, Oedekerk has focused much of his efforts on animation, including producing and writing much of the "Jimmy Neutron" franchise.

"Sheen" employs one of the nerdy characters from "Jimmy Neutron" who, after "borrowing" a rocket, lands on a planet much less intellectual than his own and is forced to adjust to local customs and creatures.

Voice cast includes Jeff Garcia, Bob Joles and Rob Paulsen. Series is produced by O Entertainment and exec produced by Oedekerk, Keith Alcorn and Jim Hope.

Also coming to the kid net is 13 episodes of "T.U.F.F. Puppy," about a dimwitted dog thrust into a hero role by a crime-fighting organization. Exec producer is Butch Hartman, who has worked with Nick before on "The Fairly OddParents."

Eric Bauza, Grey DeLisle and Jeff Bennett are voicing.

Both "Sheen" and "Puppy" are scheduled for late 2009 or early 2010 launches.

Animation prexy Brown Johnson told Daily Variety: "Both of these shows are building on the bench strength for the animation studio. These guys (Steve and Butch) are two of our biggest hitmakers."

In addition to the two series orders, toon pilots greenlit at Nick are CG-animated buddy comedy "Robot and Monster: Best Friends Forever"; "The Fleeps," about two musicians who hitch a ride with an alien warlord and his mother; and "You're a Bad Man," an adaptation based on the series of bestselling books by Andy Stanton.

Also, Birkner Rawlings has been promoted to VP of animation development and will be responsible for overseeing all new series at Nick. He was most recently director of animation development and oversaw "Kung Fu Panda," which was recently greenlit for 26 episodes.