Nick Jr.'s Summer Kick-Off

Lazytown's Sportacus (he's glad to see ya)

Nick Jr. kicks off its summer schedule on Memorial Day (Monday, May 30, 2005), with a six-episode marathon of the comic/action series LazyTown and the debut of "Power Play Summer," the network's new summer packaging hosted by LazyTown's Stephanie (played by Julianna Rose Mauriello). A week-long rollout of new LazyTown episodes will premiere beginning Monday, June 6, in the series regular timeslot at 10:30 a.m. (all times ET/PT) on Nick Jr.

LazyTown will also join Noggin, the commercial-free, educational network for preschoolers, this summer beginning Monday, July 11, 2005, at 4 p.m. and will air daily Monday - Sunday at 4 pm (ET).

LazyTown was created in Iceland by professional athlete and aerobic champion Magnus Scheving and is set in a village where eight-year-old Stephanie and her friends are caught between a health-conscious superhero named Sportacus (played by Scheving) and lazy bad guy Robbie Rotten (played by Stefan Karl), who spends his time lounging around and eating junk food. A mix of live-action, puppets and CGI animation, LazyTown is dedicated to making physical activity and healthy lifestyles for kids entertaining.

Two-time European Champion and silver medalist in the World Championship of Aerobics, LazyTown creator and star Magnus Scheving is a world-class athlete, entertainer and writer in his native Iceland. During his travels around the world lecturing on health and fitness, parents always asked Scheving about exercise and nutrition for children. As a response, he created LazyTown in 1991 with the book "Go, Go Lazy Town!" and the property was built into a household name in Iceland with businesses including publishing, live theatrical performances and a radio station. LazyTown made its debut as a television show on Nick Jr. in August, 2004. LazyTown is shot in Iceland with an international cast and crew, using one of the most technologically advanced HDTV video and film facilities in the world. Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. (ET/PT) and weekends on CBS (check local listings). Dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.'s Emmy, Peabody and Parents' Choice Award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free.