AT THE POOCHARELLI'S, NICK AT NITE'S FIRST EVER ORIGINAL MINI-SITCOM WITH
BRAND INTEGRATION, PREMIERES ON TUESDAY, APRIL 11 AT 9:57 P.M. ET/PT
Nickatnite.com to Launch Companion Website Tuesday, April 4 Featuring
Original Interviews with Canine Cast, Behind-the-Scenes Footage and More
Santa Monica, CA, April 3, 2006 - Nick at Nite unleashes At The Poocharelli's, an interstitial comedy series following the misadventures of a suburban family of dogs, on Tuesday, April 11. The 90-second mini-sitcom, which will air every Tuesday at 9:57 p.m. ET/PT for eight weeks, is the first of its kind and is a result of an alliance between Nick at Nite, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and MediaVest USA. Many of the interstitials will integrate Febreze - the popular fabric freshener and odor remover - into the show's storylines. Additionally, beginning Tuesday, April 4, nickatnite.com will launch its exclusive At The Poocharelli's site in which visitors can navigate through interviews with the cast, behind-the-scenes footage, character bios and more.
At The Poocharelli's, directed by comedy veteran Chris Koch of KONK (My Name is Earl, Scrubs, A Guy Thing), examines the daily lives of a middle-class family of canines. The Poocharelli family consists of: Maggie Poocharelli, the mom and a poodle who is the boss of the household; Dad Pete, a hard-working, no nonsense chocolate lab; Brittany, a Yorkshire terrier who is a sociable teenager; Cody, the eleven year-old troublemaking Jack Russell; five West Highland terrier puppies; Gramps, the always-sleeping mainstay who is a mixed terrier; and Evelyne, Maggie's cynical bulldog sister.
Like a traditional sitcom, the living room is the center of their universe, where most of the storylines unfold, such as keeping the home fresh and clean, working on projects or just spending time together like an average American family.
The eight-episode rollout of At The Poocharelli's includes:
Episode 1 - "Maggie Quits"
Premieres Tuesday, April 11 at 9:57pm
Frustrated by the mess her family generates, homemaker Maggie quits. But when the family cleans up the whole house to get her back - they're in for a surprise!
Episode 2 - "Mister Boots Goes Too Far"
Premieres Tuesday, April 18 at 9:57pm
The Poocharelli's next-door neighbor is a cat (not that there is anything wrong with that) but Mister Boots' persnickety efforts to keep his lawn free of puppies could lead to a full-scale feud. In the end, Boots is not only barking up the wrong tree, he's also getting stuck there!
Episode 3 - "Pete's Lost It"
Premieres Tuesday, April 25 at 9:57pm
Pete, a police dog, is passed over for a promotion and he is convinced that it's because his sense of smell is gone. As it turns out, his daughter has actually been using Febreze!
Episode 4 - "Cody the Genius"
Premieres Tuesday, May 2 at 9:57pm
Much to the surprise of the family, the underachieving sixth-grader Cody is identified as a super genius! Can a boy who is happiest chasing his own tail survive studying that advanced physics, canine enzyme biology and reading that Great Dane known as Hamlet? Oh the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune!
Episode 5 - "Maggie's New Look"
Premieres Tuesday, May 9 at 9:57pm
Pete hardly notices her anymore, so Maggie decides to go for a complete make-over at the spa - if she can figure out whether to get two manicures or two pedicures! Will Pete remain oblivious or will the magic be back?
Episode 6 - "A Date for Evelyne"
Premieres Tuesday, May 16 at 9:57pm
Maggie's sister Evelyne is very single, and the usually antagonistic Pete sets her up on a blind date. The results are surprising for everyone!
Episode 7 - "A Star is Home"
Premieres Tuesday, May 23 at 9:57pm
Maggie's old school friend is now a globetrotting celebrity and Westminster champion. But she longs for the comforts of home and hearth. During her visit, Maggie gets a new appreciation for the simple pleasures of family life - and Pete learns to keep his big yap closed!
Episode 8 - "Maggie's Last Days"
Premieres Tuesday, May 30 at 9:57pm
Overhearing one of Pete's phone conversations, Maggie leaps to the conclusion that the doctor is only giving her two weeks to live! Everyone's behavior seems to confirm this shocking prognosis, and they're taking it all rather lightly!
Beginning Tuesday, April 4, At the Poocharelli's can also be seen online at
www.nickatnite.com. Fans visiting this site can meet the cast by reading full character descriptions, seeing video interviews, watch behind-the-scenes footage of the taping of the mini-sitcom, play a video puzzle and download a free screensaver. After each episode premieres on-air, it can be seen in its entirety online.
At The Poocharelli's is the first interstitial of its kind, as it moves far beyond the classic vignette format and into a new realm. This is the first time that a media services company, television network and a major brand - like Febreze - have worked together to make unique, short-form programming. Together, the three companies collaborated on programming, creative production, scripts, set design, graphics packaging and promotional elements.
At the Poocharelli's is the result of a joint effort among P&G's Febreze Brand, SMG United/MediaVest and Nick at Nite. It is a natural evolution for Febreze and was driven by assessing the coinciding consumer insights of the Febreze customer and the Nick at Nite viewer. As a leader in air care and fabric refreshers, Febreze is the ideal tool for neutralizing lingering odors in the home, therefore the brand's presence in At The Poocharellis intends to showcase the connection between pet ownership and freshening the home.
While At The Poocharelli's is a new venture for P&G and the Febreze brand, it is an offshoot of both TV Land and Nick at Nite's interstitial programming which features product integration. Road Crew, which has been airing on Nick at Nite since 2003, and Game Time, which premiered in September 2005 on TV Land, both integrate advertisers messages and products in fun and entertaining ways.
Nick at Nite programming characterizes what the network refers to as the "Four F's": programming that is Family-Friendly, Funny and Familiar. Therefore the brand's presence in At The Poocharelli's intends to showcase the connection not only between pet ownership and freshening the home, but of the benefits of programming on Nick at Nite, aimed at a busy, multi-tasking modern family.
The Febreze family of products, which includes the Febreze Fabric Refresher line, Febreze Air Effects(tm) and Febreze NOTICEables(tm), all feature revolutionary odor eliminating technology. In addition, Febreze Scentstories(tm) provides candle-like scents at the touch of a button. Febreze products are fun, must-have tools that help keep your home smelling fresh and clean, making the Febreze house the place to be. For more information, visit
www.febreze.com.