Penguins coming to TV

The penguins from the movie Madagascar will have their own TV show on Nickelodeon.

While you're waiting for the show to air in March of 2009, you can check out the penguin feature fun pages on the Nick website right now.

Play penguin games, watch penguin video clips and talk to other penguin fans on the message boards.

(via Nothing but Penguins)

Penguin mascot in lawsuit

Channel 4's SnowBird has been notifying Tennessee and Kentucky children about school closings for over 25 years.

This penguin began his television career in the form of an inanimate, colorful cut-out that squawked out the phrase, "No school...no school!" From such humble beginnings, the bird took flight.

During his long career, SnowBird has appeared in a year-long "Word from SnowBird" public service series, starred in three Christmas specials, and hosted children's programs about sportsmanship and self-esteem. These efforts have earned the Bird numerous awards, including regional Emmy awards.

Not many penguins can boast of a past like that. But Channel 4's SnowBird refuses to rest on his reputation. As long as there are children and snowfalls, the future is bright for this bird.

But not if Paul Truitt of Hendersonville can help it.

He says that the ice cream truck-style jingle that accompanies promotional spots for WSMV-Channel 4’s mascot SnowBird, is a “cancer on my eardrum.”

Truitt has sued the television station after the penguin ditty became stuck in his head for more than a month, he says, resulting in the need for a doctor visit and a prescription for sleeping pills.

“They know that this song has the power to drive people to distraction, yet year after year, they broadcast it hundreds of times, especially targeting children,” Truitt says. “It just got to the point where it was driving me nuts. I was waking up in the morning with that squeaky little ding-dong tune going in my brain.”

Penguins of "Madagascar" Inspire Show On Nickelodeon

The penguins in DreamWorks Animation’s feature film “Madagascar” will soon find themselves the stars of a new TV show on Nickelodeon, scheduled to premiere in early 2009.

Skipper, Rico, Kowalski, and Private will star in a 26-episode series that Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation have agreed on.

A tentative title is at the moment “The Penguins of Madagascar,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. The show will make its debut in early 2009.

The foursome appeared in the studio’s 2005 film “Madagascar” as penguins who believe they are in fact spies, that they do not belong in the Central Park Zoo and that they need to return to Antarctica to escape the conspiracy.

Cute Cartoon Character Causes Controversy

A popular penguin, watched on television by children worldwide, is now at the center of a cartoon controversy.

A South Florida mother is up in arms over the cartoon, which her daughter loves to watch on PBS Sprout, not because of its content but because of the penguin’s name.

“Pingu” is about the adventures of a young penguin and his daily experiences in his snowy surroundings but Maida Rodriguez, mother of a 4-year old girl, says there’s a problem with this cute cartoon character that has her reaching for the remote.

Rodriguez says the name “Pingu” is considered a not so nice word by some Hispanics. “Basically, the word ‘pingu’ stands for male genitalia,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez says she’s called Comcast and PBS but was basically told that if you don’t like it then turn it off.