Archive for the ‘Olivia’ Category

All hail Olivia the Pig!

Monday, October 26th, 2009

I have a little crush on Olivia. I can’t help it; she’s simply adorable, and she gives me an excuse to call my children piglets. (What? Oh, like you’ve never done that.)

I love everything about her, and although my children have outgrown her, a bit, I still love her official website and playing with all it has to offer. Did you know that Olivia creator Ian Falconer comes from a background in art (that explains the sparse but so demonstrative illustrations, yes?) and came up with Olivia based on his niece? It’s true, and I learned it on the website.

And now there’s a slew of new merchandise in the Olivia the Pig Store here at Ty’s Toy Box, just in time for the holidays.

I cannot imagine what spirited little one wouldn’t want a personalized Olivia t-shirt. And they come in adult sizes, too, which means that even I can proudly declare that wearing a tiara makes every day magnificent. Hee.

If you can’t find something there you have to have, well, I fear you just may not have a soul.

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Chorion and Olivia are spreading out

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

It was nearly a year ago when I was excited to report that Olivia would be coming to Nick Jr. in CGI form. At the time, there wasn’t much information to go on, but I was thrilled to hear that the project was underway.

Now, it appears that Chorion is moving forward, and they’ve made plans for a Fall debut on the U.K.’s Five network:

The UK deal further consolidates Chorion’s relationship with Five which already airs the producer’s hit kids shows THE MR MEN SHOW and MAKE WAY FOR NODDY. OLIVIA will broadcast as part of Five’s Milkshake! block. The 52 x 11 minute series for a pre-school audience is currently in production with delivery scheduled for fall 2008.

Based on the award-winning books written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, OLIVIA is a 3D CG series animated by the Academy Award-nominated company Brown Bag Films. Chorion’s Diana Manson is executive producing along with Pat Resnick who is also the head writer. Resnick is an acclaimed screen and television writer with credits including 9 TO 5, QUINTET, MAXIE, STRAIGHT TALK and the Golden Globe-nominated HELL ON HEELS — THE BATTLE OF MARY KAY.

This is exciting news for Olivia fans all over the world, but the best part of this article comes next:

Five’s Director of Children’s Programs Nick Wilson said, “Olivia is a great character! And I am very fond of her — she’s also 6 and three quarters which is one of the great ages! She’ll be Pig of the Year and a great addition to Milkshake.”

I’m all for enthusiasm, but if I didn’t know better, I’d think Wilson himself was only about 6 and three quarters years old. Heh.

Also, since when do they hold Pig of the Year? I mean, I hope Olivia wins, and all, but I wasn’t aware it was a contest. Based upon what I recently found in the bottom of my daughter’s closet, I think she might be in the running for Pig of the Year….

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Another popular pig hitting the screen

Thursday, April 19th, 2007

Let’s face it; there’s plenty of great pigs out there for our kids’ viewing pleasure. Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web. Piggley Winks. Pig and Arnold from Kipper. The three little pigs in the Shrek movies. Pigs are just good on-screen subjects.

And anyone who’s ever read any of the Olivia books by Ian Falconer will likely be thrilled to learn that the precocious piglet will soon be coming to Nickelodeon thanks to a deal with Chorion:

The new CGI series (52×11 and one 44 minute special) will be animated by Academy Award-nominated Irish animation studio Brown Bag Films. Nick Jr. will present 26 half-hour episodes in the U.S. and sales for the international territories will be made at MIP this month.

“Olivia is one of our most exciting properties and we are thrilled that our enthusiasm for the brand is shared wholeheartedly by our partners at Nickelodeon,” said Nicholas James, ceo of Chorion. “We are committed to delivering the very best quality entertainment to audiences globally, and we could not have better partners in that endeavor.”

CGI Olivia? Be still my heart. (Is it too much to hope that she has an English accent? For some reason I want her to sound British.)

And yes, I see that they’ll be airing in the Nick Jr. block—perhaps a bit too young for my brood—but we’re longtime Olivia fans here at my house; we may just have to tape it and check it out, anyway. As research. For all of you. Because I care.

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