Disney recently welcomed Brad Garrett and his family back to the Disneyland Resort. Aside from being an award-winning actor and one of the nicest guys around, Brad is also known for providing the voices for some Disney and Disney•Pixar characters on the big screen, most recently in Disney’s “Tangled” as Hook Hand and before that as Chef Gusteau in the Disney•Pixar film “Ratatouille.”
Brad told us he is currently working on another animation project, “Planes” for DisneyToon Studios, which draws inspiration from the world of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars.”
Disney Channel has ordered a third season of its hit kid and family sitcom, “Good Luck Charlie.” Production is scheduled to resume in Los Angeles for a season premiere in early 2012. The series, created by Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen (“Suddenly Susan” and “What I Like About You”), is executive-produced by Baker, Vaupen and Dan Staley (“Cheers,” “Love & Money”) and stars Bridgit Mendler, Jason Dolley, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Bradley Steven Perry, Mia Talerico and Eric Allan Kramer.
“Good Luck Charlie” has also inspired a Disney Channel Original Movie, “Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!,” set to premiere in December, starring the cast along with guest stars Debra Monk (“Damages,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) and Michael Kagan (“Desperate Housewives”).
The series ranks a dominant No. 1 in its time period, and in July, delivered its second-highest rated telecast of all time in both the Kid 6-11 and Tween 9-14 demographics. With 21% of its viewers Adults 18-49, it is among Disney Channel’s successful programming geared towards the whole family.
A fan favorite, “Good Luck Charlie” centers around the everyday adventures of the busy Duncan clan: working full-time parents Bob and Amy; their three teen kids PJ, Teddy and Gabe; and fast-growing toddler, Charlie.
“Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!” follows the Duncans as they get separated en route to Palm Springs, and with just days left before the holiday, everyone scrambles to reunite the family. In true Duncan fashion, and not without facing some hiccups, hurdles and even a happy surprise, they discover a whole new meaning of family. The movie was written by Geoff Rodkey (“R.V.,” “Daddy Day Care“) and directed by Emmy-nominee Arlene Sanford (“Ally McBeal,” “Boston Legal”).
The beloved Disney Princess classics come alive this fall in Disney Princess: Enchanting Storybooks, an open-ended creative adventure through the timeless tales, scheduled for release Nov. 1 from THQ Inc.
Available on Nintendo DS(TM)/DSi(TM) and the uDraw GameTablet(R) for Wii(TM), Disney Princess: Enchanting Storybooks invites players to engage in an array of stylus-based activities, including number-painting stages, unique tilt-painting games, and even coloring-book pages that narrate the classic stories aloud.
Filled with numerous activities designed for girls on the uDraw GameTablet, Enchanting Storybooks introduces players to a brand-new character — Opal — the fairy tasked with coloring magical kingdoms every year. But this time, Opal’s spell has gone awry, and instead she has accidentally taken all the color away. It’s up to players to help her restore the brilliant luster to the fairytale realms using their uDraw(TM) and Nintendo DS stylus.
As they are guided through each storybook, players will also express themselves with games like the sticker-book activity mode and musical tune-up activities — all of which incorporate the classic tales of Ariel from The Little Mermaid; Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Jasmine from Aladdin, Tiana from The Princess and the Frog and, appearing as a Disney Princess for the first time in a video game, Rapunzel from Tangled.
“The Disney Princess characters are favorites of little girls everywhere, and our goal has been to make a game for them that takes advantage of the special capabilities of the uDraw GameTablet,” said Martin Good, executive vice president of PlayTHQ, the company’s division for kids, family and casual games. “Whether they venture under the sea or into the bayou, we’re excited that the uDraw will allow generations of fans to experience these classic Disney princesses.”
Disney Princess: Enchanting Storybooks also features six unlockable magical tools that add to players’ creativity through the game, including Belle’s Rose Petal Crayon and Rapunzel’s Watercolor Brush. Throughout the experience, players will be challenged by “tilt-a-maze” games along with additional musical features that include follow-the-rhythm, magic search and spot-the-difference games.
Bringing together 70 years of magical Disney Princess characters — including Snow White, who appears in unlockable coloring-book pages — Disney Princess: Enchanting Storybooks offers a journey into imagination created especially for young princesses-in-training.
Disney Princess: Enchanting Storybooks is scheduled to be released Nov. 1, both for the uDraw GameTablet (us msrp:$29.99) and Nintendo DS/DSi (us msrp:$19.99). For more information, visit www.WorldofuDraw.com .
What is it? Rich Chocolate Cake filled with Chocolate Cream and topped with a Light Buttercream and Toasted Coconut
Why you want it: This is a beautiful, flavor rich and luscious cupcake. A perfect treat to share among 2 or 3 people while using only one snack credit. Don’t try to savor it all yourself!