Ali interviews musician, composer, and singer/songwriter, Nick Balaban, who shares about his musical influences, creative process, working on Blue’s Clues, memorable performances, and more!
Visit Nick’s website.
Musical Moods with Nick Balaban
Tag: Nickelodeon
The Fairly OddParents + “A Kiss and a Tie (But Not in That Order)”
Ali discusses all things The Fairly OddParents, diving into “School’s Out! The Musical,” the uniqueness of the franchise, a whole bunch of classic quotes from the original run of the show (seriously, this episode is mostly quotes), why the early relationship dynamic between Cosmo & Wanda is the absolute cutest (which inadvertently leads to wondering something…), the adorableness that is baby Poof, and a quick FOP story called “A Kiss and a Tie (But Not in That Order).”
Passion in Art with Heather Martinez
Creative Synergy with Jay Lender
Ali interviews storyboard artist, writer, and director, Jay Lender, who shares about working on Hey Arnold! and SpongeBob SquarePants, making his movie, They’re Watching, illustrating the children’s book, Poopy McPooFace In: The Perilous Journey, and much more!
Jay’s links:
CatDog and the Great Parent Mystery
Ali discusses the TV movie, CatDog and the Great Parent Mystery, written by Steven Banks, Robert Lamoreaux, and Victor Wilson for the wacky Nicktoon, CatDog, created by Peter Hannan. Hi Ho Diggety!
Creating Color in Animation with Carol Wyatt
Ali interviews animation production designer and painter, Carol Wyatt, who shares her insight from working in the industry on many different projects such as The Simpsons, Duckman, the Rugrats pilot, the Hey Arnold! pilot, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Powerpuff Girls Movie, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Green Eggs and Ham, Amphibia, Rick and Morty and more!
Check out Carol’s website for more of her work.
Avatar: The Last Airbender with Harry Mackin
Ali and special guest, Harry Mackin, discuss the masterpiece series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. You want to hear our thoughts on the show’s themes of valuing mentors, embracing the dichotomy of ourselves, finding your destiny, and looking inside yourself for the answers?
What about the reasons Toph is the ultimate earthbender, the brilliance of Katara’s subtle yet powerful growth throughout the series, the epic nature of Zuko’s redemption arc and how it parallels Aang’s journey, the tragic toxicity of Azula, the comedic awesomeness that is Sokka, hot takes on Kataang vs. Zutara, and why Iroh is the absolute best?
You’ll get all of that and more with this episode so sit back and enjoy. Yip yip!
Be sure to follow Harry on Twitter and listen to the Stoop Kidz! Podcast.
Merry Nickmas: Rugrats, SpongeBob and ZIM
Ali discusses three Nicktoon Christmas specials: “The Santa Experience” (Rugrats), “Christmas Who?” (SpongeBob SquarePants) and “The Most Horrible X-Mas Ever” (Invader ZIM).
Hey Arnold!: The Movie
Ali taps into her 11-year-old self’s hatred of Hey Arnold!: The Movie (2002), reflecting on why it was such a huge disappointment to her at the time between the misleading marketing, the lackluster plot and The Big Scene (you know the one).
Previous Hey Arnold! episodes to check out:
- Hey Arnold! + “Care”
- Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie + “Audaciously Flirting”
- Character Study: Miriam Pataki
iCarly: “iThink They Kissed”
Ali discusses one of her favorite episodes of the hit Nickelodeon series, iCarly, “iThink They Kissed,” written by Steve Holland and directed by Adam Weissman. She also touches on the 2021 revival, and of course she digs into the epic Creddie vs. Seddie shipping debate. “I may be an idiot, but I’m not stupid.”
Storytelling Saga 