Nickelodeon Unleashes Side Hustle: A Comedic Odyssey with Social Media Royalty
Featuring the Dynamic Duo of Annie LeBlanc and Jayden Bartels
Prepare for the Mayhem!
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HOLLYWOOD, Calif.–Feb. 24, 2020–In a groundbreaking development that no one asked for, Nickelodeon has officially greenlighted a new live-action series titled Side Hustle, starring the social media celebrities you didn’t know you needed in your life: Annie LeBlanc and Jayden Bartels. It’s a multi-camera extravaganza chronicling the oh-so-relatable escapades of Lex (LeBlanc) and Presley (Bartels), who find themselves in a financial pickle after turning their neighbor’s car into a modern art installation of sorts. Each episode promises a fresh batch of chaos as they scramble to make money quickly—because nothing screams entrepreneurship like wrecking the neighbor’s property.
“Annie and Jayden are two incredibly talented stars with followings that could rival a small country, and we believe our audience will be delighted to see them in their own show,” mused Shauna Phelan, Senior Vice President of Live-Action Scripted Content. “Side Hustle is not just a buddy comedy; it’s filled with wild adventures that we’re hoping will resonate with our audience. Fingers crossed!”
As they venture into the realm of business, Lex, Presley, and their overly quirky friend Munchy (played by Isaiah Crews) find themselves knee-deep in a hot mess after an unfortunate accident involving a police vehicle that just happened to belong to Munchy’s dad. With reparations looming, they muster their creativity and whip up an app called “Kid-DING,” designed to connect enterprising young souls with helpful small-jobs. And of course, their friend Munchy’s older brother is there to ensure they keep up with the constant payments—that’s called motivation, people!
LeBlanc, the reigning queen of social media with over 27 million devoted followers, started her journey in the chaotic domain known as the “Bratayley” family YouTube channel. She’s racked up quite the accolades including six chart-topping songs on iTunes and two Billboard hits. Oh, and let’s not forget her recent awards haul with nominations for the 2020 Kids’ Choice Awards. She’s also had a brief yet impactful stint on Nickelodeon’s digital competition show, livening up the airwaves alongside her partner in crime, Bartels.
Speaking of Bartels, she’s the multi-talented diva lighting up both stage and screen. With an EP to her name and a TikTok following that could put most influencers to shame, she’s busy touring the U.S. while sprinkling her magic across various TV shows. Bartels has graced the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon with her presence, proving that multitasking in the entertainment industry is alive and well.
Behind the scenes, the creative powers of John Beck & Ron Hart (of Fuller House fame) are crafting the show with much excitement. As if juggling the convolutions of TV production isn’t enough, they’re diving deep into the research pool to cater to today’s kids—many of whom consider social media stars their new-age messiahs. Clearly, it’s all about serving millennials and Gen Z while reminding adults of their overdue Netflix subscriptions.
For the fortune seekers at Nickelodeon, it’s about striking gold in the youth market. They’re honing in on the fact that kids want to see themselves in media, hoping to win their trust (and eyeballs) in the process. With a customer-first model that’s been around for 40 years, Nickelodeon is here to maintain its reign as the top entertainment destination for children. Will Side Hustle keep the torch lit? Stay tuned! Who knows, maybe it will even teach us all some financial wisdom along the way—if we’re lucky.
Update (10/6): In a surprising twist, it has been revealed that the inaugural episode will be cheekily titled “Start Hustling.” Prepare for a ride!
Update (9/4): The official logo has been unveiled! All hail corporate branding!
Update (8/24): The series is reportedly set to debut this October! Mark your calendars—sort of.
Update (8/1): With production now buzzing, the world holds its breath for the Fall 2020 premiere.
Update (5/24): In case you missed it, quarantine has delayed our dreams, but good news is on the horizon! Jayden hinted at their next steps post-quarantine!
More Nick: Nickelodeon Upfront 2020 Roundup!
Originally published: Monday, February 24, 2020.
Additional sources: Just Jared Jr., @NickSchedules, Anime Superhero Forum /@kanc, @Michael Cataldo, @RealMagitroopa.
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