Big Time Rush

Big Time Rush
Genre	Musical Comedy-drama
Created by	Scott Fellows
Starring	Kendall Schmidt James Maslow Carlos Pena Logan Henderson Ciara Bravo Tanya Chisholm Stephen Kramer Glickman
Opening theme	"Big Time Rush" performed by Big Time Rush
Composer(s)	Dusty Moon, Guy Moon & Big Time Rush
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	47 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Aldo Macias Marjorie Cohn
Producer(s)	Jed Spingarn (supervising producer) Joanne Toll Lazar Saric Debra Spidell
Location(s)	Los Angeles, California Hollywood, California Rochester, Minnesota Malibu, California
Running time	23 minutes (normal episodes) 46 minutes (special episodes)
Production company(s)	Jack Mackie Pictures Sony Music Entertainment Nickelodeon Productions Columbia Records[1]
Broadcast
Original channel	Nickelodeon
Picture format	480i (SDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
Audio format	Stereo
Original run	November 28, 2009 (2009-11-28) – present
External links
Website

Big Time Rush (abbreviated BTR) is a Nickelodeon television series created by Scott Fellows about the Hollywood misadventures of four hockey players from Minnesota—Kendall, Logan, James, and Carlos, after they are selected to form a boy band. The series premiered with an hour-long pilot episode, "Big Time Audition", on Nickelodeon, on November 28, 2009. Its official debut episode premiered on January 18, 2010, earning 7.1 million viewers, making it Nickelodeon's highest-rated live-action series debut ever. The show is currently in its second season. On May 24, 2011, Big Time Rush was renewed for a third season, which will begin production in January 2012 and premiere later that year.^[2]

Premise

The series stars Kendall Schmidt as Kendall Knight, James Maslow as James Diamond, Carlos Pena, Jr. as Carlos Garcia, and Logan Henderson as Logan Mitchell, and co-stars Ciara Bravo as Katie Knight, Kendall's sister; Stephen Kramer Glickman as Gustavo Rocque, a hit record producer; and Tanya Chisholm as Kelly Wainwright, his assistant.^[3]

The band is led by Kendall, who was initially the only person offered an opportunity by Gustavo after being insulted but impressed by his extemporaneous performance of "The Turd Song". Kendall agrees on the condition that all four friends can accompany him to Los Angeles, along with his mother (Challen Cates) and sister. The series navigates through their antics and schemes as residents at the Palm Woods Hotel and students at the Palm Woods School, both establishments intended for aspiring actors, singers, and other performing artists. On the road to becoming famous, the boys routinely come into conflict with their overbearing, shrill, but ultimately caring producer and his well-meaning assistant, as well as Arthur Griffin (Matt Riedy), the CEO of the fictional corporation RCM CBT Global Net Sanyoid, an eccentric billionaire who is forever threatening the integrity of the music division for which Gustavo and Kelly work.

Outside the recording studio, the boys are habitually confronted Mr. Bitters (David Anthony Higgins), the Palm Woods manager, who covets their apartment and continually searches for reasons to evict them. Each episode centers around a problem that the boys attempt to resolve with a convoluted, ridiculous scheme. Instead of fighting with her brother as would a stereotypical younger sibling, Kendall's sister Katie, is by far the sharpest person on the show and often functions as a deus ex machina whose assistance is valuable to the boys' plans. Many episodes end with a music video-like segment in which the boys sing one of their songs.

Cast and Characters

Main article: List of Big Time Rush characters

Main Cast

• Kendall Schmidt as Kendall Knight
• James Maslow as James Diamond
• Carlos Pena Jr. as Carlos Garcia
• Logan Henderson as Logan Mitchell
• Ciara Bravo as Katie Knight
• Tanya Chisholm as Kelly Wainwright (Season 2)
• Stephen Kramer Glickman as Gustavo Rocque

Recurring Cast

• Challen Cates as Jennifer Knight
• Matt Riedy as Arthur Griffin
• Erin Sanders as Camille Roberts
• Katelyn Tarver as Jo Taylor
• David Anthony Higgins as Reginald Bitters
• Denyse Tontz as Jennifer 1
• Spencer Locke / Kelli Goss as Jennifer 2
• Savannah Jayde as Jennifer 3
• Tucker Albrizzi as Tyler
• Daran Norris as Buddha Bob
• David Cade as Jett Stetson
• Tara Strong as Miss Collins
• Stephen Keys as Freight Train
• Barnett O'Hara as Guitar Dude
• Malese Jow as Lucy Stone
• Lorenzo Lamas as Dr. Hollywood
• Shantel VanSanten as Maggie Rever

Carlos Pena Jr., Spencer Locke, Daran Norris, Carlie Casey, Ted Garcia, Tristin Mays, Linda Cevallos, Fabio Lanzoni and Hamilton Mitchell all worked with Scott Fellows previously on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.

Episodes

Main article: List of Big Time Rush episodes

Production

Production notes

The series was conceived and created by Scott Fellows, formerly the creator, executive producer and showrunner of Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.^[4] Fellows says his inspiration for the show was the musical comedy show, The Monkees^[5]—a popular and culturally significant American television series from the 1960s about a group of four young male adults who form a rock band, and perform songs while having comedic adventures.^[6] Although the show had a concept as early as 2007, the series had no actual title as late as August 2009.^[7]

Music

Main article: Big Time Rush (band)

Big Time Rush is a Nickelodeon Viacom Music Productions Band consisting of four members: Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Logan Henderson, and Carlos Pena. Nickelodeon partnered with Columbia/Epic Label Group to produce the show, which is why music and instrumentals are incorporated throughout the series.^[8] Big Time Rush's debut album, B.T.R., was released on October 11, 2010 via Sony/Columbia.^[9] As of June 9, 2011, they have begun recording their second full-length album, entitled Elevate. Big Time Rush released their new song If I Ruled the World ft. Iyaz on iTunes July 22.^[10]

Nickelodeon partnered with Columbia/Epic Label Group to produce the show, which will incorporate original music into the series.^[11] Big Time Rush is one of the three Nickelodeon shows (the others are iCarly and Victorious) on which the cable network is partnering with the music group to promote music as well as shows.^[7] The Los Angeles Times has been critical of the show's focus on music, noting:

“

There is a marketing angle, to be sure, the same crossing of the revenue streams that powers . "Big Time Rush," was developed with Sony Music specifically to move units.[4]

”

The closing credits of Nickelodeon airings of the show contain short clips of music videos for singles featured the series. Occasionally, full versions of the videos are featured.

The show incorporates laugh-like noises, music, and editing cuts designed to make it more humorous to the intended demographic of viewers age 13 to 18;^[4] this was also typical of creator Scott Fellows's previous work on Nickelodeon.

Casting

A nationwide^[7] casting effort began in 2007.^[12][13] More than 1,500 teens and young adults auditioned for the four roles.^[14] James Maslow and Logan Henderson were the easiest and first actors cast. Kendall Schmidt was the last actor cast, and the most difficult role to cast.^[14] The role of Kendall Knight was originally to go to Curt Hansen, who now plays Dak Zevon on the show, but when he appeared a lot older than the others and sounded too much like James in the pick up pilot, the producers auditioned and cast Schmidt after a recommendation by Logan Henderson, who was also friends with the actor before casting. Filming of the series began in August 2009.^[14] Actor Carlos Pena, Jr. previously worked with Scott Fellows on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.^[12] As he had just entered the Boston Conservatory to study musical theatre, Pena was reluctant to audition but sent in a tape at the encouragement of his manager.^[15] Executive producer Scott Fellows was inspired to write each character by the personality of the actor playing him.^[16]

In addition to Pena, five are alumni of Scott Fellows make appearances in this show: Spencer Locke, Carlie Casey, Daran Norris, Adam Conway (as recurring cast members), and James Arnold Taylor (as a guest star).

Locations

The series is filmed in Los Angeles, California in Hollywood.^{[citation needed]} It mainly takes place at the fictional Palmwoods and Rocque Records (where Big Time Rush records). The series premiere's one-hour special takes place in the suburbs of Los Angeles and a small town in Minnesota.^{[citation needed]}

Opening sequence

Each episode begins with a pre-opening sequence, leading into the theme song. The opening theme is "Big Time Rush," and is presented as shots of characters mixed in with animated booklet pictures, scenes from various episodes, and graphic effects. As of season 2, Tanya Chisholm appears in the opening sequence as she has been added to the main cast.

Reception

Audience reception

A one-hour special preview (which serves as the series pilot and first episode) debuted on Nickelodeon on November 28, 2009, drawing an audience of 3.6 million viewers. The series' official premiere on January 18, 2010 (which followed the premiere of the iCarly special "iSaved Your Life"), was watched by a total of 7.1 million total viewers, Nickelodeon's highest-rated live-action series debut.

Critical reception

The show has received mixed reviews.^[17] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stated the show was "Nick's attempt at building a Jonas Brothers-style pop band. It's Nick's answer to Disney Channel's 'JONAS,' albeit slightly less organic since 'Rush' doesn't feature siblings."^[18] The Hartford Courant stated the series a "not so good" show "with their thin pop and unfunny comedies".^[19] The Boston Globe stated the show as "one example in a growing list of kid shows selling showbiz fantasies to children. The genre is stronger than ever now and more fixated on the perks of the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle ... wish fulfillment at a time when tabloid dreams are ubiquitous."^[12] DVD Talk had the following review of the Big Time Rush: Season 1, Volume 1 DVD. "It would be hard to craft a description engineered to be less interesting to me, and yet, as I plowed through this collection from the series' beginnings, I frequently found myself amended and entertained. Say what you will about Nickelodeon's teen programming, but they've got the art of making a solid sitcom down to a science."^[20]

Awards and Nominations

DVD releases

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result
2010	Australian Kids Choice Awards	Favorite TV Star	Big Time Rush	Nominated
2011	Kids Choice Awards	Favorite TV Show	Big Time Rush	Nominated
2011	Nickelodeon UK Kids Choice Awards 2011	Favorite TV Show	Big Time Rush	Nominated
2011	Nickelodeon UK Kids Choice Awards 2011	Nick UK's Favorite TV Show	Big Time Rush	Nominated
2011	Nickelodeon Mexico Big Nick House 2011	Favorite TV show	Big Time Rush	Won
2011	Kids Choice Awards Mexico 2011	Favorite TV show	Big Time Rush	Won
2011	MTV EMAS Belfast	Best Push	Big Time Rush	Nominated
2011	Youth Rocks Awards	Rockin Ensemble TV/Comedy	Big Time Rush	Pending
	This section requires expansion with: details on episodes and special features included in the DVD release.

Name	Release date	Contains
Big Time Rush: Season One, Volume One/Two[21]	March 29, 2011	All season one episodes
Big Time Rush: Season Two, Volume one[22]	April 21, 2012	Seven episodes from season two, pilot episode of House of Anubis

Broadcast history and release

Countries/regions	Network	Series premiere
Australia	Nickelodeon Australia	April 10, 2010 (Sneak Preview)[23] May 15, 2010[23]
Austria	Nickelodeon Germany	April, 27 2010 (Sneak Preview) June 16, 2010
Belgium	Nickelodeon Benelux	May 1, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 29, 2010
Brazil	Nickelodeon Brazil	April 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 13, 2010
Canada	Nickelodeon & YTV	August 6, 2010 (Sneak Preview) September 6, 2010[24]
Chile	Nickelodeon Latin America	April 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 13, 2010
Colombia	Nickelodeon Latin America	April 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 13, 2010
Costa Rica	Nickelodeon Latin America	April 15, 2010
Croatia	Nickelodeon	May 20, 2010 (Sneak Preview) Fall 2010
Spain	Nickelodeon Spain	August 13, 2010
France	Nickelodeon (France)	April 17, 2011
Germany	Nickelodeon Germany	April, 27 2010 (Sneak Preview) June 16, 2010
Greece	Nickelodeon (Greece)	February 14, 2011
Hong Kong	Nickelodeon Southeast Asia	April 16, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 31, 2010
Indonesia	Nickelodeon Indonesia, Global TV	August 17, 2010 (Sneak Preview) August 31, 2010
Ireland	Nickelodeon UK and Ireland	May 27, 2010 (Sneak Preview) June 21, 2010
Israel	Nickelodeon Israel	May 20, 2010 (Sneak Preview) July 21, 2010
Italy	Nickelodeon	May 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 28, 2010
South Korea	Nickelodeon (South Korea)	July 24, 2010
Malaysia	Nickelodeon Southeast Asia	April 16, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 31, 2010
Mexico	Nickelodeon Latin America	April 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 13, 2010
Netherlands	Nickelodeon Benelux	May 1, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 29, 2010
New Zealand	Nickelodeon New Zealand	2010 (Sneak Preview) 2010
Panama	Nickelodeon Latin America	April 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 13, 2010
Pakistan	Nickelodeon (Pakistan)	Unknown Date
Philippines	Nickelodeon Southeast Asia/ Nickelodeon Philippines (now)	April 16, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 31, 2010
Poland	Nickelodeon Poland, VIVA Polska	May 29, 2010 (Sneak Preview) June 12, 2010
Portugal	Nickelodeon Portugal	2010
Russia	Nickelodeon (CIS)	May 29, 2010
Singapore	Nickelodeon Southeast Asia	April 16, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 31, 2010
Switzerland	Nickelodeon Germany	April, 27 2010 (Sneak Preview) June 16, 2010
United Kingdom	Nickelodeon UK and Ireland	May 27, 2010 (Sneak Preview) June 21, 2010
Uruguay	Nickelodeon Latin America	April 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 13, 2010
United States	Nickelodeon	November 28, 2009 (Sneak Preview) January 18, 2010
Venezuela	Nickelodeon Latin America	April 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 13, 2010
Turkey	Nickelodeon Turkey ( Web Site )	11 June 2011
Romania	Nickelodeon (Central & Eastern Europe)	March 16, 2011
Argentina	Nickelodeon Latin America	April 15, 2010 (Sneak Preview) May 13, 2010
Georgia	Music Box Georgia	28 November 2011

Ecuador

Released 15 april 2010

References

1. ^ "MipTV 2010: Kids hot picks". Broadcast: 39. April 9, 2010. http://www.allbusiness.com/entertainment-arts/broadcasting-industry/14253903-1.html. Retrieved November 18, 2010. 
2. ^ http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/24/big-time-rush-renewed-by-nickelodeon-for-a-third-season/93818/
3. ^ Shen, Maxine. "Heir Guitar." New York Post.
4. ^ ^{a b c} Lloyd, Robert. "Reviews: 'Big Time Rush' and 'I'm in the Band'." Los Angeles Times. January 18, 2010.
5. ^ Martin, Denise. "Child's Play." Los Angeles Times. November 22, 2009.
6. ^ Baker, Glenn A. Monkeemania: The Story of the Monkees. Rev. ed. Medford, N.J.: Plexus Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0-85965-292-0; Lefcowitz, Eric. The Monkees Tale. Rev. ed. San Francisco, Calif.: Last Gasp, 1989. ISBN 0-86719-378-6; Sandoval, Andrew. The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation. Charlotte, N.C.: Thunder Bay Press. ISBN 1-59223-372-4
7. ^ ^{a b c} Weisman, Jon. "Nick, Sony Will Duet on Laffers." Daily Variety. August 26, 2009.
8. ^ "Answers.com - What songs are on big time rush". Wiki.answers.com. 1997-07-26. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_songs_are_on_big_time_rush. Retrieved 2011-02-23. 
9. ^ "Big Time Rush Clips and Music Videos". Kids.aol.com. http://kids.aol.com/entertainment/big-time-rush-city-is-ours. Retrieved 2011-02-23. 
10. ^ "Big Time Rush begin recording second album entitled Elevate". Nickutopia. accessdate=2011-06-09. http://www.nickutopia.com/2011/06/09/big-time-rush-begin-recording-second-album/. 
11. ^ "Nickelodeon Scores Record-Breaking Night with Brand-New and Big Time Rush Debut." Press release. Nickelodeon. January 19, 2010.. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
12. ^ ^{a b c} Martin, Denise. "'Big Time Rush' Is A Little Bit 'Entourage,' A Little Bit 'Monkees'." Boston Globe. November 26, 2009.
13. ^ Tillman, Adriane. "Local Teen Ready For a 'Big Time Rush' on Nickelodeon." La Jolla Village News. November 28, 2009.
14. ^ ^{a b c} Moore, Frazier. "An Inside Look at a Boy Band on Nick's New Comedy." Associated Press. January 15, 2010.
15. ^ Rentería, Melissa. "Plans Change as Pena Lands Co-Starring Role in Nickelodeon's 'Big Time Rush'." Conexión. November 26, 2009.
16. ^ Blair, Iain. "Big Time Rush." Daily Variety. December 4, 2009.
17. ^ "- Television Review". Commonsensemedia.org. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/big-time-rush. Retrieved 2011-02-23. 
18. ^ Owen, Rob. "Producer of FX's 'Justified' Recalls 'Boom' Times Here." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 18, 2010.
19. ^ Catlin, Rogert. "Also On Tonight: 'Buried Life,' 'American Pickers'." Hartford Courant. January 18, 2010.
20. ^ Rizzzo III, Francis. "Reviews, DVD Video Reviews, Big Time Rush" "DVD Talk." March 29, 2011.
21. ^ "Nickelodeon's Newest Music Sensation Hits Stores With Their First-Ever DVD! - NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/". New York: Prnewswire.com. 2011-01-10. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeons-newest-music-sensation-hits-stores-with-their-first-ever-dvd-113202159.html. Retrieved 2011-02-23. 
22. ^ http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Big-Time-Rush-Season-1-Volume-2/11046
23. ^ ^{a b} "Rushing to the big time". The West Australian: p. 5. April 7, 2010. 
24. ^ http://bigtimerushtv.com/

External links

• Official Big Time Rush (band website)
• Big Time Rush at the Internet Movie Database
• Big Time Rush at TV.com
• Big Time Rush on Nick.com
• Big Time Rush Page
• Big Time Rush MySpace Page
• Big Time Rush on MTV.com
• Big Time Rush on HDgreetings.com
• Big Time Rush for 3rd Seasons