Based on the books by Daniel Postgate, Kevin Saves the World draws in kids ages four to eight with likable but hopelessly inept Kevin, his misadventures and ultimate triumphs. The 13 five-minute episodes, budgeted at US$800,000, are animated and co-produced by Oscar-winning British animator Bob Godfrey of U.K.-based Bob Godfrey Films and Kine Aune of Norway’s Kinefilm. The cel-animated series is slated for a September delivery, and has already been picked up by Nickelodeon UK, Nickelodeon Scandinavia, RTE, ABC Australia, VPRO, NRK, YLE-FST, DR and SVT, with negotiations currently underway with other broadcasters. Dublin-based Monster Distributes has worldwide distribution rights, and ABC-TV has acquired video rights in Australia and New Zealand. No specific air dates were available at press time.

Sony subsidiaries land deals

Sunbow Entertainment has inked a deal to produce 26 half hours of The Cramp Twins as the second project in a multiyear co-production agreement with Cartoon Network Europe that gives the network first right of refusal on all new Sunbow products. The first Sunbow series chosen was Fat Dog Mendoza, a co-production with Germany’s TMO-Loonland (like The Cramp Twins) that’s slated for a fall delivery. The prodco’s recent co-production slate has also included Three Friends and Jerry and Little Lulu. Budgeted at US$375,000, The Cramp Twins is slated for delivery in fourth quarter 2000.

The series features twin bothers Lucien and Wayne who are mirror opposites. Their comic adventures in fantasy metropolis Soap City provide the kind of quirky comedy that Sunbow hopes will appeal to kids ages six to 11. The show is based on a Bloomsbury Artists children’s book by Brian Wood.

In another deal, 26 half hours of Mega Babies, a Sony Wonder co-production with Lion’s Gate Media, Ciné-Groupe and Landmark Entertainment Company has been picked up for delivery in fall `99 by Fox Family Worldwide. The series features the antics of three off-beat babies, Derrick, Buck and Meg.

This regular feature keeps tabs on what’s coming up in kids production. If your company has a new show in development which has just been greenlit, pass the news on to KidScreen West Coast editor Virginia Robertson. Coordinates: Tel (323) 966-4500/Fax (323) 852-0223 (vrobertson@brunico.com)