Disney TV Animation Snags 'Fish Hooks'

Illustrator Noah Z. Jones is back in the news. Closely following the announcement of 9 Story Entertainment and YTV (Canada) proceeding with the full production of an animated series based on his squarely-amusing characters in Almost Naked Animals [recent A.I. news: ""Naked Animals" Enter Production" (10/2009)], it appears that another series concept from Jones is headed for children's television as well: Fish Hooks (working title). An animated comedy about teen fishes under the sea, Fish Hooks has been picked up by Disney Television Animation.

Freshwater High is a typical high school, the only exception of course being that its student body is fish. Nestled at the bottom of a small town pet store fish tank -- even though it may feel like "under the sea" for some -- Freshwater High is the stomping ground for an assortment of your expected variety of jocks, nerds, and other assortment of angsty, misguided tween fish. Fish Hooks, based on a concept by Jones (also the creator of Almost Naked Animals), has been greenlit for production of twenty-one episodes and subsequent broadcast on Disney Channels Worldwide.

Sporting Jones' knack for ill-proportioned googly-eyes and wide, expressive smiles, the characters of Fish Hooks revel in the teendom most others, finding friendship, love, and field trips day after day. The only difference though, lies in the chance of a giant lobster attack or field trip to the hamster cages going horribly, horribly wrong.

At the center of the animated series are Milo, Oscar, and Bea. Other characters will apparently have more eclectic names: Piranica, Clamantha, Jocktopus.... and so on.

According to Disney, the animation is tentatively scheduled to premiere in Autumn 2010.

Alex Hirsch and Bill Reiss are credited as spearheading development; writers and storyboard artists for programs such as The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, and Chowder and SpongeBob SquarePants, respectively. Jones is expected to remain on hand as co-executive producer for the program. Adam Burton (Grim & Evil) will also executive producer. Current directors for Fish Hooks are Reiss and Carl Greenblatt (Chowder, SpongeBob).

on Disney Channel: Disney Channel is a 24-hour family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 98 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

Recent Disney TV Animation News:
"Kevin Gamble New Vice President of Development" at AnimationInsider.net (11/2009)

Related TV Animation News:
"Almost Naked Animals in Production" at AnimationInsider.net (102009)