True Jackson, VP
| True Jackson, VP |
|
| Format |
Sitcom |
| Created by |
Andy Gordon |
| Starring |
Keke Palmer
Ashley Argota
Matt Shively
Danielle Bisutti
Robbie Amell (season 2–3, regular; season 1, recurring)
Ron Butler (season 2–3, regular; season 1, recurring)
Greg Proops (season 2–3, regular; season 1, recurring) |
| Theme music composer |
Toby Gad
Keke Palmer |
| Opening theme |
Theme song performed by Keke Palmer |
| Country of origin |
United States |
| Language(s) |
English |
| No. of seasons |
3 |
| No. of episodes |
60 (List of episodes) |
| Production |
| Executive producer(s) |
Andy Gordon (all episodes)
Steve Joe (season 2)
Dan Kopelman
(season 2) |
| Producer(s) |
Gary Halvorson
Chris R. Robinson |
| Location(s) |
Nickelodeon On Sunset
Hollywood, California (2008–2009)
Paramount Studios
Hollywood, California (2009–2011) |
| Camera setup |
Videotape (filmized); Multi-camera |
| Running time |
23 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
Gordon 3000 Industries
Nickelodeon Productions |
| Distributor |
MTV Networks International[1] |
| Broadcast |
| Original channel |
Nickelodeon |
| Picture format |
HD: 1080i/720p
SD: 480i/576i |
| Original run |
November 8, 2008 (2008-11-08) – August 20, 2011 (2011-08-20) |
| External links |
| Website |
True Jackson, VP is an American television sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon from November 8, 2008 to August 20, 2011. The series starred Keke Palmer, Ashley Argota, Matt Shively, Danielle Bisutti, Greg Proops, Robbie Amell and Ron Butler. The theme song was written by Toby Gad and Keke Palmer and is performed by Palmer. The series is shot in front of a live studio audience, which is mentioned at the start of each episode.
The pilot episode garnered 4.8 million viewers on its first airing and set network records among kids 6-11, adolescents 9-14 and several other demos, airing after the iCarly three-part episode "iGo to Japan"[2] The show premiered on Nickelodeon UK on May 25, 2009 and on Nickelodeon Latin America on August 3, 2009.
The one-hour (two-part) episode entitled "Mystery in Peru" completed the 34 ordered episodes for season 2 (production wise), after it aired on August 20, 2011. Keke Palmer posted a video on her YouTube account[3] and posted on her blog[4] confirming that "Mystery in Peru" is the series finale.
Premise
Fifteen-year-old True Jackson was selling sandwiches with her friend Ryan in the fashion district in New York City. When she is complimented by fashion designer Max Madigan, founder and CEO of Mad Style, Max realizes the clothes True is wearing are his designs, but True had altered them to suit her own purposes. Max likes the altered design, and hires True to be the VP (Vice President) of his fashion company's youth apparel division. True hires her best friend Lulu to be her assistant after firing Cricket, her former assistant who was upset and bitter about being surpassed in the business by a kid. With Lulu's and Ryan's help, True works to be the best she can be despite various obstacles such as her self-centered co-worker Amanda, who is less than enthusiastic to be working with a child, but the truth is that she is jealous of True because of how Max pays more attention to True than he does to her. True sees Amanda as an amazing icon in fashion and eventually Amanda recognizes True as a fashion equal, though she still taunts True playfully on a regular basis.
Cast
Main cast
- Keke Palmer as True Jackson, a teen who serves as the Vice President of youth fashion at Mad Style, where she works, and gets into mishaps and has a lot of fun with her friends. She is fairly intelligent and hard working with an odd family. She is usually the most sensible of her friends. In the beginning of the series she has a crush on Jimmy, Mr. Madigan's nephew, they eventually become a couple. In the series finale, True becomes president after Mr. Madigan retires.
- Ashley Argota as Lulu, the best friend and secretary–assistant of True. She tends to be very crazy, loud, and clueless. She is easily distracted as seen in every episode. Although not many people believe it, she is very intelligent and loves math. She also suffers from Trichophagia which means eating of hair. Plus she's also somewhat afraid of birds (As she mentions to True in one episode, "They give me the creeps but I'm not sure why."). So far in the series, her last name has not been revealed. She has a boyfriend named Mikey J.[5] She and Mikey J. share their first kiss in the series finale.
- Matt Shively as Ryan Leslie Laserbeam, the other best friend of True. Though he does not have an official job at Mad Style, he always is there to hang out with True and Lulu. He is not very smart and is very clumsy. Ryan's middle name is Leslie, but he dislikes it. Oscar is not sure if Laserbeam is Ryan's real last name, but according to Ryan's big brother, he got the name when one of his ancestors was given the name "Laserbeam" by his crew captain while he was working on a ship. It is hinted that he has a little crush on Amanda, but this no longer acknowledged in the second season due to his affection for Kelsey.
- Danielle Bisutti as Amanda Cantwell, one of the many workers at Mad Style. She is the Vice President of Women's Fashion. Through the beginning of the series, Amanda is seen as True's rival as they often fought/disagreed with each other, but Amanda is slowly becoming True's friend.
- Robbie Amell as Jimmy Madigan, the nephew of Max Madigan, a mail deliverer at Mad Style and is the boy of True's affection. He has feelings towards True, but couldn't date her for a while due to a job rule, until True got jealous of a new mail girl and they became a couple. In the episode "True Secret" Jimmy and True are caught kissing by Max and he says that in order for them to stay together, one of them must quit. But by the end of the episode Max changes the rule. In the series finale he gets promoted to drummer of the staff longuge and Kelsey becomes the new mailroom girl.
- Ron Butler as Oscar is the main secretary and operator for Mad Style, and works behind the reception desk on the floor where Mad Style offices are. He is often shown taking calls on his headset or delivering messages to Amanda. Known to crack jokes, he tends to speak in a campy manner. He wears ascots all the time. Like Lulu, he does not have a last name. It is unknown what became of him after the series finale.
- Greg Proops as Max Madigan is the boss and CEO of Mad Style and holds all the meetings and other social events, often glorifying True. He is somewhat odd and is Jimmy's uncle. He retires to stay at home with his wife Doris, whom is pregnant with their first child.
Recurring cast
- Dan Kopelman as Kopelman, a Mad Style employee that hardly speaks and is frequently ridiculed by Max
- Trevor Brown as Mikey J, Lulu's boyfriend
- Jordan Monaghan as Kelsey, Ryan's on-and-off girlfriend
- Joy Osmanski as Ms. Patti Park, True's teacher
- Melanie Paxson as Doris Madigan (née Aidem), Max Madigan's wife and True's school librarian
- Taylor Parks as Shelly, one of True's friends
- Henry Hereford as Ryan's Great Grandfather
- Stephen Hibbert as Hibbert, a Mad Style employee
- Vincent Ventresca as Mr. Jeff Jamerson, True's science teacher
- Jo-Anne Krupa as Ella, the Mad Style accountant
Guest stars
- Kelly Perine as Larry Jackson, True's dad
- Vivica A. Fox as True's mom
- Jordan Black as Uncle Troy[6]
- Willow Smith as Young True[6]
- Jennette McCurdy as Amanda "Pinky" Turzo, a mean classmate[6]
- Allie DeBerry as Cammy, Pinky's friend[6]
- Ryan Sheckler as Himself
- Yvette Nicole Brown as Coral Barns, one of Amanda's assistants
- Nathalia Ramos as Dakota North, a supermodel
- Suzy Nakamura as Cricket, True's former assistant
- Andy Richter as Simon Christini, Max's fashion nemesis
- David Anthony Higgins as Dave, one of Amanda's assistants
- Julie Bowen as Claire Underwood, one of Amanda's assistants
- Dave Foley as Ted Begley, Jr., company retreat mediator
- Dave Allen as Mitchell, copy room operator[6]
- Julie Warner as Rose Pinchbinder, Mad Style's accountant
- Stephen Dunham as Chad Brackett, Amanda's ex-boyfriend[6]
- Arden Myrin as Jenna Lutrell, a big TV star
- Bobb'e J. Thompson as Nate
- Rachael Harris as Kitty Monreaux, a red carpet reporter
- Gail O'Grady as Sophie Girard, Max's formerly French, very mean ex-girlfriend
- Ian Gomez as Jobi Castanueva, the director of Fashion Week
- Jack Plotnick as Matsor LaRue, the wedding planner for Max's wedding
- Tyler James Williams as Justin Webber, True's crush who is famous rapper[6]
- Janel Parrish as Kyla, Justin's bodyguard[6]
- Philip Baker Hall as Mr. Jenkins, chairman of an airline company
- Victoria Justice as Vivian, a model
- Nicole Sullivan as Kreuftlva, a fortune teller
- Natasha Bedingfield as Herself
- Justin Bieber as Himself
- Care Bears on Fire as Themselves
- Kevin Farley as Officer Jake Hooley[7]
|
- Pamela Adlon as Babs, a 40-something high school student
- Richard Karn as Fire Marshal O'Dannon
- Tristin Mays as Hailey, a cheerleader
- Travis Schuldt as Lance Whipple, a hunky librarian
- Tom Kenny as Bingo, owner of Snackleberry Junction[6]
- Craig Anton as Snackleberry Junction chef
- Wendie Malick as Libby Gibbils, Max's fellow fashion colleague
- Stephen Tobolowsky as Lars Balthazar, a famous cellist
- John Cena as Himself
- Italia Ricci as Herself, playing a character in a fictional John Cena film
- Nathan Kress as Prince Gabriel
- Oliver Muirhead as Ian, Prince Gabriel's butler
- J. P. Manoux as Snackleberry Junction waiter
- Kent Shocknek as Himself[6]
- Henry Hereford as Ryan's Great Grandfather
- Paul F. Tompkins as Royce Bingham, an international spy
- Gage Golightly as Vanessa, a runaway disguised as a flight attendant
- The cast of Yo Gabba Gabba!
- Stefán Karl Stefánsson as Karl Gustav
- Samantha Boscarino as Carla Gustav
- Cymphonique Miller as Bernie, Ryan's rival magician
- French Stewart as Donald the Delightful, Max's magic assistant turned rival
- Fefe Dobson as Herself
- Nick Palatas as Skeet
- Julia Duffy as Ms. Watson
- Tim Bagley as Ed Wheeler, True's driving instructor
- Leon Thomas III as Himself
- Tiffany Espensen as Young Lulu
- Tom Wilson as Benjamin Franklin
- Emma Lockhart as Callie, a girl True hires to run a Mad Style store
- Raini Rodriguez as Nina, Callie's friend
|
Episodes
| Season |
Episodes |
Season premiere |
Season finale |
Prod. line |
|
1 |
26 |
November 8, 2008 (2008-11-08) |
October 24, 2009 (2009-10-24) |
1xx |
|
2 |
20 |
November 14, 2009 (2009-11-14) |
August 7, 2010 (2010-08-07) |
2xx |
|
3 |
14 |
September 11, 2010 (2010-09-11) |
August 20, 2011 (2011-08-20) |
Syndication
Cable syndication
Besides airing on Nickelodeon, the series also aired on TeenNick in U.S., beginning in 2009. The series was then removed on February 26, 2011 less than a week after the network aired a season 2 marathon on Presidents' Day (February 21, 2011). The series returned to TeenNick for a Memorial Day weekend marathon which aired from May 28 to May 30, 2011. The series returned in June 2011 and was removed again in mid October 2011.
BET also briefly aired episodes of the series in 2009.
International syndication
The show also premiered on the Canadian network YTV on March 5, 2009 and after shows every Thursday, but was changed to Friday to accommodate with iCarly & Big Fun Fridays. Then, the show moved again to Mondays at 6:30pm. As of 2010, the series no longer airs on YTV.
The series continues to air regularly on Nickelodeon networks around the world. The show ended in Australia and New Zealand on December 17th 2011. The last two remaining episodes will premiere in the UK on Wednesday January 4th 2012 and Thursday January 5th 2012 with Mystery in Peru premiering on Friday January 6th 2012.
The series is currently shown in Jamaica on one of the national stations TVJ (Television Jamaica) at 4:30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
DVD releases
True Jackson, VP: Season 1, Vol. 1 was released in a 2 disc set on September 8, 2009. Running time is 321 minutes, presented in full screen video, and English stereo audio. The set also includes behind-the-scenes, cast member's screen tests, bloopers and the first 13 episodes of season 1.[8]
- The following releases were only released on Amazon.com's CreateSpace manufacture-on-demand (MOD) service:
- True Jackson, VP: Season 2 was released on September 9, 2011. Running time is 468 minutes, presented in full screen video, and English Stereo audio. This release has 20 episodes from the second season.[9]
- True Jackson, VP: Season 3 was released on September 9, 2011. Running time is 327 minutes, presented in full screen video, and English Stereo audio. This DVD release has 14 episodes from the third season.[9]
Clothing line
In August 2009, a line of clothing inspired by the show called "Mad Style by True Jackson" was released. The line is available exclusively at Wal-Mart and is aimed at children and teens. This was the first line of clothing for the show and was a first for Nickelodeon releasing a line of clothing from one of their television shows. Commercials advertising the clothing line can be seen on Nickelodeon and TeenNick. Featured in the show and commercials is an instrumental version of the show's theme song.
Book series
A set of novels based on the show were released, via Amazon.com[10]
Awards and nominations
- 2009 - Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Children's Series Programming - Krisha Bullock & Harriet Greenspan (Nominated)
- 2009 - Outstanding Adolescent Program (Won)
- 2009 - Outstanding Children's Program (Nominated)
- 2009 - Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program - (Series or Special) - Keke Palmer (Won)
- 2010 - Outstanding Children's Program (Nominated)
- 2010 - Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program - (Series or Special) - Keke Palmer (Won)
- 2011 - Outstanding Children's Program (Won)
- 2011 - Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program - (Series or Special) - Keke Palmer (Won)
- 2010 - Favorite TV Actress - Keke Palmer (Nominated)
- 2010 - Children's Episodic & Specials - Dan Kopelman, For the episode "The Rival" (Nominated)
References
External links
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