Aircraft Pictures and Dolphin Entertainment began principal photography today in Toronto on season two of What’s Up, Warthogs!, a 20 x 22 minute live-action tween sitcom for Family Channel and Disney XD.
“We’re very privileged to once again be working with such an outstanding team of creative individuals on every level for season two,” says Producer Anthony Leo, “If a fraction of the fun we have on set translates onto the screen, I know audiences will be in for something very special.”
“What’s Up, Warthogs! is an innovative and versatile series and we are very pleased to be making more episodes,” said Michael Goldsmith, Director of Original Programming, Astral Kids. “The show has delighted viewers on television and online through its unique format, making it one of the top performers for Family and Disney XD.”What’s Up, Warthogs! follows arch-rivals Eric (Tiago Abreu) and Victoria (Karissa Lee Staples) as they begrudgingly team up to save the on-air announcements at West Hills High from returning to the “boringpalooza” show of the past. Add Eric’s off beat, camera shy, best friend Charlie (Ed Witzke) and twelve–year-old genius, Laney (Ana Golja), plus the help of guest reporters and user-generated content, and West Hill soon has a show that truly puts the students in charge. Together, the crew shares adventures, laughs and the unlikeliest of friendship as they create an awesome show that becomes a bright spot during the monotony of high school.
Season two opens in the after-math of the student body Presidential election and the What’s Up, Warthogs! team is working on a new broadcast strategy since learning the results. Taking on more responsibility in the school, Victoria leaves Eric looking for a replacement co-anchor for their show. Charlie, Laney, and Mr. Denovi (Duane Murray) help Eric host a West Hill-wide open audition, but will What’s Up, Warthogs! be the same without Victoria? Encouraging viewer participation in the show, the second season will see the winner of the What’s Up, Warthogs! Roving Reporter contest feature as a special reporter in an online webisode of the series. From September 1, visitors to Family.ca can decide on the winner of the spot by voting for their favourite from the shortlisted finalists.
Veteran show-runner Dean Batali (That 70’s Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) will return to helm the writing team that includes show creators Alex Diaz and Julie Sagalowsky-Diaz, Brendan Duffy, Skander Halim, Barbara Haynes and Teresa Hsiao. The show wraps production on October 28, 2011. Season one is currently airing on Family Channel and Disney XD in Canada.
“What’s Up, Warthogs! is such a fun show to produce. It’s been a pleasure working with this very talented cast,” remarks Executive Producer Bill O’Dowd, “Dean, Julie, Alex and the rest of the writing team make each script funnier than the last. We’re excited and honoured for this new season.”
The series is produced by Anthony Leo of Aircraft Pictures (Todd and the Book of Pure Evil) and executive produced by Andrew Rosen of Aircraft Pictures and Bill O’Dowd of Dolphin Entertainment (Zoey 101, Ned’s Declassified).
