Nickelodeon Greenlights ‘iCarly-Victorious’ Spinoff: Sam & Cat

Santa Monica, California – On the heels of last week’s series finale of iCarly that topped all basic cable with 6.4 million total viewers, Nickelodeon is announcing the series pick-up of  Sam & Cat (20 episodes), a spin-off comedy from award-winning creator and executive producer Dan Schneider (iCarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh,  Zoey 101). Starring Jennette McCurdy (iCarly’s  Sam Puckett) and Ariana Grande (Victorious’ Cat  Valentine) reprising their roles from their respective hit shows,  Sam & Cat features the pair as unlikely roommates who become teen entrepreneurs by starting their own after-school babysitting business. Sam &  Cat will premiere in  2013, with production beginning this January in Los Angeles.

“Jennette and Ariana are adored by our audience, and it’s great to unite these talented actresses in this hilarious new comedy from Dan Schneider," said Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon.  “This show promises to deliver on what our audience loves most about these two favorite characters -- laugh-out-loud humor and non-stop adventure, and is sure to be a compelling new chapter for our new comedic duo.”

Best known for her comedic portrayal of Sam Puckett on the mega-hit Nickelodeon series iCarly, Jennette McCurdy most recently wrapped production on Nickelodeon’s original TV movie Swindle.  In addition, she was featured in two other Nick original TV movies, Fred: The Movie and Best Player.  McCurdy has  also  guest starred on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,  Strong Medicine, Law & Order: SVU, Medium and Judging Amy.

Prior  to garnering attention as the beloved character Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon series Victorious, Ariana Grande performed on Broadway in the musical 13.  This holiday, Ariana will star as Snow White at The Pasadena Playhouse in a presentation of "A Snow White Christmas" alongside Neil Patrick Harris and Charlene Tilton.  Grande’s other acting credits  include a feature role in Nickelodeon’s original TV movie

New Show Sam & Cat Gets 20 Episodes

According to Nickelodeon: We knew that Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande have been spotted heading to the set together, filming a brand new pilot starring their classic Victorious and iCarly characters. But now it's official. Sam and Cat are back! The ham-gobbling wise-cracker Sam Puckett and the adorably spacey Cat Valentine are joining forces to bring us an all new reason to LOL...the new show, Sam & Cat!

In case you don't already know, here's the deets on the show. After becoming best buds and roomies, Sam and Cat start to realize that life isn't all fun and games. And there's one thing that's vital to supporting their