In tween TV news, "George of the Jungle" has a new hip-hop version of its theme song to go with the updated series premiering on Cartoon Network. I kinda like it. (Washington Post, reg. required). Defamer theorizes that the Oscars are hoping to attract for tweens by including Miley on the program...she's also set to appear on the Barbara Walters special (thanks Eric!). Nickelodeon is casting for "Dora" the movie. Think Big is also casting for its kid inventors show. PBS Kids has launched its online service for tots called PBS Kids Play -- it's ad-free and subscription based. Remember those trippy Smurfs? The movie is in development and the producers are going for an edgier "Lord of the Ringsy" feel.

You can check out some toy fair coverage in the L.A. Times, reg. required, which has a photo gallery of action figures, as well as at Newsweek, focusing on how toys are going green. And speaking of toys, Beaning Babies are jumping on the Webkinz bandwagon. Disney's Fairies toys get "clickable" connecting them to their virtual world. Oh and "Cloverfield" now has a toy.

Tween avatar site Stardoll got some nice ink from Rob Walker in this Sunday's New York Times Magazine, reg. required. GoFish, which I mentioned in this post several days ago, has now officially launched (Media Post, reg. required). And MTV/Nick bought some parenting sites and plans to launch its own ad network for mom and dad. Finally, it looks like the FTC is continuing its COPPA enforcement crackdown, focusing on eCard sites. (Media Post, reg. required)

Posted by anastasia