SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Nickelodeon) - Every kid's dream, the alluring notion of an endless summer, plays out with humor, heart and rock 'n roll in Nickelodeon's original TV movie, The Last Day of Summer, a "what if" tale starring Jansen Panettiere (The X's) as tween-age Luke Malloy. The soon- to-be middle schooler's wish for a loooong, hot summer comes all too true, in the comedy-fantasy adventure about his emotional journey from trepidation to confidence, premiering Friday, July 20 (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT; repeats 7-21 and 7- 22).
A behind-the-scenes special featuring cast interviews will cap the TV movie at 9:30 p.m. Also, on Thursday, July 19, Panettiere and the cast will host special TEENick interstitials in celebration of summer.
"Many kids are afraid of middle school and our hero is no different. Overcome by a day where everything goes wrong and which sets him up for complete disaster at school the next day, Luke wishes for the ultimate do-over and gets it," said executive producer Marjorie Cohn, who is also Nickelodeon's Executive Vice President, Development and Original Programming. "The Last Day of Summer is a delectable mix of fantasy, reality, whimsy and original music, and Jansen Panettiere, steps in front of the camera with real breakout potential."
Around the corner from Labor Day - the last perfect day of fun and freedom - lurks the onset of middle school for Luke and his best buds, A.J. (Jon Kent Ethridge) and Riley (Eli Vargas). And as school bells beckon kids back, it's goodbye to summer break, hello to homework - and even worse, the inevitable introduction to "Meat," the vile torturer of incoming new kids.
The mere thought of tomorrow freaks Luke out, but suddenly this summer when he wishes Labor Day would last forever ... it does! Stuck in time at Walker's Point's big Labor Day Festival and Talent Show with his incredulous pals, there's no tomorrow in sight as the day replays and Luke desperately tries to change it. But he can't move on until he steps up boldly and learns to overcome fears including performing onstage with his band, The Steel Monkey; skateboarding with the likes of super-cool high schooler Snake (Brendan Miller); dealing with bullies like Meat (Daniel Samonas) and acknowledging his secret love and girl of his dreams, Alice (Denyse Tontz), despite her disdainful, smart aleck friend Dory (Jennette McCurdy of TEENick's fall-slated series iCarly).
When all is said and done - and with a bit of Diana's (Alexandra Krosney) big sisterly advice - Luke builds the courage he needs. As Lola the Lobster (Jackee Harry) steps up to emcee the big talent show, he and band-mates A.J. and Riley - a.k.a. The Steel Monkey - take the stage and rock out in front of the entire town in a grand musical finale.
The Last Day of Summer is a Nickelodeon original movie in association with Dolphin Entertainment and Jane Startz Productions. Blair Treu (Little Secrets, Phantom of the Megaplex, Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy) directs a teleplay by Kent Pierce. Marjorie Cohn, Lauren Levine (I Am David, Bridge to Terabithia), Jane Startz (Ella Enchanted, Tuck Everlasting, The Babysitters Club), Bill O'Dowd, Michael Espensen, Sam Harper and Barry Tropp executive produce.
