Ryan's Mystery Playdate

Ryan's Mystery Playdate
Created byAlbie Hecht
Directed by
Starring
Voices of
  • Gibson Collins
  • Bradley William Smith
  • Julia Stockton
Opening theme"Who Will It Be?", performed by Ryan ToysReview
Ending theme"Who Will It Be?"
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes117 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Albie Hecht
  • Chris M. Williams
  • Shion Kaji
  • Loann Kaji
  • Jeff Sutphen
ProducerDiondra Meravi
Running time
  • 11 minutes (regular)
  • 24 minutes (specials)
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseApril 19, 2019 (2019-04-19) –
April 16, 2023 (2023-04-16)

Ryan's Mystery Playdate is an American children's television series created by Albie Hecht and produced by the company PocketWatch[1] that aired on Nickelodeon from April 19, 2019[2][3] to April 16, 2023. The series is based on the Ryan's World YouTube channel, which signed an advertising deal with PocketWatch in 2017.[4]

In an attempt by PocketWatch to match the YouTube channel's style, all of the show's dialogue is improvised, and the only scripted segments are scene transitions and explanations of the challenges.[3]

On March 28, 2024, the series was removed from Paramount+ as part of a "strategic decision to focus on content with mass global appeal."[5]

Overview

The series focuses on Ryan, his parents, and two animated characters named Gus the Gummy Gator and Combo Panda. Episodes show a selection of physical challenges and unboxing puzzles.[6]

Production

The show's first 20 episodes were announced as part of Nickelodeon's 2019 content slate on February 14, 2019.[7] On April 24, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season of 20 episodes, bringing a total of 40 episodes for the series.[8] On February 24, 2020, the series was renewed for a third season of 20 episodes, bringing a total of 60 episodes for the series.[9][10] On June 30, 2020, the series was renewed for a fourth season, initially consisting of 10 episodes.[11] On September 24, 2021, the season was given an additional 20-episode order, bringing a total of 90 episodes for the series.[12]

On December 16, 2020, it was announced that PocketWatch had presold the series to various broadcasters around the world, including e-Junior and Spacetoon in the Middle East.[13]

Episodes

Main article: List of Ryan's Mystery Playdate episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
120April 19, 2019 (2019-04-19)September 20, 2019 (2019-09-20)Nickelodeon
220September 30, 2019 (2019-09-30)February 20, 2020 (2020-02-20)
320March 30, 2020 (2020-03-30)February 26, 2021 (2021-02-26)
43018May 3, 2021 (2021-05-03)November 4, 2021 (2021-11-04)
12April 11, 2023 (2023-04-11)April 16, 2023 (2023-04-16)Nick Jr.

References

  1. ^ a b James Zahn (February 14, 2019). "From YouTube to Nickelodeon: Ryan's Mystery Playdate is the Next Move for Ryan ToysReview". The Toybook. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  2. ^ "Nickelodeon Unboxes Playful New Preschool Series Ryan's Mystery Playdate, Starring YouTube Superstar Ryan of Ryan ToysReview, Friday, April 19, at 12:30 P.M. (ET/PT)" (Press release). Nickelodeon. March 27, 2019. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2019 – via The Futon Critic.
  3. ^ a b Ryan Tuchow (April 18, 2019). "Inside Ryan ToysReview's linear TV strategy". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  4. ^ "7-year-old toy reviewer on YouTube becomes a toy himself". 7 News Boston. October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2024-03-28). "Paramount+ Removes 10 Nickelodeon Titles Including 'Blue's Clues & You!' & 'Rugrats' Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  6. ^ "Ryan's Mystery Playdate Full Episodes and Videos on Nick Jr". nickjr.com. Archived from the original on 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  7. ^ "Nickelodeon Embarks on New Direction with Its Biggest, Most Wide-Ranging Content Slate Ever - New Shows Are All That and Much More" (Press release). Nickelodeon. February 14, 2019. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
  8. ^ Denise Petski (April 24, 2019). "'Ryan's Mystery Playdate' Renewed For Season 2 By Nickelodeon Amid Strong Ratings". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  9. ^ "Nickelodeon Greenlights Third Season of Top-Rated Preschool Series Ryan's Mystery Playdate" (Press release). Nickelodeon. February 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
  10. ^ Denise Petski (February 24, 2020). "Ryan's Mystery Playdate Renewed For Season 3 By Nickelodeon". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  11. ^ Ryan Tuchow (June 30, 2020). "What broadcasters renewed in June". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  12. ^ "Nickelodeon Orders Additional Season Four Episodes of pocket.watch's Hit Preschool Series Ryan's Mystery Playdate" (Press release). Nickelodeon. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  13. ^ "Ryan's Mystery Playdate goes global". Archived from the original on 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2020-12-17.