'Josh and Drake' Together Again

[Darlene]

Nickelodeon teen stars Drake Bell and Josh Peck have reunited to film a new "Drake & Josh" telepic for the cabler.


More than a year after production ended on their hit Nick comedy, the duo will star in "Drake & Josh: Best Christmas Ever." Production will commence in July for a holiday airdate.

"Drake & Josh" creator Dan Schneider is back as exec producer; Cohn and Lauren Levine ("Bridge to Terabithia") will also exec produce. Michael Grossman ("Grey's Anatomy") will direct. Bell and Peck are attached as co-producers.

Telepic will feature the duo as they work as a mall Santa and his helper -- and wind up promising a little girl in foster care that she'll have the "best Christmas ever."

"Best Christmas Ever" reps the third TV movie for the franchise. Last August, "Drake & Josh: Really Big Shrimp" posted Nick's highest-rated movie numbers ever, while the 2006 entry "Drake & Josh Go Hollywood" scored top marks in the net's key demos.

Nick produced four seasons of "Drake & Josh," which remains a strong performer for the net.
Peck will next be seen alongside Ben Kingsley and Olivia Thirlby in "The Wackness" and will also appear in "Safety Glass." Bell was recently in "Superhero Movie" and will next appear in "College."


variety