Nickelodeon has signed fourteen-year-old singing sensation Rachel Crow to an overall talent deal, it was announced February 22 by Paula Kaplan, Executive Vice President, Talent Strategy and West Coast Operations. As part of the new pact, Nickelodeon is developing a comedy series for Crow, who is best known for her buzz-worthy performances on Fox’s singing competition series The X Factor.

In addition, Crow has been signed by Columbia Records/Syco, label home to some of the world’s leading recording artists.

“It’s such an honor to be signed to Columbia Records,” said Crow. ”To think that I am signed to the same label as my idols is a dream come true. I can’t wait to get in the studio and start making music.” Added Crow, “And I am so excited to now be a part of the Nickelodeon family.  I grew up watching Nick, and I’m a huge fan.”

Simon Cowell, The X Factor judge and Rachel Crow’s mentor during the show said, “I am incredibly happy for Rachel. This girl has it. We saw her potential at the first audition and Nickelodeon and Columbia are the right homes for her.”

“Rachel is an original,” said Kaplan. ”She’s funny, genuine and has raw talent and a passion for performing.  We’re delighted to be home to her first acting project and think she is poised to join the ranks of our next generation of Nick stars.”

In addition to plans for her to star in a new pilot for the network, Crow is slated to appear in a recurring role in Nickelodeon’s new comedy series FRED: THE SHOW appearing opposite Lucas Cruikshank. Crow will play Starr, an imaginative, confident but awkward teenager.  Like Fred, Starr’s self-perception doesn’t match up with how the world sees her.  To her classmates, she seems a bit eccentric, but in her own mind, Starr is a wildly talented actress and singer and ready to break out of her boring town.  FRED: THE SHOW airs on Friday nights.

From Colorado, Rachel Crow was fostered as a young baby by Barbara and Kelly Crow. Crow sang her first song (Faith Hill’s “Breathe”) at 18 months old and first performed in public at age six as part of her school’s talent show.   Her parents brought her to Los Angeles in 2010 to support her dream of being a performer and she auditioned at age 13 for The X Factor in early 2011.

After being chosen as a contestant out of over 100,000 people who auditioned for season 1 of The X Factor (USA), she wowed audiences with her powerful voice and bubbly personality and placed fifth in the competition for the season.   A fan favorite and darling among the judges, L.A. Reid deemed her a “funky, feisty singer with soul” with Simon Cowell declaring that audiences would be “hearing a lot more about her.”

Rachel is managed by Jared Paul and Joshua Russak for Azoff, Geary, Paul, Smith Management.

Image Courtesy of   Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

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The upcoming Fall season ushers in many new, must see television series debuting in upcoming weeks. The major television networks of ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX will be introducing a wave of new shows in hopes of becoming the next big hit. Many successful television shows will also be going through major changes as popular celebrities leave shows and are replaced by fresh faces.

NBC welcomes Christina Applegate, Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett in “Up All Night”, a new comedy series that highlights the struggles of parents with young children. The series preview aired on September 14. “Up All Night” is the brainchild of Emily Spivey and produced by Lorne Michaels, both from “Saturday Night Live.”

Juggling careers, daily responsibilities, and sleep deprived life with a baby is the foundation of this new comedy. With strong ties to humor and wit, the cast and creators of “Up All Night” are set on showcasing a hilarious perspective on parenthood. Simon Cowell’s departure from American Idol has come and gone, but the British superstar will now return to television with a new reality competition.

His UK hit show, “The X-Factor” will debut on September 21 on FOX. The singing competition has been #1 in the UK for years, and Cowell hopes to have the same success with the show in the United States. Raising the stakes from prizes in the past, the grand prize of a $5 million record deal is something people have not yet seen in reality competitions.

Judges for the show include music mogul L.A. Reid and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. The highly anticipated reunion of Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul as judges will be one to watch. Along with many new up and coming series, many fan favorites are coming back with a new season of episodes.

Hilariously written and performed “Modern Family” will be back for new laughs and jokes on ABC starting September 21. With last season’s mention of couple Cameron and Mitchell wanting to have son, viewers can look out for this story line as well as the usual ups and downs that make up this family’s lives.

Changes are also coming to a solid television series on NBC. “Law & Order: SVU”, which has been on air since 1999, will no longer have Christopher Meloni playing widely popular detective Elliot Stabler. Marishka Hargitay, who plays Olivia Benson as Stabler’s partner will stay for season 13.

The fan favorite duo of Benson and Stabler will no longer be shown each week, leaving loyal fans at a loss. “Law & Order: SVU” has been the most successful series of the Law & Order brand. Time and ratings will tell if the show will continue on as a mainstream hit without the reliable detectives headlining the show. “Law & Order: SVU” will premiere its new seasons on September 21.

Change is also occurring on NBC’s hit comedy, “The Office”. With the departure of comedian Steve Carell as Michael Scott of Dunder Mifflin, critics have questioned if the show can retain its signature comedy. Viewers will soon find out who the new manager of the company will be. The new season of “The Office” starts September 22.

After the much publicized Charlie Sheen scandal, “Two and a Half” men will premiere on September 19, with front man Ashton Kutcher replacing Sheen. Kutcher will also take the coveted title of highest paid actor on television, receiving $700,000 per episode. The comedy will surely be watched under scrutinizing eyes as viewers see the transition of the show from Sheen to Kutcher.

There are plenty of new and exciting television shows to watch for the upcoming Fall 2011 season. With new additions to already successful shows, it will be interesting to see which shows come out on top and which may not deliver.

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