Disney/Pixar sent me on an all-expense paid trip as part of the Cars 3 Sonoman Raceway press event in San Francisco. All opinions are 100% my own.
Don’t miss the Series Premier of “The Toy Box!”
It’s the HILARIOUS eight-episode series hosted by Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”)that premieres on FRIDAY TODAY, APRIL 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network.
The show is so much fun to watch. In each episode of “The Toy Box,” inventors present their toy concepts to a group of mentors that include Dylan’s Candy Bar owner Dylan Lauren, toy guru Jim Silver and Pixar creative director of Consumer Products, Jen Tan. If the toy maker gets past the mentors, they will move on to The Toy Box where a panel of young, no-holds-barred judges that include Sophia Grace Brownlee (“The Ellen Degeneres Show”), Aalyrah Caldwell (“Uncle Buck”), Toby Grey (“The Unexpected John Cena Prank”) and Noah Ritter (“The Ellen Degeneres Show”) decide which toy moves on to the finals and eventually crowned the winner. That winning toy will be sold exclusively at Toys“R”Us® after the series finale.
A MULTICULTURAL SINGING DOLL, WACKY WORM, PARTY CANNON AND MORE COMPETE FOR A SHOT AT THE GRAND PRIZE, ON THE SERIES PREMIERE OF
ABC’S ‘THE TOY BOX’
In the first show we will meet some fun and creative toy inventors with their wacky toys:
- Arya Ball – a reimagining of the soccer ball with special surprises inside- Inventor: Babak from Carlsbad, California
- Wacky Worm Racing Game – a racing game where players dressed in a worm costume race to cross the finish line – Inventor: Cedric from Orlando, Florida
THE TOY BOX (ABC/Jeff Neira) JIM SILVER, DYLAN LAUREN, JEN TAN, CEDRICK
- Niya Doll – a multicultural doll collection who sings and speaks in multiple languages – Inventor: Darla from Columbia, South Carolina
- Swurfer – a backyard swing inspired by a surfboard – Inventor: Rob from Charleston, South Carolina
- Party Cannon – a party game that launches toys, prizes and candy – Inventor: Rick from Miami Springs, Florida
All the toys and inventors were fun and amazing, but I LOVED Darla’s passion for her invention – the Niya Doll the most!
First she meets Eric Stonestreet From ‘Modern Family’- he is the host of the show and adds some great comic relief for the nervous inventors’ first part of their journey- meeting the mentors.
THE TOY BOX -(ABC/Jeff Neira) JIM SILVER, DYLAN LAUREN, JEN TAN, DARLA
The Mentors listen to Darla’s pitch about her Niya Doll. They give feedback and will recommend (or not recommend) her toy for the Toy Box.
THE TOY BOX (ABC/Jeff Neira) JIM SILVER, DYLAN LAUREN, JEN TAN, DARLA
Next- the JUDGES! Darla has to convince the TOUGHEST Judge of all- THE KIDS- that her Niya Doll deserves to win. The Judges play with the Niya Doll, ask questions and give Darla their unfiltered feedback.
THE TOY BOX – (ABC/Jeff Neira) SOPHIA GRACE BROWNLEE, TOBY GREY, NOAH RITTER, DARLA, AALYRAH CALDWELL
At the end of the show, one of the inventors will be chosen to compete in the last episode for the grand prize: The Winning Toy will Be Made by Mattel and Sold Exclusively at Toys“R”Us® After Series Finale!
You have to watch TONIGHT on ABC at 8p est to find out which toy WINS!
Interview with Jen Tan:
Guess what we got to do? We met Jen Tan, the Pixar creative director of Consumer Products, and asked her some questions about the show!
THE TOY BOX -(ABC/Jeff Neira) JIM SILVER, DYLAN LAUREN, JEN TAN
Jen was delightful and insightful and, like all the other Pixar people we met, she LOVES her job!
My first question was: “Who picks the kids?” They were so funny- I had a hard time deciding which one was my favorite!
Jen replied: “I wasn’t involved in the picking of the kids. But, they picked some really great kids. I think ABC was involved in that. And yes, they are on every episode.”
The Toy Box- JEN TAN (MDR-Pam Maynard)
She was also asked: “What do you look at in the toy? Everything is about the story, right? The toys need to relate to a child, right? But what additional elements do you actually evaluate when you take a look at the toy?”
Jen replied: “There’s a lot of different things, in a really good toy. And it’s hard because as an adult, sometimes you forget what it’s like being a kid. And how to play – which is why I love this show. But I always look for something that is not a one trick pony. So you can play with it multiple times and there are various ways to play with it. You know, I have a 2-year-old now and it’s really important that whatever I give her, she can play with it for a good amount of time. Anything that sparks some creativity and imagination, that’s what I personally look for.”
Another great question: “Did you have a background in toys before you came to Pixar?”
Jen replied: “Yes. I went to school for toy design, actually. I went to FIT, Fashion Institute of Technology. They have a two year toy design program. And it’s very specific. I think there’s only two or three new programs in the country. So I started off as a toy designer. Then I got a job at Disney Consumer Products, right out of school. Then I worked at Spin Master for a little bit, and worked on some actual toy designs and I came here (to Pixar) to work on more toys.”
I don’t want to share too much- that would spoil the fun!
Here are a few clips about two of my favorite judges:
Meet Noah!
I can’t wait to hear how YOU like the show! Be sure to leave a comment below and tell me which toy or inventor or judge or mentor you liked the best!
Find out if the JUDGES will choose CANDY over balls or dolls!
THE TOY BOX – (ABC/Jeff Neira) RICK
“The Toy Box” is from Mattel, Hudsun Media and Electus. Michael Rourke, Chris Grant, Drew Buckley, Richard Dickson, Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, Julia Pistor, Susan House and Hamilton South are executive producers.
THE TOY BOX (ABC/Jeff Neira) BABAK, SOPHIA GRACE BROWNLEE, ERIC STONESTREET, AALYRAH CALDWELL, TOBY GREY, NOAH RITTER
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