Kiddie network Sprout is taking a bite out of the Sharknado 2 buzz.
The network is presenting a week of ocean-centric learning on its morning program, The Sunny Side Up Show (hosted by the most popular chicken on TV, Chica), for a special event called "Sprout-nado," a tie-in to sister network Syfy's upcoming premiere of Sharknado 2: The Second One. During Sprout-nado, stars from the movie -- including Ian Ziering, Judah Friedlander and Kari Wuhrer -- are set to appear in educational (and satirical) segments, like the one above. In another, Ziering sings on the song "So Many Numbers in the Ocean," and may nod to a few well-known numbers from his past.
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[img src="http://admin.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Sproutnado2.jpg" caption="Ian Ziering gets silly in "Sprout-nado."" credit="" alt="Sproutnado2"]
"You just take the teeth out of it," Ziering said of making the tie-in event appropriate for kids. "[If] there’s no bite, it’s just fun." Additionally, no actual references to Sharknado will be made during Sprout-nado aside from short, kid-appropriate promos featuring the trio of stars above.
Ziering had a hand in bringing the idea to fruition. As a fan of Chica -- Ziering has two daughters under the age of 3 -- his enthusiasm in meeting the popular chicken at an NBC event helped put the wheels in motion for a collaboration.
“What’s nice about this network is every time we watch something it resonates and continues to resonate," he said. "We talk about it or hum the songs until she knows them. It’s just good, positive, uplifting, educational programming for young minds.“ And the nods to Sharknado and other popular culture, he said, "just make it all that much more fun" for the parents watching the network with their children, as he often does.
Sprout-nado will air the week of July 21 on Sprout, starting at 9 a.m. ET. Sharknado 2: The Second One premieres July 30 at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy.