True Jackson, VP is an American television sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon from November 8, 2008 to August 20, 2011. The series starred Keke Palmer, Ashley Argota, Matt Shively, Danielle Bisutti, Greg Proops, Robbie Amell, and Ron Butler. The theme song was written by Toby Gad and Keke Palmer and is performed by Palmer. The series was shot in front of a live studio audience, which is mentioned at the start of each episode (with the exception of the episode "Mission Gone Bad"). On May 5, 2009, Nickelodeon renewed the show for a second season of 34 episodes, which premiered on November 14, 2009. In 2010, Nickelodeon cancelled the show after two seasons. It was then later split, making a third season. The pilot episode garnered 4.8 million viewers on its first airing and set network records among kids 6–11, adolescents 9–14 and several other demos, airing after the iCarly three-part episode "iGo to Japan". The show premiered on Nickelodeon (UK and Ireland) on May 25, 2009 and on Nickelodeon (Latin America) on August 3, 2009. The one-hour (two-part) episode entitled "Mystery in Peru" completed the 34 ordered episodes for season two (production wise), after it aired on August 20, 2011. Keke Palmer posted a video on her YouTube account and posted on her blog, confirming that "Mystery in Peru" is the series' finale.
Fifteen-year-old True Jackson was selling sandwiches and lemonade with her friend Ryan in the fashion district in New York City. When she is complimented by fashion designer Max Madigan, founder and CEO of Mad Style, Max realizes the clothes True is wearing are his designs, but True had altered them to suit her own purposes. Max likes the altered design, and hires True to be the VP (Vice President) of his fashion company's youth apparel division. True hires her best friend Lulu to be her assistant after firing Cricket, her former assistant who was upset and bitter about being surpassed in the business by a kid. With Lulu's and Ryan's help, True works to be the best she can be despite various obstacles such as her self-centered co-worker Amanda, who is less than enthusiastic to be working with a teenager, but the truth is that she is jealous of True because of how Max pays more attention to True than he does to her. True sees Amanda as an amazing icon in fashion and eventually Amanda recognizes True as a fashion equal, though she still taunts True playfully on a regular basis.
Main cast
Keke Palmer as True Jackson, a teen who serves as the Vice President of the Youth Fashion Department at Mad Style, where she works, and gets into mishaps and has a lot of fun with her friends. She is smart, funny, and hardworking with an odd family. She is usually the most sensible of her friends. In the beginning of the series, she has a crush on Jimmy, Mr. Madigan's nephew, and they eventually become a couple. In the series' finale, True becomes President after Mr. Madigan retires. A running gag in the series is when she says, "(You/she/he) (said/did) what now?"
Ashley Argota as Lulu, True's best friend and secretary–assistant. She tends to be very crazy, loud, and clueless. She is easily distracted as seen in every episode. Although not many people believe it, she is very intelligent and loves math. She also suffers from trichophagia and she is also afraid of birds (As she mentions to True in one episode, "They give me the creeps but I'm not sure why."). Her last name was not revealed during the series. She has a boyfriend named Mikey J. She and Mikey J. share their first kiss in the series' finale.
Matt Shively as Ryan Leslie Laserbeam, the other best friend of True. Though he does not have an official job at Mad Style, he is always there to hang out with True and Lulu. He is not very smart and is very clumsy. Ryan's middle name is Leslie, but he dislikes it. Oscar is not sure if Laserbeam is Ryan's real last name, but according to Ryan's big brother, he got the name when one of his ancestors was given the name "Laserbeam" by his crew captain while he was working on a ship. It is hinted that he has a crush on Amanda, but this is no longer acknowledged in the second season due to his affection for Kelsey.
Danielle Bisutti as Amanda Cantwell, one of the many workers at Mad Style. She is the Vice President of Women's Fashion. Through the beginning of the series, Amanda is seen as True's rival as they often fought/disagreed with each other, but Amanda is slowly becoming True's friend. She was not happy when she found out that Mr. Madigan hired a "kid." By the end of the series, though, she realizes that True isn't so bad, and that she is actually looked up to.
Robbie Amell as Jimmy Madigan, a mail deliverer at Mad Style, the nephew of Max Madigan, and the boy of True's affection. He has feelings towards True, but couldn't date her for a while due to a job rule, until True got jealous of a new mail girl and they became a couple. In the episode "True Secret", Jimmy and True are caught kissing by Max and he says that in order for them to stay together, one of them must quit. By the end of the episode, Max changes the rule. In the series' finale, he gets promoted to drummer of the staff lounge and Kelsey becomes the new mailroom girl.
Ron Butler as Oscar, the main secretary and operator for Mad Style and works behind the reception desk on the floor where Mad Style offices are. He is often shown taking calls on his headset or delivering messages to Amanda. Known to crack jokes, he tends to speak in a campy manner. He wears ascots all the time. Like Lulu, he does not have a last name. It is unknown what became of him after the series' finale, but it's assumed he remains as secretary.
Greg Proops as Max Madigan, the CEO of Mad Style and holds all the meetings and other social events, often glorifying True. He is eccentric and is Jimmy's uncle. He retires to stay at home with his wife Doris, who is pregnant with their first child. He can be quirky and confusing at times. Also, when stressed out, it isn't a good idea to get on his bad side. Over all, he is quite a fun person to work for.
Recurring cast
Dan Kopelman as Kopelman, a Mad Style employee that hardly speaks and is frequently ridiculed by Max.
The series has aired on-and-off on TeenNick in the United States since 2009. BET also briefly aired episodes of the series in 2009.
The show also premiered on the Canadian network YTV on March 5, 2009 and every Thursday since, but was changed to Friday to accommodate with iCarly & Big Fun Fridays. Then, the show moved again to Mondays at 6:30pm. As of 2010, the series no longer airs on YTV.
The series continues to air regularly on Nickelodeon networks around the world. The show ended in Australia and New Zealand on December 17, 2011. The last two remaining episodes premiered in the UK on Wednesday January 4, 2012 and Thursday January 5, 2012 and with "Mystery in Peru" premiering on Friday January 6, 2012.
The series is currently shown in Jamaica on one of the national stations TVJ (Television Jamaica) at 4:30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
DVD releases
True Jackson, VP: Season 1, Vol. 1 was released in a 2 disc set on September 8, 2009. Running time is 321 minutes, presented in full screen video, and English stereo audio. The set also includes behind-the-scenes, cast member's screen tests, bloopers and the first 13 episodes of season 1.
The following releases were only released on Amazon.com's CreateSpace manufacture-on-demand (MOD) service:
True Jackson, VP: Season 2 was released on September 9, 2011. Running time is 468 minutes, presented in full screen video, and English Stereo audio. This release has 20 episodes from the second season.True Jackson, VP: Season 3 was released on September 9, 2011. Running time is 327 minutes, presented in full screen video, and English Stereo audio. This DVD release has 14 episodes from the third season.
Clothing line
In August 2009, a line of clothing inspired by the show called "Mad Style by True Jackson" was released. The line is available exclusively at Wal-Mart and is aimed at children and teens. This was the first line of clothing for the show and was a first for Nickelodeon releasing a line of clothing from one of their television shows. Commercials advertising the clothing line can be seen on Nickelodeon and TeenNick. Featured in the show and commercials is an instrumental version of the show's theme song.
Book series
A set of novels based on the show were released, via Amazon.com.
