In one of the more unusual crossovers between TV shows during May sweeps, Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, the bumbling evil scientist from Disney Channels’ “Phineas and Ferb,” will make an appearance on the season finale of ABC’s “Shark Tank” tonight.
The animated character, also known as Dr. Doof, will pitch his latest invention, hoping to strike a deal with the panel of judges known as the Sharks. Finale will air as two back-to-back episodes starting at 8 p.m. EST. Dr. Doof will appear in the second half.
ABC saw the appearance of the character, voiced by Dan Povenmire, as a way to appeal to “Shark Tank’s” growing family audience and boost ratings for the show before it takes off for the summer.
At the same time, summer is typically Disney Channel’s biggest season, with kids out of school, so the promo is meant to hype “Phineas and Ferb” with kids before it starts its summer run with new episodes.
Created and executive-produced by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, “Phineas and Ferb” also airs on Friday nights on Disney Channel, and is a production of Disney Television Animation.
Disney Channel certainly stepped up to hype the appearance.
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- The character took over “Shark Tank’s” Facebook page this week.
- The character reached out to the Sharks via his Twitter account (@DoofDaily) to ask if he can appear on the show.
- Radio Disney aired an interview Friday morning with Dr. Doof that ran twice on the channel.
- Disney XD and Disney Channel aired promos during programming.
- It also is offering up Dr. Doof’s three-minute pitch from the episode on ABC.com, Disney.com, YouTube, YouTube/ABC Network, and YouTube/Disney.
- And Dr. Doof discussed his appearance on “Shark Tank” during his YouTube show “Doof’s Daily Dirt,” that bowed in January. Character discussed current events, pop culture, music and other topics during the show. DisneyChannel.com recently extended the run of “Doof’s Daily Dirt” for an additional 26 episodes.
In “Phineas and Ferb,” Dr. Doof is infamous for his creations that generally lead to destruction or disappearance.
Cuban co-hosts “Shark Tank” with real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran; “Queen of QVC” Lori Greiner; technology innovator Robert Herjavec; fashion and branding expert Daymond John; and venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary, who give budding entrepreneurs the chance to secure business deals for their inventions that could make them millionaires, according to the show’s conceit.
The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television.
Disney Channel and ABC have featured eachother’s programming before.
Disney Channel aired episodes of ABC’s sitcom “The Neighbors,” earlier this fall, while ABC has run repeats of the “Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation” and “Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension” TV movie.
