SERIES PREMIERE

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'

Winning Toy to Be Made by Mattel and Sold Exclusively at Toys"R"Us(R) After Series Finale

Eric Stonestreet From 'Modern Family' Hosts

"Episode 101" - The premiere of the ultimate toy-competition series, "The Toy Box," airing on FRIDAY, APRIL 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, features five passionate amateur inventors who have put their hearts, souls and a lot of money into their unique toy concepts with hopes of impressing the mentors and making it to The Toy Box where young, no-nonsense judges determine if they will earn the chance to compete for the grand prize.

This week's toy inventions include:

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

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

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(R) after the series finale.

"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" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.