INSPIRED BY HIS CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, NARRATOR CHRIS ROCK INTRODUCES THE HILARIOUS, TOUCHING STORY OF A TEENAGER STRUGGLING TO COPE WITH A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD AND UNFAMILIAR NEW SCHOOL, WHILE TRYING TO KEEP HIS YOUNGER SIBLINGS IN LINE AT HOME, ON THE SERIES PREMIERE OF "EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS," THURSDAY, SEPT. 22 AT 8:00 PM ON UPN

"Everyone Hates the Pilot" -- Inspired by his childhood experiences, comedian Chris Rock narrates the hilarious, touching story of a teenager named Chris (Tyler James Williams) who struggles to cope with being uprooted to a new neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York and bused for the first-time to a predominantly white middle school two-hours away, while keeping his younger siblings Drew (Tequan Richmond) and Tonya (Imani Hakim) in line at home, on the series premiere of the new single camera comedy EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, Thursday, Sept. 22 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on UPN. Reggie Hudlin directed the episode from a story by series co-creators and executive producers Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi and teleplay by Ali LeRoi.

Meanwhile, Chris' dad Julius (Terry Crews), a true penny pincher, questions how his wife Rochelle (Tichina Arnold) takes care of the family's tight finances. Later, Chris squares off against a bully and meets a new friend, Greg (Vincent Martella), during his first day at school.

1982 was the year that Chris turned 13. Filled with dreams that being a teenager would be really cool, Chris' entry into adolescence is turning out to be less then idyllic. Moved from the projects to the tough "Bed-Stuy" neighborhood of Brooklyn, Chris is still stuck in his older-brother role. As the family's "emergency adult," he's responsible for taking care of Drew, his taller, more assured brother, and Tonya, the baby of the family, when his parents are working.

His rugged, cost-conscious father Julius works multiple jobs to support the family. Meanwhile, his strict, sassy mother Rochelle, who works part-time, runs the household on a tight budget, while demanding the best for her children.

With his mother determined to see him in a good school, Chris grudgingly faces numerous bus transfers each day to attend Corleone Junior High in the fiercely Italian neighboring South Shore. Despite being an instant target for bullies, Chris' inherent charm and sharp wit enable him to make new friends at school, such as Greg, another smart, nice kid�who can't fight.

As Chris Rock pointedly reflects back, his younger self is set to discover what his family already knows -- Chris' sharp, scrappy nature is going to take him places. But first, he's going to have to think, talk or run his way through one growing experience after another at home, at school and on any number of buses along the way.

Most recognized for her NAACP Image Award-winning role as Pam Jones on "Martin," Tichina Arnold has also appeared on television in "Ryan�s Hope," "All My Children," "The Cosby Show," "Law & Order" and "The Norm Show." Most recently, she played Breanna's mom and Flex's ex-wife Nicole in a recurring role on UPN�s ONE ON ONE. In film, she has starred in "Big Momma's House," with Martin Lawrence, and the critically acclaimed "Civil Brand," with Mos Def and LisaRaye McCoy, along with "Dancing in September," "Scenes from a Mall" and "The Little Shop of Horrors." After getting her first taste of performing in front of her family's church congregation at four years old, Arnold began training vocally and appearing on stage at an early age. She first appeared in "The Me Nobody Knows" at Brooklyn�s Billie Holiday Theatre, followed by "Hair," "Romance and Hard Times," and "Haggadah" at The Joseph Papp Theatre. In 2004, she toured in the lead role of the musical hit "If These Hips Could Talk," which broke box-office records in over 55 cities.

A former pro football player for the L.A. Rams, San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins, Terry Crews is currently featured in "The Longest Yard," with Chris Rock, Adam Sandler and Burt Reynolds, and the upcoming "3001," with Luke Wilson and Dax Shepard. He has appeared in "White Chicks," "Baadasssss!," "Malibu�s Most Wanted," "Starsky & Hutch" and "Friday After Next." On television, Crews guest starred in UPN's "Platinum," as well as "CSI: Miami" and "The District." Crews attended the Interlochen Art Academy and Western Michigan University on an art scholarship, with plans to become a special effects artist in Hollywood. However, during his freshman year, he walked on to the football team. He went on to play All Mid-American Conference defensive end, highlighted by winning the Mid-American Conference championship in 1988.

Tyler James Williams began his acting career at the age of four on "Sesame Street," appearing as a season regular for several years. Later, he co-starred in Bill Cosby�s animated series "Little Bill," where he voiced the character of "Bobby." His other television credits include numerous appearances in comedic skits on "Saturday Night Live." Most recently, Williams appeared in an episode of "Law & Order: SVU." In addition, he has appeared in a number of commercials, including Corvette and Fruit by the Foot.

In 2004, Tequan Richmond appeared as American legend Ray Charles, Jr. (9-10 years old) in the award-winning biographical feature film "Ray." On television, Richmond was one of six hosts for Toon Disney Channel. He has appeared on "Cold Case," "ER," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "MADtv." Most recently, he had a recurring role on "The Shield." In addition, he has appeared in a variety of fashion shows; numerous national commercials, including spots for Spalding basketball with Boston Celtic's Paul Pierce and Toys "R" Us; and various national print ads, including Scott's Turfbuilder lawn fertilizer and Nestl�.

After showing a natural interest in acting at age seven, Imani Hakim began studying acting at Cleveland's historic Karamu House Theater. At Karamu House, Hakim appeared in stage productions of "Who Stole the Baby Jesus," "Cinderella" and "The Hobbit."

Vincent Martella began appearing in numerous print ads and national commercials by age seven, including American Express, Pringles and Papa Gino's. Later transitioning to television, Martella appeared on "Cracking Up" and had a recurring role on "Ned�s Declassified." He also guest-starred in "Stacked," with Pamela Anderson, and his voice can be heard in the animated series "Can You Dig It." In film, he will soon appear in "Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo," with Rob Schneider, and he has lent his voice to the upcoming "Bad News Bears." Aside from acting, Martella recently recorded his first demo, playing the piano and singing some of his favorite rock classics.

Narrator Chris Rock has re-defined standup comedy with his smart and incisive takes on race, relationships and society. He has won three Emmy Awards and garnered 15 nominations, has earned two Grammy Awards and has been nominated and won a multitude of other awards throughout his career. In the feature film world, Rock starred in such films as "The Longest Yard," "Head of State," which was also his directorial debut, "Bad Company," "Down to Earth," "Nurse Betty," "Dogma," "Lethal Weapon 4," "New Jack City," "CB4" and "Beverly Hills Cop II." Rock has lent his voice to the animated features "Madagascar" and "Osmosis Jones," as well as to the feature film "Doctor Dolittle." Rock has been the star of four HBO comedy specials, most recently "Never Scared." His others, "Bigger & Blacker," "Big Ass Jokes" and "Bring the Pain," have garnered him multiple Grammy and Emmy Awards and a CableACE Award. Rock also received an Emmy nomination for his work on "Politically Incorrect" in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program. "The Chris Rock Show," created in the wake of his two award-winning specials, aired for four seasons and was honored with seven Emmy nominations and received the award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program in 1999. Rock�s debut book, Rock This, was published in 1997 and became a bestseller. In February, Rock hosted the "77th Annual Academy Awards." He was also the critically acclaimed host of the "MTV Video Music Awards" in 1999 and 2003.

Co-creator and narrator Chris Rock, co-creator and writer Ali LeRoi ("Head of State"), Howard Gewirtz ("Oliver Beene"), Michael Rotenberg ("The Chris Rock Show") and Dave Becky ("The Hugleys") are executive producers. EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS is a production of Chris Rock Enterprises, Inc., in association with Paramount Network Television.

Tichina Arnold: Rochelle
Terry Crews: Julius
Tyler James Williams: Chris
Tequan Richmond: Drew
Imani Hakim: Tonya
Vincent Martella: Greg Wuliger
Keisha Ridenhour: Aree Davis
Joey Caruso: Travis Flory
Dr. Raymond: Jude Ciccolella
Bus Passenger: Judy Krause
Old Principal: Steve Paymer
Mr. Corliss: Dannon Green
Bus Driver: John Capodice

RATING: To Be Announced