SEASON PREMIERE

"AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS" BEGINS 16th SEASON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 ON ABC

"Episode No. 1601" - A woman has a startling close encounter of the whale kind during a whale-watching expedition; criminal behavior with funny footage of animals caught stealing; a little boy's attempt at making cookies results in a flour fiasco; and one girl finds out that everyone's a critic when her brother reacts to her musical birthday tribute to him on the trumpet, on the 16th Season Premiere of "America's Funniest Home Videos," SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Tom Bergeron hosts.

The videos, submitted by viewers, offer big laughs and the chance for viewers to win big money. Every week throughout the season, $15,000 in prize money will be awarded: $10,000 for the clip the studio audience chooses as its favorite, $3,000 for second place and $2,000 for the third place winner. Special $100,000 grand prizes will be awarded during the season to video buffs whose wildly funny or unusual video clips are judged favorites by studio audiences.

In its 15 seasons to date, "America's Funniest Home Videos" has given away over $7 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers. Viewers wishing to submit home videos to "America's Funniest Home Videos" should visit ABC's website at www.abc.com for details.

"America's Funniest Home Videos" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via CC3. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.