Award-Winning Series Everybody Hates Chris to Join Nick At Nite's Line-up, Fall 2009
Network Acquires Exclusive Basic Cable Rights to Hit Series By Co-Creator
Chris Rock
NEW YORK, March 3 -- The award-winning family comedy
series, Everybody Hates Chris from co-creator and narrator Chris Rock, will
join the Nick At Nite line-up in fall, 2009, it was announced today by Cyma
Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.
Beginning September 2009, Nick At Nite will become the exclusive basic
cable home to the half-hour series which stars Tyler James Williams
("Unaccompanied Minors") as Chris, Terry Crews ("The Longest Yard") as
Julius, Tichina Arnold ("Martin") as Rochelle, Tequan Richmond ("Ray") as
Drew, Imani Hakim as Tonya and Vincent Martella ("Deuce Bigalow: European
Gigolo") as Greg.
"Nick At Nite is one of my family's favorite TV networks," said Chris
Rock. "I am thrilled that this series, which reflects my childhood growing
up in Brooklyn, is coming to the number-one home for great family
comedies."
"Following in the success we've had with George Lopez and Home
Improvement, this show has all the makings to be our next big hit for kids
and parents on Nick At Nite," Zarghami said. "Chris Rock is a comedic
genius hugely popular with adults, and he's created a great kid-centric
character and story that will be relevant to both our kid and adult
audience. It's a great addition for us."
The deal with CBS Television Distribution includes a four-year license
period for a minimum of four seasons (80 episodes). The hit series is
currently in production on season four, which is included as part of the
overall deal.
Everybody Hates Chris, which premiered on the UPN network in September
2005 and currently airs on the CW, is inspired by Rock's real-life
childhood experiences. The series, co-created and narrated by Chris Rock
along with co-creator and writer Ali LeRoi tells the story of a teenager
growing up as the eldest of three children in Brooklyn, New York, during
the early 1980s. Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bused into a
predominantly white middle school two hours away by his strict,
hard-working parents, Chris struggles to find his place while keeping his
siblings in line at home and surmounting the challenges of junior high.
This responsible, resilient adolescent brings a distinct, funny spin to his
everyday trials and traumas, in the critically acclaimed, single-camera
comedy. Everybody Hates Chris has earned an NAACP Image Award(R) for
Outstanding Comedy Series, as well as Golden Globe(R) and People's Choice
Award nominations.
The series features guest stars including Jimmie Walker, Loretta
Devine, Wayne Brady, Orlando Jones, Richard Lewis, Vincent Pastore, Robert
Wuhl, Phylicia Rashad and Tommy Davidson.
The series is executive produced by Michael Rotenberg ("King of the
Hill"), Dave Becky ("Lucky Louie") and Don Reo ("My Wife and Kids").
"Everybody Hates Chris" is a production of CBS Paramount Network Television
Inc. in association with Chris Rock Enterprises, Inc. and 3 Arts
Entertainment.
About CBS Television Distribution
CBS Television Distribution is the preeminent company in worldwide
television syndication. Comprised of the assets of King World Productions,
CBS Paramount Domestic Television, CBS Paramount International Television
and CBS Home Entertainment, CTD produces or distributes 11 first-run series
and holds the largest internationally distributed television library at
70,000 hours strong. Among CTD's critically-acclaimed programs are the #1
syndicated series Wheel of Fortune; the #2 rated game show Jeopardy!; the
top two talk shows The Oprah Winfrey Show and Dr. Phil; Rachael Ray, which
debuted as the highest- rated talk show since Dr. Phil; the top three
newsmagazines Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition and The Insider; the
top two court shows Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown; long-running talk show
Montel Williams; popular off- network product, including the CSI and Star
Trek franchises, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond and Medium; and
international formats such as America's Next Top Model. CTD is a unit of
CBS Corp.
Nick At Nite is Nickelodeon's nighttime programming block that features
popular hit family comedies including the Emmy Award-winning series Home
Improvement, George Lopez, Growing Pains, America's Funniest Home Videos
and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as Roseanne, one of the most
talked about and celebrated sitcoms in television history. Nickelodeon, in
its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built
a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The
company includes television programming and production in the United States
and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books,
magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen
in more than 96 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic
cable network for 13 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles,
characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).
SOURCE Nick At Nite
http://www.nick.com/
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