Mr. Las Vegas Rolls the Dice with E! Entertainment Television - Wayne Newton Leads Search for Las Vegas' Next Big Star in Network's New Reality Series The Entertainer

Ten Hopeful Performers Vie for Chance of a Lifetime Opportunity to Star in a Major Las Vegas Show in the Entertainment Capital of the World - Las Vegas

Network's New Performance Reality Drama Set to Debut on E! In January 2005

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14 -- What happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas, as E! Networks joins Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, in his nationwide search for the next Las Vegas Superstar in this new 10-part reality drama "The Entertainer" set to debut in January 2005 on E! Entertainment Television. The announcement was made today by Ted Harbert, President & CEO, E! Networks.

"The Entertainer" is the creation of Lee Brownstein of Kandor Entertainment, who will also executive produce along with Howard Barish of Kandor Entertainment, Larry Tanz of LivePlanet and Wayne Newton.

"Las Vegas has become the entertainment capital of the world and Wayne Newton deserves much of the credit for this reputation," said Harbert. "We are thrilled to join one of the world's most loved entertainers as he searches for the headliner of the future."

"I am so excited about working on and seeing this project through to fruition with E!. I believe this show will fill a much needed void in the training ground of onstage performers that no longer exists," said Newton. "It is a win, win for our audience, talent, our town and entertainment. What could be more fun and worthwhile?"

Over the course of the series, ten performers -- including male and female vocalists, illusionists, comedians, and specialty act performers -- each take a gamble on their talents for a chance for the "gig of a lifetime." The group, all of whom must possess a unique combination of raw talent, creativity, teamwork and stamina, will endure grueling performance challenges, as well as tasks that take the participants behind the scenes at the most exciting locations on and off The Strip.

Each week, Newton, along with his mainstay team of judges and a celebrity guest judge, cut the deck of finalists until only one shining star is left. The last one left on the stage will not only perform alongside the legendary entertainer during the grand finale episode, but will also receive a special Dankeschoen that only Newton could give, a chance to become a featured performer in Wayne Newton's award-winning Las Vegas show!

About Wayne Newton

Wayne Newton is one of the last true performing icons. He has performed, at last count in 2004, over 25,000 live shows in Las Vegas alone. He was mentored by and has performed with many of the legends -- Jacky Gleason, Lucille Ball, George Burns, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Jack Benny, Bobby Darin -- and so many more.

Wayne is a multi-instrumentalist (he plays over 13 instruments) and has enjoyed a string of popular hits that are still known as iconic recordings today, such as "Heart," "Danke Schoen," "Red Roses For A Blue Lady," "Summer Wind," "Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife" and "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast." To date, Wayne Newton has recorded 160 albums. He has appeared in over 30 films and television shows.

After decades of performing, he shows no signs of slowing down, which is great news to the multitude of fans that pack his sold out shows all over the world. In the words of Merv Griffin "Las Vegas without Wayne Newton is like Disneyland without Mickey Mouse."

About E! Networks

Based in Los Angeles, E! Networks is the world's largest producer and distributor of entertainment news and lifestyle-related programming. The company operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment; The Style Network where life gets a new look and E! Online, located at http://www.eonline.com. E! is currently available to 85 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the U.S. Style currently counts 38 million subscribers with commitments to reach over 40 million in 2004. E! Online reaches 6 million monthly unique U.S. adult users.

Internationally, E! programming can be seen in more than 120 countries worldwide, reaching 300 million homes. In addition to its ventures for locally programmed, E! branded channels out the U.S., the company operates the E! International Network, a 24-hour English language global entertainment channel available via satellite in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

SOURCE E! Networks
Web Site: http://www.eonline.com