The N Inks Development Deal with Actor/Writer/Director Ralph Macchio

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 -- The N, the nighttime network for teens, has signed a development deal with actor/writer/director Ralph Macchio. The network has tapped the former teen star who will return to television -- only this time behind the scenes -- as creator of a compelling new teen drama about two runaway girls.

"We are honored to be working with Ralph on this new project," said Amy Friedman, Senior Vice President, Development, The N. "As a father of a teenager and an icon in the teen landscape, he truly understands how to tell meaningful stories to this audience."

Macchio will also be part of the upcoming new DVD release of The Outsiders -- The Complete Novel -- Francis Ford Coppola's new version of his 1983 film adaptation of the renowned S.E. Hinton best seller. The DVD will arrive in stores on September 20 from Warner Home Video (WHV) as a restored Two-Disc DVD. Macchio was part of the original all-star cast including, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise and Leif Garrett.

As a filmmaker, Macchio has written and directed a short entitled "LOVE THY BROTHER" which premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and can now be seen on HBO. In television, he is co-creating, with Todd Holland, a half-hour comedy series pilot entitled "THE RALPH SHOW" through 20th Century Fox Television. He also is planning to direct his feature film "MANGLED CARE" sometime in 2006.

As an actor, Macchio was last seen as a guest star on the hit HBO series, ENTOURAGE. With an extensive list of film credits, he is perhaps best known for his celebrated performance as "Johnny" in Frances Ford Coppola's, "THE OUTSIDERS"; the hit film "MY COUSIN VINNY" and for the title roles in the popular "THE KARATE KID" and its successors, "THE KARATE KID II" and "THE KARATE KID III." Other film credits include, "TEACHERS," "A GOOD NIGHT TO DIE," "FOREVER TOGETHER," "TOO MUCH SUN" and "UP THE ACADEMY." Macchio received critical acclaim for the title role in the ABC television film, "THE LAST POW? THE BOBBY GARWOOD STORY." His other television movie credits include, "THE THREE WISHES OF BILLY GRIER," "DANGEROUS COMPANY," as well as the series "EIGHT IS ENOUGH."

The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 44 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N's mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network's web site http://www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

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