NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION'S "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD" CELEBRATES ITS 10th SEASON WITH NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SET

TWO-STORY SET TO DEBUT ON AIR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20TH

BURBANK, Calif. -- October 19, 2005 -- NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's "Access Hollywood," which is celebrating its 10th season in national syndication, will unveil a state-of-the-art new set on Thursday, October 20th.

Described as "high-tech meets old Hollywood," the set design draws influences from the retrofitted interiors of Los Angeles and incorporates tech-savvy materials and electronics. The two-story, 27-foot tall set uses it's spaces to give an impressive identity to the show, but also an intimacy "Access Hollywood" has made its staple.

"There is no better way to kick off our 10th season than with this incredible new set," says 'Access Hollywood' Executive Producer Rob Silverstein. "This is going to allow us to do many new things within our show and it also provides an unbelievable space for one-on-one interviews where we will sit down with the most influential people in music, film and television in the coming years."

The set is divided into two areas that have individual design concepts, using their own unique lighting and color palettes. The front of the set features a glossy, high-tech facade with a 27-foot glass tower containing a spiral staircase, which accesses a catwalk spanning both sides of the set. This allows for dynamic shots in front of the gigantic one-of-a-kind projection screen that stands 17 feet high and spans 8 feet wide.

The "interior" side of the set has a more intimate feeling, using warmer colors and materials such as polished concrete, designer furniture and original artwork and sculptures. The highlight of this second area is a "wall of fame" --where guests will sign in and have a permanent mark on the stage and become a part of the show's history.

The set features over 30 television monitors (high-def projection screens, plasma screens, etc.) and 5 Apple iMac G5 computers to be utilized for on-camera media display. The construction of the set involved over 2,000 man-hours, including the work of 24 craftsmen, 10 carpenters, 6 welders and 6 scenic artists. Scott Storey designed the state-of-the-art set and John Conti is the lighting designer.

About "Access Hollywood"
"Access Hollywood" is taped on Stage 1 at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Calif., where the show is headquartered. Nancy O'Dell and Billy Bush serve as co-anchors, and Shaun Robinson and Tony Potts serve as weekend co-anchors and daily show correspondents. Tim Vincent serves as New York correspondent and Maria Menounos serves as a special correspondent. The senior production team responsible for "Access Hollywood" consists of executive producer Rob K. Silverstein, senior producer Claudia Eaton, and supervising producers Adam Jordan, Mike Marson and Ryan Patterson. In addition to the Burbank newsroom of more than 150 dynamic producers, researchers and writers, "Access Hollywood" also maintains a fully staffed New York bureau and has producers and correspondents around the world contributing to its half-hour weekday and hour-long weekend editions. Seen in more than 90 percent of the country, "Access Hollywood" airs on major market affiliates, including the NBC Universal Television owned stations. The show is produced by NBC and distributed by NBC Universal Television Distribution.

About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The NBC Universal Television Distribution division is responsible for the global distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television throughout the world. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.

Current and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Martha, Access Hollywood, Blind Date, The Jerry Springer Show, Maury and Starting Over. Current and upcoming first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The George Michael Sports Machine, Rebecca's Garden, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of Crossing Jordan, Fear Factor, Providence, Law & Order and many more series.