Have No Fear, The Freak Squad Is Here...Comedy Central� Greenlights Production On "Freak Show"

Animated Series From The Minds Of David Cross And H. Jon Benjamin To Premiere In Late '06/Early '07

NEW YORK, February 28, 2006 -- COMEDY CENTRAL has greenlit production on "Freak Show," an animated half-hour narrative about a band of freak show performers who also happen to be second-rate superheroes, it was announced today by Lauren Corrao, executive vice president, original programming and development, COMEDY CENTRAL. The network has ordered seven episodes of the series, which will premiere in late 2006 or early 2007.

Based on an idea by David Cross ("Arrested Development," "Mr. Show") and H. Jon Benjamin ("Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist," "Home Movies"), "Freak Show" chronicles the adventures and misadventures of the illustrious Freak Squad, a band of freaks secretly employed by the United States government. When the Squad is not busy undertaking low-priority missions for the Pentagon, pitting them against the world's most notorious second-rate villains, they retreat to their alternate lives as performers in America's last independently-owned traveling freak show, Bob and Helen Hartsdale's Funtyme Freak Show. Whenever there's a mission too insignificant for A-list superheroes, have no fear, the Freak Squad is on it!

"We've been chasing David and Jon for years and it was worth the wait," said Corrao. "After one of the funniest pitches we heard all year, they have delivered a pilot that's high in concept and hilarity. What other show on television features an animated premature baby super-hero?"

"I just want to thank God for giving me this chance to shine and spread his word through 2-D cell animation," said Cross. "I truly believe that this voyage on which we are about to embark will, in the future, make me some money." Added Benjamin, "'Freak Show' is the culmination of 37 years of hard work and brute labor and finally seeing it come to fruition is an amazing anti-climax. That said, I look forward to providing brand new horizons for television in America."

The Freak Squad is comprised of: Tuck and Benny, The Siamese Twins (special power: separation); The Bearded Clam (special power: emits blinding bitch juice); The World's Tallest Nebraskan (special power: can shrink up to six inches smaller); Primi, The Premature Baby (special powers: pinpoint projectile vomiting and explosive, corrosive diarrhea); and Log Cabin Republican (special power: cellular transformation into Burly Bear).

In the pilot episode, the Freak Squad is called upon to travel to a remote island under embargo by the United States and controlled by the evil General M'Dinka Magoobi. The mission: to replenish the President's store of perry nuts, his favorite, which can only be found on Magoobi's island. Using their individual and combined powers, the Freak Squad escapes the clutches of General Magoobi, secures their objective and saves the President from going nutless.

The series is based on an idea by Cross and Benjamin, who will also executive produce and voice various characters. Lou Wallach and Dan Powell will serve as executives in charge of production for COMEDY CENTRAL. "Freak Show" is produced by Radical Axis ("Aqua Teen Hunger Force," "Squidbillies").

Cross is represented by Brillstein/Grey, ICM and attorneys Gendler and Kelly. Benjamin is represented by CAA.

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