Spike TV Adds a Mix of Insanity, Absurdity & Mayhem to New Comedy Block Starting Thursday, July 6

Network Debuts Unscripted Comedy 'Raising the Roofs' and Introduces Hit International Sensation, 'The Dudesons'

NEW YORK, April 3 -- What happens when a Hollywood actor invites his back-country family to Los Angeles for an extended vacation? Or when a group of four daredevil life-long friends from the Arctic Circle turn the mundane realities of everyday life into crazy stunts, laughter and occasional pain? Find out with Spike TV's new comedy-themed original programming block starting Thursday, July 6 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

"Both Raising the Roofs and The Dudesons are about guys being guys, and all that entails," said Sharon Levy, Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming for Spike TV. "The comedy comes from the natural bonds of family and lifelong friends. But I don't know anyone with families like these, complete with never ending pranks, uncontrolled bodily functions, and physical stunts that land them in the hospital."

"Raising the Roofs" (10:00-10:30 PM, ET/PT) is a six-episode unscripted comedy series that stars working actor Michael Roof, Jr., and his prank- pulling, beer-swilling, over-the-top, back-country family. Michael Jr. was born and raised in a small town of Dunnellon, Florida, with a population of 2,000, where his extended family still resides. In search of fame and fortune, he moved to Hollywood and has landed a number of supporting roles in films such as "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Black Hawk Down" and "XXX." Michael Jr. is a working actor, but to his family and his hometown, he is a bona fide celebrity. "Raising the Roofs" explores what happens when his family -- his father, Michael Sr. and Uncle Stevie -- pack their bags, their pet pig, Babe Roof the Fifth, and take on the bright lights and big city of Los Angeles for an open ended visit. Can these small town, larger-than-life characters adapt to big city life? And more importantly, will Michael Jr. and his career survive the family's visit?

Spike TV introduces America to the international sensation, "The Dudesons" (10:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT), a huge hit for the past four years on Finnish TV. This extreme stunt comedy comes to Spike TV with eight episodes and features the wild antics of four loveable, yet lunatic childhood best friends who live life to the fullest in the desolate Arctic Circle. Despite broken bones, countless trips to the hospital and near death experiences, "The Dudesons" continue to perform the craziest and most dangerous stunts imaginable. From perilous car and motorcycle jumps to indoor bonfires to being a human dartboard, life holds no limits and there are no rules in these inventive comedic skits.

"Raising the Roofs" is produced by The Jay & Tony Show, Inc. Jay Blumenfeld and Anthony Marsh (America Undercover: Smalltown Ecstasy, The Missy Elliott Project, Family Business) will serve as Executive Producers. "The Dudesons" is produced by Rabbit Films, Ltd. Sharon Levy, Senior Vice President of Alternative Programming is executive in charge of production for Spike TV.

Spike TV is available in more than 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, with all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

SOURCE Spike TV
Web Site: http://www.spiketv.com