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COMEDY CENTRAL� DELVES DEEPER INTO THE "MIND OF MENCIA" AND ORDERS THIRD SEASON
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New Season To Consist Of 16 Episodes Beginning First Quarter '07
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"Mind Of Mencia" Averaging 2.1 Million Viewers (P2+) During Second Season
And Is The #1 Show In Its Timeslot Among P18-49*
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NEW YORK, July 12, 2006 -- Viewers can't get enough of Carlos Mencia's hit series and COMEDY CENTRAL agrees. COMEDY CENTRAL has ordered a third season of the weekly hit, "Mind of Mencia," it was announced today by Lauren Corrao, executive vice president of original programming and development. The third season of "Mind of Mencia," which is executive produced and created by Mencia and Emmy Award-winning Robert Morton, will premiere in first quarter '07 and consist of 16 episodes.
"Carlos Mencia has become a household name and one of today's hottest comedians," said Corrao. "With the success of the second season and his one-hour special, along with the incredible advance sales for our upcoming 'COMEDY CENTRAL LIVE' tour, Mencia has proven to be a true break-out star who's incredibly popular with our viewers and a huge asset to our network. Renewing this series was a very easy decision for us and we are excited to be a part of the rapid growth of the Carlos Mencia brand."
"I'm just glad that I don't have to clean bathrooms for at least one more year," said Mencia.
"Mind of Mencia" is COMEDY CENTRAL's second highest rated series this year, behind only "South Park." Since its second season premiere, the series has averaged 2.1 million viewers (P2+) and was the number one program in its basic cable timeslot (Wednesdays at 10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) among P18-49 and all key male demos (M18-24, M18-34 and M18-49). The hit series has enjoyed a stunning +55% increase in P18-49 ratings compared to the first season average. (*Source: Nielsen Media Research, 3/22/06-5/10/06)
Shot in studio and on location, "Mind of Mencia" is based on Mencia's unique point of view of the world including such topics as ethnic stereotypes, race relations, immigration, war, patriotism, capitalism and family with brutal honesty and unrelenting provocation. The show includes Mencia's comments on pop culture and current events, man-on-the-street interviews, commercial parodies, as well as interaction with the studio audience.
Kicking-off on September 3, at the Borgata in Atlantic City, "COMEDY CENTRAL LIVE Presents CARLOS MENCIA: The Punisher Tour" will travel to more than 50 cities nationwide in his very own stylin' tour bus. Tickets are selling as fast as promoters can put them on sale with Mencia's rapidly growing fan base demanding that additional shows be added in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlantic City, Denver, San Antonio, Seattle, Atlanta, San Diego, Boston, Orlando, Washington D.C. and Tampa with more cities to be announced shortly.
Known for his hilarious yet unflinching opinions, Mencia is able to connect with a diverse audience by pointing out society's hypocrisy which has made him one of the most successful comedians in the country. His critically-lauded debut album, "Take A Joke America," was released in 2000, while his CD, "America Rules" was recorded live and features an hour of material that deals with the events of September 11. In addition, StudioWorks Entertainment released his first retail DVD, "Carlos Mencia: Not for the Easily Offended" in 2005 and COMEDY CENTRAL Home Entertainment released "Mind of Mencia Uncensored Season 1" DVD on March 21, 2006 and will release Mencia's COMEDY CENTRAL one-hour special, "No Strings Attached," DVD in fourth quarter 2006.
Mencia's film credits include "Three Amigos Live In Concert" and the independent films, "Outta Time" and "29 Palms." His television credits include guest-starring roles on "The Shield" and "The Bernie Mac Show," as well as two solo HBO specials and appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson."
Credits for "Mind of Mencia" include Mencia, Morton and Brian Hartt as executive producers with Lee Kernis and Tim Sarkes from Brillstein-Grey Entertainment serving as producers. Zoe Friedman is the executive in charge of production for COMEDY CENTRAL. Prior to receiving a series commitment, Mencia performed two "pilot presentations" at the COMEDY CENTRAL Stage, located in Hollywood, which is a developmental laboratory for the network.
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