VH1 Launches Online Site to Cast One Would-Be Suitor for the Upcoming Season of 'The Pick-Up Artist 2'

Online Submission Process Begins Today At PickUpArtist2Casting.com "The Pick-Up Artist 2" Slated To Premiere 4th Quarter, 2008 With "Mystery," "Matador" and New Wing Girl Tara

NEW YORK, March 20 -- VH1 is teaming up with world-renowned pick-up artist Mystery for a second season of the hit how-to dating series "The Pick-Up Artist." Beginning today, an online casting call has launched at http://PickUpArtist2Casting.com. One would-be suitor who doesn't yet have what it takes to make it in the dating world will be cast alongside seven other men in the upcoming "The Pick-Up Artist 2," premiering later this year.

The 10-week online casting competition will be divided into three rounds that are loosely based on the "how-to" techniques Mystery teaches in the series. For example, online contestants will need to tell a 1-minute story about themselves that they believe will capture the attention of a woman. In another round, contestants will be asked to describe their perfect date, among other things. For each round, users will be required to upload a selection of videos, photos and essays about themselves.

The desperately in-need-of-help "winner" will be chosen by online voters and will appear on the upcoming season of "The Pick-Up Artist 2." While one person will be chosen online by the users, the show's producers will be accessing the site and may consider others they find online during their casting process to find the remaining seven men.

"The first season of 'The Pick-Up Artist' hit a nerve with viewers and quickly became a cultural phenomenon that went deeper than watching awkward men attempting to perfect their dating skills. It resonated, because at some point everyone has experienced feeling insecure about striking up conversation with someone," said Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President of Programming and Development, VH1. "By opening up the casting process online, every guy has a shot at earning one of the prized slots in the world's most unique 'classroom'."

This season of "The Pick-Up Artist" brings a new twist to the show, as a female wing girl will join Mystery in the quest to whip the eight cast members into dating shape. Filling this role will be Tara, Mystery's part-time helper from season one. This season she is returning as a full-time wing girl. With help from Mystery, Tara and Mystery's returning wingman, Matador, these men will go through a rigorous 8-week session in the hopes that they will learn the ins and outs of the dating scene. At the end of the eight weeks, one winner will be named "Master Pick-Up Artist" and will be awarded $50,000.

The first season of "The Pick-Up Artist" averaged 1.2 million total viewers, 35% higher than VH1 prime average during the 4th quarter of 2007. The series was a viewer hit, driving VH1 to be a top-five network on basic cable in its 9-10 PM time period during its run.

"The Pick-Up Artist 2" is a production of 3 Ball Entertainment and VH1. JD Roth, Todd Nelson and Adam Greener are executive producers for 3 Ball Entertainment. Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes and Noah Pollack are executive producers for VH1.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1 Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

SOURCE VH1
http://www.vh1.com http://PickUpArtist2Casting.com