HOWIE MANDEL TO HOST GSN'S 'THE GAME SHOW AWARDS'
(Santa Monica, CA)-- April 28, 2009 � GSN announced today that Howie Mandel will host THE GAME SHOW AWARDS�the very first awards show exclusively aimed at celebrating excellence in the genre of game shows. The two and a half-hour, star-studded extravaganza will premiere on June 6, 2009, at 8PM ET/7PM CT on GSN, and will honor classic and contemporary game shows, with special tributes to pioneers Bob Barker ("The Price is Right"), legendary game show producer Mark Goodson, and host/producer Monty Hall ("Let's Make a Deal").
Mandel commented, "I want THE GAME SHOW AWARDS to be unlike any awards show on television. I am trying to convince GSN to hire four co-hosts for the night. We'll see what happens."
Mandel is well known to game show fans as the host of the hit "Deal or No Deal," for which he received a 2008 Primetime Emmy� Award nomination for "Outstanding Reality/Competition Host." He also served as co-host of the 2008 Emmy� Award ceremony. His new hidden camera show, "Howie Do It"�which he hosts and executive produces�recently premiered on NBC.
Howie Mandel's versatile career has encompassed virtually all aspects of the entertainment spectrum, including television, film and stage. From his work on the Emmy� Award winning "St. Elsewhere," to the international animated children's series "Bobby's World," Mandel has become a mainstay of the American comedy scene. He got his start on the stand-up comedy circuit and continues to perform as many as 200 concerts a year throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Mandel is nominated for a GSN Game Show Award in the category of best game show host for his work on "Deal or No Deal."
As part of THE GAME SHOW AWARDS, GSN will pay tribute to three individuals who have helped make the beloved genre a staple of popular culture: long-time "The Price is Right" host Bob Barker; the legendary late game show producer Mark Goodson ("Match Game," "Password," "Family Feud"); and "Let's Make A Deal" host/producer Monty Hall, with each receiving special tributes for his contributions to the game show industry.
Awards categories run the gamut from the de rigueur (Best Game Show, Best Game Show Host, Favorite Classic Game Show) to the tongue-in-cheek (Favorite Game Show Sound Effect, Most Outrageous Game Show Contestant, Favorite Parting Gift). Non-traditional game shows also get their due (Best Reality Competition Show, Favorite Dating or Relationship Show), as do celebrity guests (Favorite Celebrity Player, Favorite Celebrity Team). Nominees include game show favorites such as Jeopardy!, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Hollywood Squares, Match Game, Name that Tune, The Newlywed Game, Pat Sajak, Vanna White, Howie Mandel, Betty White and Regis Philbin, as well as unexpected nominees, including Neil Patrick Harris, Serena Williams, the cast of "The Office," Rice-A-Roni, Turtle Wax, the "Barking Contestant," and the gong from "The Gong Show." A complete list of the awards categories and nominees follows below.
As always with GSN's original programming, THE GAME SHOW AWARDS will deliver a participatory experience for both at-home fans and those in the studio audience. Prior to the June 6 premiere, viewers will have the opportunity to visit GSN.com to vote for their favorite nominees in more than a dozen award categories. Fans can cast their votes for their favorite nominees until May 15 at http://www.gsnextras.com/awards. In addition, during the premiere telecast, at-home viewers will be encouraged to go online, where they can answer award show-related trivia for the chance to win cash and other exciting prizes.
In keeping with the participatory nature of game shows and GSN's programming, fans will be able to vote for their favorite nominees online at GSN.com in several categories, including best/favorite host, model, announcer, contestant, catch phrase, sound effect and others.
The show's studio audience�comprised of celebrities and fans who are passionate about game shows and games�will have the chance to win prizes during the show by playing familiar games, both on stage and in the aisles. Some of the award recipients will also be included in the game play by being given the opportunity to relinquish their awards to play games for more lucrative prizes.
In addition to the award presentations and tributes, THE GAME SHOW AWARDS will highlight famous game-show bloopers, spoofs and other funny moments from the game show canon.
THE GAME SHOW AWARDS will be held at the historic Wilshire Theatre�soon to be Saban Theatre�located in Beverly Hills, CA and will be produced by award show veteran and Emmy� Award Winner Michael Levitt. A former executive producer of "Hollywood Squares," Levitt's credits include "The TV Land Awards," "The Billboard Music Awards," "The Teen Choice Awards," "The Blockbuster Awards," "The World Music Awards," "The Scream Awards" and "The VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards."
About GSN
GSN is a multimedia entertainment company that offers original and classic game programming via its 70-million subscriber television network and online games sites. GSN's cross-platform content gives viewers and participants the opportunity to win cash and prizes, whether through GSN's popular TV game shows, gsn.com's free casual games or its WorldWinner competitive cash tournaments. GSN is distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. GSN and its subsidiary, WorldWinner.com, Inc., are owned by Liberty Media Corporation and Sony Pictures Entertainment. For further information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com.
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