Important Announcement! COMEDY CENTRAL's(R) 'Important Things with Demetri Martin' Renewed for a Second Season

Series To Return In 1Q 2010

NEW YORK, June 2 -- A very important show is returning to COMEDY CENTRAL for a second season. The sketch comedy series "Important Things with Demetri Martin" has been renewed for a second season, it was announced today by Lauren Corrao, president, original programming and development, COMEDY CENTRAL. The second season of "Important Things with Demetri Martin" will premiere in 1Q of 2010.

"The uniquely creative Demetri Martin brought a great new perspective to the network, striking a chord with our viewers and becoming an immediate sensation, especially among our core young men and Gen Y," said Corrao. "His talent is undeniable and we are looking forward to more important things from Demetri in the upcoming season."

"Thanks to COMEDY CENTRAL for extending the show's importance," said Martin.

Produced by Jon Stewart's Busboy Productions, "Important Things with Demetri Martin" launched on February 11 as COMEDY CENTRAL's most-watched series premiere since "Chappelle's Show" (2003) with an average of 2.8 million total viewers and was the most-watched program on all of television in Prime that night among Men 18-24, even beating out "American Idol." The first season of "Important Things," which ended on March 25, averaged 2.3 million total viewers and ranked as the #1 series in its timeslot in all of television among Men 18-24 and Men 18-34. (Source: Nielsen Media Research, most current data, 2/11/09-3/25/09)

Stand-up comedian, Emmy(R)-losing writer and all-around person, Demetri Martin (www.demetrimartin.com) is the creator, executive producer and star of "Important Things with Demetri Martin." In this sketch comedy series, Martin mixes stand-up comedy, sketches, animation, studio bits and music to explore one "important thing" per episode -- like Power, Safety or Chairs. Martin's jokes, drawings and hair play major roles in the series.

Based in New York City, Martin is an actor, stand-up comedian and writer who has performed in most English-speaking countries (not in South Africa or New Zealand, though). He has won trophies for his comedy in America, Scotland and Australia and has appeared on late-night television shows, both onstage and in the audience. Other important things that Martin has done include: a staff writer for "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"; a writer-performer for the Emmy(R) and Peabody(R) Award-winning "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"; a comedy CD called "These Are Jokes," which was released via COMEDY CENTRAL Records(R) in 2006; and a one-hour stand-up special for COMEDY CENTRAL called "Demetri Martin. Person." which premiered in 2007 and was also released on DVD by COMEDY CENTRAL Home Entertainment(R) and Paramount Home Entertainment.

Martin will next be seen as the lead actor in the Ang Lee film "Taking Woodstock" for Focus Features (premieres August 14) and is set to start filming "Moneyball" opposite Brad Pitt for Steven Soderbergh. He is also writing a book and screenplays, has brown hair and is allergic to peanuts.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com.