or


[01/10/10 - 10:24 AM]
NBC's 'The Marriage Ref' Will Be Sneak-Previewed on February 28 Following Closing Ceremony of Winter Olympics
The half-hour tease will air Sunday, February 28 at 10:30/9:30c.

[via press release from NBC]

NBC'S 'THE MARRIAGE REF' WILL BE SNEAK-PREVIEWED ON FEBRUARY 28 FOLLOWING CLOSING CEREMONY OF WINTER OLYMPICS

COMEDY STANDOUT TOM PAPA TAPPED BY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JERRY SEINFELD TO SERVE AS THE 'MARRIAGE REF'

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - January 10, 2010 - "The Marriage Ref," NBC's new comedy panel series about the unpredictable and hilarious institution commonly known as marriage, will air a special sneak preview on Sunday, February 28 (10:30-11 p.m. ET) following NBC's coverage of the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

Additionally, comedian/actor Tom Papa has been personally selected by executive producer Jerry Seinfeld to host and serve as the "marriage ref."

The show will then premiere in its regular slot on Sundays (8-9 p.m. ET) beginning March 14.

The announcements were made today by Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment.

"Utilizing the Winter Olympics as a platform for introducing this show provides an extraordinary opportunity," said Gaspin. "We've wanted to be in business with Tom Papa for some time and we think this is the perfect vehicle to bring him on board."

Added Seinfeld: "Tom brings so much to the table that he is just the perfect fit to be the "marriage ref." In fact, having toured with him for over eight years, he was really the only person I considered when I was formulating the show. My feeling is that when you take a subject matter as rich and universal as marital disputes, and throw Tom Papa into the mix, the end result is bound to be refreshing and hilarious. Viewers are going to love him."

A seasoned comedian, Papa has starred in two standup specials on Comedy Central, with his next one to be directed by Steven Soderbergh. A familiar face to late-night television audiences, he has amassed more than 10 appearances on the NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and was a frequent guest on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Late Show with David Letterman."

As an actor, Papa starred opposite Matt Damon in the Soderbergh film "The Informant," and opposite Paul Giamatti in the animated feature, "The Haunted World of El Super Beasto," as the voice of the title character. He had a voiceover role on the DreamWorks animated feature "Bee Movie" and also served as a writer on the project. Among his other big-screen credits are the films "Analyze That" opposite Robert DeNiro, and "Comedian."

On television Papa also had a recurring role on "The New Adventures of Old Christine." Papa opened his one-man show "Only Human" to rave reviews at the prestigious 'Just for Laughs Festival' in Montreal, and he continues to tour with Seinfeld.

In "The Marriage Ref," married life takes center stage as disputes between real-life couples are revealed, examined -- and ultimately judged on who is right and who is wrong. For the first time, these couples will get something they've always wanted and never had, an undisputed winner ending their ongoing rift once and for all. These marital tiffs will run the gamut of disagreements -- quirky, funny, revealing, relatable, classic -- all in the signature Seinfeld tone.

"My goal is to bring the simplicity of sports and apply it to the overly complicated situations that we all face in marriage. A call is made, a decision is rendered, everyone moves on," said Seinfeld. "This is not a therapy show; it is a comedy show and after 10 years of marriage, I have discovered the comedic potential of this subject is quite rich."

Papa will be at the center of the action and ultimately will make "the call." He alone will have the final say in determining the victor of each spat. He will decide right in the spot, who is right and who is wrong - just like a referee. Advising and influencing Papa's decision will be a rotating panel of "experts" comprised of opinionated top celebrities, comedians and sports stars who will weigh in and offer their own wit, wisdom and unique opinions.

"The Marriage Ref" is produced by Seinfeld's Columbus 81 Productions and Ellen Rakieten Entertainment. Seinfeld, Ellen Rakieten ("The Oprah Winfrey Show"), Shed Media's Nick Emmerson ("Supernanny") and Jennifer O'Connell ("Supernanny"), Al Berman ("The Biggest Loser Live Finale," "The Celebrity Apprentice Live Finale"), Howard West ("Seinfeld") and George Shapiro ("Seinfeld") serve as executive producers. Beth McCarthy-Miller ("Saturday Night Live," "30 Rock") is the director. International distribution is by Endemol.





  [january 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· MARRIAGE REF, THE (NBC)
· NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, THE (CBS)





[10/03/25 - 02:17 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting '25 MLB Wild Card Series
Across eight games, the MLB Wild Card Series is averaging 4.4 million viewers, up 65% from last year.

[10/03/25 - 12:37 PM]
BET+ Sets October 23 Premiere for "Carl Weber's The Family Business" Season 6
The 10-episode season will premiere with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly, with the finale on Thursday, December 18.

[10/03/25 - 12:07 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Continues to Shatter Records - Growing Two Weeks in a Row Since Season Premiere for First Time Since 2005
Plus: "High Potential" hit a season high in Total Viewers (4.24 million), growing by double digits over the show's comparable third episode from last fall.

[10/03/25 - 10:57 AM]
Legends, Champions and Icons of October Highlight FOX Sports' Postseason Broadcaster Lineup
FOX Sports begins its Postseason coverage Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 PM ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One as the New York Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays.

[10/03/25 - 10:05 AM]
All-New Season of "Gold Rush" Returns with High-Stake Risks and Land Fury on Friday, November 7 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
With only a few short months to mine, top bosses and rising underdogs collide in a race to claim new ground, move more dirt, and strike it rich.

[10/03/25 - 09:12 AM]
FOX Nation Secures Exclusive U.S. Rights to Docuseries "Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar"
The acclaimed series will make its anticipated U.S. debut on FOX Nation on Monday, October 6.

[10/03/25 - 08:02 AM]
TNT Sports to Be Exclusive Home of 2025 NLDS & NLCS
Both best-of-five NLDS series begin Saturday, October 4.

[10/03/25 - 08:01 AM]
TNT Sports Sets BIG EAST Men's College Basketball Schedule for Inaugural 2025-26 Season
TNT Sports' regular season BIG EAST men's basketball schedule will feature 40 appearances by St. John's, UConn, Creighton, Xavier, and Marquette, programs that each clinched berths in last season's NCAA Men's Tournament.

[10/03/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "27 Nights" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a woman is admitted by her daughters to a psychiatric clinic for her carefree ways, an expert must judge if she is ill or simply wants to enjoy life.

[10/03/25 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Steve" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own.

[10/03/25 - 03:02 AM]
Miguel Herran Will Play Poli Diaz in "El Porto the Vallecas," the New Film by Daniel Calparsoro for Netflix
Inspired by true events, the film follows the life of Policarpo "Poli" Díaz (Miguel Herrán), a young man from Vallecas who, despite a childhood marked by poverty and family violence, became a boxing legend in 1980s Spain, even fighting for the world lightweight title.

[10/03/25 - 03:01 AM]
Netflix Honors Jane Goodall with Posthumous Release of "Famous Last Words" Docuseries Following Her Passing
The series showcases reflective interviews with some of the world's most influential cultural figures, who agreed to sit down and discuss their legacy, and give their final words, with the understanding that it would only be shared with the world after they passed.

[10/02/25 - 04:09 PM]
ESPN Delivers the Most-Watched WNBA Semifinals Ever
Game 5 between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces averaged 1.8 million viewers, peaking at 2.1 million.

[10/02/25 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Twisted Wonderland" - Trailer - Disney+
Your favorite villains reimagined in ways you've never dared to dream.

[10/02/25 - 02:51 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting Day One of MLB Wild Card Series
Coverage of Red Sox versus Yankees averaged 6.5 million viewers, peaking at 9.9 million.