HBO/CINEMAX PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW

DRAMA SERIES

BIG LOVE: Returning for its fourth season, this acclaimed series tells the story of Salt Lake City native Bill Henrickson, who balances the needs of his three wives � Barb, Nicki and Margene � their nine kids, three houses and his entrepreneurial ambitions. Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chlo� Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin star in the show, which is executive produced by Playtone's Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, David Knoller, Bernadette Caulfield, and series creators Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer. The new season begins Jan. 10.

TREME: From David Simon, creator of "The Wire" and "Generation Kill," and Eric Overmyer, writer-producer of "Homicide," this new HBO series explores a unique American culture rebuilding after historic devastation, chronicling the life of New Orleans residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The hour-long show stars Wendell Pierce as a trombonist trying to make ends meet in a struggling music scene; Khandi Alexander as his ex-wife, who runs a bar; Clarke Peters as the chief of a tribe of Mardi Gras Indians returning to rebuild his home and culture; Rob Brown as his son, a well-known musician; Steve Zahn as a DJ and music scene regular; Kim Dickens as a chef trying to keep her restaurant afloat; Melissa Leo as a civil rights lawyer; John Goodman as an outspoken professor; and Michiel Huisman and Lucia Micarelli as young street musicians searching for their big break. The pilot is directed by Agnieszka Holland. Debuts in April.

TRUE BLOOD: Based on the popular Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, this hit drama series was created by Alan Ball, creator of HBO's Emmy(R)-winning series "Six Feet Under." The show follows the romance between waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people's thoughts, and her soul mate, 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). The third season kicks off in summer 2010.

IN TREATMENT: Golden Globe winner and Emmy(R) nominee Gabriel Byrne stars as Dr. Paul Weston in the critically acclaimed series, which will begin production on its third season in early 2010, with debut scheduled for later in the year.

BOARDWALK EMPIRE: Set in 1920 at the dawn of Prohibition, this new drama series chronicles the life and times of Nucky Thompson, the undisputed leader of Atlantic City, who was equal parts politician and gangster. Steve Buscemi stars as Thompson; other cast members include Michael Pitt, Michael Shannon, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Stuhlbarg, Michael K. Williams, Dabney Coleman and Gretchen Mol. The series was created by Terence Winter ("The Sopranos"), who also serves as executive producer with Martin Scorsese (who directed the first episode), Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg and Tim Van Patten. The season kicks off in fall 2010.

COMEDY SERIES

HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA: This new comedy series follows two enterprising Brooklyn twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream by making a name for themselves in the competitive fashion scene. Bryan Greenberg, Victor Rasuk, Luis Guzman, Lake Bell and Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi star. Executive produced by Stephen Levinson, Rob Weiss, series creator Ian Edelman, Julian Farino, Jada Miranda and Mark Wahlberg, the show kicks off with eight episodes starting Feb. 14.

THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW: This animated adaptation of Ricky Gervais' hit podcasts features the comic, stream-of-consciousness exchanges between Gervais, his collaborator Stephen Merchant and their offbeat friend Karl Pilkington. Debuts Feb. 19.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM: This animated series about an average guy whose instincts repeatedly lead him down the wrong path was created by Steve Dildarian, who also executive produces and writes the show, and provides the voice of the title character. The second season kicks off Feb. 19.

FUNNY OR DIE PRESENTS: Executive produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy, the masterminds behind the groundbreaking Funny or Die website, this half-hour sketch-comedy series provides a creative forum for fresh young comedians, actors and writers in an anything-goes comedy environment. Episodes debut late-night Friday starting Feb. 19.

EASTBOUND & DOWN: Starring Danny McBride and executive produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Chris Henchy, Jody Hill, Danny McBride and Ben Best, this comedy series tells the story of a star pitcher whose self-destructive behavior knocks him out of major league baseball, leaving him broke, delusional and desperate to regain his former glory. The series returns for its second season in 2010.

HUNG: This comedy series stars Thomas Jane as a well-endowed former high school legend turned struggling middle-aged high school basketball coach, who figures out a way to use his best asset when faced with a financial crisis. Jane Adams, Anne Heche, Sianoa Smit-McPhee and Charlie Saxton also star. The series is written and created by Dmitry Lipkin and Colette Burson. Lipkin and Burson executive produce with Michael Rosenberg and Alexander Payne; Scott Stephens and Emily Kapnek are co-executive producers. The second season kicks off in summer 2010.

ENTOURAGE: Created by Doug Ellin, this hit series draws on the experiences of Hollywood insiders, and stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and three-time Emmy(R) winner Jeremy Piven. The seventh season kicks off in summer 2010.

BORED TO DEATH: Created by Jonathan Ames, this half-hour comedy series stars Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis. Schwartzman portrays a struggling thirtysomething Brooklyn writer who pretends to be a private detective, solving some cases and making others worse. Executive producers are Jonathan Ames, Sarah Condon, Dave Becky, Stephanie Davis and Troy Miller. Production on the second season begins in 2010.

OTHER SERIES

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER: Returning for its eighth season, Maher's live weekly show is devoted to news and comedy, allowing him to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues. Editions will debut Friday nights, with the season kicking off Feb. 19.

COMEDY SPECIALS

BILL MAHER�BUT I'M NOT WRONG: A week before kicking off the eighth season of his weekly series, Bill Maher stars in an all-new hour of stand-up comedy, presented live from the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, NC. the special features Maher's acerbic takes on a wide range of social and political issues. Debuts Feb. 13.

HBO FILMS

TEMPLE GRANDIN: Claire Danes stars in the title role of this HBO Films presentation of a Ruby Films/Gerson Saines production, based on the true story of the best-selling author, animal scientist and autism advocate, whose own autism affords her uncanny powers of observation. Grandin's insight into the complexities of animal behavior has revolutionized the cattle industry. Directed by Mick Jackson, the film also stars Catherine O'Hara with Julia Ormond and David Strathairn. The screenplay is by Christopher Monger and William Merritt Johnson, based upon the books "Emergence," by Temple Grandin and Margaret Scariano, and "Thinking in Pictures," by Temple Grandin. Executive produced by Emily Gerson Saines, Gil Bellows, Alison Owen, Paul Lister, Anthony Edwards and Dante Di Loreto; Scott Ferguson produces. Debuts Feb. 6.

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK: In 1990, Dr. Jack Kevorkian (aka Dr. Death) astonished the world as he took the end of life debate head on with his "Mercy Machine" and performed his first assisted suicide. Starring Al Pacino in a film by Barry Levinson, this HBO Films presentation follows Kevorkian as he builds his infamous Mercitron and starts a media frenzy with his epic legal battles defending a patient's right to die. Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Danny Huston and Brenda Vaccaro also star. An HBO Films Presentation of a Levinson/Fontana Production in Association with Bee Holder Productions and Cine Mosaic Productions; written by Adam Mazer; executive producers, Barry Levinson, Tom Fontana, Lydia Dean Pilcher, Steve Lee Jones, and Glenn Rigberg; producer Scott Ferguson. Debuts in spring 2010.

THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: This HBO Films presentation examines the unique and sometimes turbulent political relationship between newly installed British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President Bill Clinton. Starring Michael Sheen, Dennis Quaid, Hope Davis and Helen McCrory, the film is directed by Richard Loncraine from a script by Peter Morgan. An HBO Films Presentation in association with BBC of a Kennedy-Marshall Production and Rainmark Films Production of a Richard Loncraine Film. Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Andy Harries, Peter Morgan and Christine Langan executive produce; Frank Doelger, Tracey Scoffield and Ann Wingate produce. Debuts in spring 2010.

THE SUNSET LIMITED: Based on the play of the same name by Pulitzer Prize winner Cormac McCarthy, this two-character drama tells the story of a stranger who saves another man from throwing himself in front of a Harlem subway train known as the Sunset Limited. Secluded in the apartment of the rescuer, the two men from vastly different backgrounds engage in an intense exchange of ideas as they debate the value of their existence. Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson star; written by Cormac McCarthy; directed and executive produced by Jones; produced by Barbara Hall.

HBO MINISERIES

THE PACIFIC: This epic ten-part miniseries tracks the intertwined odysseys of three U.S. Marines � Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Eugene Sledge (Joe Mazzello) and John Basilone (Jon Seda) � across the vast canvas of the Pacific Theater during World War II. It follows these men and their fellow Marines from their first battle with the Japanese on Guadalcanal, through the rain forests of Cape Gloucester and the strongholds of Peleliu, across the bloody sands of Iwo Jima and through the horror of Okinawa, and finally to their triumphant but uneasy return home after V-J Day. The HBO Miniseries presentation of a Playtone and DreamWorks production is executive produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, the producing team behind the Emmy(R)- and Golden Globe-winning 2001 HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers"; Hanks and Goetzman also executive produced the 2008 HBO miniseries "John Adams," which won a record 13 Emmys(R). Debuts March 14.

HBO DOCUMENTARIES

A FAMILY IS A FAMILY IS A FAMILY: A ROSIE O'DONNELL CELEBRATION: This documentary challenges traditional stereotypes, creating a portrait of the modern American family with all its remarkable diversity. What is a family? Sometimes it's a mom and dad and their kids. Or it might be kids who have only one mom or dad. Other times, it could be kids who have more than one mom or dad. Through their own clear and cheerful voices, children speak from the hearts about parents, siblings, marriage and love in this moving documentary. Executive producers, Rosie O'Donnell and Sheila Nevins. Debuts Jan. 31.

THE BLACK LIST: VOL. 3: This exclusive presentation offers dramatic portraits of some of today's most fascinating and influential African-Americans, who share their stories and insights into the struggles, triumphs and joys of black life in the U.S. This is the third collaboration between celebrated portrait photographer and filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, who directs, and award-winning journalist Elvis Mitchell, who interviews such notables as actress Whoopi Goldberg, Dr. Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund, actor Hill Harper, musician John Legend and supermodel Beverly Johnson. Debuts Feb. 8.

REPORTER: This documentary follows Nicholas Kristof, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the New York Times, whose thought-provoking columns have helped focus the international media spotlight on humanitarian crises around the world. The film offers insights into how the celebrated writer connects with readers by searching for individuals whose intimate stories capture their country's desperate crisis, thereby mobilizing audiences worldwide. Keenly aware that broad statistics numb his readers' interest and compassion, Kristof and two young travelers journey to the Congo to find that one transcendent story that will connect with hearts and minds around the world. Executive produced by Ben Affleck; directed by Eric Daniel Metzger. Debuts Feb. 18.

AFGHAN STAR: Winner of the Directing and Audience Awards in Sundance's 2009 World Documentary competition, this documentary is a window into a country's tenuous, ongoing struggle for modernity. Since 2005, millions have been tuning into Tolo TV's wildly popular "American Idol"-style series "Afghan Star." Observing the Afghani people's relationship to its pop culture, this film tells the dramatic stories of four young finalists � two men and two very brave women � who hazard everything to become Afghanistan's favorite performer. Debuting after the debut of AFGHAN STAR, STAR STRUCK: SETARA ACT II (working title) follows up the story of one of the featured female characters, spotlighting the attention Setara drew to the show and to herself with a controversial performance, and reveals what her life is like today. Both films are directed by Havana Marking and debut March 18.

GOOGLE BABY: Directed by first-time filmmaker Zippi Brand Frank, this timely documentary shines a light on the relatively new practice of outsourcing birth. The film follows Doron, an Israeli entrepreneur with a high-tech background, who proposes a new service with embryos fertilized in the U.S. and babies implanted in the wombs of surrogates in India, and Dr. Nayna Patel, whose clinic in Gujarat, India, recruits surrogate mothers, houses them for the duration of their pregnancies, removes the babies by caesarean section, and hands over the infants to paying clients. Exploring nuances and grey areas of this complex issue, the documentary weaves together stories of people involved at every step of surrogacy. Debuts in April.

A MOTHER'S COURAGE: TALKING BACK TO AUTISM: Narrated by Oscar(R) winner Kate Winslet, this moving special tells the story of Margr�t, who has done everything in her power to help her son Keli, a severely autistic 11-year-old. Though she holds no unrealistic aspirations for Keli, Margr�t has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about this mysterious and complex condition. Throughout her quest, she meets other families and hears their unique stories of being touched by autism. Directed by Fri�rik ��r Fri�riksson. Debuts in April.

I KNEW IT WAS YOU: This exclusive presentation is a portrait of actor John Cazale, whose big-screen career encompassed just five movies � five of the greatest films of his generation � before his death from cancer at age 42 in 1978. Each earned a Best Picture Oscar(R) nomination and teamed him with some of the leading actors and directors of the 20th century. Interspersed with clips from "The Godfather," "The Godfather: Part II," "The Conversation," "Dog Day Afternoon" and "The Deer Hunter" are rarely seen photos and home video, as well as candid interviews with a pantheon of Hollywood royalty, including Al Pacino, Gene Hackman, Robert De Niro, Richard Dreyfuss, Meryl Streep and Sidney Lumet. Directed by Richard Shepard; produced by Brett Ratner, Stacey Reiss and Richard Shepard. Debuts in May.

HBO2 DOCUMENTARIES

THIS IS MY AFRICA: This documentary is a unique journey into an Africa that many don't know. Directed and produced by Zina Saro-Wiwa, daughter of Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, and featuring interviews with actors Colin Firth and Chiwetel Ejiofor, among others, the film weaves together the observations of 20 Africans and Africaphiles, delivering a crash course on African culture. Debuts Feb. 3.

GETTING OVER HIM IN 8 SONGS OR LESS: Debuting on Valentine's Day, this is an animated musical chronicle of one women's journey after her husband of 17 years leaves her, offering a sexy, funny and poignant reminder that losing love can mean finding yourself. Directed by Debra J. Solomon. Debuts Feb. 14.

MAKING THE CROOKED STRAIGHT: This documentary spotlights Long Island-born Dr. Rick Hodes, who has dedicated his life to helping heal the sick and poor of Ethiopia for 20 years. In addition to offering hospital care, Hodes has provided a foster home for 17 children, giving them a loving environment and an education. The film explores this remarkable man's work, his family life and the spirituality that has guided his choices and sacrifices. Directed by Susan Cohn Rockefeller. Debuts March 10.

AN OMAR BROADWAY FILM: This documentary tells the story of an incarcerated man who smuggled a video camera into a maximum security prison to expose the excessive force used by the guards, and capture the realities of day-to-day life there. Directed by Douglas Tirola and Omar Broadway. Debuts March 24.

STUDS TERKEL: LISTENING TO AMERICA: Directed by Eric Simonson (the Best Documentary Short Oscar(R) winner "A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin"), this thought-provoking special celebrates America's greatest oral historian. Surveying Terkel's eccentric career as an actor, musicologist, activist and best-selling author, the film underscores his quintessentially American philosophy that every life counts, and everyone's story is worth telling. Linda Ellerbee executive produces. Debuts in April.

THE LAZARUS EFFECT: Produced in association with (RED), this timely special examines what happens when Africans suffering from HIV/AIDS without adequate health care are suddenly able to get access to lifesaving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Within months, they can transform from being near death to healthier, functioning and productive members of their families and societies. The film profiles a number of people in Zambia who are in the process of this remarkable transformation from despair to hope. Directed by Lance Bangs. Debuts May 5.

MUSIC BY PRUDENCE: Directed by Roger Ross Williams, this exclusive presentation follows a band of disabled Zimbabwe teenagers and their singer, Prudence Mabhena, who find social acceptance through music in a society where physical disabilities are seen as a curse and the afflicted are often disowned by their families. Debuts May 12.

SAVING AFRICA'S WITCH CHILDREN: This documentary spotlights the work of Englishman Gary Foxcroft, who has devoted his life to helping thousands of poor, vulnerable Nigerian children branded as witches and blamed for catastrophes, death and famine. Directed by Mags Gavan and Joost van der Valk. Debuts May 19.

SPORTS

REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL: Winner of 21 Sports Emmys(R), and the only sports show ever to receive a Columbia University-duPont broadcast journalism award, the magazine program explores issues, controversies and personalities in the sports world with more provocative reports in new monthly editions. Host Bryant Gumbel is joined by correspondents Mary Carillo, Frank Deford, Jon Frankel, Bernard Goldberg and Andrea Kremer. The first edition of 2010 debuts Jan. 19.

24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON: RACE TO DAYTONA: HBO Sports' groundbreaking reality presents its first non-boxing series, an all-new, four-episode, all-access show chronicling the four-time Sprint Cup champion and his team as they prepare for the Daytona 500, the Super Bowl of auto racing. Debuts Jan. 26.

MAGIC & BIRD: A COURTSHIP OF RIVALS: This HBO Sports documentary chronicles the fierce 30-year rivalry between basketball legends Larry Bird of the Celtics and Earvin "Magic" Johnson of the Lakers, as well as exploring their unlikely friendship. Debuts March 6.

BROAD STREET BULLIES: This HBO Sports documentary looks at the legendary, controversial Philadelphia Flyers Stanley Cup championship hockey teams of the 1970s. Debuts during the Stanley Cup Playoffs in May.

HBO THEATRICAL MOVIES

JANUARY

YES MAN � Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel. (Directed by Peyton Reed; with screenplay by Nicholas Stoller and Jarrad Paul & Andrew Mogel; based on the book by Danny Wallace.) Debuts Jan. 16.

ROLE MODELS � Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jane Lynch and Elizabeth Banks. Debuts Jan. 23.

12 ROUNDS � John Cena, Aidan Gillen, Ashley Scott, Steve Harris and Brian White. (Directed by Renny Harlin; written by Daniel Kunka.) Debuts Jan. 30.

FEBRUARY

TEMPLE GRANDIN � Claire Danes, Catherine O'Hara with Julia Ormond and David Strathairn. (HBO Films presentation � see above for details.) Debuts Feb. 6.

17 AGAIN � Zak Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg and Matthew Perry. Debuts Feb. 13.

FROST/NIXON � Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones, Kevin Bacon and Oliver Platt. (Directed by Ron Howard; based on the play by Peter Morgan; screenplay by Peter Morgan.) Debuts Feb. 20.

FAST & FURIOUS � Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz and Laz Alonso. (Directed by Justin Lin; based on characters created by Gary Scott Thompson; written by Chris Morgan.) Debuts Feb. 27.

MARCH

INKHEART � Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent. Debuts March 6.

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS � Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert and Paul Rudd. Debuts March 13.

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST � Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner. Debuts March 20.

GRAN TORINO � Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang and Ahney Her. Debuts March 27.

CINEMAX "SEE IT SATURDAY" THEATRICAL MOVIES

JANUARY

I LOVE YOU, MAN � Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, J.K. Simmons, Jane Curtin, Jon Favreau and Jaime Pressly. (Directed by John Hamburg; story by Larry Levin; screenplay by John Hamburg and Larry Levin.) Debuts Jan. 16.

STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI � Kristin Kreuk, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough, Robin Shou, Moon Bloodgood, Josie Ho, Taboo and Michael Clarke Duncan. (Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak; screenplay by Justin Marks.) Debuts Jan. 23.

THE UNBORN � Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Cam Gigandet, Meagan Good and Jane Alexander. Debuts Jan. 30.

FEBRUARY

DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION � Justin Chatwin, Emmy Rossum, Jamie Chung and Chow Yun-Fat. (Directed by James Wong; based on the graphic novel series "Dragonball"; screenplay by Ben Ramsey.) Debuts Feb. 6.

MISS MARCH � Zach Cregger, Trevor Moore, Craig Robinson and Hugh M. Hefner. (Directed by Zach Cregger & Trevor Moore; story by Dennis Haggerty & Ryan Homchick & Thomas Mimms; screenplay by Zach Cregger & Trevor Moore.) Debuts Feb. 13.

THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT � Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter and Sara Paxton. Debuts Feb. 20.

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL � Jennifer Connelly, Jaden Smith, John Cleese, Jon Hamm and Kathy Bates. (Directed by Scott Derrickson; based on the screenplay by Edmund H. North; screenplay by David Scarpa.) Debuts Feb. 27.

MARCH

OBSERVE & REPORT � Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena and Ray Liotta. (Written and directed by Jody Hill.) Debuts March 6.

TAKEN � Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky, Katie Cassidy, Holly Valance and Famke Janssen. (Directed by Pierre Morel; written by Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen.) Debuts March 13.

FIGHTING � Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard. Debuts March 20.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE � Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan and Ryan Reynolds. (Directed by Gavin Hood; screenplay by David Benioff and Skip Woods.) Debuts March 27.