HENRY WINKLER SET TO APPEAR IN USA NETWORK'S ROYAL PAINS

Golden Globe Winner and Emmy Nominee Winkler tapped in key recurring role in the hit show's second season

LOS ANGELES, CA - February 5, 2010 - USA Network's original scripted series ROYAL PAINS returns for an 18-episode second season after its stunning debut as the #1 new original series on cable in 2009. Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Henry Winkler ("Happy Days," "Arrested Development") will recur in season two as Eddie R. Lawson, the absentee father to Hank and Evan. Season one concluded with a cliffhanger after Hank learned that their father had taken the majority of HankMed's funds.

Eddie arrives unannounced in the Hamptons, determined to reinsert himself into his sons' lives and make up for lost time. But his motives are unclear at best. He will have a considerable impact on HankMed, as Hank and Evan grow divided over whether family reunions are always something to celebrate.

ROYAL PAINS follows talented young doctor Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein), a disgraced New York City physician who reinvents himself as the hot new in-demand Doctor-for-Hire, making house calls any time, day or night to any patient in need. The series also stars Paulo Costanzo, Reshma Shetty and Jill Flint. ROYAL PAINS is executive produced by Michael Rauch, as well as Andrew Lenchewski, Rich Frank, Paul Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz. Chris Sacani and John P. Rogers serve as co-executive producers. ROYAL PAINS is from Universal Cable Productions.

ROYAL PAINS first season in 2009 was the top-ranked new series in cable history, delivering more P25-54, P18-49, P18-34, and total viewers than the freshman year of any other scripted series in history.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 98.5 million U.S. homes. A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.