or


[01/19/11 - 12:40 PM]
New First-Run Dating Reality Strip "Excused" Sold in More Than 50% of the Country
Iliza Shlesinger hosts the series, from the producers of "Blind Date."

[via press release from CBS]

NEW FIRST-RUN DATING REALITY STRIP "EXCUSED" SOLD IN MORE THAN 50% OF THE COUNTRY

Stations From Fox Television Stations, CBS Television Stations, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Weigel Broadcasting and More Among Those Signing on for Fall 2011 Syndication Launch

LOS ANGELES - January 19, 2011 - CBS Television Distribution (CTD) has sold the new first-run syndicated strip "Excused" to stations in more than 50% of the country, it was announced today by Joe DiSalvo, President of Sales for CTD.

The half-hour dating reality strip is cleared in the top three markets on WWOR-TV, New York (Fox); KCAL-TV (CBS), Los Angeles; and WCIU-TV, Chicago (Weigel). Among stations signing on are those from the following groups: Fox Television Stations, CBS Television Stations, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Weigel Broadcasting, Sunbeam Television Corp., Local TV Holdings, Cox Enterprises, Meredith Corp., Tribune Broadcasting, Post-Newsweek Stations, New Age Media, Titan Broadcast, Griffin Communications and Sun Broadcasting.

The show was sold cash plus barter into mostly late fringe and access time periods for a fall 2011 launch.

" 'Excused' is a fresh take on a dating show that will mine the comedy that traditionally comes with relationships," said DiSalvo. "Stations saw this strip as an opportunity to counterprogram and give viewers an alternative to off-network sitcoms."

"Excused" will be produced by Renegade 83 Entertainment, best known for its hit syndicated dating show "Blind Date," and executive produced by David Garfinkle and Jay Renfroe. Hosted by Iliza Shlesinger, who won the sixth season of "Last Comic Standing," each episode of "Excused" will start with a group of men competing for the affections of two women (or vice versa). Once the two women have eliminated the group of men down to one, the final man standing will have the opportunity to select the woman he wants to date.

CBS Television Distribution is the preeminent company in television syndication. CTD produces or distributes 12 first-run series and holds the largest distributed television library at 70,000 hours strong. Among CTD's critically-acclaimed programs are the #1 syndicated series Wheel of Fortune; the #2 rated game show Jeopardy!; the top two talk shows The Oprah Winfrey Show and Dr. Phil; the Emmy Award-winning talk show Rachael Ray; the Emmy Award-winning Dr. Phil spinoff The Doctors; the #1 entertainment newsmagazine Entertainment Tonight and its sister show The Insider; the #1 newsmagazine Inside Edition; the top two court shows Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown; the new Swift Justice With Nancy Grace; and popular off-network product, including the CSI and Star Trek franchises, Everybody Loves Raymond, NCIS, Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife and Hawaii Five-0. In addition, CTD handles the domestic television distribution of CBS News, CBS Films and Showtime. CTD is a unit of CBS Corp.





  [january 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· BLIND DATE (SYNDICATION)
· EXCUSED (SYNDICATION)
· LAST COMIC STANDING (NBC)





[12/17/25 - 02:06 PM]
Apple TV Expands "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" Universe with New Spin-Off Series
The thrilling new untitled Young Lee Shaw prequel stars Wyatt Russell, reprising his role as Colonel Lee Shaw.

[12/17/25 - 01:46 PM]
CBS Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Hollywood Legend in "CBS News: Rob Reiner - Scenes from a Life" to Be Broadcast Dec. 21, 8:30 PM, ET/8:00 PM, PT
The one-hour special replaces the previously announced holiday-themed episodes of "Hollywood Squares," which move to Monday, December 22 at 10:00/9:00c.

[12/17/25 - 01:30 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks #1 in Total Viewers
"Nightline" also posted week-to-week increases in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54.

[12/17/25 - 01:00 PM]
CBS Media Ventures Adds Three Titles to Their Distribution Slate for Fall 2026
"Adam's Law," "America's Funniest Home Videos," and "American Mayhem" are all on tap.

[12/17/25 - 12:00 PM]
CBS Is Turning All of America Into an Epic Adventure for the "Survivor 50 Challenge"
For the first time ever, newcomers, longtime viewers and anyone who loves a good challenge will have the chance to strategize, uncover clues, solve riddles and track down authentic immunity idols hidden in their state.

[12/17/25 - 11:59 AM]
Video: Official Season 8 Trailer - "The Rookie"
On Tuesday, January 6 on ABC, get ready for a season premiere with explosive action, unexpected alliances, and cases that stretch across continents.

[12/17/25 - 11:30 AM]
FOX Entertainment Studios Signs Producer Jeffrey Levine and His Bronson Canyon Pictures to Multi-Year First-Look Deal
Under the agreement, Levine will develop and produce scripted television series for the studio across broadcast, streaming, and emerging digital storytelling platforms.

[12/17/25 - 10:16 AM]
Versant Announces Long-Term Partnership Extension with Rory McIlroy and Launch of New Production Venture
Under the agreement, which extends through 2038, Rory McIlroy will continue to serve as the global face and partner of GolfPass, reinforcing the platform's premium positioning and its commitment to best-in-class golf experiences.

[12/17/25 - 10:05 AM]
Video: "Scars of Beauty" - Second Season Confirmed - HBO Max
After much gossip and rumors, we're here to clarify that... it's real!

[12/17/25 - 10:05 AM]
Video: "Tyler Perry's Sistas" Returns for Season 10 - Premieres January 7 at 9/8c
Tyler Perry's hit series returns for Season 10 with new drama, deeper friendships, and unexpected twists.

[12/17/25 - 10:00 AM]
"Hollywood Squares" Kicks Off Season 2 with Star-Studded Celebrity Lineup
This season's newcomers who will share the board with famed center square Drew Barrymore include Anthony Anderson, Glenn Close, Kat Dennings, Fortune Feimster, Zarna Garg, Jay Mohr, Padma Lakshmi, Joel McHale, Ariana Debose and Arsenio Hall.

[12/17/25 - 10:00 AM]
AMC Networks' January Highlights Include "Gangs of London," "Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale," "My Life Is Murder," "Planet Earth: Kingdom" and More
Other premieres include the new series "Wolf" on AMC+ and Shudder, based on Mo Hayder's acclaimed Jack Caffrey novels.

[12/17/25 - 09:46 AM]
Netflix Announces Series Adaptation of Liz Moore's "The God of the Woods"
Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the new series follows the wealthy Van Laars as they fight to hold their family together, unearthing devastating secrets in the process.

[12/17/25 - 09:43 AM]
The Academy Partners with YouTube for Exclusive Global Rights to the Oscars and Other Academy Content Starting in 2029
The multi-year deal begins in 2029 with the 101st Oscars ceremony and runs through 2033.

[12/17/25 - 09:34 AM]
ESPN to Debut "MNF Playbook with Next Gen Stats" Dec. 22, An NFL Data-Cast Aimed at Avid Fans; Complements "Monday Night Football" and ESPN NFL Postseason Slate
In Week 16 and 17, Luke Kuechly - the former Carolina Panthers standout linebacker and seven-time Pro Bowler - will team up with ESPN NFL analysts Dan Orlovsky and Field Yates from ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Conn.