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)




[02/22/25 - 08:09 AM]
"Portobello," from Marco Bellocchio, Debuts on Max in 2026
Max has announced its first Italian scripted original production.
[02/21/25 - 02:45 PM]
4 Nations Face-Off: Canada-USA Championship Game Delivers 9.3 Million Viewers; ESPN's Largest Hockey Audience Ever
The telecast peaked with 10.4 million viewers and was the most-viewed non-NFL event ever on ESPN+.
[02/21/25 - 11:22 AM]
New Vice Series "The Grudge" Premieres on March 26
Taking viewers inside sports' fiercest rivalries, where every game is more than a contest - it's a battle for pride, redemption, and legacy.
[02/21/25 - 10:15 AM]
"High Potential" Finishes Spectacular First Season Hitting Series Highs
In addition, "High Potential" achieved a remarkable benchmark for the finale episode, earning a series high on streaming and becoming ABC's best drama episode ever, based on seven-day views on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
[02/21/25 - 10:00 AM]
FOX's "The Quiz with Balls" Hosted by Jay Pharoah Rolls Into Season Two with Renewal of Hit Game Show
The popular game show pits brains against balls, combining a high stakes quiz show and a large-scale physical competition with each episode featuring two families competing for $100,000 in an epic "battle of the balls."
[02/21/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "CHAOS: The Manson Murders" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Directed by Errol Morris, the film untangles a web of conspiracy involving the CIA, LSD, Jack Ruby, the Manson Family, and Vincent Bugliosi, casting doubt on the official story of the 1960s' most infamous killing spree.
[02/21/25 - 08:00 AM]
"The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" Begins Streaming Exclusively on Max February 28
Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan.
[02/21/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: Netflix Unveils the Premiere Date and First Look of Dome Karukoski's "Little Siberia"
A pastor's faith turns upside down when a meteorite lands in his small Finnish town, its impact stirring up chaos and criminal intentions.
[02/20/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "When Life Gives You Tangerines" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In Jeju, a spirited girl and a steadfast boy's island story blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks and triumphs - proving love endures across time.
[02/20/25 - 04:01 PM]
Fremantle Announces "Neighbours" Will Be Resting from December 2025
"As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for 'Neighbours' - bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally," said Jason Herbison.
[02/20/25 - 04:01 PM]
ESPN Statement on Decision to Opt Out of Major League Baseball Deal
"We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN's coverage super-serves fans," said the company.
[02/20/25 - 01:22 PM]
Lifetime Announces Two New Original Movies for This Spring
Look for "Taken at a Basketball Game," starring D.B. Woodside and Claire Qute, on March 15; followed by "Wife Stalker," starring Keshia Knight Pulliam, on March 29.
[02/20/25 - 01:01 PM]
Leighton Meester to Guest Star in "Nobody Wants This" Season 2
She'll be playing Kristen Bell's middle school nemesis who Joanne crosses paths with as an adult.
[02/20/25 - 12:30 PM]
Hulu Renews Hit Drama Series "Paradise," from Dan Fogelman and Starring Sterling K. Brown, for a Second Season
Following the season one finale on Hulu on March 4, "Paradise" will air a full first season run on ABC beginning Monday, April 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
[02/20/25 - 12:00 PM]
Feature Documentary on Popular Dutch Actor Rutger Hauer "Like Tears in Rain" Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, March 13, 2025 on Viaplay
Through private, never-before-seen footage and candid interviews with family, friends and colleagues, his goddaughter Sanna Fabery de Jonge uncovers his intimate world in the revealing, acclaimed documentary.