NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL ANNOUNCES MICHAEL IAN BLACK, TOM PAPA AND SETH HERZOG AS CO-HOSTS OF NEW SERIES "DUCK QUACKS DON'T ECHO"

Pop Science Series Puts Odd, Unusual and Fun Hypotheses to the Test with Interactive, Original and Sometimes Wacky Experiments

Shooting Begins This Month in New York

(WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 12, 2013) National Geographic Channel (@natgeochannel) today announced Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack), Tom Papa (@tompapa) and Seth Herzog (@Thezog) as co-hosts of the new series Duck Quacks Don't Echo.

With production set to begin in New York City, Duck Quacks Don't Echo puts an entertaining spin on assessing the validity of weird, unusual and over-the-top hypotheses through a series of interactive, original scientific tests.

As co-hosts of the series, Black, Papa and Herzog will challenge each other by presenting their best theories - ranging from "Can shrimp run longer than the average human?" to "Is it impossible for a blindfolded person to walk, swim or drive in a straight line?" - and then put them to the test with real, in-studio and field experiments.

"Michael Ian Black, Tom Papa and Seth Herzog are all incredibly skilled at capturing an audience and we are thrilled to have such talented comedians joining us as co-hosts of Duck Quacks Don't Echo" said Heather Moran, executive in charge of production at National Geographic Channels. "Their humor and infectious personalities are an ideal fit for a series that encourages an interactive experience that makes science fun and entertaining."

Duck Quacks Don't Echo continues to build upon franchises that complement the hit series Brain Games, which sizes up the human brain using an intricate string of mind-boggling experiments, optical illusions, brainteasers and hard science; and The Numbers Game, which looks at how science and statistics may hold the keys to a longer, wealthier, calmer life. Both series are in a second season of production.

About Michael Ian Black

Comedian Michael Ian Black began his career with The State, a sketch comedy troupe he co-founded at New York University in 1988, which went on to have a successful run on MTV. He's currently hosting the hit TBS show "Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host," and is one of three comedians on National Geographic Channel's Duck Quacks Don't Echo. Recent projects include the Comedy Central special "Very Famous," and a popular podcast with Tom Cavanagh called "Mike and Tom Eat Snacks." He's authored several books, including the memoir "You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death and Other Humiliations," and "America, You Sexy Bitch" with Meghan McCain. Black co-created, wrote and starred in Comedy Central television series "Viva Variety," "Stella" and "Michael and Michael Have Issues." He's currently starring in two hit web series that have migrated to cable TV: "Burning Love" on E! and "You're Whole" on Adult Swim. Movie roles include "This Is 40," cult favorite "Wet Hot American Summer," "Take Me Home Tonight" and "Reno 911!: Miami." Michael co-wrote the 2007 comedy "Run, Fatboy, Run," directed by David Schwimmer and starring Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton. He also wrote and directed the 2006 release "Wedding Daze," starring Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher.

About Tom Papa

Tom Papa has more than 20 years' experience as a stand-up comedian and more recently has found success in film, television and radio, as well as on the live stage. Papa will star in the series "More Time with Family" for CBS, which he will executive produce with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. His second hour-long stand-up special, "Tom Papa: Freaked Out," which was directed by Rob Zombie, was recently released on Netflix and as a download. In May, Papa starred as Ray Arnett alongside Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in the HBO film "Behind the Candelabra," which won 11 Emmys, and he starred opposite Matt Damon in the Steven Soderbergh film "The Informant." Additional film credits include "Analyze That," "Comedian" and voiceover and writer credits in "Bee Movie." Papa recently hosted the NBC series "The Marriage Ref," which ran for two seasons; had a recurring role opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the CBS series "The New Adventures of Old Christine"; and starred in his own NBC series, "Come to Papa." Papa is host of the hit Sirius/XM show "Come to Papa," a weekly, hour-long program featuring extended interviews with comedians including Mel Brooks, Ray Romano, Carl Reiner and Jerry Seinfeld. Papa is a regular guest on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Conan" and "The Late Show with David Letterman."

About Seth Herzog

Seth Herzog is a popular New York City comedian who is currently a regular sketch performer and the resident comedian for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." He has also been a regular commentator on VH1 for the past nine years, and has had some memorable parts on NBC's "30 Rock," Comedy Central's "Chappelle's Show" and "Stella," CBS's "Love Monkey" and E!'s "Number 1 Single." On the big screen, you may have seen him in "Role Models," "Prime," "The Baxter," "The Ten," "In the Weeds" and "Safe Men." Herzog is the producer and host of the popular, long-running downtown New York City comedy showcase "Sweet," which was profiled in the New York Times last year. This year, he has appeared on the new season of Comedy Central's "John Oliver's NY Stand Up Show," is a pop culture satirist for E! News and is a part of Jimmy Fallon's "Clean Cut Comedy" Tour.

Duck Quacks Don't Echo is produced for National Geographic Channel by JimCo Productions; Jim Biederman and Marla Ratner are executive producers. For National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Michael J. Miller; vice president of production & development is Lynn Sadofsky; senior vice president of production & development is Alan Eyres; executive in charge of production is Heather Moran; and president is Howard T. Owens.

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About National Geographic Channels:

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in 85 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 48 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com.