SHOWTIME(R) TO DEBUT "ANDREW SANTINO: HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE" ON FRIDAY, JUNE 2 AT 9PM ET/PT

Comedy Special Is The Second Of Three Specials From Comedians Starring In The New Showtime Drama Series I'M DYING UP HERE

LOS ANGELES, CA - May 17, 2017 - Comedian and I'M DYING UP HERE star Andrew Santino returns to his Chicago hometown for the debut of his new one-hour comedy special ANDREW SANTINO: HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE on Friday, June 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Santino's hard-hitting special is the second of three standalone comedy events from the stars of the network's new drama series I'M DYING UP HERE, which premieres Sunday, June 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Shot at the historic Vic Theater and directed by Brandon Dermer, ANDREW SANTINO: HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE gives viewers an authentic taste of a city made of Italian beef, Old Style and deep dish. Walking us through his hometown, stopping at landmark moments of his life that have shaped him, Santino cleverly touches on everything from growing up thinking he was black and his disgust for bachelorette parties, to his bout with severe acne and envy of male porn stars.

Santino recently appeared in the feature The Disaster Artist, starring and directed by James Franco. Previously, he was the star of the half-hour comedy Mixology. His Comedy Central Half Hour stand-up special is available alongside his debut album Say No More on Comedy Central Records. He made his stand-up debut on Adam Devine's House Party and has since performed on Conan, and The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail and is a regular guest on @Midnight with Chris Hardwick. Santino headlined at Montreal's Just For Laughs comedy festival, as well as SXSW and numerous clubs across the country. He got his start acting and writing on the final season of Punk'd and guest starred on such shows as Children's Hospital, Arrested Development, Family Tree, The Office, The League and Deadbeat.

Following Santino in the trio of comedy specials featuring I'M DYING UP HERE cast members will be the premiere of ERIK GRIFFIN: THE UGLY TRUTH on Friday, July 7. The first of the three stand-up showcases, AL MADRIGAL: SHRIMPIN' AIN'T EASY, debuted May 5 on SHOWTIME

Santino is part of a large ensemble cast in the highly anticipated new one-hour SHOWTIME drama series I'M DYING UP HERE, which explores L.A.'s famed '70s stand-up comedy scene where the careers of legends such as David Letterman, Jay Leno and Richard Pryor were launched. The series delves into the inspired, damaged and complicated psyches of those who stand alone in front of an audience 'dying' for fame, fortune and, with any luck, a shot on Johnny Carson. The series stars Academy Award winner Melissa Leo, Ari Graynor, Michael Angarano, Clark Duke, Erik Griffin, RJ Cyler, Al Madrigal, and Jake Lacy. This fictional group of competitive but close-knit comedians is mentored by "Goldie" (Leo), a brassy comedy club owner who rules over her business with an iron fist, but nurtures her comedians with tough love. For Goldie and her crew, there's truly no such thing as an easy laugh. Produced by SHOWTIME, the series is created and executive produced by Dave Flebotte, and executive produced by Michael Aguilar and Golden Globe winner Jim Carrey, along with Christina Wayne for Endemol Shine Studios and Assembly Entertainment and based on the non-fiction book of the same name by William Knoedelseder.

SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple(R), Roku(R), Amazon, Google and Samsung at www.showtime.com/samsung. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Sony PlayStation(R) Vue and Amazon Channels. The network's authentication service, SHOWTIME ANYTIME, is available at no additional cost to SHOWTIME customers who subscribe to the network through participating providers. Subscribers can also watch on their computers at www.showtime.com and www.showtimeanytime.com.