TV Land Moguls Premieres April 21, 2004

[Pavan]

TV Land released this today at the Winter TCA Cable Tour:

TV'S MOST POWERFUL AND SUCCESSFUL PRODUCERS
PROFILED IN TV LAND MOGULS MERV GRIFFIN HOSTS SIX-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES TO PREMIERE ON TV LAND IN APRIL '04



Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 9, 2004 - TV Land, television's home to the best programming from the past 50 years, profiles television's most influential movers and shakers in the medium's history in a six-part documentary series entitled TV Land Moguls. Hosted by television veteran Merv Griffin, each one hour installment chronicles the creative pioneers who indelibly influenced the television industry. The series is narrated by actor Adam Arkin. The announcement was made today by Larry W. Jones, Executive Vice President and General Manager, TV Land and Nick at Nite.

Produced by the award-winning CBS News Productions, the documentary series is presented in six installments, with each installment focusing on a decade -- from television's rise in the early 1950's to date. The series highlights the creativity, innovation and business acumen that brought about significant contributions to the television industry as well as considerable personal wealth to the individual producers. The first episode of TV Land Moguls will premiere on Wednesday, April 21 (9-10:00 PM, ET/PT), with subsequent installments airing on the ensuing Wednesdays at 9:00 PM, ET/PT. Immediately following each telecast TV Land will present a specially themed programming block representing the work of moguls seen in that evening's episode.

Each installment presents the select group of producers and their significant creative contributions. Among the roster of celebrated producers featured are Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Sheldon Leonard, Danny Thomas, Carl Reiner, Quinn Martin, Sherwood Schwartz, Norman Lear, Grant Tinker, Aaron Spelling, Garry Marshall, Stephen J. Cannell, Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner, Stephen Bochco, Dick Wolf, Rob Burnett, Darren Star, and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Along with rarely seen archival footage, the series also features interviews with many of the actors and actresses who starred in the television programs showcased, including Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Marlo Thomas, Efrem Zimabalist, Jr., Tony Randall, John Amos, Mary Kay Place, Jean Stapleton, Henry Winkler, Gavin McLeod, Alec Baldwin, Joan Van Ark, Ricardo Montalban, Betty White, James Garner, Robert Guillaume, Dennis Franz, Jimmy Smitts, Cameron Manheim, Jesse Martin, Jason Priestly, Sarah Jessica Parker, William Peterson, David Caruso and Anthony LaPaglia.


Following is a brief synopsis of each episode:

The 50's: Television's Golden Age. Celebrated television icons Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Sheldon Leonard and Danny Thomas developed breakthrough television production and 3-camera filming before a live audience. They were instrumental in moving TV production to Los Angeles and brought quality, character driven sitcoms that were ratings winners.

The 60's: While Quinn Martin and Jack Webb brought gritty crime drama and feature film production quality to the television screen, Sherwood Schwartz and Paul Henning found success with zany sitcoms including The Beverly Hillbillies and Gilligan's Island.

The 70's - Part I: Because of their taste, style and tenacity, Grant Tinker (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda) and Norman Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, Sanford & Son) changed the television landscape forever. They broke down barriers, opened viewers' minds, shed light on the world "outside the box" -- illuminating the human spirit. The creative atmosphere at their production companies nurtured several generations of TV's best talent.

The 70's - Part II: Although dismissed by the critics, Aaron Spelling and his partner Leonard Goldberg had one of the most prolific and profitable production company's in the 70's -- from Charlie's Angels and Starsky & Hutch to The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. Former advertising executive, Lee Rich's Lorimar Productions produces The Waltons and Eight Is Enough, but it's Dallas that brings phenomenal ratings success and signals the emergence of primetime soaps (Dynasty, Knots Landing). Garry Marshall strikes a chord with America's funny bone with hits like The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy.

The 80's: Stephen J. Cannell dominated network primetime with action-adventure hits like Baretta, Rockford Files, the A-Team and Wiseguy. Stephen Bochco brought quirky, quality dramatic hits like Hill Streeet Blues, L.A. Law and N.Y.P.D. Blue. The decade also saw the outrageous sitcoms from Witt-Thomas-Harris Productions, including Soap and Benson. Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner achieve the pinnacle of success with their groundbreaking comedy series, The Cosby Show, Roseanne and A Different World.

The 90's: Prolific writer/producer David E. Kelley dominates with Chicago Hope, Picket Fences, Alley McBeal and The Practice. Dick Wolf's New York- based Law & Order franchise debuts. In addition to hosting and producing his own late night show, comedian David Letterman forms World Wide Pants and together with Rob Burnett produces The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn, the dramatic series Ed and the hit sit-com Everybody Loves Raymond. Darren Star collaborated with mogul Aaron Spelling to deliver the hit series Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place. He later goes on to produce HBO's phenomenally successful series, Sex and The City, which follows the funny and sometimes shocking exploits of four single women in New York City. Jerry Bruckheimer, one of the most successful feature film producer's in the history of movies, brings his big-budget film style to the small screen. Combining state of the art visual effects with authenticity and realism -"feature-television," his hits include C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI Miami, and Without A Trace.

Brett Alexander is Executive Producer of TV Land Moguls. Bob Waldman, Jan Legnitto, Jan Albert, and Margaret Murphy serve as producers. Series was created by Bob Waldman. Overseeing for TV Land is Sal Maniaci, Vice President, Production and Development for TV Land and Nick at Nite. Overseeing for CBS is Margery Baker- Riker, Vice President, CBS News Productions.

Now seen in over 82 million U.S. homes, TV Land's program mix features popular dramas, sitcoms, westerns, Retromercials® and a TV-referential interstitial environment, all programmed with a specific audience in mind - the first generation of Americans to grow up watching television and features all time classic hits like All In The Family, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie.

Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music, and comedy. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, Spike TV, TV Land, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.

[JT]

Among the roster of celebrated producers featured are Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Sheldon Leonard, Danny Thomas, Carl Reiner, Quinn Martin, Sherwood Schwartz, Norman Lear, Grant Tinker, Aaron Spelling, Garry Marshall, Stephen J. Cannell, Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner, Stephen Bochco, Dick Wolf, Rob Burnett, Darren Star, and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Good to see Desi and Lucy, Carl Reiner, Quinn Martin, Sherwood Schwartz, Norman Lear, Grant Tinker, Aaron Spelling, Garry Marshall and Darren Starr are going to be mentioned.

Along with rarely seen archival footage, the series also features interviews with many of the actors and actresses who starred in the television programs showcased, including Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Marlo Thomas, Efrem Zimabalist, Jr., Tony Randall, John Amos, Mary Kay Place, Jean Stapleton, Henry Winkler, Gavin McLeod, Alec Baldwin, JOAN VAN ARK, Ricardo Montalban, Betty White, James Garner, Robert Guillaume, Dennis Franz, Jimmy Smitts, Cameron Manheim, Jesse Martin, Jason Priestly, Sarah Jessica Parker, William Peterson, David Caruso and Anthony LaPaglia.

I love everyone from Dick Van Dyke all the way to Robert Guillaume, so I know I'll love the interviews. The name in caps is in caps because well.....do I even need to say it?

The 70's - Part I: Because of their taste, style and tenacity, Grant Tinker (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda) and Norman Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, Sanford & Son) changed the television landscape forever. They broke down barriers, opened viewers' minds, shed light on the world "outside the box" -- illuminating the human spirit. The creative atmosphere at their production companies nurtured several generations of TV's best talent.

The 70's - Part II: Although dismissed by the critics, Aaron Spelling and his partner Leonard Goldberg had one of the most prolific and profitable production company's in the 70's -- from Charlie's Angels and Starsky & Hutch to The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. Former advertising executive, Lee Rich's Lorimar Productions produces The Waltons and Eight Is Enough, but it's Dallas that brings phenomenal ratings success and signals the emergence of primetime soaps (Dynasty, Knots Landing). Garry Marshall strikes a chord with America's funny bone with hits like The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy.

WOOHOO!!! I can't wait for these two Wednesdays! The AARON SPELLING and LORIMAR parts are DEFINATLY must-see segments for me! They best have lots of clips of the primetime soaps!