New Original Comedy Series Will Premiere Exclusively on Starz in 2009
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Starz Entertainment is
ramping up its original programming slate with a new half-hour comedy
series, "Party Down," which will debut exclusively on Starz in first
quarter 2009. The 10-episode scripted series marks the first show produced
for the network by the premium channel's sister company Starz Media. The
announcement was made today by Stephan Shelanski, executive vice president,
programming, Starz Entertainment.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080522/LATH063LOGO-b)
The new original comedy series is created and executive produced by Rob
Thomas ("Veronica Mars," "Cupid") along with John Enbom, Paul Rudd and Dan
Etheridge. Enbom also serves as show runner. Co-executive producers are
Jennifer Gwartz and Danielle Stokdyk. Jennifer Dugan will produce the
series. William J. Hamm, executive vice president, originals productions,
Starz Media will oversee production.
"Party Down" follows a sextet of Hollywood wannabes making ends meet
working for a Los Angeles catering company as they chase their dreams of
stardom. Each episode is a catered event -- a sexy, senior singles mixer, a
video porn awards after-party, a super-sweet 16 party gone horribly wrong,
etc.
"We'll have opportunity for satirical lampooning of whatever subset the
party represents as we tell the ongoing stories of our catering crew," says
Rob Thomas. "If the original British version of 'The Office' was a show
about people who have given themselves over completely to the rat race,
'Party Down' is a show about people who have chased the dream for far too
long. We're particularly interested in mining the comedy of what happens as
the dream fades."
"'Party Down' is a new daringly fresh series that will bring a new
style of comedy to Starz," Shelanski said. "It further fulfills our mission
to produce intelligent, contemporary original series that traditional
networks cannot offer. We are pleased to work with Rob Thomas who brings a
unique and visionary style to his productions. 'Party Down' will be the
perfect companion show to our hit comedy series 'Head Case'. These two
shows will ensure a dependable destination for fresh, out of the norm
comedy entertainment."
Starz Media's Anchor Bay Entertainment will hold exclusive worldwide
home entertainment distribution rights to "Party Down," while the company's
Worldwide Distribution group will handle international television domestic
syndication sales. Starz Media produces and distributes entertainment for
television, for Starz as well as other networks, along with theatrical
releases, DVDs and new media programming.
"Party Down" is the latest installment in Starz' original programming
line-up. The channel's first dramatic series, "Crash," a co-production with
Lionsgate, premieres October 17. "Head Case," an original half-hour comedy
series, which stars Alexandra Wentworth is currently in production with 10
new episodes and will premiere in '09 along with "Party Down." Starz also
features "Starz Inside," a monthly series of original specials examining
people, trends and culture in movie entertainment hosted by film critic
Richard Roeper.
Starz Media, LLC, is a programming production and distribution company
operating worldwide. It includes the Film Roman, Anchor Bay Entertainment,
and Manga Entertainment brands. Its units create animated and live-action
programming -- including theatrical films -- and programming created under
contract for other media companies. It distributes that programming, and
programming acquired from outside producers, through home video retailers,
theaters, broadcasters, ad supported and premium television channels, and
Internet and wireless video distributors in the US and internationally.
Starz Media (http://www.starzmedia.com) is a controlled subsidiary of
Liberty Media Corporation attributed to the Liberty Capital Group.
Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie service provider operating
in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship
Starz(R) and Encore(R) brands with approximately 17 million and 31.3
million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000
movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services
including Starz HD, Encore HD, Starz On Demand, Encore On Demand, MoviePlex
On Demand, Starz HD On Demand, Encore HD On Demand, MoviePlex HD On Demand,
and Starz Play. Starz Entertainment (http://www.starz.com/) is an operating
unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media
Corporation, and is attributed to Liberty Entertainment Group, a tracking
stock group of Liberty Media Corporation.
Chelsye Burrows/Steve Belgard
Starz Entertainment
720.852.5838/5843
Chelsye.burrows@starz.com
Steve.belgard@starz.com
Jonathan Taylor
Starz Media
818.748.4032 (o) 310.592.3039 (m)
Jonathan.Taylor@starz.com
Dru Libby
BWR
310.248.6143
dlibby@bwr-la.com
SOURCE Starz Entertainment, LLC
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Related links:
http://www.starz.com
http://www.starzmedia.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080522/LATH063LOGO-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Chelsye Burrows, +1-720-852-5838,
Chelsye.burrows@starz.com, or Steve Belgard, +1-720-852-5843,
Steve.belgard@starz.com, both of Starz Entertainment, LLC; or
Jonathan Taylor of Starz Media, +1-818-748-4032, mobile,
+1-310-592-3039, Jonathan.Taylor@starz.com; or Dru Libby of BWR,
+1-310-248-6143, dlibby@bwr-la.com
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