NBC PROMISES SIZZLING SUMMER '06 WITH ORIGINAL DRAMA, ALTERNATIVE AND STANDUP COMEDY SERIES
Summer Fare Includes New Drama "Windfall," Alternative Series "Treasure Hunters" and Return of "Last Comic Standing"
BURBANK, Calif. -- January 22, 2006 -- NBC revealed its ambitious Summer 2006 programming lineup that features the original drama series "Windfall," the bold alternative series "Treasure Hunters" and the return of the standup comedy competition series "Last Comic Standing." The announcement was made today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.
"We want people to know that NBC is not taking the summer off, and in fact, we are offering an engaging new drama in 'Windfall,' a riveting new competition series in 'Treasure Hunters' and the return of the audience favorite 'Last Comic Standing,'" said Reilly.
Premiere dates and times for the programs will be announced later.
Money changes everything for a group of 20 young adult friends who serendipitously pool their cash at a neighborhood party to buy and win a record $386 million lottery jackpot in the fresh new drama series "Windfall." Unfortunately, their initial ecstasy is tempered by the romantic, social and family complications caused by instant wealth.
The ensemble cast includes Luke Perry ("Beverly Hills, 90210"), Jason Gedrick ("Boomtown"), Lana Parrilla ("Boomtown"), Sarah Wynter ("24"), D.J. Cotrona ("Skin"), Jon Foster ("The Door in the Floor"), Alice Greczyn ("The Dukes of Hazzard") and Jaclyn DeSantis ("Road Trip"). Each winner will react differently to their good fortune, some will find freedom and good deeds while others only unexpected ethical, legal, criminal and martial problems. "Windfall" is a production of Regency Television. Laurie McCarthy ("Felicity," "CSI: Miami") is the executive producer of the series.
"Treasure Hunters" -- from Imagine Television and the producers of "Project Greenlight," "Project Runway" and "Last Comic Standing" ? is a fast-paced, adventure-reality series. In "Treasure Hunters," multi-player teams try to stay one step ahead of each other as they face intellectual and physical challenges in their quest of a promised hidden treasure. The teams must avoid elimination as they travel to historically significant locations where the must decipher cryptic codes and puzzles, each with a clue leading them closer to solving the ultimate puzzle and obtaining the coveted grand prize.
Laird Macintosh ("The Great Raid") hosts the series that is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Magical Elves Productions, Imagine Television and Madison Road Entertainment. Dan Cutforth ("Project Greenlight," "Last Comic Standing") and Jane Lipsitz ("Project Greenlight," "Last Comic Standing") of Magical Elves Productions, along with Brian Grazer and David Nevins of Imagine Television, and Tom Mazza, Danica Krislovich and Jak Severson of Madison Road Entertainment, serve as executive producers.
The Emmy-nominated series "Last Comic Standing" will return to NBC in search of the funniest comedian in America. In its first two seasons, the show garnered critical and popular acclaim as it traveled the country looking for the best stand-up comedian, and rewarded him or her with an exclusive talent deal with the network. As with previous seasons, talent scouts will travel to major cities nationwide to see performances from thousands of aspiring and professional comedians. In addition, through an online component, aspiring participants can submit their tape to nbc.com, where online voters will determine one comedian to join those found on the nationwide search.
"Last Comic Standing" joined the NBC schedule in the summer of 2003 and averaged a 3.7 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49 and 8.3 million viewers overall. The second run of "Last Comic Standing" the following year averaged a 3.8/11 in 18-49 and 8.3 million viewers overall and was NBC's #1 series of the summer of 2004 in 18-49. "Last Comic Standing" is a Peter Engel Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio. Peter Engel is the executive producer.
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