MAY THE FARCE BE WITH YOU WHEN G4 PRESENTS A NIGHT OF "SPACEBALLS" ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21
Network Presentation of Iconic Film to Precede All New, Never-Before-Seen Chapters of "Mel Brooks' Spaceballs: The Animated Series"
Brooks, Daphne Zuniga and Joan Rivers Reprise Film Characters in the Entertainment Legend's Animated Production
LOS ANGELES, September 8, 2008 � G4 will bring viewers Spaceballs Sunday on September 21 with a special presentation of MGM's 1987 cult classic feature film, followed by two hours of all new, never-before-seen chapters of "Mel Brooks' Spaceballs: The Animated Series." A rollicking parody of popular science-fiction and action films, "Spaceballs" stands as Brooks' homage to genre films in which the master of comedy skewers some of filmdom's biggest blockbusters. A collaboration from MGM, Berliner Film Companie and G4, "Mel Brooks' Spaceballs: The Animated Series" picks up where the cult classic feature film left off, delivering hilarious parodies of today's pop culture. Executive Producer and Co-Creator Mel Brooks reprises his roles as Planet Spaceballs' nefarious President Skroob and Yogurt, Daphne Zuniga returns to voice the lovely Princess Vespa, and Joan Rivers is back as the voice of Dot Matrix. Spaceballs Sunday takes place Sunday, September 21 beginning at 3 pm ET/PT, with the presentation of the feature film, followed by all new chapters of "Mel Brooks' Spaceballs: The Animated Series" at 5 pm ET/PT, only on G4.
In the feature film "Spaceballs," President Skroob of Planet Spaceballs holds Princess Vespa of the planet Druidia for ransom � namely, all the air of Druidia, which Spaceballs needs to replace that of its own polluted atmosphere. Vespa's father hires the space rogue Lone Starr who must battle with Dark Helmet in order to save the girl, keep the air and put Skroob in his place ... for now, at least. What follows is a sci-fi farce of epic proportions in which the classic Brooks style reigns supreme, nothing is sacred and everything is a target in one of the pun-iest movies ever.
As we return to this galaxy far, far away, the "Spaceballs" characters are reprised and the story is retold for a new generation of fans. Similar to the feature film, which parodied iconic science fiction movies, the all new animated chapters parody the biggest blockbusters of today, such as "The Lord of the Rings," the "Star Wars" franchise and "Jurassic Park," as well as every genre of entertainment from movies and reality TV to pop culture, politics and games, such as "Grand Theft Auto."
"The original 'Spaceballs' developed a huge following and I still get letters about it today," said Brooks. "'Spaceballs: The Animated Series' will poke fun at the craziness of modern life and the powers that be. I look forward to satisfying original fans of the movie while introducing an entirely new generation to the 'Spaceballs' phenomenon through the animated series."
"Mel Brooks' Spaceballs: The Animated Series" is a co-production between Brooksfilms and Berliner Film Companie in collaboration with MGM and G4 Television Network, and is based on the classic feature film. Mel Brooks executive produced the series together with Rainer Soehnlein.
The four back-to-back chapters which will kick off the animated production include:
Episode: "Revenge of the Sithee"
"Spaceballs" continues to spoof the "Star Wars" franchise with this parody of the three latest movies. "Revenge of the Sithee" traces Dark Helmet's journey from a young slave named Panickin' Crybaby to a master of the schvartz side of the Schwartz, featuring pod-racing, a battle with Outlet Maul and the satisfying death of Jar-Jar Binks.
Episode: "Grand Theft Starship"
Lone Starr is addicted to a new video game, Grand Theft Starship, and Vespa is jealous. Things only get worse when, thanks to some frustrated button mashing, they find themselves trapped inside the game. Skroob and Dark Helmet take the opportunity to lead a revolt among the game characters who are sick of players like Lone Starr stealing all their cars. To escape, Lone Starr and Vespa will have to get past their toughest challenge yet: the game's final boss!
Episode: "Lord of the Onion Rings"
When Barf accidentally unearths the mighty, evil Onion Ring, Skroob sends Dark Helmet and his minions after it. Yogurt warns Lone Starr and the gang that Skroob will become all-powerful if he gets hold of the ring. Forming the Fellowship of the Onion Ring, the gang embarks on a perilous journey to destroy the ring by casting it back into the forge where it was created: the Deep Fryer of Lardor.
Episode: "Watch Your Assic Park"
In this parody of the Jurassic Park movies, Skroob uses advanced pseudoscience to "enhance" his favorite athletes with dinosaur DNA, so his teams can dominate all sports in the galaxy. Lone Starr and the crew get trapped in Watch Your Assic Park with these terrifying dino-jocks, and their only hope of survival is to flee to the Hall of Fame, where juiced-up athletes are forbidden.
About Berliner Film Companie GmbH
The Berliner Film Companie team has produced seven animated television series and one CGI feature film since 2002. Working with America's top creators, producers and directors, Berliner has established a unique American-style production company in the heart of cosmopolitan Berlin, along with an office in Los Angeles to maintain a constant presence in the center of the U.S. entertainment industry.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.
About Comcast Entertainment Group
Based in Los Angeles, Comcast Entertainment Group operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment, and E! Online; The Style Network, the destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable and inspiring lifestyle programming; and G4 offering the last word on gaming, technology, animation, interactivity, and "Internet culture" for the male 18-34 demo. E! is currently available to nearly 94 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the United States. In 2006, E! launched the E! Everywhere initiative underscoring the company's dedication to making E! content available on all new media platforms any time and anywhere from online to broadband video to wireless to satellite radio to VOD. The Style Network currently counts 59 million cable and satellite subscribers and G4, the #1 podcasted cable network in America, is available in more than 64 million cable and satellite homes nationwide.
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