EPIX PRESENTS STAND-UP SPECIAL WITH TWO-TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE PATTON OSWALT:

“PATTON OSWALT: TRAGEDY PLUS COMEDY EQUALS TIME”

 

World Premiere Comedy Special Airs Friday, January 17, 2013 at 10PM ET

New York, NY NOVEMBER 25, 2013 – Premium entertainment network EPIX announced today that Patton Oswalt: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time, a stand-up comedy special featuring the two-time Grammy nominee, will make its World Premiere on Friday, January 17 at 10PM ET.

In his latest stand-up special, directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, comedian Patton Oswalt tackles issues ranging from frozen food to the future of America. He delivers a blistering set for a packed house at San Diego’s Spreckels Theater with his trademark blend of acerbic wit and unabashed silliness.

As a comedian, Oswalt has shot four TV specials and recorded four critically acclaimed albums, including Finest Hour, which received a Grammy nomination in 2011 for “Best Comedy Album.” In 2009, he received his first Grammy nomination for his album My Weakness Is Strong.

In addition to his Grammy-nominated stand-up work, Oswalt has also found success on the big screen. This December, he will appear in the comedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with Ben Stiller. In 2012, Oswalt was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for his brilliant performance in Jason Reitman’s film Young Adult, starring Charlize Theron. In 2009, he received critical acclaim for his performance in Robert Siegel’s Big Fan, which was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award; Oswalt earned a Gotham Award nomination for his performance.  On the small screen, Oswalt is known for his many memorable guest roles on TV shows, including “Parks and Recreation” (2013 TV Critics Choice Award winner), “Portlandia,” “Justified,” “Two and a Half Men,” and as the narrator of ABC’s new comedy “The Goldbergs.”

Patton Oswalt: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time is executive produced by Patton Oswalt, John Irwin and Generate’s Dave Rath. Bobcat Goldthwait directs and Casey Spira is the producer.  For EPIX, Ross Bernard is executive in charge, Valerie Bishop is production manager and Judy Pastore is consulting producer.   The special was produced by Comedy Central, which will host its basic cable premiere in April 2014.  Jonas Larsen and JoAnn Grigioni are the executives in charge of production for Comedy Central.

About EPIX
EPIX is the newest premium entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, classic library titles, plus original films, comedy, music and sports events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched October 2009 as the first multiplatform premium network with online accessibility for subscribers through EpixHD.com, EPIX pioneered the development and proliferation of TV Everywhere for American consumers. EPIX was the first premium network to launch on Xbox consoles, first on PlayStation®3 (PS3™) and PlayStation®4 (PS4™) systems, first on Android tablets and phones, first on Roku® players and is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Apple® iPads®, iPhones®, Samsung® Smart TVs and Blu-ray™ players and more. Today EPIX remains the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up from new Hollywood hits to original programs on all platforms and provides more movies than any other premium network.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), available to over 30 million homes nationwide through distribution partners including Charter Communications, Cox Communications, DISH Network, Mediacom Communications, NCTC, Suddenlink Communications and Verizon FiOS.

For more information about EPIX, go to http://www.epixhd.com/. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (https://twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX).

SOURCE Frank Publicity

Robin Williams to Receive the "Stand-Up Icon" Award at "The Comedy Awards"

Prestigious Award To Be Presented During The Second Annual Event Honoring The Best In Comedy

Show Tapes At New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, April 28 And Premieres on COMEDY CENTRAL On Sunday, May 6

NEW YORK, March 21, 2012 -- "The Comedy Awards," the annual event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the world of comedy, announced today that Robin Williams will be honored as the recipient of the prestigious "Stand-Up Icon" award. This honor is bestowed each year to a modern icon, an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to stand-up comedy and whose impact and innovations have changed the landscape and inspired future generations of entertainers. Williams will be honored for the unparalleled scope of his imagination, his repertoire of indelible characters, and his outstanding work as a stand-up comedian. Eddie Murphy was the inaugural recipient and he was presented with the honor by Tracy Morgan during last year's show.

"Robin Williams is a comedic force of nature whose intensity and explosive free-associating style as a stand-up comedian made him a superstar," said Casey Patterson, Executive Producer, "The Comedy Awards" and EVP, Event Production, Viacom Entertainment Group. "Academy Award-winner, beloved TV star and passionate activist, Robin used stand-up comedy to literally change the world with 'Comic Relief.' Robin Williams is more than an ICON...he is one of the most important comedic voices of our time. We're thrilled, and just a little bit scared, to be honoring Robin at 'The Comedy Awards' this year."

The "Stand-Up Icon" award will be presented during the taping of the event at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, April 28 and the show will premiere on COMEDY CENTRAL on Sunday, May 6. "The Comedy Awards" will also air on COMEDY CENTRAL's international channels across Europe, New Zealand, India, Israel and Africa.

An Academy Award-winning actor and multiple Grammy-winning performer unparalleled in the scope of his imagination, Robin Williams began his career as a stand-up comedian, delighting audiences across the country with the beginnings of what would become his renowned repertoire of indelible characters. Throughout his legendary career as a star of stage and screen, Williams has returned to his stand-up roots, most recently with his critically-acclaimed, sold-out, "Weapons of Self Destruction" comedy tour during which Williams performed 90 shows in 65 cities in front of 300,000 fans across the U.S., as well as London and Canada.

Well known for his free-associative monologues and for pointing out life's absurdities through his astute social and political observations, Williams' previous comedy tour was in 2002. After a 16-year absence from the stand-up scene, he hit the road and toured America with a critically acclaimed one-man show that became the highest-grossing comedy tour ever and culminated in a final performance filmed by HBO and broadcast live from New York on July 14, 2002. The special, entitled "Robin Williams: Live On Broadway," was nominated for five Emmy Awards.

Offstage, Williams takes great joy in supporting causes too numerous to identify, covering the spectrum from health care and human rights, to education, environmental protection, and the arts. He has toured the Middle East with the USO a total of five times, including visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, to help raise morale among the troops and is, perhaps, best known philanthropically for his affiliation with "Comic Relief," which was founded in 1986 as a non-profit organization to help America's homeless. To date, the overall efforts of the "Comic Relief" organization have raised over $50 Million.

A full list of previously announced nominees for the 2012 "The Comedy Awards" and more information about the show and its prestigious Board of Directors can be found at www.thecomedyawards.com. "Modern Family," "Bridesmaids," "30 Rock," "Crazy, Stupid, Love." and Louis C.K. lead the nominations and fans can vote for "Breakout Performer of the Year." Click here to view a highlight reel from last year's show.

Follow "The Comedy Awards" on Twitter @TheComedyAwards.

"The Comedy Awards" has once again joined forces with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) to endow The American Comedy Fund. Without a union or other protection, many comedians face unique challenges to succeed and survive. The Fund provides much-needed financial assistance, health benefits and other resources for comedians across the country during times of need, crisis or transition. The American Comedy Fund is administered by EIF in collaboration with the Motion Picture & Television Fund and The Actors Fund.

Don Mischer, Casey Patterson, EVP, Event Production, Viacom Entertainment Group and Charlie Haykel are the Executive Producers. Juliane Hare is Producer. Beth McCarthy Miller, the Peabody and DGA Award-winning and Emmy-nominated Director, will once again direct "The Comedy Awards." "The American Comedy Awards" were originally created by George Schlatter.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications

Nominations for the Second Annual "The Comedy Awards" Announced "Modern Family," "Bridesmaids," "30 Rock," "Crazy, Stupid, Love." and Louis C.K. Lead the Nominations for Comedy's Biggest Night Out of the Year

Television Event To Honor The Best In Comedy Tapes At New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom On Saturday, April 28 And Premieres On COMEDY CENTRAL On Sunday, May 6

Nominees Chosen By Prestigious Board of Directors

Beginning Today, Fans Can Vote For "Breakout Performer of the Year" At www.thecomedyawards.com

NEW YORK, March 6, 2012 -- Nominations for the second annual "The Comedy Awards" were announced today with "Modern Family," "Bridesmaids," "30 Rock," "Crazy, Stupid, Love." and Louis C.K. leading the way with the most nominations. The annual event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the world of comedy will be taped at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, April 28 and will premiere on COMEDY CENTRAL on Sunday, May 6, 2012.

The nominees for the second annual event reflect an extensive range of comedic talent in film, television, stand-up and animation. "Modern Family," recipient of the "Comedy Series" award during last year's inaugural show, is once again nominated in the "Comedy Series" category, one of its five total nominations. Other nominees for "Comedy Series" include "30 Rock" (five total nominations), "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (four total nominations), "Parks and Recreation" (three total nominations) and "Happy Endings."

Leading the way in the "Comedy Film" category are "Bridesmaids" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love." with five total nominations each. Rounding out the "Comedy Film" nominees are "Midnight in Paris" and "Horrible Bosses" (four total nominations each) and the Academy Award-winning "The Artist," which received three total nominations. The recipients for the "Johnny Carson Award," the "Comedy Icon Award" and The Comedy Awards Digital / Best Viral Original nominees will be announced in the coming weeks. A full list of nominations for The Comedy Awards 2012 can be found at the end of this release.

Reactions from The Comedy Awards nominees include:

"I want to thank everyone connected to the award and I want '30 Rock' to win." - Alec Baldwin, nominated for "Performance by an Actor - TV"

"Does this mean I have to go?" - Larry David, nominated for "Performance by an Actor - TV"

"I'm hyped because I can finally wear my tuxedo." - Kevin Hart, nominated for "Stand-up Tour"

Nominees were selected by the "The Comedy Awards" Board of Directors, which include such luminaries as: Carol Burnett, James Burrows, Greg Cavic, Stephen Colbert, James Dixon, Budd Friedman, Jim Gosnell, Rick Greenstein, Brad Grey, Caroline Hirsch, Sharon Jackson, Blair Kohan, Martin Lesak, Steve Levine, Jamie Masada, Adam McKay, Jimmy Miller, Conan O'Brien, Peter Principato, Joan Rivers, Jay Roach, Chris Rock, Ray Romano, Rory Rosegarten, Michael Rotenberg, George Schlatter, Mitzi Shore, David Steinberg, Jon Stewart, Lily Tomlin, Sandy Wernick and Geof Wills.

Winners will be chosen by The Comedy Awards Voting Body, comprised of professionals from the comedy community including writers, producers, performers, directors and stand-ups. And starting today, fans can vote for their pick for "Breakout Performer of the Year" at www.thecomedyawards.com.

"The Comedy Awards" will air on COMEDY CENTRAL as well as COMEDY CENTRAL's international channels across Europe, New Zealand, India and Israel. Click here to view a highlight reel from last year's show. Follow "The Comedy Awards" on Twitter @thecomedyawards.

Last year, "The Comedy Awards" first annual show honored the biggest names in comedy with appearances by Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Ty Burrell, Tracy Morgan and Andy Samberg, among others. David Letterman was awarded "The Comedy Awards" most prestigious honor, the "Johnny Carson Award" and Eddie Murphy received the "Comedy Icon Award" for his extraordinary contribution to the world of comedy.

"The Comedy Awards" has once again joined forces with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) to endow The American Comedy Fund. Without a union or other protection, many comedians face unique challenges to succeed and survive. The fund provides much-needed financial assistance, health benefits and other resources for comedians across the country during times of need, crisis or transition. The American Comedy Fund is administered by EIF in collaboration with the Motion Picture & Television Fund and The Actors Fund.

Don Mischer, Casey Patterson, EVP, Event Production, Viacom Entertainment Group and Charlie Haykel are the Executive Producers. Juliane Hare is Producer. Beth McCarthy Miller, the Peabody and DGA Award-Winning and Emmy®-nominated Director, will once again direct "The Comedy Awards."

About Don Mischer Productions

Don Mischer is an internationally acclaimed producer and director of television and live events. He has been honored with 15 Emmy® Awards, a record 10 Directors Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement, 2 NAACP Image Awards, a Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting and Europe's prestigious Golden Rose of Montreux. And this past January, Mischer was also honored by the Producers Guild of America when he received the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television.

Mischer has consistently chosen to produce programs that share the best of human experience, whether it be through the work of our most acclaimed artists or the celebration of our greatest monuments and national events. As a producer-director, his credits range from Super Bowl Halftime Shows (with Bruce Springsteen, Prince, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney); Opening Ceremonies of both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games; and The Kennedy Center Honors; to Obama's Lincoln Memorial Inaugural Concert; Hong Kong's Handover to China 1997; and specials with Taylor Swift, Sting, Bono, Beyonce, Baryshnikov, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Barbra Streisand among others. Mischer's long and illustrious body of work ranks among the best and most-watched in the world of entertainment.

About COMEDY CENTRAL

Available in 99 million homes nationwide, COMEDY CENTRAL (www.comedycentral.com), the only all-comedy network, is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB). For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press web site at www.comedycentral.com/press and follow us on Twitter @ComedyCentralPR for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

THE COMEDY AWARDS 2012 NOMINATIONS

"South Park" is Back With All-New Episodes! The 16th Season Begins on Wednesday, March 14 at 10:00 P.M. on COMEDY CENTRAL®

"South Park: The Complete Fifteenth Season Uncensored" DVD And Blu-Ray Arrives In Stores On Tuesday, March 27

All-New Season 16 Episodes Available In HD Exclusively On Xbox LIVE, iTunes, Sony PlayStation Network, Amazon Video On Demand, Vudu, And in SD on Samsung Media Hub And InDemand

New Episodes Also Available On SouthParkStudios.com

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2012  -- "South Park" returns for its 16th season with seven all-new episodes beginning on Wednesday, March 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on COMEDY CENTRAL, followed by an all-new season of "Ugly Americans" at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

On Tuesday, March 27, "South Park: The Complete Fifteenth Season" will be released on Blu-ray and DVD by COMEDY CENTRAL Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment. In addition to all fourteen uncensored episodes from "South Park's" landmark 15th season, the Blu-ray and DVD include the groundbreaking documentary "6 Days to Air: the Making of South Park", a first-ever look behind-the-scenes at South Park Studios that gives fans an insider's look at the making of an episode. The bonus features are rounded out with "6 Days to Air: Behind the Scenes of 'City Sushi,'" mini-commentaries by creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and never-before-seen deleted scenes.

Each "South Park: The Complete Fifteenth Season" Blu-ray and DVD come with an added bonus. We're giving away free downloads of the new "South Park: Tenorman's Revenge" Xbox Live game. Each Blu-ray and DVD will include a unique code inside for fans to enter at www.southparkstudios.com/season15 to get thousands of prizes. It's first come, first serve so fans have to act fast. The first 5,000 to enter their code will get a download of "South Park: Tenorman's Revenge" game, an exclusive "South Park" theme and a 48 hour trial of Xbox Live Gold Membership. The next 70,000 entries will get an exclusive "South Park" Xbox theme and a 48 hour trial of Xbox Live Gold Membership.

The all-new episodes from this season are available in HD exclusively on xBox Live, iTunes, Sony PlayStation Network, Amazon Video On Demand and Vudu, and in SD on Samsung Media Hub and InDemand. Episodes are also available on SouthParkStudios.com.

Voted "The Greatest Animated TV Series" in a poll conducted by Entertainment Weekly, COMEDY CENTRAL's "South Park" launched on August 13, 1997. The series airs Wednesday nights at 10:00 p.m. and repeats later that night at midnight (all times ET/PT).

Bernie Mac Gets a Tribute Fit for a King When the World Premiere of "'I Ain't Scared Of You' A Tribute To Bernie Mac" Debuts Sunday, February 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on COMEDY CENTRAL®

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2012 -- An Original King of Comedy is set to be saluted when the World Premiere of "'I Ain't Scared Of You' A Tribute To Bernie Mac" debuts on COMEDY CENTRAL Sunday, February 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

One of the brightest and most influential comics to ever walk onto a stage is honored with a documentary that is as unpredictable as the man himself. "'I Ain't Scared Of You' A Tribute To Bernie Mac" follows the development of Mac's unique performance style and his rise to fame. A tireless perfectionist, Mac's comedy began in small backroom comedy clubs in Chicago and grew to break through barriers making him an iconic figure in the entertainment world. The tribute unearths early footage and never-before-seen performances in addition to his better-known work, including the Kings of Comedy Tour, "The Bernie Mac Show" and several of his feature films, along with fascinating behind-the-scenes memories.

Bernie Mac, who passed away in 2008, won over the audience with his very first appearance on "Def Comedy Jam," when he took the microphone and exclaimed to the crowd "I Ain't Scared of You!" It was his sharp-tongued humor, mastered in the streets of Chicago, that had people rolling in the aisles, but it was Mac's sly smile and warm wit that kept them coming back.

"'I Ain't Scared Of You' A Tribute To Bernie Mac" features exclusive interviews with his co-stars, colleagues, friends and family including Anthony Anderson, Tom Arnold, Angela Bassett, Bill Bellamy, Cedric the Entertainer, Don Cheadle, Cameron Diaz, Mike Epps, Andy Garcia, D.L. Hughley, Warren Hutcherson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ali LeRoi, Rhonda McCullough, Je'Niece McCullough, Carl Reiner, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Kellita Smith, Steven Soderbergh, Joe Torry and Camille Winbush.

Bernie's beloved and dedicated widow, Rhonda McCullough, played a huge role in the inception and production of "'I Ain't Scared Of You' A Tribute To Bernie Mac." Rhonda McCullough supplied footage and told the story of her life with Mac: how they met, how she always supported him and how strongly they loved one another. Mac's daughter, Je'Niece McCullough, conducted many of the interviews in the special with each story contributing to the picture of Mac as an exceptional artist, father and friend.

"'I Ain't Scared of You' A Tribute to Bernie Mac" was directed by comedy film maker Robert Small ("Back from Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison") and executive produced by Al Hassas, Rhonda McCullough, and Small.

Mac's legacy lives on through the Bernie Mac Foundation. Mac founded the foundation in 2007 to bring awareness to Sarcoidosis and to support research of the disease. The foundation was a true passion project for Mac, who was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis when he was 28 years old. More information on the foundation can be found on www.berniemacfoundation.org. A portion of the proceeds of the DVD sales of "'I Ain't Scared Of You' A Tribute To Bernie Mac" will benefit The Bernie Mac Foundation.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications