SHOWTIME Re-Enters Stand-Up Comedy Arena With One-Hour Special Starring Dave Chappelle NEW YORK, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- SHOWTIME makes its return to the stand-up comedy milieu with comedian Dave Chappelle. The deal, which was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for Showtime Networks Inc., calls for Chappelle to star in an upcoming one-hour comedy special. The special will be taped from a live event during the spring of 2004 at a venue to be determined. It is slated to air in early summer. SHOWTIME has a rich history in stand-up comedy and has spawned the careers of such talent as Tim Allen, Garry Shandling, Ellen DeGeneres, Denis Leary, Brett Butler, Robert Schimmel, and many others. The network also broadcast the Montreal Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival for a number of years with such hosts as Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Kelsey Grammer, the late John Candy and others. Robert Greenblatt stated, "SHOWTIME is proud to return to its stand-up roots. There are some very edgy and talented comedians out there and we want to showcase them. Now more than ever, the American public has a huge appetite for great humor. Dave Chappelle is a polished comedian whose irreverent commentary goes way beyond his young years. I'm thrilled that someone with his talent is on board with SHOWTIME as we come back to stand-up in a very big way. Comedy connoisseurs out there are in for a very big treat." Chappelle, one of comedy's preeminent stars, earlier this year completed his DAVE CHAPPELLE IS BLACKZILLA COMEDY TOUR, which hit 60 markets with 95 sold-out shows over a 12-week run. This past winter marked the debut of the critically lauded "Chappelle's Show" on Comedy Central, which will begin its second season in January 2004. Additionally, he has appeared in his own one-hour comedy special, "Killin' Them Softly." Theatrically, Chappelle was most recently seen in the Universal Pictures feature UNDERCOVER BROTHER opposite Eddie Griffin. His other feature film roles include Mel Brook's ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, CON AIR, HALF BAKED, YOU'VE GOT MAIL and BLUE STREAK. Chappelle is represented by UTA, Rick Greenstein and attorney Matt Johnson. Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME(R) TOO(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE(R) and TMC xtra. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HDTV(R), SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(TM). SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL(R), which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME(R) PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME(R) is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision. DATASOURCE: Showtime Networks Inc. CONTACT: Joan Ziff, Trade PR, +1-212-708-1590, , or Bryan Byrd, Consumer PR, +1-310-234-5219, , both of Showtime Networks Inc. Web site: http://www.sho.com/

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