E! Networks and BSkyB Announce Casting of Michael Jackson in Its Re-Enactment of The Michael Jackson Trial

E! Networks and BSkyB Announce Casting of Michael Jackson in Its Re-Enactment of The Michael Jackson Trial

Actor Edward Moss Will Bring Michael Jackson to the Screen in Daily Half-Hour Courtroom Re-Enactments Airing on E! and BSkyB; News Coverage Will Start Following the Conclusion of Jury Selection

(**UK Terminology: Reconstructions With Actors)

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- E! Entertainment Television and leading UK-based satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) announced today that actor Edward Moss will depict Michael Jackson in its re-enactments of The Michael Jackson Trial. Moss, a native of Los Angeles, has been performing as Michael Jackson since 1996.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050209/LAW094)

"Edward Moss brings experience and skill to the role of Michael Jackson," said Jeff Shore, Senior Vice President of Production, E! Networks. "All the components of our production, from casting to the recreation of the courtroom set, will be vital to our re-enactment series of The Michael Jackson Trial, which we believe will be one of the most memorable court cases in history."

Simon Bucks, Sky's Associate Editor, commented, "We are delighted that Edward Moss has agreed to read Michael Jackson's words. This innovative programming initiative draws on the reconstructions with actors which Sky News pioneered during The Hutton Inquiry in 2003. "As well as having a striking resemblance to Michael Jackson, Edward also has the acting ability to accurately portray him on a daily basis for Sky News and Sky One."

Moss has performed all over the globe appearing as the pop singer on stage, television and in films. He has appeared on "MadTV," "Politically Incorrect," "The Steve Harvey Show" and "Nip/Tuck." His film credits include "Scary Movie 3" and "Don't Be Scared." He has also appeared in numerous commercials, music videos and stage shows in Las Vegas, including the Bette Midler Millennium Concert and Carnival Cabaret.

Said Edward Moss, "This is my biggest challenge to date and I am aware that my portrayal will be followed by millions every day on E!, Sky News and Sky One."

Edward Moss is represented by the Elyse Del Francia Entertainment Company.

Using re-enactments taken from portions of court transcripts, the series will highlight the previous day's testimony and happenings in the courtroom. On E!, the series will also include expert commentary by a panel of legal analysts.

The Michael Jackson Trial is scheduled to air Monday through Friday nightly at 7:30 PM ET/PT on E! Entertainment Television, with a weekend wrap- up show airing each Saturday. The programs will air exclusively in the UK on Sky News and Sky One every weekday. Additionally, Sky News is available in over 40 countries worldwide. Internationally, E! programming can be seen in more than 120 countries worldwide, reaching 300 million homes. In addition to its ventures for locally programmed, E!-branded channels outside the U.S., the company operates the E! International Network, a 24-hour English language global entertainment channel available via satellite in Europe, Asia Pacific, The Middle East and Africa.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Based in Los Angeles, E! Networks is the world's largest producer and distributor of entertainment news and lifestyle-related programming. The company operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment; The Style Network, where life gets a new look, and E! Online, located at Eonline.com. E! is currently available to 86 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the U.S. The Style Network currently counts 38 million subscribers with commitments to reach over 40 million.

BSkyB is the operator of the leading multichannel television platform in the UK and Ireland. Almost 19 million viewers in 7.4 million households enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels and interactive services on Sky digital, the UK and Ireland's first and most popular digital television platform. BSkyB's channels are available in a further 7 million cable and digital terrestrial households. Sky News is the UK's market-leader in 24 hour news and is available to audiences in 120 countries throughout the world. Sky One is the UK's leading non- terrestrial entertainment channel, providing a mixture of the best of US programming and original UK commissions.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050209/LAW094
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN5
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: E! Networks

CONTACT: Stella Tooth, +44 207 805 4289, or Richard Turner,
+44 207 705 6845, both of BSkyB; or Sarah Goldstein, +1-323-692-4552, or
Elizabeth Johnson, +1-323-954-2515, or Nicole Goesseringer, +1-323-692-4454,
all of E! Networks


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