Animals Rule at the Nineteenth Genesis Awards Television Special Airing Primetime on Animal Planet, Saturday, May 14

Animals Rule at the Nineteenth Genesis Awards Television Special Airing Primetime on Animal Planet, Saturday, May 14

'Desperate Housewives' Star Reveals Her Passion for Animals

LOS ANGELES, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Some celebrities may not appreciate being upstaged by animals, but those who turn out for the annual Genesis Awards are happy to play a supporting role, since animals are what this consciousness-raising awards ceremony is all about. Presented by The Hollywood Office of The Humane Society of the United States, the Nineteenth Genesis Awards honors the news and entertainment media for raising awareness of animal-protection issues. Airing primetime on Animal Planet on Saturday, May 14th at 8:00p.m EDT and PDT, the Nineteenth Genesis Awards Television Special celebrates the media with all the glam and style of those other award shows, but with a unique emphasis on inspiring its audience.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050504/LAW115 )

Featuring celebrity presenters Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Nicollette Sheridan, James Cromwell, Stockard Channing, Eric Roberts, Sela Ward, Julia Barr, Ed Asner and Wendie Malick, among many others, the two hour Nineteenth Genesis Awards Television Special also provides viewers with a prime spot on the red carpet and a fun, up close and personal, behind the scenes look at a major Hollywood awards ceremony, courtesy of comedian Debra Wilson and celebrity photographer Chris Ameruoso.

Despite a stellar line-up of celebrities, it's the animals who steal the show and the hearts of the audience. Benji, whose movie "Benji: Off the Leash" won Outstanding Family Feature Film, proves a star attraction on the red carpet. As does Ratchet, the rescued Iraqi dog featured in the Genesis- winning "Animal Cops Houston," who seems unfazed by all the attention he receives from photographers when posing with "Desperate Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan. Making her first appearance at the Genesis Awards, Sheridan enthused: "It's a wonderful evening. It's so gratifying to know that people are out there working on behalf of animals. God only knows they can't do it for themselves -- they need us."

Adding to the many memorable animal-related moments, the Genesis Television Special strikes a nostalgic note by reuniting two legends from the golden age of television comedy -- Sid Caesar and Carl Reiner. Introducing a taped greeting from Caesar, a life-long animal lover, Reiner presents the first Sid Caesar Comedy Award on behalf of his old friend. The award was given to ABC TV's popular sit-com, "8 Simple Rules."

Among the other 21 distinguished awardees feted for their groundbreaking coverage of animal-protection issues are Universal Pictures' "Two Brothers," NBC's "Dateline" ABC's "World News Tonight," Animal Planet's "Animal Cops Houston," Showtime's "Huff" and syndicated TV favorites "The Montel Williams Show" and "Celebrity Justice"(visit www.hsus.org for a complete list of winners).

Gretchen Wyler is the executive producer; Paul Flattery is the producer and Mike Dempsey is the director of the Nineteenth Genesis Awards Television Special. The Special airs on Saturday, May 14th at 5pm and 8pm PDT and 8pm and 11pm EDT and Sunday, May 15th at 12 noon PDT and 3pm EDT.

The Nineteenth Genesis Awards is made possible in part by our corporate benefactors: BoDog.com, MassMutual Financial Group, Michel Financial Group, Porsche Cars North America, Southwest Airlines and Urban Decay Cosmetics.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than nine million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.

The Humane Society of the United States Hollywood Office
5551 Balboa Blvd
Encino, CA 91316

Contact: Sue Blackmore (818) 501 2275

Promoting The Protection of All Animals

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050504/LAW115
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: The Humane Society of the United States Hollywood Office

CONTACT: Sue Blackmore of The Humane Society of the United States
Hollywood Office, +1-818-501 2275

Web site: http://www.hsus.org/

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