Byron Allen to Host and Executive Produce New Syndicated Series 'Comics Unleashed'

Byron Allen to Host and Executive Produce New Syndicated Series 'Comics Unleashed'

Entertainment Studios Sets Record Deals With Television Broadcast Stations for Comedy Series to Premiere on September 25 in HD

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Actor-comedian Byron Allen is slated to host and executive produce "Comics Unleashed," a new nationally-syndicated comedy series by Entertainment Studios, premiering on September 25, it was announced today by Allen, Chairman and CEO of Entertainment Studios. The half-hour daily comedy strip is Allen's latest and most personal addition to the Entertainment Studios brand, setting station group deals with Sinclair Broadcast Group and one of the largest with Clear Channel.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060821/LAM038 )

"Stand-up comedy gave me my start in this business and I've always enjoyed the backstage comedy with other comedians before and after we took the stage," said Allen. "'Comics Unleashed' will bring those hilarious conversations to households worldwide and laughter to viewers each night."

Shot in HD, "Comics Unleashed" will mark the first time stand-up comedians sit together in front of a live audience to engage in uproarious panel conversations initiated by Allen. The first comics slated to appear include Dane Cook, Howie Mandel, George Wallace, Jon Lovitz, Carol Leifer, David Brenner, Pauly Shore and Brad Garrett. These comedians and others will appear nightly doing what they do best -- offering their own funny perspectives on relevant topics and everyday life.

With 85% U.S. clearance to date and several countries including Canada and Australia, "Comics Unleashed" will also be seen on all the military bases around the world. "Comics Unleashed" is positioned to reinvigorate the syndication landscape that is currently plagued with limited programming due to increased reality series and fewer available comedies entering the syndication marketplace.

"Our stations have a need for first-run comedy shows that are unique and cutting edge. And now we have the first one," said Bill Butler, Vice President of Group Programming and Promotions of Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Dan Stein, Vice President of Programming of Clear Channel Television added, "I'm looking forward to the premiere of 'Comics Unleashed' this fall and pleased to have the show in multiple markets. I think the time is right to have a television program with topical conversation with a comedic twist on broadcast television."

Allen got his start in show business at the tender age of 14, writing jokes with Jay Leno and David Letterman for Jimmy "J.J." Walker and performing his own stand-up routines in comedy clubs across the country. Just before graduating from high school at 18, Allen made his television debut on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," for which he holds the distinction of being the youngest comedian ever to have performed on the show with Johnny. Impressed by his network television debut, the producers of NBC's "Real People" convinced the young Allen to co-host what would become the first reality-based program ever broadcast on television, subsequently dominating the network's Wednesday nights for five years.

"Real People" introduced Allen to America as a television host. In 1993 Allen founded Entertainment Studios and launched the celebrity-driven television show "Entertainers with Byron Allen," a weekly, one hour program profiling the most current stars in film and television that, 13 years later, is still brought to television households worldwide. Allen continues to perform live stand-up comedy while executive producing and distributing 15 first-run syndicated television programs, four of which he hosts, making his company Entertainment Studios the largest independent producer/distributor of first-run, syndicated programming in the world.

About Entertainment Studios

Entertainment Studios produces, distributes and sells advertising time for fifteen television programs, making it the largest independent producer and distributor of first run, syndicated programming for broadcast television stations and video content for mobile devices and the World Wide Web. The company's commitment and mission is to provide excellent programming to television audiences, online users and fortune 500 advertising partners. Chairman and CEO Byron Allen founded the company in 1993, which is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York City and Chicago.

CONTACT:
Delilah De La Rosa
BWR Public Relations
310/248-6143
ddelarosa@bwr-la.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060821/LAM038
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Entertainment Studios

CONTACT: Delilah De La Rosa of BWR Public Relations, +1-310-248-6143,
ddelarosa@bwr-la.com, for Entertainment Studios

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