Video: DIY Network Revs Up 'Celebrity Rides' with Exclusive Burt Builds a Bandit Contest

Video: DIY Network Revs Up 'Celebrity Rides' with Exclusive Burt Builds a Bandit Contest

Burt Reynolds to Select Most Creative Video; Winner Gets Fully Restored Trans Am

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest installment of DIY Network's new automotive programming franchise, Celebrity Rides, returns with a five-episode series featuring the history-making reunion between a legendary star and his famous ride. On Friday, Oct. 19 at 10 p.m. ET, Celebrity Rides: Burt Builds a Bandit chronicles award-winning actor Burt Reynolds and his design team at YearOne auto restoration company, as they begin the exciting process of restoring a select fleet of limited edition Trans Ams. DIY also knows Bandit enthusiasts will want to get behind the wheel, so one lucky fan will have a chance to win one!

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/diy/29754/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070924/CLM029 )

On October 8, DIY launches the Burt Builds a Bandit Contest on Heavy.com, where users can upload videos explaining why they should win the car. Reynolds will help select the most creative video, and the winner gets to drive home in a fully restored Burt Reynolds Edition Trans Am, as featured in Celebrity Rides: Burt Builds a Bandit. The winner will be announced during a one-hour recap special of the series on Friday, Dec. 14, which airs at 10 p.m. ET.

The premiere episode of DIY's Celebrity Rides: Burt Builds a Bandit features original film footage of the 1977 cult classic film and an up-close and personal interview with Reynolds offering insight into how the Bandit (Pontiac Trans Am) became an auto industry icon. Reynolds says: "There wasn't anything on the road that looked like it." And how does he feel about the car today? "It still looks dangerous," he says. "It still looks like it could eat you for lunch."

"In 1977, the water cooler conversation focused on Princess Leia, Annie Hall and a hot little car called Bandit. Thirty years later, car and film enthusiasts alike still have a passion for this incredible vehicle and the impact it had on pop culture," says Kathleen Finch, DIY Network's general manager. "To be able to give away one of these incredible custom vehicles to a lucky DIY viewer is just icing on the cake."

DIY's Celebrity Rides franchise premiered in June with a one-hour special featuring Jay Leno's extensive Duesenberg collection. The franchise continues in 2008 with Celebrity Rides: Dillon and the Rebel, a limited series documenting Emmy Award nominee and Entourage star Kevin Dillon as he takes on the task of building a kit car replica of a 1955 Porsche Spyder, made famous by another Hollywood legend, James Dean. In addition, Jay Leno returns with Celebrity Rides: The Last Duesenberg, a six episode series of the step-by-step restoration of his latest car conquest -- a 1931 Model J418 Wood Towncar -- found in an old garage after walking the streets of Manhattan.

DIY's Celebrity Rides: Burt Builds a Bandit airs every Friday at 10 p.m. ET, beginning October 19. Also in October, visit www.DIYnetwork.com/tv for a sneak peek of the show and click on "Celebrity Rides: Burt Builds a Bandit" in the TV Showcase section. For more information, visit DIY's award-winning companion Web site, www.DIYnetwork.com.

DIY Network is available nationwide on DISH Network Ch. 111 and DIRECTV Ch. 230. For additional cable channel designations, check local listings or visit www.DIYnetwork.com/tv.

About DIY Network

From the makers of HGTV and Food Network, DIY Network is the television source for the best know-how and how-to when it comes to any type of do-it- yourself project and is one of the fastest growing digital networks. Currently in more than 47 million homes, DIY's programming covers a broad range of categories including home improvement and crafts. DIY's programs and experts answer the most sought-after questions and offer creative projects for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. DIY's award-winning Web site, www.DIYnetwork.com, is a leader in the Nielsen/NetRatings' Home and Garden category. The site features broadband video channels including home improvement, crafts, automotive, gardening, and woodworking along with step-by-step instructions totaling more than 20,000 projects online.

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070924/CLM029
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comVideo:

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/diy/29754
Source: DIY Network

CONTACT: Brandii Toby, +1-865-560-4280, btoby@scrippsnetworks.com; or
Gary McCormick, +1-865-560-4143, gmccormick@scrippsnetwork.com, both of DIY
Network; or Stephanie Baumoel of FerenComm, +1-212-983-9898,
stephanieb@ferencomm.com, for DIY Network

Web site:

http://www.diynetwork.com/tv

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