Showtime(R) Premieres Trifecta of Stand-Up Specials From Comedy Powerhouses

Showtime(R) Premieres Trifecta of Stand-Up Specials From Comedy Powerhouses

Cedric "The Entertainer," Margaret Cho & Kevin Nealon Debut Stand-Up Specials For First Time On SHOWTIME

"Shaq and Cedric 'The Entertainer''s All-Star Comedy Jam" Leads The Pack, Premiering Wednesday, June 17th at 10 PM ET/PT

LOS ANGELES, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy -- Cedric "The Entertainer," Margaret Cho and WEEDS star Kevin Nealon -- will each premiere their latest stand-up specials for the first time ever on SHOWTIME. SHAQ AND CEDRIC "THE ENTERTAINER"'s ALL-STAR COMEDY JAM kicks off the triple-threat lineup on Wednesday, June 17th at 10pm ET/PT.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060131/SHOWTIMELOGO)

The specials fall under the network's LAUGH OUT LOUD comedy initiative that has become a hub for diverse, no-holds-barred comedy for premium television audiences.

Following is a brief description of each special:

SHAQ AND CEDRIC "THE ENTERTAINER"'s ALL-STAR COMEDY JAM - Wednesday, June 17 at 10 PM ET/PT

Filmed before a spirited crowd in Phoenix, AZ., the night before this year's NBA All-Star Game, The Original King of Comedy Cedric "The Entertainer" performs 30 minutes of his latest material in between comedy sets by fellow comedians Tommy Davidson ("In Living Color"); Kevin Hart ("Soul Plane"); Aries Spears ("Mad TV"); and DeRay Davis, while celebrities Shaquille O'Neal, Katt Williams and Nelly crack up in the audience. Executive produced by Shaquille O Neal, Mike Parris, Eric Rhone, Cedric "The Entertainer" and produced by Jeff Clanagan along with Codeblack Entertainment presents a Stage One / Bird and a Bear Productions and directed by Leslie Small.

MARGARET CHO: BEAUTIFUL - Friday, July 3rd at 11 PM ET/PT

Returning to her stand-up roots, Cho's latest, "Beautiful," examines the nature of beauty and the importance society has placed on appearance. "I want everyone to feel beautiful and I want to do it with laughter," she says. "Why not feel good about ourselves?" Executive produced by Cho, Lorene Machado and Keri Smith Esguia; produced by Clownery Productions, Inc.; and directed by Lorene Machado.

KEVIN NEALON: NOW HEAR ME OUT - September TBD

Kevin Nealon gives his comedic take on stupid phrases, talking on the phone in your car, and being a first-time father. Nealon serves as executive producer and it is produced by Gary Binkow and Salient Media and directed by Brent Carpenter.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. 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 PPV(R).

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Source: Showtime

CONTACT: Nicole Caprio of SHOWTIME PR, +1-310-234-5218,
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