GSN ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF HIT SERIES “THE NEWLYWED GAME” AND “CATCH 21,” PREMIERING OCTOBER 12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GSN ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF HIT SERIES
“THE NEWLYWED GAME” AND “CATCH 21,”
PREMIERING OCTOBER 12
“The Newlywed Game,” Hosted By Carnie Wilson, Returns With Appearances by Newly Hitched Celebrity Couples,
Including Star Trek’s George Takei and Spouse Brad Altman,
Dancing with the Stars’ Edyta Śliwińska and Alec Mazo, and
Davy Jones of The Monkees and New Bride Actress Jessica Pacheco
“Catch 21,” Hosted By Alfonso Ribeiro, Is Back With All-New Celebrity Guest Episodes,
Including Appearances by Ribeiro’s Former Fresh Prince of Bel Air Castmates
Santa Monica, CA – September 16, 2009 – GSN (Game Show Network) announced today the return of two of its most popular original series—THE NEWLYWED GAME and CATCH 21—each with new features for the new season. The second season of THE NEWLYWED GAME, hosted by Carnie Wilson, will premiere on Monday, October 12 and air weekdays at 6:00pm ET. Season three of CATCH 21, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, will premiere following THE NEWLYWED GAME at 6:30pm ET. THE NEWLYWED GAME returns with 65 brand new episodes, some featuring appearances by celebrity couples, including “Star Trek’s” Mr. Sulu, George Takei, and his spouse Brad Altman—the first same-sex couple ever cast in the history of the series. CATCH 21 will also present a number of celebrity guest episodes, including appearances by stars of “The Biggest Loser,” luminaries from various soap operas and reality series—and Ribeiro’s former co-stars from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”
THE NEWLYWED GAME is GSN’s modern installment of the classic series showcasing three newly married couples of wide-ranging backgrounds who face off in a series of question rounds. During each round, a spouse attempts to guess his or her mate’s answer to questions about their relationship, ranging from the first time they met to the details of their love lives. At the end of the game, the couple with the most correct matches wins exciting prizes.
The new season of THE NEWLYWED GAME will feature appearances by a number of celebrity couples, including: George Takei ("Star Trek") and his spouse, businessman Brad Altman; Davy Jones of The Monkees and his brand-new wife, Telemundo actress Jessica Pacheco; dance pros Edyta Śliwińska and Alec Mazo (“Dancing with the Stars”); former Denver Broncos linebacker Glenn Cadrez and his wife, Playmate Brande Roderick; Greg Vaughan (“General Hospital”) and his actress-model wife Touriya Haoud; Christopher Knight (“The Brady Bunch”) and Adrianne Curry (“America's Next Top Model”); husband-and-wife team Damien Gurganius and Nicole Brewer (“The Biggest Loser”); Jonny Fairplay (“Survivor”) and Michelle Deighton (“America's Next Top Model”); “Biggest Loser” couple Suzy Preston and Matt Hoover; Lauri Waring and George Peterson (“Real Housewives of Orange County”); Kristy Swanson and Lloyd Eisler (“Skating with Celebrities”); Erik Huffman and Jaime Dugan (“Survivor: China”); and Ronn Moss (“The Bold and the Beautiful”) and Devin DeVasquez (actress-model and former Playboy Playmate).
Fans can play along from home for a chance to win Oodles—GSN’s online currency, which can be redeemed for prizes and sweepstakes entries—by answering the video Newlywed Question of the Day or picking the contestant couple they think will win that night’s episode at GSN.com/newlywed.
THE NEWLYWED GAME has been a ratings success story for GSN: the series has improved each time slot in which it has been scheduled, whether in households or target demos (P18-49, P25-54, W25-54). It also ranked #1 in Household Delivery, P18-49 and P25-54 when compared with all other GSN original strips' premiere weeks.
A multi-talented entertainer, Wilson—daughter of legendary Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson—is a well-known singer, songwriter, actor and host of several TV shows. Wilson’s pop group, Wilson Phillips, is currently touring and next year will celebrate its 20-year anniversary. Wilson Phillips has sold more than 10 million albums and released three number-one hit singles. In 1996, Wilson starred in her own nationally syndicated talk show entitled “Carnie.” She has also spent time as a special on-air correspondent for “Entertainment Tonight.” Wilson is married to Rob Bonfiglio and they have two daughters, Lola and Luci.
“I had such a great time hosting the first season of THE NEWLYWED GAME,” said Wilson. “I find it so fascinating to hear the couples talk about the juicy details of their relationships on national television! I love game shows, I love people winning and I love the whole vibe of the show. I’m happy to be back with the GSN family.”
CATCH 21 has become one of GSN viewers’ favorite series, with the show having increased its ratings +69% between season one and season two. Its fast-paced game play has host Alfonso Ribeiro quizzing contestants three at a time as they compete to win playing cards, and try to build the hand that comes closest to 21. Following three elimination rounds, the last player standing attempts to build 21 from a larger-than-life deck for a shot at up to $25,000.
Fans of CATCH 21 can also extend the experience into their homes every day by competing in CATCH 21 online cash competitions, downloading the new CATCH 21 iPhone game and playing the free game against other GSN fans for prizes. All will be available at GSN.com/CATCH21.
“Needless to say, I’m especially excited to return as host for the third season of CATCH 21, since it will give me a great chance to catch up with my old friends from ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’—and give them a run for their money!” said Ribeiro. “I love the enthusiasm of the contestants winning prizes each week, and having these celebrity guest episodes will add a cool new twist to the show.”
Among the many celebrities who will be appearing in the third season of CATCH 21 are:
• “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”:
Tatyana Ali
Karyn Parsons
James Avery
• “The Biggest Loser”:
Ali Vincent
Dan Evans
Hollie Self
• “Deal Or No Deal”:
Leyla Milani
Patricia Kara
Marisa Petroro
• Soap operas:
Melody Scott Thomas (“The Young and the Restless”)
Jacklyn Zeman (“General Hospital”)
Brandon Barash (“General Hospital”)
• Child stars:
Tracey Gold (“Growing Pains”)
Susan Olsen (“The Brady Bunch”)
Erin Moran (“Happy Days”)
• Nighttime soaps:
Joan Van Ark (“Dallas,” “Knots Landing”)
Kevin Dobson (“Knots Landing”)
Charlene Tilton (“Dallas”)
• Reality hosts:
Sean Casey (“Storm Chasers”)
Nigel Marven (“Prehistoric Park,” “Big Cats with Nigel Marven”)
DeAnna Pappas (“Get Married”)
THE NEWLYWED GAME is produced by Michael Davies and his production company, Embassy Row, which is owned by Sony Pictures Television. Davies has brought audiences fan-favorite shows such as “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire,” “Power of 10,” and GSN originals “Grand Slam” and “Chain Reaction.” Additionally, Sony Pictures Television serves as the worldwide distributor for THE NEWLYWED GAME.
CATCH 21 is produced by industry veterans Merrill Heatter and Scott Sternberg of Scott Sternberg Productions. Heatter created and produced iconic game shows such as “The Hollywood Squares,” along with “High Rollers,” “Gambit” and more than 30 other television series. Sternberg’s game show credits include “Rock and Roll Jeopardy,” two seasons of “That’s The Question” for GSN, “The Singing Office” and “The Gong Show.”
GSN is a multimedia entertainment company that offers original and classic game programming via its 70-million subscriber television network and online game sites. GSN’s cross-platform content gives viewers and participants the opportunity to win cash and prizes, whether through GSN’s popular TV game shows, gsn.com’s free casual games or its WorldWinner competitive cash tournaments. GSN is distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. GSN and its subsidiary, WorldWinner.com, Inc., are owned by Liberty Media Corporation and Sony Pictures Entertainment. For further information, visit GSN’s press website at corp.gsn.com.
CONTACT:
Sean Jennings
310.255.6937
sjennings@gsn.com