Comedy Central Acquires First-Window Rights to "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay"
Deal Also Includes Broadcast Window For Michel Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind" Starring Jack Black
NEW YORK, May 29, 2008 -- COMEDY CENTRAL® has acquired the first-window broadcast premiere rights to New Line Cinema's "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," as well as a broadcast window for Michel Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind" starring Jack Black, it was announced today by David Bernath, senior vice president, programming, COMEDY CENTRAL.
As part of the deal with New Line Cinema, COMEDY CENTRAL will broadcast the Network Television Premiere of "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," the critically-acclaimed sequel to "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle," in October 2010. The film marks the triumphant return of the hilarious, slacker anti-heroes, Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn), two stoners who can't seem to get a break. COMEDY CENTRAL currently has the rights to "White Castle" which will have its COMEDY CENTRAL premiere on June 28 and will have both titles in its library when "Guantanamo Bay" becomes available for broadcast in October 2010.
In addition, the all-comedy network acquired a broadcast window for "Be Kind Rewind," which was written and directed by Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind") and stars Jack Black and Mos Def. "Be Kind Rewind" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
The agreement was negotiated on behalf of COMEDY CENTRAL by Susie Kricena, vice president, acquisitions, COMEDY CENTRAL.
Descriptions of the two films follow:
HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY
After travelling around the country to find a White Castle burger to satisfy a weed-induced case of the "munchies" during the first film, Harold and Kumar are back for more in "Guantanamo Bay" where they find themselves in trouble when they try to sneak a bong onboard a flight to Amsterdam and become suspected of terrorism. As they run from the law trying to find a way to prove their innocence, the two embark on an epic journey of deep thoughts, deeper inhaling and a wild trip around the world that is as un-"PC" as it gets.
BE KIND REWIND
"Be Kind Rewind" is a one-of-a-kind comedy from the mind of writer/director Michel Gondry. The film stars Jack Black as a loveable loser stuck in a life that's too small for his big dreams. But when he unintentionally erases all the tapes in a video store where his best friend works, he devises a plan to satisfy the store's few loyal customers by re-creating and re-filming every movie they decide to rent. The film features a cast that includes Mos Def, Danny Glover and Mia Farrow.
COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of VIACOM Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is comedycentral.com.
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 150 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
Source: Comedy Central
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