COMEDY CENTRAL(R) Orders Urban Stand-Up Show From the Simmons Lathan Media Group

NEW YORK, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- COMEDY CENTRAL has ordered a six-episode half-hour, urban and hip hop stand-up series from Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan, it was announced today by Elizabeth Porter, senior vice president, specials and talent, COMEDY CENTRAL.  The multicultural series hosted by JB Smoove, ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") will shoot in Los Angeles on February 24 and 25 at the El Rey Theater and is set to premiere this summer.

"We've been trying to get into business with Russell and Stan for a while now and this new stand-up series is an exciting first venture for us to partner with them," said Porter.  "As someone who was a huge fan of 'Def Comedy Jam,' working alongside these two incredible visionaries on this series has been nothing short of amazing.  With JB Smoove as our front man and all the fresh faces that Russell and Stan have discovered for the show, we'll be giving our viewers something really awesome each week."

"'Def Comedy Jam' made a significant contribution to American pop culture by introducing so many superstars," said Simmons.  "Now, with COMEDY CENTRAL as our new partner, we're poised to present the next generation of star talent."

Executive produced by Simmons and Lathan, the unique stand-up show with a hip hop vibe, hosted by JB Smoove will reflect the urban culture of today's youth through stand-up comedy.  Each episode will consist of three up-and-coming comics and will feature music created by DJ Cassidy.

Simmons and Lathan originally partnered in 1989 to create one of the most successful franchises in entertainment, the HBO's "Def Comedy Jam" series, which started the careers of some of today's biggest talents including, Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey, Mo'Nique and more.  Together, they co-own The Simmons Lathan Media Group, a film and television production and acquisitions company that develops and distributes urban content across a variety of media platforms.

They currently executive produce the MTV hit reality shows, "Run's House," "Daddy's Girls," as well as "Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices" for HBO.  Their film credits include co-executive producing "Waist Deep," "Gridlock'd" and "The Show."  In 2002, the partnership was honored with their first Peabody® Award for their "Def Poetry Jam" series.  The duo also produced, and Lathan directed, "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway," which won a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 98 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 www.comedycentral.com.  For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site, at www.comedycentral.com/press.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products.  The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications