'Hot In Cleveland' Stars Set to Turn Up the Heat in Cannes

LONDON and LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming, today announced that the stars of international comedy hit Hot in Cleveland will be appearing in Cannes for Mipcom 2010.

Leading ladies, Valerie Bertinelli ('One Day at a Time'), Jane Leeves ('Frasier') and Wendie Malick ('Just Shoot Me') will be in Cannes representing the show, which since its launch to record audiences in the U.S. this June has become an international hit, distributed by Endemol Worldwide Distribution.

Also starring television icon Betty White ('The Golden Girls'), Hot in Cleveland follows three best friends from L.A. who find their lives changed forever when their plane -- headed for Paris -- makes an unexpected landing.  Starting over, they rent a house in Cleveland that comes with one hilarious and feisty caretaker.

"The last time I was in Cannes was while I lived in Paris as a model.  I am sure that I speak for Valerie and Jane to say that we are thrilled to be coming to share this wonderful show with our international friends," stated Wendie Malick, star of "Hot in Cleveland."

Eddie Dalva, Senior Vice President, Content, MTV Entertainment Group comments: "TV Land is delighted that the series has not only been successful in the U.S. but has also struck a chord in both Canada and Australia.  Valerie, Jane and Wendie have amazing global appeal and we look forward to giving the Mipcom attendees an opportunity to experience their fantastic chemistry, first-hand."

Cathy Payne, CEO of Endemol Worldwide Distribution adds: "Hot in Cleveland has all the makings of a worldwide smash hit comedy series.  It has a brilliantly written script with a magnificent cast playing fabulous characters.  We expect to announce commissions in more major markets before we even get to Mipcom and we are extremely excited and proud to have three of the show's leading ladies joining us in Cannes."

Hot in Cleveland has reached 33 million people to date and has become the U.S.'s number one cable sitcom of the year.  In total viewers, the first 10 episode season on TV Land out-delivered shows such as "Mad Men," "Real Housewives of New Jersey," "Top Chef," "Bethenny Getting Married," "Project Runway," "Army Wives," "Nip/Tuck," "Men of a Certain Age," and "Ice Road Truckers" among many others.  The series averaged a 1.5 among Adults 18-49, 2.0 among Adults 25-54, 2.5 among Women 25-54 and 4.2 million in total viewers according to Nielsen's Most Current Ratings.

In Canada the show airs on CTV where it is among the most-watched summer programs with up to 1.8 million viewers.

In Australia, Hot in Cleveland has averaged over 1.072 million viewers for the first five episodes which is the U.S. equivalent of 14 million total viewers.  Australia's Nine Network is also seeing a strong performance in its key demographic of A25-54.

Hot in Cleveland is executive produced by Emmy® Award-winner Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner of Hazy Mills Productions and is helmed by Emmy® Award-winning Suzanne Martin ("Frasier," "Ellen") serving as executive producer, show runner and writer.

The series has attracted some big name guest stars including Tim Conway ('The Carol Burnett Show'), Joe Jonas (Jonas Brothers), Wayne Knight ('Seinfeld'), Huey Lewis ('Duets'), Susan Lucci ('All My Children'), Carl Reiner ('The Dick Van Dyke Show') and John Schneider ('The Dukes of Hazard').

Hot in Cleveland will begin production of a second season in November 2010 with 20 new episodes scheduled to air beginning in January 2011.

ABOUT ENDEMOL

Endemol is a global leader in entertainment programming and the largest independent television and digital production company in the world.

Endemol comprises a global network of more than 80 companies in 26 countries and employs about 6,500 people.

Each year the company produces content and partners with more than 400 broadcasters and cross media platforms worldwide.  Endemol is also one of the largest independent distributors of formats and finished programming in the world.  The company has a growing library of over 2,000 formats and more than 22,000 hours of content across genres including entertainment, reality TV, game shows, animation, comedy, drama, docu-dramas, features and feature films.

Endemol's credits include international blockbusters such as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, 1 vs. 100, Star Academy and Wipeout.  Its growing drama portfolio includes worldwide hits such as Home and Away, Rush, McLeod's Daughters; Wire in the Blood, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Robin Hood and Nini.  Endemol is also behind a wide range of multi-media sports content including football, cricket, rugby and motor racing.

Endemol is owned by Goldman Sachs, Mediacinco and Cyrte, which acquired the company in May 2007.

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SOURCE TV Land