COMEDY CENTRAL® Greenlights Three New Series "The Burn" Starring Jeff Ross, "Review with Forrest MacNeil" Starring Andrew Daly and "Nathan For You" Starring Nathan Fielder

NEW YORK, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The ultimate Roastmaster taking aim at everyone and everything; a reviewer living on the edge no matter the cost; and an advocate who tries to use his business prowess to help save struggling companies and people in need.  COMEDY CENTRAL has given pick-up orders to three new, original series, it was announced today by Kent Alterman, Head of Original Programming and Production, COMEDY CENTRAL.  The series pick-ups include:  "The Burn" starring the "Roastmaster General" Jeff Ross; "Review with Forrest MacNeil" starring Andrew Daly ("Eastbound & Down"); and "Nathan For You" starring Canadian writer-comedian, Nathan Fielder ("Jon Benjamin Has A Van").

In "The Burn," Ross will be joined by a group of fellow comics to skewer the week's hot topics and head into the field to take aim at public figures and current events.  Known as the "Meanest Man in Comedy" by New York Magazine and "an heir apparent to such old-school masters as Buddy Hackett and Rodney Dangerfield," by The New York Times, Ross has appeared in the last nine COMEDY CENTRAL Roasts and authored the book, "I Only Roast the Ones I Love: Busting Balls Without Burning Bridges," that was released in 2009.

"Jeff embodies comedy past and comedy future simultaneously, and we are excited to be in the present with him," said Alterman.

"Thank you COMEDY CENTRAL," said Ross.  "My mission is clear.  To rip the world a new a**hole one crack at a time.  I can't wait to get started."

"The Burn" is executive produced by Ross, Mike Gibbons and Tagline Television's Willie Mercer and Amy Zvi.  Production is slated to begin this spring for a premiere this summer, following an all-new "COMEDY CENTRAL Roast."  Jim Sharp and Gary Mann are the Executives in Charge of Production for COMEDY CENTRAL.

"Review with Forrest MacNeil" is a half-hour comedy starring Daly as "Forrest MacNeil."  Unlike typical critics who review boring things like films, food or art, MacNeil reviews the most intense experiences of life itself…by living them.  He reviews anything his TV audience throws at him: the adrenaline rush of stealing, the trauma of divorce, the harrowing effects of murder, the wonder and joy of anonymous sex and stops at nothing to show us what any and every experience in life feels like.  And, for our convenience, he rates every adventure on a scale of zero to five stars.  MacNeil's unwavering commitment to his work means his answers to life's most challenging questions often come at the expense of his wife, his children, his co-workers and humanity in general.

"I know Andy Daly's wife and I want to assure her that contrary to the documentary style of the show, it is fictional," said Alterman.

"This show will be a great service to society," said Daly.  "If you're thinking about cheating on your spouse or murdering someone, please wait until we review it so you can avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the experience."

"Review with Forrest MacNeil" is executive produced by Daly and Charlie Siskel ("Tosh.0").  Academy Award nominee Jeff Blitz ("Spellbound") directed the pilot.  Jim Sharp and Gary Mann are the executives in charge of production for COMEDY CENTRAL. 

"Nathan For You" is a half-hour comedy starring Canadian writer-comedian Nathan Fielder ("Jon Benjamin Has A Van", "Important Things with Demetri Martin"). Armed with a business degree and drawing from his limited life experiences, Nathan gives advice to real people and struggling businesses each week. Thinking that his business background gives him carte blanche to help real businesses and people in all walks of life, Nathan's unorthodox approach usually does more harm than good. Nathan is to small businesses what Gordon Ramsay is to floundering restaurants. Only much much worse. 

"I'm hoping the best advice Nathan ever gives me turns out to be that he advised me to pick up this show," said Alterman.

"Picking up my show is a great move for Comedy Central," said Fielder.  "I wouldn't be surprised if we see a major uptick in Viacom stock today."

"Nathan For You" is executive produced by Fielder, Michael Koman ("Important Things with Demetri Martin") and Dave Kneebone ("Jon Benjamin Has A Van").  Jim Sharp and Jack Herrguth are the executives in charge of production for COMEDY CENTRAL.

Available in 99 million homes nationwide, COMEDY CENTRAL (www.comedycentral.com), the only all-comedy network, is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB).  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 and follow us on Twitter @ComedyCentralPR for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB) is home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms in more than 160 countries and territories.  With approximately 170 media networks reaching more than 600 million global subscribers, Viacom's leading brands include MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV Land, Spike TV and Tr3s.  Paramount Pictures, America's oldest film studio and creator of many of the most beloved motion pictures, continues today as a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  Viacom operates a large portfolio of branded digital media experiences, including many of the world's most popular properties for entertainment, community and casual online gaming.  For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications

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