FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2005
CONTACT:
Tosha Whitten-Griggs, 818/655-6712
tosha.whitten-griggs@bet.net
Clarence Jeter, 818/655-6739
clarence.jeter@bet.net
TALENT EXECUTIVE:
Roxane Davis, 818/655-6723
BET LOOKING FOR COMEDIC 'FRESH FACE' TO HELM NEW LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW
Casting for BET LATE NIGHT is Underway; Network's Development Team Issues Call for Tape Submissions and Conducts Live Auditions in Five Markets
WHAT: BET hits late night television with a new daily talk show, BET LATE NIGHT, and is currently conducting a nationwide casting call in search of a comedic 'fresh face' to take the reigns. BET LATE NIGHT will explore the hottest topics of the day via one-on-one interviews, sketches, and musical performances. A final comedy "showdown" featuring the front-runners for the BET LATE NIGHT host chair is planned for Thursday, May 26th in Hollywood, California.
WHO: BET LATE NIGHT is currently accepting audition tapes in search of a new host with a comedic background. In addition, regional auditions will be held from April 26th - May 18 in several U.S. cities to determine participants in actual taped episodes. Call 818-655-6723 for updates on locations and times. A final showcase will be held on May 26th in Hollywood to determine the BET LATE NIGHT host, based on the best-in-class performers from the initial auditioning cities and tape submissions.
HOW: There are two ways to enter:
1. Candidates must submit a non-returnable 5-minute audition tape by April 26, 2005 to BET in VHS/DVD format only. Tapes need not be professionally produced, but must consist of a 2-minute opening monologue (IE: Talk Show) and 3-minute stand-up comedy performance by the entrant before a live audience. It must appeal to an urban audience of viewers aged 18-49. One entry per comedian is permitted. Audition tapes should be sent postage-paid and must include headshot/resume, accurate contact information for follow-up, if necessary. BET does not assume any responsibility for lost, late, misdirected or damaged videotapes. Tapes will not be returned and become property of BET.
Send non-returnable VHS/DVD to:
BET LATE NIGHT
PO Box 1746
Studio City, CA 91614-0746
2. Auditions can be arranged by contacting BET @ 818/655-6723 for information and scheduling for each city. BET will also showcase* selected talent at nightly shows on each of the nights listed below:
Tuesday, April 26 @ 8:00 P.M. ET
THE IMPROV-305/441-8200
3390 Mary St. ~ Miami, FL 33133
Wednesday, April 27 @ 8:00 P.M. ET
THE PUNCHLINE - 404/252-5233
280 Hilderbrand Dr. ~ Atlanta, GA 30428
Tuesday, May 3 @ 8:00 P.M. PT
THE IMPROV - 323/651-2583
8162 Melrose Ave. ~ Los Angeles, CA 90046
Monday, May 9 @ 8:00 P.M. PT
THE PUNCHLINE - 415/397-7573
4444 Battery ~ San Francisco, CA 94111
Wednesday, May 18 @ 8:00 P.M. CT
CAPITOL CITY COMEDY CLUB - 512/467-2333
8120 Research Blvd. ~ Austin, TX 78758
Thursday, May 26
BET LATE NIGHT - FINALS SHOWCASE
HOLLYWOOD, CA
* Showcases are open to the public. Contact venue for ticket prices and info.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Roxane Davis or Kara Sullivan (asst.) at 818/655-6723 for more information on auditions, tape submissions, and industry RSVP.
ABOUT BET:
BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the nation's leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. The BET Network reaches more than 80 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is a dominant consumer brand in the urban marketplace with a diverse group of branded businesses: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks - BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, specializing in a full range of event production services, including event management, venue selection, talent recruitment, sound, lighting and stage production; and BET Books, the nation's leading publisher of African-American themed romance novels under the Arabesque imprint which also publishes compelling fiction under the Sepia imprint and inspirational fiction and nonfiction under the New Spirit imprint.
www.bet.com -END-
Posted By: Will Moss
Wednesday, April 27th 2005 at 3:15AM
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