New Series Will Premiere In Africa On September 24
JOHANNESBURG and SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 17, 2012 /CNW/ -
Comedy channel Comedy
Central (DStv Channel 122) has acquired the
exclusive African TV rights to the hit sitcom ANGER MANAGEMENT, starring
Hollywood comedy superstar Charlie Sheen , from Lionsgate
International, the international television arm of Lionsgate (LGF), a leading global entertainment company, the two companies announced today.
Africa's only 24-hour comedy channel will bring the first five
seasons of the show to African audiences for the first time. Premiering
on Comedy Central on Monday 24 September at 22:35 CAT, Comedy Central
will subsequently air two ANGER MANAGEMENT episodes back to back every
Monday night at 19:15 CAT and 19:40 CAT.
ANGER MANAGEMENT marks Charlie Sheen's first return to prime time
television since his departure from the CBS hit series TWO AND A HALF
MEN a little over a year ago. The show is loosely based on Revolution
Studios' 2003 feature ANGER MANAGEMENT, which starred Adam Sandler ,
Jack Nicholson and Marisa Tomei and grossed $178 million in global
box office – an unusual feat for a U.S. comedy.
Since launching in the U.S. on cable channel FX on 28 June 2012 ,
ANGER MANAGEMENT has broken ratings records -- the series premiere
attracted 5.74 million viewers in its series debut, making it the
most-watched sitcom premiere in U.S. cable history. The show went on to
become the highest-rated new comedy series on cable in 2012, and FX
ordered an additional 90 episodes last month.
The deal with Comedy Central in Africa follows on the heels of
Lionsgate International's sale of ANGER MANAGEMENT in Canada , Latin
America, Germany , Scandinavia, Benelux, Australia , New Zealand ,
the UK and Poland . Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury syndication company
sold the show to FX in the U.S. and will be selling its second
syndication window in the U.S. as well.
"We believe that Comedy Central is the perfect home for ANGER
MANAGEMENT in Africa , and we're delighted to continue building the
show's momentum around the world," said Lionsgate International
Television General Manager Peter Iacono . "The series is off to a
great start in the U.S. and, with 90 additional episodes already picked
up, it is positioned to have similar resonance with audiences around the
world for years to come."
Commented Evert van der Veer, Head of Comedy Central, Africa ,
"Comedy Central is delighted to partner with Lionsgate International to
bring Anger Management exclusively to comedy fans in Africa ,
complementing our existing comedy sitcom slate with this high profile,
ratings-winning sitcom that everyone is talking about."
Sheen interprets the role of Dr. Charlie Goodson , a non-traditional
therapist specializing in anger management. Charlie enjoys a
successful private practice, holding sessions with his group of primary
patient regulars each week, as well as performing pro bono counseling
for inmates at the state prison. Prior to becoming an anger management
therapist, Charlie was a minor league baseball player who ruined his own
sports career by breaking his leg with a baseball bat in a fit of
anger.
ANGER MANAGEMENT follows Charlie as he pursues his new choice of
career – counseling others on how to contain their anger issues, even
though his chaotic life ensures that his own anger issues often rise to
the surface. Life is complicated by his relationships with his own
therapist/best friend, Selma Blair (CRUEL INTENTIONS, LEGALLY BLONDE),
an ex-wife, Shawnee Smith (SAW franchise, BECKER) and their
13-year-old daughter, Sam ( Daniela Bobadilla ), who has OCD.
The show will include cameos from Charlie Sheen's inner circle,
including Denise Richards , Charlie Sheen's ex-wife. Martin Sheen
has confirmed his participation as a recurring character, playing
Charlie's father. Regular characters on the show include Noureen DeWulf
as anger management patient Lacey and Derek Richardson as Nolan (a
member of Charlie's anger management group).
Bruce Helford (GEORGE LOPEZ, THE DREW CAREY SHOW) heads up the
writing team and serves as showrunner. Joe Roth , Vince Totino ,
Dave Caplan and Mark Burg are executive producing along with Helford.
ANGER MANAGEMENT is produced by Lionsgate Television in conjunction
with Roth and Totino's Revolution Studios, Burg's Evolution
Entertainment, Helford's Mohawk Productions, Inc. and Estevez Sheen
Productions.
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