Mr. Sullivan also announced that Academy-Award winner Whoopi Goldberg will join UPN's talent roster as the voice of the formidable superstar Ruby De La Rocha in a new half-hour live action comedy, "Ruby," currently in development for mid-season. An animatronic puppet will portray Ruby. David Faustino ("Married... With Children") will also star. Whoopi Goldberg and David Permut are the executive producers.
In addition, Mr. Sullivan announced that UPN will expand its primetime schedule to four nights, programming on Thursdays beginning in the first quarter of 1998. Following in the footsteps of UPN's proven Wednesday sci-fi block, the night will feature the "UPN Thursday Night Sci-Fi Movie," a weekly two-hour movie showcasing a popular genre, science fiction fantasy. Both original, made-for-UPN fare and the broadcast television premieres of theatrical features will be showcased on UPN's Thursday night.
In making the announcements, Mr. Sullivan commented, "UPN is here to stay. We have established programming success with six returning series and with our four exciting new series, we will continue to expand and to diversify without losing our focus. Our strategy is simple -- if it's working, keep it working."
UPN's season premiere dates will be announced shortly. Following is UPN's 1997-98 primetime schedule (all times are ET/PT):
UPN'S 1997-98 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
Mondays 8:00 p.m. "In the House" returning series 8:30 p.m. "Malcolm & Eddie" returning series 9:00 p.m. "Good News" new series 9:30 p.m. "Sparks" returning series Tuesdays 8:00 p.m. "Clueless" new series 8:30 p.m. "Moesha" returning series, new time period 9:00 p.m. "Hitz" new series 9:30 p.m. "Head Over Heels" new series Wednesdays 8:00 p.m. "The Sentinel" returning series 9:00 p.m. "Star Trek: Voyager" returning seriesDescriptions of each series follow.
"MALCOLM & EDDIE" (8:30-9:00 p.m.) -- Malcolm-Jamal Warner ("The Cosby Show") and comedian Eddie Griffin star as MALCOLM MCGEE and EDDIE SHERMAN, a study in contrasts who own, live and work in the same building space in Kansas City, Missouri, in this half-hour comedy series entering its second season. Malcolm strives to make his sports bar the hottest spot in town, while Eddie, who owns the adjoining tow and auto repair shop, works at pulling Malcolm into his crazy schemes designed to create good fortune. Against his better judgment, Malcolm somehow gets lassoed into Eddie's plots and ploys, and usually must pull him out of trouble. In addition to Warner and Griffin, also featured are Jaime Cardriche as Tim, Angelle Brooks as Holly and Karen Malina White as Nicolette. Jeff Franklin is the executive producer. Jerry Perzigian and Joel Madison are the co-executive producers. The series is a production of TriStar Television.
"GOOD NEWS" (9:00-9:30 p.m.) -- This new half-hour comedy series boasts gospel music with a spunky R&B flair. When young PASTOR DAVID RANDOLPH is designated as the temporary replacement for the Church of Life's beloved founding father, the congregation sings... everything but his praises. Minutes after his arrival, the church staff leaves in protest -- all, that is, but VERA, the kind-hearted church secretary. With her help and that of a few devotees, Pastor Randolph tries to settle into the role of leader and now must attempt to resolve some hilarious social predicaments, not all of which are clearly answered by the good book. Complementing the congregation are several unique soul-searchers: LITTLE T, the youthful choir member who speaks in slang, his girlfriend, CASSIE, and MONA PHILLIPS, the beautiful youth director vying for the attention of the ever-so-eligible Pastor Randolph. Starring are David P. Ramsey as Pastor David Randolph, Rose Jackson Moye as Vera Hudson, Roz Ryan as Mrs. Dixon, Tracey Cherelle Jones ("Don't Be A Menace to South Central...") as Cassie Coleman, Guy Torry ("Don't Be A Menace To South Central") as Little T, and Alexia Robinson ("The Nutty Professor") as Mona Phillips. The executive producers are Ed. Weinberger ("Sparks," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Taxi," "The Cosby Show"), Robi Reed-Humes and Reuben Cannon. The series is produced by MTM Productions.
"SPARKS" (9:30-10:00 p.m.) -- A father and his two disparate sons run Sparks, Sparks and Sparks, a walk-in storefront law firm in inner-city Los Angeles in this half-hour comedy series entering its second season. While they generally fight like cats and dogs, the womanizing and flamboyant MAXEY SPARKS and his straight arrow brother GREG have something in common -- their mutual desire to stay in their father's good graces and keep a steady flow of business moving through the family firm. With the brothers bickering about anything and everything, only three people seem capable of keeping the young men under control -- their father ALONZO, their beautiful associate WILMA CUTHBERT and the cantankerous but competent office manager, DARICE, who also has her hands full keeping the young office assistant and Maxey wannabe, LAMARR, in line. Starring are James Avery ("The Fresh Prince of Bel Air") as Alonzo Sparks, Robin Givens ("Head of the Class") as Wilma Cuthbert, Miguel Nuqez ("The Faculty") as Maxey Sparks, Terrence Howard ("Sunset Park") as Greg Sparks, Kym Whitley as Darice Mayberry and Arif S. Kinchen as LaMarr Hicks. Ed. Weinberger and Bob Moloney are the executive producers. The series is produced by MTM Productions.
"MOESHA" (8:30-9:00 p.m.) -- A recipient of the 1996 Parents' Choice Silver Honor, this half-hour comedy series enters its second season in a new time period. "Moesha" stars R&B/Pop sensation Brandy as MOESHA MITCHELL, a typical teenage girl who talks out issues with her trusted diary. Until recently the female head of her household and accustomed to taking care of her father FRANK, and her little brother MYLES, Moesha is developing a loving and trusting relationship with the new woman in her house, her father's wife, DEE. When not with the family, Moesha hangs with best friend and occasional bad influence Kim, boy-crazy pal NIECY, childhood friend, neighbor and frequent mealtime guest HAKEEM, on-again, off-again boyfriend Q, and confidante ANDELL, who owns and operates their favorite hang-out, The Den. Set in the Leimert Park section of Los Angeles, "Moesha" takes a comic look at one modern, middle class family and the people who surround them. Sara V. Finney and Vida Spears are the executive producers. The series is a production of Big Ticket Television.
"HITZ" (9:00-9:30 p.m.) -- Set in the high-pressure, cutthroat world of the Los Angeles record business, this raucous new half-hour comedy follows the exploits of two hip, young music industry executives with an ear for talent and a talent for trouble. After their boss and mentor is unceremoniously shown the door, ROBERT MOORE and BUSBY EVANS are next in line for execution -- unless they can sign a major act within 24 hours. Meanwhile, tough record company president JIMMY ESPOSITO is getting impatient, the cynical promotion guy, TOMMY STANS, is shamelessly mocking Robert and Busby's impending demise and their distractingly beautiful colleague, APRIL BEANE, is conspiring to take over their client roster. Busby is a fast-talking, smooth operator known for his ability to schmooze the stars. He's also notorious for losing his temper, insulting the talent and leaving the more responsible Robert scrambling to close the deal. But Robert knows that Busby is a good-hearted guy brimming with ideas and that together, they'll find a way to pull off most anything. Starring are Claude Brooks as Busby Evans, Rick Gomez as Robert Moore, Andrew Dice Clay ("The Adventures of Ford Fairlane") as Jimmy Esposito, Spencer Garrett ("Ghosts of Mississippi") as Tommy Stans and Rosa Blasi as April Beane. Richard Vaczy and Tracy Gamble are the executive producers. "Hitz" is a production of Paramount Network Television in association with MTV.
"HEAD OVER HEELS" (9:30-10:00 p.m.) -- JACK and WARREN BALDWIN, two quarrelsome young brothers, take over daily operation of Head Over Heels, a South Beach, Florida, video dating service founded by their flamboyant mother, ROXANNE, in this contemporary new half-hour comedy. While their sexpot mom delights in her swinging single life, her would-be Cupid sons continually misfire their arrows while at work and at play. Jack, the much more free and easy of the Baldwin siblings, is not the best match for the matchmaking business. He's an incorrigible womanizer who's not above hitting on the agency's clientele as they scan the lonely hearts club's video library for their soulmates. Warren is more suited to running the business and, although salvaging personal lives is his profession, he's become hopeless and hapless ever since his wife left him for a Miami Dolphins linebacker. Rounding out the eclectic staff at Head Over Heels is the sardonic IAN, a frustrated avant-garde filmmaker who produces each client's videotape with an exuberant, far-off flair, and VALENTINA, the reformed exotic dancer turned agency receptionist. Starring are Peter Dobson ("Riot") as Jack Baldwin, Mitchell Whitfield ("Minor Adjustments") as Warren Baldwin, Patrick Bristow ("Ellen") as Ian, Connie Stevens as Roxanne and Cindy Ambuehl ("Mr. Saturday Night") as Valentina. Jeff Franklin ("Full House," "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper" and "Malcolm & Eddie") is the executive producer. The series is a production of Columbia TriStar Television.
"STAR TREK: VOYAGER" (9:00-10:00 p.m) -- Set in the 24th century, UPN's popular one-hour drama "Star Trek: Voyager" chronicles the adventures of the Starship U.S.S. Voyager crew as they navigate their way through the uncharted Delta Quadrant, a distant part of the galaxy. The Voyager crew, comprised of members of Federation personnel and its former enemy, the Maquis, is led by CAPTAIN KATHRYN JANEWAY, the first woman to be featured as a Captain of a Federation Starship in the 30-year history of "Star Trek." Now that the crew has come to terms with their plight, they have become more optimistic, more determined to find their way home and more prepared to embrace the adventures they encounter. Starring are Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway, Robert Beltran as First Officer Chakotay, Roxann Dawson as B'Elanna Torres, Jennifer Lien as Kes, Robert Duncan McNeill as Lieutenant Tom Paris, Ethan Phillips as Neelix, Robert Picardo as The Doctor, Tim Russ as Tactical/Security Officer Tuvok and Garrett Wang as Ensign Harry Kim. Rick Berman and Jeri Taylor are executive producers. The series is a Paramount Network Television production.
As America's most watched new network, UPN reaches more than 92% of all U.S. television viewing households. UPN currently programs primetime entertainment on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT). In addition, UPN broadcasts an afternoon weekend movie (12:00 noon-2:00 p.m., ET/PT). Beginning this Fall, UPN will broadcast an hour-long teen-oriented programming block Monday through Friday (4:00-5:00 p.m. ET/PT) and its Sunday morning block will be comprised of an hour of kids animated programming and an hour of teen-oriented programming. The network expands to Thursday (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) during the first quarter of 1998.
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