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Lifetime Television Picks Up Hour-Long Comedic Drama Series Drop Dead Diva from Creator/Executive Producer Josh Berman and Executive Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron

Posted on: Friday, 16 January 2009, 12:36 CST

Stylish Series Strengthens Lifetime Television's Expansion of Bold Original Programming

Newcomer BROOKE ELLIOTT and MARGARET CHO Star in All-New Series from Sony Pictures Television

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifetime Television today announced the pick up of Drop Dead Diva, a spirited new comedic drama series that puts a uniquely compelling twist on the age-old battle between brains and beauty. Drop Dead Diva tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, thoughtful and plus-size attorney. Drop Dead Diva is produced by Sony Pictures Television and is set to premiere on Lifetime Television in the Summer of 2009.

"I couldn't be more excited about Drop Dead Diva," said JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice President, Lifetime Networks. "It's the type of show that truly enhances the Lifetime brand -- the duality of emotionally compelling drama with an equal balance of humor."

"In 2008, we introduced some terrific new programming to the Network, and Drop Dead Diva is the perfect complement to our schedule," continued Alfano.

ABOUT DROP DEAD DIVA

When beautiful-but-vapid model wannabe Deb has a fatal car accident, she suddenly finds herself in front of Heaven's gatekeeper, Fred, who declares her a self-centered "zero." Outraged, she attempts to persuade Fred to return her to her shallow existence but is accidentally relegated to the body of the recently deceased Jane Bingum (Brooke Elliott). A brilliant, thoughtful and plus-size attorney with a loyal assistant (Margaret Cho), Jane has always lived in the shadow of her more comely colleagues whereas Deb has always relied on her external beauty. Now, by a twist of fate and a bolt of divine intervention, both personalities must learn to coexist in Jane's plus-size frame in the ultimate showdown between brains and beauty.

Drop Dead Diva is produced by Sony Pictures Television for Lifetime Television. Josh Berman (Bones, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) is creator and executive producer. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Academy Award(R)-winning Chicago, Hairspray, Lifetime's Living Proof) of Storyline Entertainment are executive producers.

The launch of this brand new comedic drama builds on a year of success for Lifetime Television. The Network's hit drama Army Wives is the #1 rated and most watched original drama on cable among women 18-49. In addition, Lifetime was home to both the #1 and #2 original movies on cable among women viewers in 2008, with a line-up of stars including Dermot Mulroney, Emily Watson, Gretchen Mol, Shirley MacLaine and Harry Connick, Jr. Lifetime also recently acquired the widely popular series WifeSwap and How I Met Your Mother. And, in an expansion of its fresh original programming slate, the network launched the hit sitcom Rita Rocks, starring Nicole Sullivan. January 2009 also saw the premiere of the new reality series DietTribe, featuring rising star Jessie Pavelka.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment for network and cable television, as well as first-run and off-network series for syndication. With more than 25 programs on the air, SPT boasts a program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT also owns one-half of cable channel GSN and is a partner in FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service. Sony Pictures Television oversees all of Sony Pictures Entertainment's (SPE) domestic digital distribution efforts across all electronically delivered platforms, including the internet and mobile. Sony Pictures Television, advertiser sales, is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States, for Sony BMG and for the Tennis Channel, and is part owner of national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

ABOUT LIFETIME TELEVISION

Lifetime is a diverse, multi-media company, committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of the Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE Lifetime Television

Source: PR Newswire

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