ABC Wins Tuesday in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 with Its Best Numbers on the Night in 1 Year and Draws its Largest Audience on Any Night This Season

ABC’s Annual Telecast of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” Delivers its
Best Performance Ever on ABC Since Premiering on the Net in 2001

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is Tuesday’s No. 1 Program in Kids 2-11 and Ranks as Broadcast TV’s Highest-Rated Scripted Telecast Among Kids in Nearly 1 Year

Achieving Season Highs in its Seventh Season Finale, “DWTS the Results Show”
Is Tuesday’s No. 1 Show in Viewers and Young Adults

Season Finales of “Dancing with the Stars” and “Dancing with the Stars Results” Stand as the Top 2 Most-Watched Entertainment Telecast of the November Sweep

Tuesday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
Building on the previous week’s performance for the 2nd consecutive week, ABC’s Tuesday lineup won the night in Total Viewers (17.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.5/11), marking the Net’s largest audience and highest young adult performance with non-sports programming on the night in 1 year - since 11/27/07.  In addition, ABC attracted its biggest audience on any night of the 2008-09 season to date.

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
ABC’s annual broadcast of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” attracted its largest audience ever (11.1 million) and matched its highest Adults 18-49 performance (3.4/9) on ABC since its debut on the Network in 2001.  The holiday classic also posted Network highs among Women 18-49 (4.3/11), Women 25-54 (4.7/11) and Kids 2-11 (6.3/19).

* “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” ranked as Tuesday’s No. 1 program in Kids 2-11 and stood as broadcast television’s highest rated scripted telecast in the key kids demographic in nearly 1 year - since 12/4/07 with CBS’ “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

“Dancing with the Stars Results” (9:00-11:00 p.m.)
On its 7th season finale, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars Results” drew an average audience of 20.6 million viewers and a 5.1 rating, 13 share in Adults 18-49.  Actress, host and entrepreneur Brooke Burke was crowned Season 7 champion and awarded the coveted mirror ball trophy.  Opposite stiff sweep competition during its 2-hour broadcast, including CBS’ “The Mentalist” at 9:00 p.m. and NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” at 10:00 p.m., the season closer of “Dancing” gained audience throughout its telecast, growing by 3.5 million viewers (18.7 million to 22.2 million) and by 24% in Adults 18-49 (4.5/11 to 5.6/15) from its first half-hour to its final half-hour.  Hitting season highs in its season finale, “Dancing with the Stars Results” stood as Tuesday’s No. 1 program in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

* “Dancing with the Stars Results” was up from its most recent Tuesday finale in Total Viewers (20.1 million on 5/20/08).  In addition, the finale was also up across each of the key men demographics (M18-34/M18-49/M25-54), Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11

* The season finales of “Dancing with the Stars” (21.1 million - 11/24/08) and “Dancing with the Stars Results” (20.6 million - 11/25/08) stand as the Top 2 most-watched entertainment telecasts of the 2008 November Sweep.

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to more than 28% currently, from 21% at the same point in 2007. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate, Live + Same Day Ratings), 11/25/08.

Saturday, Jan. 17 (11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT) on FOX.

For a limited six-week run, the Saturday-night staple, hosted by Spike Feresten, will deliver double the laughter with more original fan-favorite sketches such as “Idiot Paparazzi,” “Comedy for Stoners,” the online sensation “Lil’ O’Reilly” and 99-year old Mae Laborde’s Cable PSA on  Digital TV. Shot in the studio and on the streets of Los Angeles, TALKSHOW will also continue to feature Feresten’s monologues, popular celebrity guests and musical performances.

TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN is a fast-paced late-night series that offers a fresh approach to the conventional talk show format. In its first three seasons, TALKSHOW has featured celebrity guests including Jerry Seinfeld, Ryan Seacrest, Kara DioGuardi, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Carl Reiner and Cheryl Hines, as well as musical acts David Archuleta, Jordin Sparks, Hanson and Vanilla Ice.

TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN is executive-produced by Feresten and Mike Gibbons, and is a production of Fox Television Studios.

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (November 24, 2008) – What’s a coach to do?  Nickelodeon’s highly rated original family TV movie, Gym Teacher: The Movie, comes to DVD February 3rd from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  The film stars Emmy® Award-winner Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: SVU) as a former Olympic gymnast turned high school coach who must transform an athletically adverse new student (rising star Nathan Kress of TV’s “iCarly”) into a star athlete in order to win a championship tournament.  Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy, Shrek the Third), David Alan Grier (In Living Color), and a guest appearance by Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner (TV’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”), all add to the fun.  The laugh-out-loud bonus materials include everything kids expect from Nickelodeon, including behind-the-scenes featurettes, bloopers, and deleted scenes.  Gym Teacher: The Movie will be available for $19.95 SRP.

SYNOPSIS:

Roland (“iCarly’s” Nathan Kress) is the new kid at Hamm Lake Middle School, and there’s just no hiding he’s a super geek with no athletic ability. Dave Stewie (Meloni) is the school’s beloved gym teacher who once represented the U.S. in the Seoul Games, but his disastrous go-for-the-gold vault became one of sport’s biggest bloopers. After pressure to compete in the National Gym Class Fitness Competition, heat from the school’s principal (Sedaris) and foul play from a rival school’s devious coach (Grier) turn them into a potentially disastrous duo - it’s going to take a major game changer to bring home the gold in this hilarious Nickelodeon original movie for the whole family!

Gym Teacher: The Movie has a runtime of 94:22 and is rated TV Y-7.  Visit Sony Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

Air Date:         September 12, 2008 on Nickelodeon

DVD Special Features include:

·        Behind the Scenes Features
·        Bloopers
·        Deleted Scenes

DVD Catalog #: 29270

DVD UPC Code: 043396292703

DVD Order Date: 1/15/09

DVD SLP: $19.95

GREG KINNEAR LEADS AN ALL-STAR CAST FEATURING DERMOT MULRONEY, ALAN ALDA, AND LAUREN GRAHAM

OWN IT ON DVD FEBRUARY 17, 2009 FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

OVERVIEW: Flash of Genius is the must-see DVD that tells the true story of an ordinary man and his extraordinary fight against one of the most powerful corporations in the world. Critics are hailing it “A terrific film” (Larry King), “Inspirational” (Rafer Guzman, Newsday), and “A celebration of the American Dream and fighting for it!” (Rachel Smith, FOX-TV).

Flash of Genius will also be available On Demand starting February 17, 2009. NBCU’s VOD and PPV offerings are available through major cable providers, as well as direct broadcast satellite (DBS), telco providers and online platforms. Offerings are also available in HD in select markets. For more details about NBC Universal’s VOD and PPV offerings, visit www.universalvod.net.

BONUS FEATURES:
• DELETED SCENES with commentary by Director Marc Abraham
• FEATURE COMMENTARY with Director Marc Abraham

SYNOPSIS: Based on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns’ (Greg Kinnear) long battle with the U.S. automobile industry, Flash of Genius tells the tale of one man whose fight to receive recognition for his ingenuity would come at a heavy price. But this determined engineer refused to be silenced, and he took on the corporate titans in a battle that nobody thought he could win. The Kearnses were a typical 1960s Detroit family, trying to live their version of the American Dream. Local university professor Bob married teacher Phyllis (Lauren Graham) and, by their mid-thirties, had six kids who brought them a hectic but satisfying Midwestern existence. When Bob invents a device that would eventually be used by every car in the world, the Kearnses think they have struck gold. But their aspirations are dashed after the auto giants who embraced Bob’s creation unceremoniously shunned the man who invented it. Ignored, threatened and then buried in years of litigation, Bob is haunted by what was done to his family and their future. He becomes a man obsessed with justice and the conviction that his life’s work — or for that matter, anyone’s work — be acknowledged by those who stood to benefit. And while paying the toll for refusing to compromise his dignity, this everyday David will try the unthinkable: to bring Goliath to his knees.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Street Date: February 17, 2009
Copyright: 2008 Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 61104076
Price: $29.98 SRP
Running time: 2 Hours
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

CAST AND FILMMAKERS
Cast: Greg Kinnear, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Alda, and Lauren Graham
Directed By: Marc Abraham
Written By: Philip Railsback
Based on The New Yorker Article “The Flash of Genius” by: John Seabrook
Produced By: Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Michael Lieber
Executive Producers: Jonathan Glickman, J. Miles Dale, Thomas A. Bliss, Eric Newman
Director of Photography: Dante Spinotti, ASC, AIC
Production Designer: Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski
Edited by: Jill Savitt, ACE
Costume Designer: Luis Sequeira
Music By: Aaron Zigman
Music Supervisors: G. Marq Roswell and Adam Swart
Casting by: Denise Chamian

www.flashofgenius.net

JANUARY 20, 2009 OWN IT ON DVD AND BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

“FANTASTIC. ONE OF THE BEST SPORTS MOVIES I’VE SEEN” –LARRY KING

OVERVIEW: Witness the journey of how one determined player and his dedicated coach changed the game of football forever. Starring Dennis Quaid and based on the inspirational true story of an American hero who beat the odds to become the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, The Express will have you cheering over and over again.

The Express will also be available On Demand starting January 20, 2009. NBCU’s VOD and PPV offerings are available through major cable providers, as well as direct broadcast satellite (DBS), telco providers and online platforms. Offerings are also available in HD in select markets. For more details about NBC Universal’s VOD and PPV offerings, visit www.universalvod.net.

BONUS FEATURES:
• DELETED SCENES WITH OPTIONAL COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR GARY FLEDER
• MAKING OF THE EXPRESS: Director Gary Fleder, 2nd Unit Director Alan Graf, Production Designer Nelson Coates Cinematographer Kramer Morganthau along with cast Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown and Charles Dutton discuss how they created the look of this film set in 1959.
• MAKING HISTORY: THE STORY OF ERNIE DAVIS: Director Gary Fleder, actors Rob Brown, Charles Dutton, and football hall of fame legend Jim Brown discuss the impact of Ernie Davis’s life on and off the field during the civil rights movement in the late 1950’s.
• INSIDE THE PLAYBOOK: SHOOTING THE FOOTBALL GAMES: Through graphics and audio commentary, Director Gary Fleder and 2nd Unit Director Alan Graf will break down three plays from the film from a variety of different angles that they shot to show the progression from start to finished film.
• FROM HOLLYWOOD TO SYRACUSE: THE LEGACY OF ERNIE DAVIS
• FEATURE COMMENTARY With Director Gary Fleder

BONUS FEATURES (EXCLUSIVE TO BLU-RAY™):
• BD-LIVE FEATURES: Access the BD-Live Center through your internet-connected player for even more great content and features!
o MY SCENES SHARING: Bookmark your favorite scenes then share with your friends.
o DOWNLOAD CENTER: Access additional content, the latest trailers, and so much more!
• 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1959 SYRACUSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Utilizing rare archival footage and through interviews with players, coaches and fans, discover how Ernie Davis and his team won Syracuse University their only football national championship in 1959.

SYNOPSIS: The Express follows the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Following his draft by the NFL, tragedy struck the star athlete and he was never able to take the professional field. But his tale would forever change the face of professional sports. Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, Davis overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to become an unstoppable running back for the Syracuse Orangemen. Under the guidance of coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid)—a hard-nosed surrogate father with an obsession for winning a national championship—Davis would develop from an impressive high-school athlete into a legend. While everyone agreed Ernie Davis was a miracle player, few thought this quiet young man would become an icon for the burgeoning civil rights movement dividing America in the early 1960s. Refusing to play by the unspoken racist rules of the day, Davis broke through one barrier after another to alter the way fans looked at men of his color. Though leukemia struck the player a terrible blow in the prime of his life, his spirit soared when most would crumble. Forcing his bull-headed coach to re-examine a life lived in color-based privilege, Davis would join the ranks of black pioneers who inspired a movement that smashed barriers on and off the playing field.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Street Date: January 20, 2008
Copyright: 2008 Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 61103050
Price: $29.98 SRP
Running time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes
Layers: Dual layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: PG for thematic content, violence and language involving racism, and brief sensuality.
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY™:
Selection Number: 61106128
Price: $39.98 SRP
Running Time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: DTS HD Master Audio 5.1, DTS Surround 5.1

CAST AND FILMMAKERS
Cast: Rob Brown, Dennis Quaid, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Omar Benson Miller, Nelsan Ellis, Charles S. Dutton
Directed By: Gary Felder
Written By: Charles Leavitt
Based on the “Book”: Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express by: Robert Gallagher
Produced By: John Davis
Executive Producers: Derek Dauchy, Arne L. Schmidt, Ryan Kavanaugh
Director of Photography: Kramer Morgenthau, ASC
Production Designer: Nelson Coates
Edited By: William Steinkamp, ACE and Padraic McKinley
Casting By: Deborah Aquila, CSA, Tricia Wood, CSA, Jennifer Smith, CSA
Music by: Mark Isham
Music Supervisors: Peter Afterman and Margaret Yen

www.theexpressmovie.com

Bravo’s “Top Chef: New York” Chef’testants Share Favorite Thanksgiving Day Recipes

NEW YORK – November 26, 2008 – Tis’ the season to be giving – and from our family to yours – some of Bravo’s “Top Chef: New York” chef’testants share their favorite Thanksgiving Day recipes. Need a last minute side dish or a fabulous dessert? Test your cooking skills with some delicious, annual favorites from this season’s crop of talented and experienced chefs. Here’s to good times and great food from your friends at Bravo.

Recipes include Jeffrey’s Artichoke, Pumpkin and Manchego Croquettes, Lauren’s Corn Pudding, Fabio’s Gamberoni in Camicia, Pancetta wrapped Jumbo Prawns filled with Italian Sharp Gorgonzola with Parmesan Polenta, Hosea’s Sweet Potato Hash, Jill’s Roasted Pumpkin Bisque with Cashew Sour Cream, Ariane’s Pecan Pie, Melissa’s Pumpkin Banana Mousse Tart Garnished with Chocolate Shavings, Alex’s Pork Belly Turkey, Stefan’s Butternut Squash Soup. Recipes are enclosed.

“Top Chef: New York” is produced by Emmy Award nominees Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz and Shauna Minoprio, who serve as executive producers.

HUGH JACKMAN, RANDY JACKSON, DRAKE BELL, JOSH PECK, PATRICIA HEATON,
MARLO THOMAS, JEFF GOLDBLUM AND JENNIFER ESPOSITO ON “THE VIEW,” DEC. 1-5
Music from Martina McBride, Harry Connick, Jr. and Kristin Chenoweth

“All My Children” Stars JR Martinez and Beth Ehlers, Dec. 5
Hugh Jackman (”Australia”), Randy Jackson (author, “Body with Soul”), Drake Bell and Josh Peck (”Drake & Josh”), Patricia Heaton (”Front of the Class”), Marlo Thomas, Jeff Goldblum (”Law & Order: Criminal Intent”), Jennifer Esposito (ABC’s “Samantha Who?”), “All My Children stars JR Martinez and Beth Ehlers plus music from Martina McBride, Harry Connick, Jr. and Kristin Chenoweth (ABC’s “Pushing Daisies”) are all featured DEC. 1-5 on ABC’s “The View” (11:00a.m.-12:00 noon, ET).

“The View” features Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. It’s the original forum in which real women discuss everyday issues and share their no-holds-barred opinions and engage in colorful conversations. Since its launch, “The View” has received 24 Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Talk Show. The show has received numerous nominations, including eleven consecutive nominations for Outstanding Daytime Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Host. Visit “The View” on the Web at ABC.com (keyword: theview). The program is broadcast in HDTV with 5.1-channel surround sound and is currently in its 12th season on ABC.

Scheduled guests for the week of Dec. 1-5 are as follows (subject to change):

MONDAY, DEC. 1 - Randy Jackson (author, “Body with Soul”); Kristin Chenoweth (ABC’s “Pushing Daisies”) performs.

TUESDAY, DEC. 2 - Patricia Heaton (”Front of the Class”); Jennifer Esposito (ABC’s “Samantha Who?”)

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3 - Jeff Goldblum (”Law & Order: Criminal Intent”); Martina McBride performs.

THURSDAY, DEC. 4 - Harry Connick, Jr. performs; Marlo Thomas; Drake Bell and Josh Peck (”Drake & Josh”).

FRIDAY, DEC. 5 - Hugh Jackman (”Australia”); JR Martinez and Beth Ehlers (ABC’s “All My Children”).

“The Big Bang Theory” Delivers Its Largest Audience Ever and Highest Adult 18-34 Rating

“How I Met Your Mother” Follows with Its Largest Audience of the Season

CBS won its third consecutive Monday in November in adults 18-49 led by the largest audience ever for THE BIG BANG THEORY and a season best viewer delivery for HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, according to preliminary Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Nov. 24.

THE BIG BANG THEORY was first in adults 18-34 (3.2/10), second in households (6.2/10), viewers (10.19m), adults 25-54 (4.3/10) and adults 18-49 (3.9/10). Compared to last week, THE BIG BANG THEORY was up +2% in households (from 6.1/09), +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.8/10), +19% in adults 18-34 (from 2.7/08) and added +430,000 viewers (from 9.76m, +4%). THE BIG BANG THEORY posted its largest audience ever, best adults 18-34 ratings ever and matched its best adults 18-49 delivery ever.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER was first in adults 18-34 (3.7/10), second in households (6.0/09), viewers (10.05m), adults 25-54 (4.5/10) and adults 18-49 (4.3/11). HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER posted season highs in viewers.

TWO AND A HALF MEN was tied for first in adults 18-49 (5.3/12, with ABC), second in households (9.0/13), viewers (14.92m) and adults 25-54 (6.2/13).

WORST WEEK was second in households (6.4/10), viewers (10.35m), adults 25-54 (4.0/09) and adults 18-49 (3.3/08). Compared to last week, WORST WEEK was up +3% in both adults 25-54 (from 3.9/09) and adults 18-49 (from 3.2/07) and added +110,000 viewers (from 10.24m, +1%). This is WORST WEEK’s best delivery in viewers and adults 18-49 since the Sept. 22, 2008 series premiere, best adults 25-54 delivery since Oct. 13, 2008.

CSI: MIAMI won its time slot in households (9.1/15), viewers (14.15m), adults 25-54 (4.9/12) and adults 18-49 (3.9/10).

For the night, CBS was first in adults 18-49 (4.1/10), adults 18-34 (2.9/08), second in households (7.7/12), viewers (12.30m) and adults 25-54 (4.8/11, -0.1 behind ABC).

Updated Monday ratings will be available this afternoon.

Musician Seal Guest Stars as Himself

“Help” - Eli misinterprets his latest prophecy, on ABC’s “Eli Stone,” TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET). As Eli and Keith defend Patti’s daughter against drug charges, Eli believes she is innocent while Keith has his reservations. In time Eli will realize a greater meaning to his vision — one which will change his relationship with Patti forever. Meanwhile, an ultrasound and advice from Maggie gives Matt clarity on his relationship with Taylor; with help from Maggie’s new client, Matt scores two tickets to Seal’s concert for him and Taylor; and sensing Eli is feeling lonely, Dr. Chen arranges a blind date for Eli with one of his patients.

“Eli Stone” stars Jonny Lee Miller as Eli Stone, Victor Garber as Jordan Wethersby, Natasha Henstridge as Taylor Wethersby, Loretta Devine as Patti, Sam Jaeger as Matt Dowd, James Saito as Dr. Chen, Matt Letscher as Nathan Stone, Julie Gonzalo as Maggie Dekker and Jason George as Keith Bennett.

Guest stars include Bridget Moynahan as Ashley and Seal as himself.

“Help” is directed by Michael Grossman and written by Andrew Kreisberg and Steve Lichtman.

“Eli Stone” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

This episode of “Eli Stone” will be available on ABC.com the day after airing on the network for users to watch online.

“‘This is the thrill of live performance, and it’s all up there in the cinecast of Rent” - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

12 YEARS ON BROADWAY. 1 LAST PERFORMANCE 

RENT: FILMED LIVE ON BROADWAY

Arrives on Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD February 3, 2009

Features Appearances by Original Cast Members

And More Than 60 Minutes of Exclusive “Back Stage” Bonus Material

Culver City, CA (November 24, 2008) – Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway on Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD on February 3, 2009. The ground breaking Pulitzer and Tony® Award-winning musical thrived for an impressive 12 years on Broadway, and on Sunday, September 7, 2008, Sony Pictures Releasing’s new alternative programming division THE HOT TICKET was there to capture the final Broadway performance. Both the Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD are loaded with special features including numerous original featurettes, and will be available for the suggested retail price of $38.96 (Blu-ray Disc™) and $24.95 (DVD). This special release is timed to the launch of the National Theater Tour of RENT, which begins January 2009 starring original Broadway cast members Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, and others.

Filmed by Radical Media utilizing the latest in high-definition video and digital audio technology, director Michael Warren takes us on an enhanced journey through the music, lyrics, and images of this historic piece of live entertainment. RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway allows viewers to experience the show like never before, not only from the best seats in New York’s famed Nederlander Theatre, but from the stage and wings, where cameras capture the raw emotion of the cast’s performance.

Jonathan Larson’s revolutionary rock musical RENT provides a modern interpretation of the iconic opera La Bohème and tells the story of a group of friends struggling to live and pay rent against the gritty background of New York’s East Village while holding fast to their bohemian ideals and pursuits. Confronting poverty, addiction, illness and the AIDS epidemic, these young artists strive to get ahead, find acceptance, and above all, establish a connection to their world and each other.

RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway features Will Chase as Roger, Adam Kantor as Mark, Michael McElroy as Collins, Tracie Thoms as Joanne, Justin Johnston as Angel, Reneé Elise Goldsberry as Mimi, Eden Espinosa as Maureen and original cast members Rodney Hicks, who steps into the role of Benny, and Gwen Stewart as the “Seasons of Love” soloist. RENT was directed for the stage by Michael Greif.

DVD and Blu-Ray Special Features Include:

· “RENT: The Final Days on Broadway” – A Retrospective documentary featuring cast and crew

· “The Final Curtain Call” – Past/present cast members sing “Seasons of Love” on stage one last time

· “The Wall” – A rare look at the famous backstage wall

· “The Final Lottery” – Hundreds of fans turn out hoping to be one of the lucky few fans chosen to sit in the front 2 rows for the very last show

· National Marfan Foundation PSA

Special Features Exclusive to Blu-ray Include:

· “Home” - A Behind-the-Scenes look at the theater that was transformed into the home for RENT

· “Casting” - Bernard Telsey talks about casting the show for the past 12 years

· Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation PSA

· BD-Live™ functionality

The Blu-ray Disc™ version of RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway is BD-Live™ enabled, allowing users to get connected and go beyond the disc via an Internet-connected Blu-ray player. Download exclusive content, register for rewards, give feedback through our survey and more!

Get rewarded for registering your Sony Blu-ray discs! The Sony Pictures Blu-ray Club rewards consumers in the U.S. for purchasing and registering BD-Live enabled Sony Blu-ray movies. Members can redeem accumulated points for cool Sony products, plus enter to win cash and prizes in daily sweepstakes and more. For details visit www.sonyrewards.com/bluray.

RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway

Rated: Not Rated

DVD Catalog #: 29791

DVD UPC Code: 0-43396-29791-3

DVD SLP: $24.95

Blu-ray Catalog #: 29795

Blu-ray UPC Code: 0-43396-29795-1

Blu-ray SLP: $38.96

Running Time: 152 minutes

Order Date: 1/1/09