Animal Planet Premieres 25th Genesis Awards 4/30

Regarded as the Oscars® for animals, The Humane Society of the United States' 25th Anniversary Genesis Awards reveals what Betty White, Oprah Winfrey, Kristin Davis, Stephen Colbert and Emily Deschanel have in common. Whether as presenters or awardees, they have each made a contribution to raising awareness of animal protection issues, along with the many other notables from the news and entertainment media recognized in the show for their work in highlighting pressing animal concerns.

In taking a look at the rich variety of feature films, documentaries, and TV shows featuring animal issues, the inspiring 25th Anniversary Genesis Awards one-hour TV special delivers many memorable moments. Among the high points are Bill Maher's New Rules show opener, the cast of the hit TV comedy Hot in Cleveland introducing the Sid Caesar Comedy Award, Sex and the City's Kristin Davis receiving The Wyler Award for spotlighting the plight of orphaned African elephants, the nostalgic reunion of The Mary Tyler Moore Show alumni Betty White and Ed Asner, and Stephen Colbert's hilarious acceptance speech, in which he makes some unusual demands on behalf of animals.

Airing on Animal Planet on Saturday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT and Sunday, May 1, at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT, The 25th Anniversary Genesis Awards also salutes the role the network has played in celebrating the animal kingdom over its 15-year broadcasting history, with a video montage of Animal Planet favorites such as Whale Wars, The Jeff Corwin Experience, Animal Cops, Jane Goodall's When Animals Talk and Pit Boss.

"This is an awards show that aims to engage, enlighten and entertain its audience," says Beverly Kaskey, senior director of the Hollywood office of The Humane Society of the United States and executive producer of the annual Genesis Awards. "The nominees in this year's Sid Caesar Comedy Award category, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show and The Simpsons, and Dramatic Series nominees True Blood and Law and Order are proof that entertainment and social messaging are not mutually exclusive." For a full list of winners, go to humanesociety.org/genesis.

Celebrity presenters from the worlds of film, television and music include: Betty White (Hot in Cleveland), Leona Lewis, (Grammy-nominated singer), Jane Leeves (Hot in Cleveland), Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland), Wendie Malick (Hot in Cleveland), Olivia Munn (The Daily Show), Emily Deschanel (Bones), Simon Helberg (Big Bang Theory), James Cromwell (W), Carrie Preston (True Blood), LINDSAY PULSIPHER (True Blood), Michael Vartan (Hawthorne), and Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck).

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