Seinfeld, Henson And Hamm Among The First Celebrity Panelists To Join Tv Guide Network's 'Curb: The Discussion' 6/2

TV Guide Network today announced the first round of celebrity panelists to join "Curb: The Discussion" - exclusive, never-before-seen extras that will air immediately following each "Curb" episode premiering on the network starting this summer. Comedian and frequent Larry David collaborator Jerry Seinfeld, Oscar(R) nominatedactress Taraji P. Henson and Golden Globe Award(R) winning "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm are confirmed to appear as celebrity panelists on "Curb: The Discussion" when "Curb Your Enthusiasm" debuts on TV Guide Network Wednesday, June 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

TV Guide Network is not cutting the "Curb" episodes to fit a traditional half-hour format, thereby allowing the show to play as originally intended by Larry David. The episodes will be edited only for language and nudity. To preserve the series full-length episodes, the network worked with Larry David to develop a panel discussion that rounds out the episode to a one-hour format while providing a unique forum for hilariously dissecting the world of "Curb." Hosted by comedienne and "Curb" series regular Susie Essman, "Curb: The Discussion" features a panel of high profile guest stars, media pundits and prominent social figures who inject their wit, humor and unique point of view to debate Larry's ethical dilemmas featured in each episode of the show. The panelists watch an episode of "Curb" together and tape the discussion immediately afterward, capturing their raw and unrehearsed reactions to the episode's particular moral issues. These original roundtable discussions will air immediately following each episode premiere of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" on TV Guide Network beginning in June.

"With Susie Essman hosting and moderating 'Curb: The Discussion', the panels will no doubt result in hilarious, off-the-cuff television." said Diane Robina, Executive Vice President, Programming & Marketing for TV Guide Network. "And offering these original and engaging discussions will bring even more viewers to discover and rediscover 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.'"

In addition to Mr. Seinfeld, Ms. Henson and Mr. Hamm, celebrity panelists will include actor and producer Seth Green, heavy metal singer and film director Rob Zombie, actor and author Hill Harper, comedienne and television writer Merrill Markoe, physician and television personality Dr. Drew Pinsky, radio and television personality Adam Corolla, actor Rex Lee, musician Dave Navarro, "Millionaire Matchmaker" star Patti Stanger, actor and standup comedian D.L. Hughley, and comedians Jeff Ross and Patton Oswalt, among others. Media pundits and social figures will also join the celebrity panelists to debate "Curb's" issues, including "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough and co-host Mika Brezinski, celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, New York Times ethicist RAndy Cohen, and clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Stan Katz, among others.

Award-winning television producer Scott Carter (Executive Producer, "Real Time with Bill Maher" and "Politically Incorrect") is producing "Curb: The Discussion" in collaboration with Larry David and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" executive producers Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel. Both Carter and David were instrumental in securing the A-list celebrity panelists.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" stars Larry David as himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his life. Self-centered, misanthropic and regularly difficult, Larry creates awkwardness and discomfort in social situations. His problems are often caused by his neuroses and obstinate faith in his understanding of ethics and etiquette. "Curb: The Discussion" will highlight a specific moral issue or ethical situation sparked by Larry as featured in an episode of the series. An example from the show may be, if a blind friend started dating a person you found to be unattractive, should you tell your friend? A distinguished panel of guests, moderated by Susie Essman, will watch the episode and then debate the moral implication at hand.

About TV Guide Network

TV Guide Network is the true entertainment insider and the only network that celebrates Hollywood, its stars and the shows that fans adore. Committed to buzz-worthy, breakout programming and a rich, multi-platform viewing experience, TV Guide Network is seen in more than 80 million homes nationwide and online at TVGuide.com, a one-stop fan destination serving 21 million unique users per month. TV Guide Network is home to some of America's fan-favorite series including "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Ugly Betty" and "American Idol Rewind." The network also takes fans behind-the-scenes of Hollywood with original programming that delivers the latest news on entertainment and pop culture, as well as live coverage of the industry's biggest events such as the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards(R) and Primetime Emmy(R) Awards. TV Guide Network, TVGuide.com and the TV Guide brand are owned by Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next-generation studio, which produces the award-winning series "Mad Men" and "Weeds" and co-produces the acclaimed "Nurse Jackie," and One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase.

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