'Shark Tank' Returns to ABC in 2011

The ABC Television Network has ordered eight additional episodes of the critically-acclaimed series "Shark Tank," the reality series that gives budding entrepreneurs a chance to make their dreams come true and become successful -- and possibly wealthy -- business people. The aspiring entrepreneurs must first try to convince five tough, multi-millionaire tycoons to part with their own hard-earned cash and give them the funding they need to jumpstart their business ideas.

Enter the Sharks of "Shark Tank," self-made successful business people whose own entrepreneurial dreams came true. The five Sharks are real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, "infomercial" industry pioneer Kevin Harrington, technology innovator Robert Herjavec, fashion icon Daymond John and financial expert Kevin O'Leary.

Joining the panel of Sharks for three episodes will be comedian Jeff Foxworthy. A self-made successful businessman in his own right, Foxworthy expanded his popular work in stand-up comedy into an empire of albums, books, hit comedy tours, and forays into television and radio, including his current work as host of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" Foxworthy is the largest selling comedy-recording artist of all time. As an entrepreneur, he has a line of greeting cards and specialty products through American Greetings that are available at all Wal-Mart store; he has a line of You Might Be A Redneck If....calendars through Andrews McMeel Publishing, which have sold millions of copies; he also has his own line of beef jerky, as well as a line of barbeque sauces. In October 2003, the Nevada Gaming Commission granted approval for Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. to place its Jeff Foxworthy? You Might Be A Redneck If...(R) video slot games in Nevada casinos. Station Casinos, Inc. was granted the right to introduce Aristocrat's Jeff Foxworthy games into its 11 Las Vegas valley casino properties exclusively for 45 days prior to the game's release to other Las Vegas off-Strip casino properties.

"Shark Tank" will return to production this Fall and will air in 2011.

Mark Burnett, Clay Newbill and Phil Gurin are the executive producers of "Shark Tank," based on the Japanese "Dragons' Den" format created by Nippon Television Network Corporation. The series is from Sony Pictures Television.