Showtime Launches Eighth and Final Season of WEEDS, 7/1

The show that introduced America to a pot-dealing soccer mom and changed the face of the network is sparking up its final toke: after eight unforgettable, jaw-dropping seasons, WEEDS is coming to an end. SHOWTIME will air the final 13 episodes beginning Sunday, July 1st at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. In addition, the series will achieve a much-coveted television milestone: the 11th episode of the season will mark the series' 100th. Created by Jenji Kohan and produced by Lionsgate, WEEDS has been honored with multiple award nominations, including 21 Emmys(R), 10 Golden Globes(R) and six SAG(R) Awards over the course of its seven seasons on air. Its success put SHOWTIME on the map as a destination for top-quality original series and set the stage for hits like DEXTER(R), NURSE JACKIE, CALIFORNICATION and HOMELAND.

"WEEDS has been a seminal series for SHOWTIME and was key in establishing the network as a home for great original programming," said David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. "It has had a groundbreaking run, and will be one of the longest-running comedies in the history of cable. It was very important to us that we bring the story of Nancy Botwin and her family to a satisfying conclusion for the devoted fans who have spent years following these characters. Jenji has surprised us every step of the way with her storytelling and I am confident in her plan for a spectacular series conclusion."

Since its debut on August 7, 2005, viewers have watched and marveled as Nancy Botwin (series star Mary-Louise Parker in her Golden Globe Award-winning role) progressed from a suburban widow who turned to selling dime bags to make ends meet for her family to a full-fledged marijuana queenpin. She was aided by brother-in-law Andy (Justin Kirk) to help raise her sons Silas (Hunter Parrish) and Shane (Alexander Gould) - along with fellow Agrestic neighbor Doug (Kevin Nealon) in constant tow. Her narcissistic, danger-junkie antics paved the way for future sympathetic yet highly flawed anti-heroes who have since become standard television fare. The show and its many signature moments (including Nancy setting Agrestic ablaze, Shane's croquet mallet-bludgeoning, Andy's dog-eaten toes and self-gratification speech, the Armenian mafia Mexican stand-off, etc.) generated critical acclaim, a legion of fans and watercooler buzz for their sheer outrageousness.

"WEEDS was a groundbreaking series for us," said Kevin Beggs, President, Lionsgate Television Group. "The brilliant work of Jenji Kohan, Mary-Louise Parker and the entire cast and creative team -- and the resulting popularity of the series both here and abroad - were game-changing for our TV division and set the stage for all the shows we've produced since. Though it will be hard to say goodbye, this last season will be an exciting one that we trust will reward fans with a conclusion befitting their support and loyalty for so many years."

For the final season, it's back to the 'burbs for the Botwins. The fallout from the shot heard round the Tri-State area will transform everyone for the better, at least initially. The tragedy has caused Nancy to turn over a new (pot) leaf and return to her pre-dealing soccer mom ways. Meanwhile, Andy finds some semblance of love with someone uncomfortably close to Nancy, and Doug uses his hedge-fund money in a surprisingly good way. But just as it was in Agrestic, nothing is as serene as it seems in Old Sandwich, Connecticut. Just how long before the Botwins return to their old ways and blow up this new neighborhood, literally and/or figuratively, will remain to be seen.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(TM), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) ON DEMAND, and the network's authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME(R). SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel(TM). All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV(R).

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