Spike TV Picks Up Season 3 of Blue Mountain State

Spike TV has picked up a third season of 13 episodes of its first original scripted comedy series, "Blue Mountain State," it was announced today by Larry Sullivan, director of original scripted series, Spike TV. Produced by Varsity Pictures' Brian Robbins and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), "Blue Mountain State" experienced significant ratings growth in season 2 compared to season 1, delivering a +33% increase in Men 18-34, +50% in Men 18-24, and +14% in Men 18-49.

"Blue Mountain State" follows the on and off-field antics of college football powerhouse, Blue Mountain State. Former NFL running back and veteran actor, Ed Marinaro ("Hill Street Blues"), stars as no-nonsense Coach Daniels. In season 3, Coach Daniels will have his authority challenged when the boosters force him to hire a hotshot offensive coordinator/head coach-in-waiting. Alex, played by Emmy Award(R)-winner Darin Brooks ("Blue Crush"), will have to step up in season 3 from being a fun-loving second-string to the starting QB. The cast also includes Thad, played by Alan Ritchson ("Smallville"), the team's over-the-top team captain and Sammy, the team's mascot, played by Romanski ("The Sarah Silverman Program").

Denise Richards will return for a second season as Coach Daniels sexy, sharp-tongued ex-wife, Debra.

Brian Robbins and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett are executive producers. Romanski, who also stars as Sammy, and Eric Falconer ("The Sarah Silverman Program," "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia") also serve as executive producers and writers.

Spike TV is available in 99.4 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.