New A&E Network Series CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK

New A&E Network Series CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK

Premieres With Back-to-Back Mind-Blowing, Mystifying Episodes Wednesday, July 20 @10PM/9C

NEW YORK, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Master provocateur, Criss Angel, will demonstrate his visionary approach to the art of magic that escapes the confines of tradition and gives birth to a new breed of modern mysticism, in the World Premiere, A&E Network real-life series, CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK. Each week we will follow Angel as he captivates audiences with mind-boggling demonstrations of his skills; go behind-the-scenes as he researches and executes his demonstrations with his crew; and meet celebrity friends who drop by to willingly participate in his antics. The only two-time recipient of the "Magician of the Year" award, Criss Angel melds his original music, surreal characters, daredevil stunts, performance art and, of course, his revolutionary illusions, to provoke an experience that will stir the soul - and that have earned him the moniker "the new Houdini." CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK, premieres with back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, July 20 at 10PM/ 9C.

CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK is an eerily entertaining series that juxtaposes reality with surreality. The reality focuses on Angel's interactions with his audiences, family members, friends and crew. The surreality is an astonishing look into Angel's mind's eye as he taps into his subconscious to contemplate his upcoming manifestations. His repertoire includes mentalism, hypnosis, illusion, and escape, which blur the line between reality and illusion. Criss is more than merely mesmerizing; he has a profound mental and emotional effect on all who are around him.

But what really sets CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK apart is the unprecedented, all-access insight into the unreal world of today's mystifier. A major factor that allows Criss to succeed as an artist is his close emotional connection to his family. The more difficult the illusion, the more his family fears for his safety, which only results in heightening his awareness while performing a stunt ... and, which in turn guarantees that it must be a success!

Featured on the premiere episodes are the following Criss Angel spectacles:

Levitation - Levitation is one of the oldest practices of conjurers and fakirs, but Criss Angel takes it to the streets for the first time in history in a 360-degree demonstration of the power of defying gravity. He will take a random stranger off the sidewalks of downtown Fremont Street in Las Vegas and have them float -- right in the middle of a crowd!

Burned Alive - With the assistance of Hollywood "burn master" Mark Chadwick, Criss Angel undertakes a spectacular stunt where he is set ablaze ... two different times! First, a partial body burn test by the Aladdin Hotel pool in Las Vegas. Then, a full 46-second body burn with no hands or face protection that blasts 20 foot flames off Angel at temperatures above 1500 degrees and an amazing ending twist, all in front of a huge crowd, in-the- round, on Fremont Street in Downtown Vegas.

Nancy Dubuc and Robert Sharenow are the A&E executive producers for CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK. The series was created and directed by Criss Angel and produced by Angel Productions Inc., and The Firm. Dave Baram and Simon Millar are the executive producers for The Firm. Pontiac is the presenting and exclusive automotive sponsor for CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK. For more information on Criss Angel, please visit his website located at CrissAngel.com

"The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." -- Eden Phillpotts

About A&E Network

Now reaching more than 88 million homes, A&E Network brings viewers the Art of Entertainment(TM) through a unique combination of three genres - The Art of Biography, The Art of Documentary, and The Art of Drama. A brand synonymous with excellence in television, A&E Network offers a diverse mix of programming ranging from critically acclaimed original series and movies, to innovative documentaries, to the Emmy Award-winning BIOGRAPHY(R) series, to dramatic specials, feature film presentations, and contemporary performances. In 2004, A&E Network holds the distinct record for the most Primetime Emmy nominations (24) for a basic cable network.

Premiering in July 2005 are the real life series: Inked, which will take viewers to the craft's cutting edge at Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company, Vegas' first casino tattoo parlor; and Criss Angel Mindfreak, "a master of shock as much as illusion" who transcends tradition and moves into a new brand of modern mysticism, exhibiting mystery on the stage, on the street and in his public. Also set to debut in 2005, Being ... , executive produced by Mick Jagger, giving viewers an exclusive, all-access pass into the lives of today's most popular and fascinating people. The 2005 schedule also includes a host of topical and timely documentary specials under the A&E Indie Films including Murderball and Rock School and a quarterly series titled Movie Real, bringing viewers the true stories behind the topics of Hollywood's biggest releases. Great drama also remains the heart of the A&E Network brand with upcoming original movies such as Knights of the South Bronx. Returning real-life series in 2005 include Dog The Bounty Hunter, Growing Up Gotti, Intervention, Airline, Family Plots and The First 48.

The A&E Network website is located at http://www.aetv.com/ and the Biography(R) website is located at http://www.biography.com/. The Biography Club is located at http://www.biographyclub.com/. For more information and photography please visit us on the web at http://www.aetvpress.com/.

Source: A&E Television Network

CONTACT: Marlea Willis of A&E Network, +1-212-210-1327, marlea.willis@aetn.com

Web site: http://www.aetv.com/

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