There's No Business Like Show Business as The N Commences Production on a New Original Comedy Series 'The Assistants'

There's No Business Like Show Business as The N Commences Production on a New Original Comedy Series 'The Assistants'

Production Kicks Off in Vancouver, BC This November On 13 Original Half-Hour Episodes Set To Premiere in Summer 2008 - Executive Produced By The Tom Lynch Company

NEW YORK, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The N rolls up its sleeves and delves into the glamorous but often ruthless world of show business in "The Assistants," the teen network's new original comedy set to premiere summer 2008. The N has commenced production in Vancouver, BC on 13 new original half-hour episodes, it was announced today by Sarah Tomassi Lindman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The N.

The series takes a comedic look at four 20-something, showbiz assistants working for a big shot Hollywood producer as they strive to make it in the chaotic, sometimes cruel, but always zany world of Hollywood. "The Assistants" is executive produced by The Tom Lynch Company, Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi. McRobb and Viscardi are also the show creators and will serve as show runners.

"In the spirit of 'Entourage' and 'Swimming With Sharks,' 'The Assistants' is a work-place comedy with bite as these four up-and-coming Hollywood execs follow their dreams and try to avoid rookie missteps along the way," said Lindman. "Chris and Will have created a superb show and along with Tommy Lynch's proven track record in producing hits -- we are confident that 'The Assistants' will quickly follow suit."

When Gillian Young (Britt Irvin), an aspiring filmmaker lands a job as a producer's assistant at Kinky Bunny Pictures, she quickly finds out there's a reason they call it "show business." Between filing scripts and taking notes, Gillian, and work buddies Rigby Hastings (Meaghan Rath), the aspiring writer, Danny Newell (Brendan Penny), the undiscovered actor and Nate Warren (Michael B. Jordan), the wannabe big-time producer, find themselves in unusual situations thanks in part to their eccentric, needy and slightly insane film producer-boss, Zach Del Toro (Zak Santiago). The series touches on everything from first jobs, friendships and rivalries, to the glitz and not-so-glamorous side of Hollywood including coffee runs, binding scripts and personal errands. But they do it all just to get that much closer to their dreams of making it big in Hollywood.

"The Tom Lynch Co. is thrilled to be part of The N's new roster of comedies for the teen network in 2008," said Lynch. "Both Chris and Will have developed a laugh-out-loud comedy where teen viewers everywhere will not only have a glimpse to the crazy world of Hollywood but will live vicariously through these young adults in search of their own success."

Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi began their careers at Nickelodeon where they created "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" an award-winning series which captured growing up in the suburbs at its most surreal. While at the network, the duo also created "Kablam!" a groundbreaking alternative animation series that brought underground artists and animators into the mainstream. McRobb and Viscardi have many screenwriting credits to their name including the hit Nickelodeon-Paramount movie "Snow Day." Other noteworthy projects include "The Cricket in Times Square" and "Artemis Fowl" for Miramax and "Measle and the Wrathmonk" for Warner Brothers. Currently, they have three movies in production: "The Tale of Despereaux", "Angus," "Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging" and the soon-to-be-released "Alvin and the Chipmunks."

Tom Lynch, founder and CEO/writer/executive-producer of The Tom Lynch Company, began his career as a rock-n-roll producer on "Don Kirschner's Rock Concert" and as creator-writer-producer of "Night Tracks." With an extensive roster of television hits to his credit -- including "Secret World of Alex Mack," "Caitlin's Way," "Just Deal," "Skate," "Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension," and the Emmy-nominated "Scout's Safari," which was set and filmed on location in South Africa -- Lynch has been hailed as the creator of the tween genre. He rediscovered his musical roots with the hip-hop sitcom "Romeo!," starring rap artist Master P and his real-life son, Romeo and "Class of 3000," co-created with Andre Benjamin of OutKast, which is in its second season this year. Currently, his teen hit drama, "South of Nowhere" is in its third season on The N. Lynch and the company that bears his name continue to create groundbreaking, uniquely fresh, innovative shows that resonate with audiences around the world by "illuminating the magic of the human experience" -- celebrating all the drama, the humor, the quirkiness and reality of human beings' lives.

ABOUT THE N

The N, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 64 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The network is the only multi-platform media brand solely for and about teens. Anytime, anywhere, teens can enjoy The N on TV, online, on mobile, VOD and broadband. With a distinctive teen perspective, The N captures the electricity and possibilities of teendom with original series and ever-popular favorites. On the Web, The N's trio of sites, including the Emmy Award- winning the-n.com along with Quizilla and Addictinggames -- together create the #1 online destination for teens. The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Source: The N

CONTACT: Mirian Arias of The N, +1-212-846-7653, Mirian.arias@The-N.com;
or Jennifer Musselman of Nickelodeon, +1-310-752-8205,
Jennifer.musselman@nick.com, for The N

Web site: http://www.the-n.com/
http://www.nick.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment