The Team That Produced "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" Will Bring Their Unique Stop-Motion Animation Magic To American Primetime Television
CREATURE COMFORTS, the American version of the hit British television series will premiere Monday, June 4 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Based on the original Academy Award-winning short film of the same name created by Nick Park and Aardman Animations, Ltd., the half hour stop-motion animated series employs a unique format that culls excerpts from real person interviews and places them in the mouths of a wide variety of animated animals to produce humorous, charming and insightful commentaries on everyday life.
In upcoming episodes, interviews with hundreds of ordinary Americans from across the United States cover a variety of subjects, such as the trials and tribulations of doctor's visits and being sick, what animal magnetism is and what they look for in a mate, as well as the truth about lies and what it takes to keep a secret. Told through the mouths of animated animals, insects and other un-human species, they reveal their thoughts in a new and distinct way: an older married couple listing their ailments as portrayed by two lovebirds, the couple who talk about their great height difference as portrayed by two dachshunds, and two men who seem to be examining the bouquet of a fine wine as portrayed by two dogs sniffing, well, another dog.
Before "Creature Comforts" became "appointment television" on Sunday nights on the U.K.'s ITV1 network, the characters appeared in a series of enormously successful commercials. Recently, "Creature Comforts" was awarded the prestigious Rose d'Or for Best Comedy and Cristal Award for Best TV Production at the Annecy Animation Festival as well as the Audience Award at the New York International Children's Film Festival. A full list of "Creature Comforts" awards can be found at www.aardman.com/html/awards.asp.
Aardman Animations also produced the critically acclaimed box office hit film "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of The Were-Rabbit" as well as the 2000 theatrical release "Chicken Run," one of the most successful U.K. feature films ever released.
Executive Producers for CREATURE COMFORTS are Kit Boss, Miles Bullough, The Gotham Group's Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, and Aardman's Nick Park, David Sproxton and Peter Lord. Richard Goleszowski, the U.K. director of "Creature Comforts," is supervising director of the American version. The show is produced by Aardman Animations, Ltd.
CBS ANNOUNCES "PIRATE MASTER," A NEW REALITY-BASED SERIES
WHERE 16 INDIVIDUALS WILL COMPETE AS PIRATES ON THE HIGH SEAS IN SEARCH OF HIDDEN TREASURES
The Next Epic Adventure Series From Emmy Award-Winning Producer Mark Burnett Premieres Thursday, May 31
PIRATE MASTER, the next epic adventure reality series from Emmy Award-winning producer Mark Burnett, will premiere Thursday, May 31 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
PIRATE MASTER will send 16 modern-day pirates on a high seas adventure where they will live as buccaneers and travel around the Caribbean island of Dominica in search of hidden treasure that will total $1 million. Over the course of 33 days, these pirates will live aboard a massive 179 foot, square-rigged barque which carries 12,500 square feet of sail.
Each week, the pirates will embark on extraordinary expeditions where they will decipher clues along the way in search of missing treasure. Gold coins -- real money which the pirates may take with them beyond the show -- will be awarded after each expedition, but only to some. The gold will play a key role as pirates strike deals with each other or plead for long-term security. In addition to claiming the lion's share of the week's riches, one pirate will become the captain of the ship and will assign roles and chores to the remaining crew members, setting the tone for either law and order or betrayal and sabotage, which could lead to mutiny by the crew.
Each episode will conclude on the ship at Pirate's Court, a lively gathering of public speaking and judgment where one individual will be eliminated and "cut adrift." In the end, one will be the first to find the largest booty, worth $500,000, and claim the title of "Pirate Master."
Series creator and executive producer Mark Burnett explains, "Pirate Master breaks new ground in that it's the collision of fantasy and reality. This is a show where, in true pirate fashion, anything can happen with a group of people that live by their own set of rules and usually break them. It's adventure, excitement and loads of treasure. Anyone who ever wanted to be a pirate will love this show!"
PIRATE MASTER is produced by Mark Burnett Productions. Mark Burnett and Lisa Hennessy are the executive producers. Eden Gaha and Page Feldman are the co-executive producers
"Blackmail or Betrayal" -- Tribe mates are faced with a decision to blackmail or betray in order to keep their alliance intact. Two castaways discover information which could change the course of the game. Another injury leaves Boo struggling at the Reward Challenge, on SURVIVOR: FIJI, Thursday, April 26 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
