August 2005

CBS ANNOUNCES SLATE OF NEW MOVIES AND MINI-SERIES FOR 2005-2006 SEASON

Cybill Shepherd, Tom Selleck, Stephen Baldwin, Stephanie March, Diane Keaton, Tom Everett Scott, Randy Quaid, Gina Gershon, Tom Skerritt, Shannon Doherty, Swoozie Kurtz, James Brolin, Aidan Quinn, Charles S. Dutton, Dean Cain, Kelly Hu, Gail O'Grady, David Arquette, Richard T. Jones, Angela Bassett, Lucy Lawless, Dylan Neal, Brett Butler, Timothy Bottoms, Craig Ferguson, Mary Tyler Moore, Camryn Manheim, Poppy Montgomery, Jennifer Esposito, David Sutcliffe and Jason Priestley Are Among the Stars Set to Appear in the CBS Sunday Movie

Pope John Paul II to Be Profiled in a New Four-Hour Mini-Series

"Category 7: The End of the World" Follows the Deadly Storm As It Ravages the Rest of the World, Culminating Over Washington, D.C.

Chuck Norris Returns as "Walker, Texas Ranger" in a New Television Movie

"The Christmas Blessing" And "Just Like The Ones" (working title) Continue CBS's Tradition of Holiday-Themed Movies

Alfre Woodard, Frank Langella, Marcia Gay Harden, Kate Nelligan, Anne Heche and Tate Donovan Star in Three New "Hallmark Hall of Fame" Presentations

Theatrical Movie Premieres Include "About Schmidt," "Die Another Day," "Panic Room," "Something's Gotta Give," "The Sum of All Fears," "We Were Soldiers" and "Enough"

CBS, which broadcasts network television's leading movie showcase, will continue to present a distinctive mixture of star-studded and high-concept movies in the 2005-2006 season, as well as three new presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame.

CBS had eight of the Top 10 movies of the 2004-2005 season, including three of the top 5: "The Magic of Ordinary Days (#2)," "Stone Cold" (#4) and "Riding the Bus with My Sister" (#5). In addition, CBS had the most-watched mini-series, "Category 6: Day of Destruction," and the most-watched theatrical film, "Ocean's Eleven."

Highlights for the 2005-2006 season include POPE JOHN PAUL II (working title), starring Cary Elwes and Jon Voight as the younger and older Pope respectively in a mini-series from the producers of "Jesus" about the pontiff's remarkable 26-year reign, a papal odyssey that covered more than 120 countries and earned him the reputation of an international fighter for freedom with a script supervised by historians at the Vatican, and exclusive footage filmed for the mini-series on St. Peter's Square and in surrounding areas; CATEGORY 7: THE END OF THE WORLD, starring Randy Quaid, Gina Gershon, Tom Skerritt, Shannon Doherty, Swoozie Kurtz and James Brolin in a mini-series event that begins where "Category 6: Day of Destruction" ended, as the ultimate superstorm continues to build in size, ravaging the rest of the world and culminating over Washington, D.C.; MARTHA BEHIND BARS, starring Cybill Shepherd in a drama that chronicles the events in Martha Stewart's life which led to the downfall and subsequent reemergence of America's favorite domestic diva -- from the day her company goes public through her release from Alderson Federal Prison Camp; and JESSE STONE, NIGHT PASSAGE (working title), starring Tom Selleck, who reprises his role as Jesse Stone in a prequel to last year's "Stone Cold," Stephen Baldwin and Stephanie March, which reveals how Stone became the police chief of the small fishing town of Paradise after being fired from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Additional highlights include MAYDAY, starring Aidan Quinn, Charles S. Dutton, Dean Cain, Kelly Hu and Gail O'Grady in a thriller based on The New York Times bestseller by Nelson DeMille, in which chaos and death engulf an airliner traveling from the United States to Tokyo when it is accidentally hit by a U.S. Navy test missile; THE HUNT FOR THE BTK KILLER (working title), based on the true story, the bizarre saga of the notorious serial killer known as the BTK killer, who was finally found and arrested after a 31-year spree of brutal murders in the Midwestern city of Wichita, Kansas; TIME BOMB (working title), starring David Arquette, Richard T. Jones and Angela Bassett in a thriller about a threat received by Homeland Security during a big football game in Washington, D.C., claiming the stadium is rigged to explode during the fourth quarter; and SURRENDER DOROTHY, starring Diane Keaton and Tom Everett Scott in a drama about a mother who, following the accidental death of her only child, moves into the summer house the girl shared with friends, to try to learn more about their relationships with her daughter and to find her daughter's diary. And for Halloween, there is VAMPIRE BATS (working title), starring Lucy Lawless, Dylan Neal, Brett Butler, Timothy Bottoms and an appearance by Craig Ferguson in a thriller about a voracious-insect specialist, now a college professor, who gets caught up in the investigation of a student who is found dead with his body completely depleted of blood.

Chuck Norris returns as Texas Ranger Cordell Walker in WALKER, TEXAS RANGER: TRIAL BY FIRE, as well as starring other series regulars Sheree J. Wilson (Alex Cahill), Judson Mills (Francis Gage) and Clarence Gilyard (James Trivette). Janine Turner also stars.

Also, CBS will broadcast two new holiday movies: THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING, starring Neil Patrick Harris and Angus T. Jones with a special appearance by Rob Lowe, in the sequel to "The Christmas Shoes," which finds the young boy from the original movie, Nathan Andrews, grown up and a medical student, and JUST LIKE THE ONES (working title), starring Mary Tyler Moore, Camryn Manheim, Poppy Montgomery, Jennifer Esposito, David Sutcliffe and Jason Priestley in a movie based on the short story by Connie Willis in which a suspiciously magical Christmas Eve snowstorm blows some small miracles into the lives of people around the country.

The three "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentations are: THE WATER IS WIDE, starring Alfre Woodard and Frank Langella in a drama about an idealistic young teacher of poor black children who lives on a small isolated island off the coast of South Carolina in 1969; IN FROM THE NIGHT, starring Marcia Gay Harden and Kate Nelligan in a family drama about a young, single writer who is surprised by a visit from her troubled 16-year-old nephew, who comes to her in search of acceptance, understanding and love; and SILVER BELLS, starring Anne Heche and Tate Donovan in a story that takes place at Christmastime, about a widower with children and a young woman who has lost her husband, who help each other to rediscover the joys of being together during the holiday season.

The mini-series:

POPE JOHN PAUL II (working title) (four hours), starring Cary Elwes ("The Princess Bride") as the Pope as a young man and Academy Award and Golden Globe Winner Jon Voight ("Coming Home," "Runaway Train") as the Pontiff in his later years, is a fact-based drama from the producers of the mini-series "Jesus" about the life of the remarkable man who passed away after an extraordinary 26-year reign, whose papal odyssey encompassed more than 120 countries and earned him the reputation of an international fighter for freedom. It will begin with Karol Wojtyla's journey from his youth in Poland through his late days on the chair of St. Peter. It will also explore the 264th pope's fascinating life behind the scenes: how he managed to touch the hearts of millions of people and change the face of the church and the world; how he defended the dignity of mankind against all kinds of totalitarianism -- from Nazism to Communism to consumerism; and how he related successfully to people of all ages. The script was supervised by historians at the Vatican, and exclusive footage has been filmed for the mini-series on St. Peter's Square and in surrounding areas. Producers of the mini-series are Matilda and Luca Bernabei for Lux Vide, Max Gusberti for RAI Fiction, Stephen Davis ("Rudy: The Rudy Giuliani Story") for Granada America, Tarak Ben Amar ("The Bible") for Quinta Communications, Juergen Biefang for Tele Munchen and Chris Grabowski and Slawomir Jozwik for Baltmedia/Projektor.

CATEGORY 7:? THE END OF THE WORLD (four hours), Sunday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 13 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT, both nights), starring Emmy Award nominee Randy Quaid ("Elvis"), Gina Gershon ("Snoops"), Emmy Award winner Tom Skerritt ("Picket Fences"), Shannon Doherty ("Charmed"), Emmy Award Nominee Swoozie Kurtz ("Huff," "Sisters") and Emmy Award Nominee James Brolin ("The Reagans," "Marcus Welby, M.D."), begins where "Category 6:? Day of Destruction" ended -- with the destruction of the city of Chicago by a catastrophic weather system.? As the disastrous storm gathers even more strength and begins to ravage the rest of the world, a television evangelist, preying on the fears of a storm-battered nation, begins to broadcast alarming warnings of epic biblical plagues. As his predictions come true, the deadly storm continues to wreak havoc, culminating over Washington, D.C., Frank von Zerneck and Robert M. Sertner ("Category 6: Day of Destruction") are the executive producers for Von Zerneck/Sertner Films.?

Among the television movies:

MARTHA BEHIND BARS, Sunday, Sept. 25 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), starring Golden Globe Award winner Cybill Shepherd ("Moonlighting"), chronicles the events that led to the downfall and subsequent reemergence of Martha Stewart, from the day her company goes public through her release from Alderson Federal Prison Camp. Stewart (Shepherd) was at the pinnacle of her success when she decided to sell her shares of ImClone stock, one day before the FDA rejected an application for the approval of a new cancer drug, which sent the company's stock price tumbling. Through her stockbroker, she is linked to ImClone's CEO, Sam Waksal, who is under investigation for insider trading. Suspected of conspiracy, securities fraud and obstruction of justice, Stewart is ultimately indicted for obstruction and lying to investigators, and sentenced to five months in prison followed by five months of house arrest. While Stewart pursues her appeal, she asks to begin her prison sentence in an effort to put it all behind her. Prison proves to be a life-altering experience for Stewart, and when she is released, the nation embraces a new Martha -- ready to put the past behind her and start a fresh chapter in her remarkable life. Tom Patricia ("Homeless to Harvard," "Dawn Anna") is the executive producer for Paramount Network Television.

MAYDAY, Sunday, Oct. 2 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), starring Emmy Award Nominee Aidan Quinn ("An Early Frost"), Emmy Award winner Charles S. Dutton ("Without A Trace"), Dean Cain ("Clubhouse"), Kelly Hu ("Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords") and Emmy Award nominee Gail O'Grady ("NYPD Blue"), based on The New York Times bestseller by Nelson DeMille, is a thriller in which chaos and death engulf an airliner traveling from the United States to Tokyo when it is accidentally hit by a U.S. Navy test missile. Because of the sudden change in cabin pressure from a gaping hole in the fuselage, many passengers are lost and a weekend pilot is forced to take control of the plane and try to navigate it to safety. Richard Waltzer ("Perfect Murder, Perfect Town") and Jerry Leider ("Coast to Coast") are the executive producers for Paramount Network Television. ?

THE HUNT FOR THE BTK KILLER (working title), Sunday, Oct. 9 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), based on the true story, is the bizarre saga of the notorious serial killer known as the BTK killer, who was finally found and arrested after a 31-year spree of brutal murders in the Midwestern city of Wichita, Kansas. Dennis Rader was thought to be an upstanding citizen, a city employee who was even president of his church group. For years, he taunted the police and the media with cryptic messages that kept the city in a grasp of fear, until those very messages finally led to his arrest earlier this year. Frank von Zerneck, Robert Sertner, Diana Kerew and Judith Verno are the executive producers for Diana Kerew Productions and Von Zerneck/Sertner Films, in association with Sony Pictures Television.

WALKER, TEXAS RANGER: TRIAL BY FIRE, Sunday, Oct. 16 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), stars Chuck Norris, who reprises his role as Texas Ranger Cordell Walker. Series stars Sheree J. Wilson (Alex Cahill), Judson Mills (Francis Gage) and Clarence Gilyard (James Trivette) also return for the drama in which Walker must try to find a teenager who is on the run from a dangerous crime syndicate, and also clear an innocent colleague who is framed for murder. Janine Turner also stars as a forensics expert.

JESSE STONE, NIGHT PASSAGE (working title) stars Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner Tom Selleck ("Magnum, P.I."), who reprises his role as Police Chief Jesse Stone in a prequel to last year's "Stone Cold." The prequel shows how he became police chief of the small fishing town of Paradise after being fired from the Los Angeles Police Department. An unlikely candidate, Stone is recruited by Paradise's board of selectmen in the hope that the failed cop won't dig too deeply into the town's dirty secrets. Stephen Baldwin and Stephanie March also star. Michael Brandman ("The Heidi Chronicles") and Tom Selleck are the executive producers for Brandman Productions Inc., in association with Sony Pictures Television.

TIME BOMB (working title) stars David Arquette ("The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D"), Richard T. Jones ("Judging Amy") and Angela Bassett ("The Rosa Parks Story") in a thriller about a threat received by Homeland Security during a big football game in Washington, D.C., stating that the stadium is rigged to explode during the fourth quarter. The movie unfolds in real time as the agency joins forces with the FBI, stadium officials and Special Ops to mount a massive operation to break the code and stop the impending disaster, which could annihilate 95,000 people. Tom Patricia is the executive producer for Paramount Network Television.

SURRENDER DOROTHY stars Academy Award winner and four-time Academy Award nominee Diane Keaton ("Annie Hall," "Something's Gotta Give," "Marvin's Room," "Reds") and Tom Everett Scott ("ER") in a drama about a mother, Natalie (Keaton), who, following the accidental death of her only child, Sara (Alexa Davalos), decides to move into the summer house the girl shared with friends to try to learn more about their relationships with her daughter. Natalie's visit turns into a longer stay as she gets to know Sara's friends, especially Adam (Scott), who was in the car with her when she died. Long-held secrets are revealed as they spend time together. As Natalie and Sara's friends all see the special place that Sara held in their lives, they begin to understand the effect she had on all who knew her. Diane Keaton, Bill Robinson ("Elephant") and Academy Award winner Wendy Finerman ("Forrest Gump," "Stepmom") are the executive producers for Stu Segall Productions. Sony Pictures Television is the distributor.

The "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentations:

THE WATER IS WIDE, starring Emmy Award winner Alfre Woodard ("Miss Evers' Boys," "Hill Street Blues," "The Practice," "L.A. Law") and two-time Tony Award winner Frank Langella ("Seascape," "Fortune's Fool"), is a drama based on the memoir of the same name by The New York Times best-selling author Pat Conroy ("The Prince of Tides"). It recounts Conroy's experiences as a young, idealistic and unconventional teacher who strives to bring literacy, knowledge and self-respect to the predominantly poor black children living on a small isolated island off the coast of South Carolina in 1969. Richard Welsh ("The Blackwater Lightship") and Brent Shields ("Back When We Were Grownups") are executive producers for Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions.

IN FROM THE NIGHT stars Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden ("Pollock") and Academy Award nominee Kate Nelligan ("The Prince of Tides") in a family drama about a young, single writer who is surprised by a visit from her troubled 16-year-old nephew, who comes to her in search of acceptance, understanding and love. The well-ordered life of Vicki Miller (Harden) is plunged into complete chaos when, Bobby (Taylor Handley), the child of her mentally challenged brother and sister-in-law, appears on her doorstep. Although he is a boy of very few words, it soon becomes apparent that he has run away from home and wants to live with Vicki. Initially Vicki keeps his presence a secret, even from her probing mother, Vera (Nelligan), who knows he is missing and calls Vicki looking for him. Though Bobby is deeply disturbed, he trusts Vicki and slowly opens up to her about the pain he has experienced with his parents. His memories force Vicki to open herself up to her own dark feelings. As time goes by, with the strength that their alliance gives them, they find themselves on the road to healing and happiness. Richard Welsh ("The Blackwater Lightship") and Brent Shields ("Brush With Fate") are the executive producers for Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions.

SILVER BELLS stars Anne Heche and Tate Donovan in a story that takes place at Christmastime, about a widower with children and a young woman who has lost her husband, who help each other to put their painful pasts behind them as they discover the joys of being together during the holiday season. Every year, Christy Byrne (Donovan) has traveled with his children to sell their homegrown Christmas trees in the Chelsea district of New York City. This year, Christy will also try to find his 17-year-old son, Danny (Michael Mitchell), who, following a bitter argument, ran away just before they were headed home the year before. Catherine O'Meara (Heche), who lives in Chelsea, lost her enthusiasm for the holiday season when her husband passed away on Christmas Eve three years ago. Neither Catherine nor Christy realize that their lives are connected by Danny, who met Catherine at a photography exhibit and has been in touch with her ever since. Widow and widower are brought together when Danny wants to visit his sister and Catherine lends a hand. Catherine finally confesses to Christy that she has seen Danny over the past year, which upsets Christy, who has been searching tirelessly for the boy. But when Danny is in an accident and is taken to the hospital, Christy has the chance to see his boy and try to make things right for all of them. Richard Welsh ("Riding the Bus with My Sister") and Brent Shields ("The Magic of Ordinary Days") are the executive producers for Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions.

For Halloween:

VAMPIRE BATS (working title), Sunday, Oct. 30 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), starring Lucy Lawless ("Locusts"), Dylan Neal ("Locusts"), Brett Butler ("Grace Under Fire"), Timothy Bottoms ("Ike: Countdown to D-Day") with an appearance by the host of CBS's "The Late Late Show" Craig Ferguson, is the story of a voracious-insect specialist, now a college professor in search of a simpler life, who gets caught up in the investigation of a student who is found dead with his body completely depleted of blood. It first appears that he was murdered by another college student, until the professor realizes that the killers are actually vampire bats that have mutated due to a tainted water supply. As the bats become more aggressive, she must find a way to stop them as they threaten the entire college community. Frank Von Zerneck, Robert Sertner and Jill Tanner are the executive producers for Von Zerneck/Sertner Films in association with Sony Pictures Television.

The holiday movies:

THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING stars Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother") and Angus T. Jones ("Two and a Half Men"), with a special appearance by Rob Lowe ("The Christmas Shoes"), in the sequel to "The Christmas Shoes," which finds the young boy from the original movie, Nathan Andrews, grown up and a medical resident. He meets a young woman and a little boy who are both in need of miracles for their holidays. Nathan in turn discovers that hope, love and blessings can come from the most surprising places. Craig Anderson and Beth Grossbard ("The Christmas Shoes") are the executive producers for Craig Anderson Productions.

JUST LIKE THE ONES (working title) stars Emmy Award winner Mary Tyler Moore ("The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Stolen Babies"), Emmy Award nominee Camryn Manheim ("Elvis"), Poppy Montgomery ("Without A Trace"), Jennifer Esposito ("Crash"), David Sutcliffe ("I'm With Her") and Golden Globe Award nominee Jason Priestley ("Beverly Hills, 90210") in a new holiday movie based on the short story by Connie Willis, in which a suspiciously magical Christmas Eve snowstorm blows some small miracles into the lives of people around the country.? They are:? Paula, a lovelorn maid of honor at her best friend's wedding who, with the help of the blizzard, suddenly realizes that her unrequited love for the groom isn't so unrequited; Bev, a recently widowed woman who flees to New Mexico to escape memories of her husband's favorite holiday; Pilar, divorced mother who dreads the idea of her son spending Christmas with his abusive father; Luke, who is trapped inside his tiny apartment with his crazy Aunt Lula and is amazed when she reveals the secret romances she had with some famous actors; and Marjean, who, thanks to the weather, discovers the truth about her philandering husband.? Mark Wolper ("Helter Skelter") is the executive producer for The Wolper Organization, in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Among the theatrical motion pictures CBS will present during the season are ABOUT SCHMIDT, starring Jack Nicholson, Kathy Bates and Dermot Mulroney; DIE ANOTHER DAY, starring Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Judi Dench and John Cleese; PANIC ROOM, starring Jodie Foster, Forest Whitaker and Dwight Yoakam; SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, starring Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves and Frances McDormand; THE SUM OF ALL FEARS, starring Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman and James Cromwell; WE WERE SOLDIERS, starring Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear and Keri Russell; and ENOUGH, starring Jennifer Lopez.

• * *

Press Contacts: Phil Gonzales                   323/575-2028            phil.gonzales@tvc.cbs.com
                                Susan J. Marks          323/575-2118            susan.marks@tvc.cbs.com