Release
"CW NOW" Sundays (7:00-7:30 p.m.) on The CW
"CW Now" blends news and entertainment to create the ultimate source for everything that's hip, hot and happening right now in the world of young adults, and the place for anyone who needs to know what everyone is buzzing about today and what they'll be talking about in the week to come.
With a team of experts focusing on the topics and trends that appeal specifically to The CW generation, this new series will feature informative and entertaining reports on the hottest fashions, the coolest music, the must-see movies and the must-have gadgets and technology. "CW Now" will be everywhere young adults are: from cyberspace profiling the best of the web, to hitting the streets and getting inside the most popular hotspots. With young adults' insatiable appetite for all things celebrity, each episode will report on the latest news and gossip from inside the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Moving at a rapid-fire pace and utilizing eye-catching graphics and visuals, "CW Now" fits perfectly with the on-demand lifestyle of adults 18-34.
"CW Now" is a co-production of Telepictures Productions and Warner Horizon Television with executive producers Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey ("Extra") and Mike Miller ("Extra").
July 2007
CREDITS FOR "CW NOW" ON THE CW
Day and time: Sundays (7:00-7:30 p.m.) on The CW
Network debut: Sunday, September 23, 2007
Format: "CW Now" blends news and entertainment to create the ultimate source for everything that's hip, hot and happening right now in the world of young adults, and the place for anyone who needs to know what everyone is buzzing about today and what they'll be talking about in the week to come, including informative and entertaining reports on the hottest fashions, the coolest music, the must-see movies and the must-have gadgets and technology.
Host: Tanika Ray
Correspondent: J. Boogie
Executive Producers: Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey and Mike Miller
Origination: Los Angeles, California, and anywhere that's hip, hot and happening
Produced by: Telepictures Productions and Warner Horizon Television
Media Contact: Paul Hewitt, (818) 977-6171
July 2007
TANIKA RAY
Host of "CW Now"
Tanika Ray is the host of "CW Now," The CW's new series that blends news and entertainment to create the ultimate source for everything that's hip, hot and happening right now in the world of young adults.
Ray also serves as the co-host of "Extra's" weekend edition alongside Mario Lopez. Prior to being named the host of the weekend edition, Ray spent two years as "Extra's" New York-based correspondent. She became one of Gotham's favorite entertainment reporters and her popularity has transcended to the red carpets and star-studded events here in Los Angeles.
Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Los Angeles, Ray knew at an early age she would thrive in the entertainment industry. She began her career as a dancer performing with top music stars like Will Smith and Brandy and landing roles on such TV shows as "NYPD Blue," "Lois and Clark," "Living Single" and "The Wayans Bros." She also appeared as herself on an episode of "All My Children."
In 2006, Ray filled the famous "fourth chair" twice as a guest host on "The View." She is often requested to be an expert panelist on shows such as CNN's "Larry King Live" and MSNBC's "Live and Direct with Rita Crosby." In 2005, Ray was a guest host for "America's Next Top Model's" popular post-show webcast chat fest, and as a judge, she presided over "The Tyra Banks Show" Male Underwear Model Search.
Earlier in her career, Ray hosted Lifetime's makeover show "Head 2 Toe" for three seasons and was the co-host of the talk magazine show "Lifetime Now," where she dished about trends in entertainment, fashion, beauty, and travel. Ray also hosted "Soap News Update" and "Soap Center" both for the SOAPnet cable channel.
Ray is committed to working a number of charitable endeavors into her busy schedule. In the past year, she hosted Petra Nemcova's "Light of Hope" Tsunami benefit and presided over the Village Care of New York's Tulips and Pansies Headdress Affair, which raises money for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, Ray is involved with BRAG (Black Retail Action Group) and hosts their Annual Gala. Plus any chance she gets, Ray is dedicated to inspiring young women to live their dreams and follow their passions.
Ray earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater arts from Spelman College in Atlanta and studied theater at New York University.
July 2007
J. BOOGIE
Correspondent on "CW Now"
J. Boogie is a correspondent on "CW Now," The CW's new series that blends news and entertainment to create the ultimate source for everything that's hip, hot and happening right now in the world of young adults.
A flair for turntables devoured J. Boogie at an early age. The current DJ and host of Nickelodeon's "TEENick" has always had a passion for music. Beginning his career at the age of 19, he got his first job in radio at KGGI-99.1 FM in Riverside, California. Soon after, J. Boogie joined the Power 106 (KPWR-105.9 FM, Los Angeles) team where he has spent the last six years entertaining listeners both on the radio and at live shows. He opened for hip-hop superstars including Eminem, Jay-Z, A Tribe Called Quest, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Snoop Dogg, Dave Chappelle, and also for P. Diddy during a private luau in Hawaii, just to name a few. These opportunities not only set the tone for J. Boogie as the new voice of radio, but also as the new face of TV.
J. Boogie has captured the attention of more than fourteen million teen viewers each week. "TEENick" serves as an outlet for teens to watch their favorite celebrities and get a sneak preview of new upcoming movies and music. The many special guests that have appeared on the show, include Adam Sandler, Hilary Duff, Mike Meyers, Outkast, Jennifer Garner and Jack Black, among others. J. Boogie has become a household name himself. In addition, he has also participated in several of the network's live shows, including the "Kids' Choice Awards," "Let's Just Play" and "U-Pick Live."
J. Boogie also appears in the hit MTV show "Yo Momma!" After the show was picked up for a second season, it garnered features in Variety, Teen People and Seventeen.
After studying at Fullerton College and training in numerous studios to become a recording engineer, J. Boogie has brought the music home by opening his own studio. There he has worked on several songs for TV, film, and video game soundtracks, as well as produced the music for several award-winning commercials. He can also be heard frequently on Power 106 during live broadcasts at various clubs, concerts, station events and promotions. He is the voice of many commercials heard on the station.
Besides writing and producing music, J. Boogie enjoys watching movies, surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding. He is actively involved in the Knowledge is Power Foundation and volunteers his time to visit local high schools to help promote the importance of education. He currently resides in Burbank, California.
July 2007
LISA GREGORISCH-DEMPSEY
Executive Producer of "CW Now"
One of the most respected newsmagazine producers in the country, Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey serves as Executive Producer of "CW Now," The CW's new series that blends news and entertainment to create the ultimate source for everything that's hip, hot and happening right now in the world of young adults.
Gregorisch-Dempsey also serves as Telepictures Productions' Senior Executive Producer overseeing the nationally syndicated newsmagazine, "Extra." Additionally, she spearheads the creation and development of reality-based programs. Under her leadership, "Extra" has earned a reputation as the industry leader in entertainment news, delivering comprehensive, innovative coverage on the personalities and trends important to the entertainment industry and compelling to viewers.
Prior to her position with Telepictures, Gregorisch-Dempsey served as the in-house news consultant and point person for the Fox Television Stations Group, where she was responsible for the hiring of on-air talent and news directors for 22 Fox owned and operated stations' news departments, as well as the creation of original sweeps programming. Prior to Fox, she served as the Executive Producer for the top-rated, nationally syndicated show "Hard Copy." She also was the Senior Executive Producer for the half-hour show that chronicled celebrities and their legal woes, "Celebrity Justice."
Gregorisch-Dempsey has successfully run news operations in major markets all over the country, including New York, the most competitive market in the United States. In her role as Vice President and News Director of WNYW-TV in New York and in only 18 months, Gregorisch-Dempsey led the station to its best news ratings in over a decade. She has worked in seven markets throughout the United States in a variety of different management positions. Some highlights include serving as Vice President, News Director for KDAF-TV in Dallas and KSTU-TV in Salt Lake City, and as Executive Producer for KDFW-TV in Dallas, where she led the 10:00 p.m. news broadcast to time-period victory for the first time in several years. Gregorisch-Dempsey met similar success at KUSA-TV in Denver, where she served as Managing Editor and Executive Producer. She began her career in Miami, where she worked for seven years at WTVJ-TV as a reporter, producer and bureau chief.
In 2005, Gregorisch-Dempsey was honored by Lupus LA with the "Woman of Achievement" Award. She is a graduate of Springfield College in Massachusetts.
July 2007
MIKE MILLER
Executive Producer of "CW Now"
A 13-year newsmagazine veteran, Mike Miller serves as Executive Producer of "CW Now," The CW's new series that blends news and entertainment to create the ultimate source for everything that's hip, hot and happening right now in the world of young adults.
Prior to "CW Now," Miller spent over a decade as a producer for the long-running entertainment newsmagazine, "Extra," where he covered everything from the Oscars and Emmys to the death of Princess Diana and the Columbine tragedy. Most recently, Miller served as the show's Supervising Producer of Special Projects and Development. It was in this capacity that he created and launched two hosted-movie interstitial shows, "TBS Movie Extra" and "TBS Weekend Extra," for the TBS cable network. He currently serves as Executive Producer for both series.
This past season, Miller spearheaded the CWH content wraps for The CW network. The success of these primetime interstitials led to the creation of "CW Now."
Miller has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California's School of Journalism. He began his career and love of journalism as the Executive Producer of USC's own newsmagazine, "Impact."
July 2007
