May 27, 2003

"CHARLIE LAWRENCE," A NEW COMEDY SERIES STARRING NATHAN LANE, LAURIE METCALF, TED MCGINLEY, STEPHANIE FARACY AND T.R. KNIGHT, PREMIERES SUNDAY, JUNE 15 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

CHARLIE LAWRENCE stars Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Ted McGinley, Stephanie Faracy and T.R. Knight star in a new comedy series about a former TV star who has just been elected to his first term as a U.S. Congressman, premiering Sunday, June 15 (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Emmy Award-winning writer Jeffrey Richman ("Frasier") and Tony Award-winning actor Nathan Lane are the producers. Executive producer Jeffrey Richman wrote the script for the premiere, which was directed by Jay Sandrich.

CHARLIE LAWRENCE stars Nathan Lane as a former TV star who has just been elected to his first term as a U.S. Congressman. Elected as a representative from New Mexico, Charlie is a fish out of water in the political arena and in his new digs at the Watergate Complex. Charlie's colorful, life-of-the-party personality contrasts sharply with his self-assured and overly pragmatic chief-of-staff Sarah Dolecek, played by multi-Emmy Award-winner Laurie Metcalf. His office manager, Suzette Michaels, is a besotted fan of Charlie's, with an encyclopedic knowledge of his long-running series, "Do Unto Others," in which he played an angel named "Guppy Sherman." The befuddled young intern, Ryan Lemming, rounds out the office staff. And Charlie's new neighbor and friend, Graydon Cord, is a member of the opposition party. So begins the second act of Charlie's life, as he makes the transition from Hollywood to the House.

In the premiere episode, former television star Charlie Lawrence is elected to fill the seat of a recently deceased Democratic congressman from New Mexico. After a rousing introductory speech before his fellow House members, Charlie finds himself in trouble when it's revealed that the words he used were actually borrowed from a script of his old television series. Eventually, with the help of his chief of staff, Charlie realizes he's got even more to learn about Washington politics than he anticipated.

Nathan Lane is an accomplished actor with an extensive background in film, theater and television. Most recently, Lane starred as Max Bialystock in the smash hit musical "The Producers," for which he won the 2001 Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a musical. He also received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a musical for his portrayal of Pseudolus in the revival of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Other theater credits include "Love! Valor! Compassion!," "The Man Who Came to Dinner," "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," "Guys and Dolls," "Present Laughter," "On Borrowed Time" and "Lips Together, Teeth Apart." His feature film credits include "Stuart Little," "Mousehunt" and "The Birdcage," for which he earned a Screen Actors Guild Award. He also provided the voice

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of Timon in the film "The Lion King." Additional film credits include "Isn't She Great?," "Trixie," "Love's Labours Lost," "Addams Family Values," "Life with Mikey," "Frankie & Johnny," "He Said, She Said," "Ironweed," "The Lemon Sisters" and "Jeffrey." Lane's television appearances include "The Last Mile," the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of "The Boys Next Door" on the Network, and "Laughter on the 23rd Floor." Lane has been recognized with two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his work in "The Lion King's Timon and Pumbaa," and "Teacher's Pet."

Laurie Metcalf is best known for her three-time Emmy award-winning role as Roseanne's sister Jackie Harris on the television sitcom "Roseanne." She also starred in the television sitcom "The Norm Show." Metcalf began her acting career as one of the original members of Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theater. After receiving critical acclaim in the New York production of "Balm in Gilead," she made her film debut in the movie "Desperately Seeking Susan." Other feature film credits include "Making Mr. Right," "Internal Affairs," "JFK," "Miles From Home," "Uncle Buck," "A Dangerous Woman" and "Blink."

A veteran television actor, McGinley first appeared on the small screen in the television movie "Valentine" with Mary Martin. Subsequent television credits include "Happy Days," "The Love Boat," "Dynasty," "Baby Talk" and "Married...With Children." He also starred in the television movies "The Making of a Male Model" and "Deadly Web." His feature film credits include "Revenge of the Nerds," "Young Doctors in Love," "Physical Evidence" and "Wayne's World 2."

Stephanie Faracy's television credits include "The Johnny Chronicles," "The Lot," "The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds...It Leads," "Safety Patrol," "Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story," "The Only Way Out" and "Tales of the City." She has also guest-starred on the popular television series "Bette" and "Chicago Hope," on the Network, "Providence," "Frasier," "Stark Raving Mad," "Caroline in the City," The Pretender" and "Boston Common."

T.R. Knight currently appears as Damis in the Broadway production of "Tartuffe." He also appeared in last season's popular Broadway play "Noises Off." Previous off-Broadway credits include "The Hologram Theory," "This Lime Tree Bower" and "MacBeth." Knight's upcoming feature film credits include the independent features "The Last Request" and "Garmento." CHARLIE LAWRENCE marks his television debut.

CHARLIE LAWRENCE is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television in association with CBS Productions.

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Charlie Lawrence Nathan Lane Sarah Dolecek Laurie Metcalf Graydon Cord Ted McGinley Suzette Michaels Stephanie Faracy Ryan Lemming T.R. Knight
Speaker Steve Stapenhorst Sally Misha Henson Newscaster Shannon Cochran Congresswoman Anni Long

RATING: To Be Announced

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Press Contacts: Kate H. Fisher          212/975-3818            khfisher@cbs.com
                        Beth Haiken             323/575-2103            beth.haiken@tvc.cbs.com