Los Angeles, July 21, 2004 -- FAMILY BUSINESS, Showtime's late-nightreality series about an average family trying to make a living in theadult entertainment industry, has been renewed for a third season with a 10-episode order, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for Showtime Networks Inc.   This unique half-hour blend of comedy and reality premiered in February 2003.  Production for the new season will begin in Los Angeles in August with new episodes airing in 2005.

 

A hilarious blend of real-life absurdity, eccentric characters, and a

little bit of skin, FAMILY BUSINESS focuses on the charismatic Adam Glasser and his alter ego, "Seymore Butts," his meddling, but

well-meaning mother Lila and his cantankerous cousin Stevie, who

together run their adult film production company.

 

The first two seasons of FAMILY BUSINESS introduced viewers to the Glasser family and their unusual, but sometimes surprisingly ordinary life.   The series follows Adam as he faces the same problems that we all encounter - running his own company, juggling a hectic schedule and looking for the love of his life.  Adam's life is like anyone else's--almost.  As an adult film producer and director, his everyday challenges may be a little more unique. Last season, Adam dealt with fame and increased attention from adoring female fans; Lila tried to get her cookbook published; and Cousin Stevie renewed his vows in Vegas, complete with the bachelor party he never had.

 

Coming up in season three, the Glassers have adjusted to their fame.  Adam and his former assistant Myrna, who has become an adult video performer, explore their newly found romantic feelings for each other and decide how to approach their dating relationship.   Adam moves full steam ahead with his bachelor party business, which sometimes includes Myrna doing exotic dancing, causing friction between them.  Cousin Stevie continues getting advice from Adam about launching and filming his own line of adult movies, while Lila starts dating younger men in her search for Mr. Right.

 

The San Francisco Chronicle raved that, "What makes Family Business a fine example of single subject reality programming is that Glasser seems like a smart, good-looking guy who has a sense of humor about his place in the world.  Juxtapose alter ego Seymour Butts with Lila...Toss in Cousin Stevie...and you've got a winner."
 
The show is executive produced by multiple Emmy Awardâ-winning producers Arnold Shapiro and Allison Grodner, part of the team who is behind the CBS series "Big Brother" and the new reality series "Blow Out."  FAMILY BUSINESS is also executive produced by Jay Blumenfield and Anthony Marsh.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL(tm) and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO(tm), SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC xtra. SNI

also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD®, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(tm). SNI operates and manages the

premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported

television network SHOWTIME EXTREME® is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.