Release
SHOWTIME'S "!HUFF" GETS HISTORY MAKING SECOND SEASON PICK-UP BEFORE PREMIERE
Entertainment Prexy Greenblatt Gives Dramatic Series,
Starring Hank Azaria, Blythe Danner, and Oliver Platt 13-Episode Order Four Months Before Its November 7th Debut
Starring Hank Azaria, Blythe Danner, and Oliver Platt 13-Episode Order Four Months Before Its November 7th Debut
Los Angeles, CA - July 21, 2004 - In an unusual and unprecedented move for any television network, Showtime Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt announced a second season renewal for the highly touted new dramatic series "!HUFF" at the network's news conference today before the nation's visiting television critics. The series, created by Bob Lowry and starring Emmy®-Award winner Hank Azaria, Blythe Danner, and Oliver Platt received a 13-episode second season pickup four months before its November 7th premiere, making it among one of the quickest for any comedy or dramatic series in TV history.
"We've seen the rough cuts for five episodes of this show, and we think it's spectacular," said Greenblatt. "The creative work being done is at the highest level, and we don't see a scenario in 2006 that doesn't include this series on our line-up. So we picked it up."
"!HUFF" stars multiple Emmy®-Award winning actor and noted voice artist Hank Azaria (Tuesdays With Morrie, The Simpsons, The Birdcage) as psychiatrist Dr. Craig Huffstodt. Azaria is joined by Paget Brewster (Friends), Anton Yelchin (Taken, Hearts In Atlantis) and Andy Comeau (One Hour Photo, 8 Heads In A Duffle Bag) with Emmy® nominee and Tony® Award winner Blythe Danner (Meet The Parents, The Prince of Tides, The X Files) and Emmy® nominee Oliver Platt (The West Wing, Pieces of April).
The one-hour dramatic series is produced for Showtime by Sony Pictures Television. The pilot was written by the show's creator and Executive Producer, Bob Lowry (Any Day Now, Profiler). Scott Winant, who directed the "!HUFF" pilot in addition to several episodes, executive produces with Lowry.
Mike Newell (Mona Lisa Smile, Donnie Brasco, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Enchanted April) and Cameron Jones (Traffic) also are Executive Producers. Azaria and Nancy Sanders serve as the show's producers. Danielle Gelber is the creative executive on behalf of Showtime Networks Inc.
"!HUFF" is the story of Dr. Craig Huffstodt (Hank Azaria), a family man and a successful psychiatrist who gets a wake-up call after a tragedy occurs to one of his patients. His whole existence -- as a doctor, husband, father, son and brother -- will go through a reawakening, and life will never quite be the same again for anyone.
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry's leading content providers. SPT produces and distributes top-rated, award-winning programming in every genre, including series, movies and family entertainment for network and cable television; first-run syndicated series; off-network syndicated programs; and theatrical releases. SPT (www.sonypictuestelevision.com ) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
