or


[10/31/05 - 12:00 AM]
All I Want for Christmas' Becomes a Reality in 'Dear Santa,' a New Holiday Special to Premiere on FOX December 9

[via press release from FOX]

'ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS' BECOMES A REALITY IN 'DEAR SANTA,' A NEW HOLIDAY SPECIAL TO PREMIERE ON FOX DECEMBER 9

Lions Gate Television and Full Circle Entertainment Team Up with U.S. Postal Service to Produce the Unscripted One-Hour Show Addressing the Dreams of 'Dear Santa' Letter Writers

Los Angeles, CA, October 31, 2005 � FOX, Lions Gate Television and Full Circle Entertainment, in cooperation with the United States Postal Service, have struck a deal for an hour-long unscripted holiday special, entitled Dear Santa, to premiere on FOX December 9 at 8:00pm ET/PT. The announcement was made today by Ed Wilson, President Fox Television Network; Kevin Beggs, President, Programming and Production, Lions Gate Television; Robert Riesenberg, President and CEO of Full Circle Entertainment; and John E. Potter, Postmaster General and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service.

The reality show will be based on a selection of the most compelling letters the U.S. Postal Service receives from children and families asking for Santa's help. The dramatic stories of these families will be told as their holiday dreams are fulfilled.

Distributed by Lions Gate Television and produced in association with Full Circle Entertainment, Renegade 83, Inc. and Mann Made Productions, Inc., Dear Santa was created by Darren Mann and will be executive produced by Mann, Riesenberg, and Renegade 83 partners David Garfinkle and Jay Renfroe (The Law Firm, The 4400, The Surreal Life, Blind Date).

An album is also being produced in conjunction with the special, which will include both original Christmas songs and four of the top ten most-played Christmas classics of all time. Alicia Keys, Nick Lachey and American Idol finalist Vonzell Solomon are among the stars featured on the CD, along with Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song," Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad" and Johnny Mathis' "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." The CD will be on sale at more than 20,000 post offices across the country.

The U.S. Postal Service will be promoting the special with point-of-purchase displays in most of its 38,000 post offices; on its website at www.usps.com; and as part of a 40-city tour with Vonzell Solomon, who was an employee of the Postal Service prior to her run on American Idol.

"FOX is very excited to be working with Lions Gate Television, Full Circle Entertainment and the U.S. Postal Service on a special that sends such a positive message to our viewers and that every family can relate to," said Wilson.

"When Darren approached us about working with the U.S Postal Service on a holiday reality special, we jumped at the opportunity," said Beggs. "The concept has tremendous evergreen potential, the marketing campaign will be extraordinary and we are excited to be part of what could become a new holiday entertainment tradition."

"We have always sought to be involved with projects that strike a distinctive emotional cord with audiences," said Riesenberg. "Dear Santa is a heartwarming vehicle that will positively touch hearts across the demographic universe and will provide a perfect sponsorship vehicle."

"Through the power of the mail, the U.S. Postal Service has proudly connected families, friends, and loved ones during the holiday season," said Potter. "Every year thousands of postal employees, charitable organizations, corporations and individuals participate in making children's holiday wishes come true by answering the letters to Santa that we receive. We were happy to work on this production and hope it encourages others to visit their local post offices to do the same."

About Lions Gate Television
Lions Gate Television is the television production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF). With a total of four series currently on the air, the company is an important supplier of content to cable and broadcast networks. Lions Gate Entertainment is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is a valuable source of stable and recurring revenue and serves as a foundation for the continued growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

About Full Circle Entertainment
Full Circle Entertainment was launched with the hiring of Mr. Riesenberg in February 2004 to develop and produce quality programming that has strong viewer appeal, while providing an ideal environment and marketing platforms for major sponsors. The company's production team is best known for executive producing numerous television series and movies including "The Restaurant," "House Rules," "Meet Mister Mom," "Young Americans," "He's a Lady," "The Winning Season," "Miss Lettie and Me," "Bojangles" as well as creating the highly-regarded movie franchises, Chrysler Showcase Theater, and Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation. Full Circle Entertainment is part of Omnicom Media Group, the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE), which also includes media agencies OMD Worldwide and the PHD Network, as well as ICON International, Novus Print Media and DaVinci Selectwork.

Omnicom Group Inc. is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded agency networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

About the United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service has proudly connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses via the U.S. Mail for well over two centuries. Delivering to over 144 million addresses every day, it is the largest independent agency of the executive branch of the federal government, but receives no taxpayer dollars; is required to operate like a business, but can make no profit and must break even over time; and, derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $68 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 43 percent of the world's mail volume�over 200 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year and serving seven million customers each day at its 38,000 retail locations nationwide.





  [october 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· BOJANGLES (SHOWTIME)
· HE'S A LADY (TBS)
· HOUSE RULES (TBS)
· MEET MISTER MOM (NBC)
· MISS LETTIE & ME (TNT)
· RESTAURANT, THE (NBC)
· WINNING SEASON, THE (TNT)
· YOUNG AMERICANS (WB)





[06/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
"MTV's The Challenge: Vets and New Threats" Premieres Wednesday, July 30 at 8PM ET/PT
This season, fresh faces and new threats have entered the arena with one goal: upend the old order and take it all.

[06/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
Video: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" - Season 17 Official Trailer - FX
In Season 17, the Gang craves money and parasitic social privileges.

[06/18/25 - 10:00 AM]
2025 "NBA Draft Presented by State Farm" Exclusively on ESPN Platforms June 25-26
ABC and ESPN will both offer distinct presentations of the NBA Draft's first round on June 25, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

[06/18/25 - 09:06 AM]
"Disney Jr. Let's Play!" to Be Held at Disney California Adventure Park on Friday, Aug. 8, and Downtown Disney District on Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10
Throughout the weekend, guests will be able to participate in multiple limited-time photo opportunities, including a themed wall in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure along with the regular Disney Jr. programming available at the park.

[06/18/25 - 09:00 AM]
"Shiny Happy People" Renewed for Season Two on Prime Video
Season two moves on from IBLP and dives headfirst into the Evangelical teen pop culture that exploded across the U.S. in the 90's and 00's, and the larger forces focused on harnessing their earnest faith for far-reaching influence.

[06/18/25 - 08:00 AM]
A24's "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl," "Opus" and "Death of a Unicorn" Begin Streaming Exclusively on Max This July
Look for said films on July 4, July 11, and July 25, respectively.

[06/18/25 - 08:00 AM]
"Welcome to Plathville" Returns to TLC with a Whirlwind New Season Premiering Tuesday, July 22 at 10PM ET/PT
It's a season filled with raw emotions, shocking surprises, new faces and fresh starts as each member of the family is finding their own way.

[06/18/25 - 07:31 AM]
Netflix Announces "Bad Thoughts," Tom Segura's Dark and Twisted Comedic Series, Has Been Picked Up for Season 2
Said Segura: "It was such a thrill to get the opportunity to entertain and horrify audiences with our very Bad Thoughts on Netflix. We're all so excited to push things further with season 2. I promise your family will not approve of what we do."

[06/18/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Attend Nevermore Academy with Wednesday Addams - Netflix
At Nevermore, we embrace every Outcast - Werewolves, Vampires, Sirens, Gorgons, DaVincis and more.

[06/18/25 - 06:01 AM]
Apple's Reimagined Original Series "Yo Gabba GabbaLand!" Returns for Season Two
Apple TV+ also announced that the full, four-season library of the original Emmy Award-nominated series "Yo Gabba Gabba!" will launch globally on Friday, June 20.

[06/18/25 - 03:31 AM]
Video: One Man Against All Odds - "Ziam" Trailer Teases Thrilling Thai Martial Arts Zombie Combat
In a fight for survival against a horrifying army of zombies, a former Muay Thai fighter must use skill, speed and grit to save his girlfriend.

[06/17/25 - 03:31 PM]
"My Brilliant Career" Series Adaptation Now in Production in South Australia for Netflix
First published in 1901, "My Brilliant Career" resonated deeply with a rising generation of young Australian women who longed for the freedom to shape their own destinies.

[06/17/25 - 03:03 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 vs. CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers"
On Wednesday, "Nightline" scored its most-watched telecast (1.049 million) in 5 months and strongest delivery in Adults 25-54 (404,000) in 1 year.

[06/17/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of June 9: "Tyler Perry's Straw" Has Biggest Week for a Film in 2025
"Ginny & Georgia's" third season maintained its No. 1 spot on the English TV List with 16.9 million views, as fans saw their favorite characters pushed "to the limit."

[06/17/25 - 09:46 AM]
Video: HBO Max and Magnolia Network Debuts "Back to the Frontier" Trailer and Takes the 1880s on the Road This Summer with Covered Wagon Pop-Ups in LA and NY
The eight-part series, executive produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines, follows three modern families as they attempt to live as if it's the 1880s, off the grid, without modern conveniences, and fully immersed in frontier life.