TV Land Explores Entertainment's Longstanding Mysteries With the Debut of TV Land Myths and Legends

Six-Part Series Premieres Wednesday, January 10 at 10 p.m.

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 -- TV Land takes a look at the most compelling and intriguing mysteries in Hollywood with the premiere of TV Land Myths and Legends on Wednesday, January 10 at 10 p.m. (all times ET/PT). From delving into the secret of which of Carly Simon's former lovers inspired her hit song "You're So Vain", to the truth behind a possible Poltergeist curse, to whether Barry Williams was really high during an episode of The Brady Bunch -- this six-part series goes behind-the-scenes to investigate Hollywood's most fabled myths and legends. Produced by Gay Rosenthal Productions (Behind the Music and Little People, Big World), each 30-minute episode explores the truth behind these notorious stories.

"If there's one thing that people love to talk about, it's entertainment's most famous -- and infamous -- myths and legends," states Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land. "These mysteries are a part of the Boomer fabric, and this series examines the deepest, darkest and -- at times -- most unbelievable tales about Hollywood that have existed throughout the years."

TV Land Myths and Legends features original interviews, archival clips and appearances by celebrities -- many of whom had a direct connection to these legendary stories. Each episode explores extraordinary tales about Hollywood's most memorable stars, TV shows, films and music. The series examines the origin of these myths and rumors -- shedding light on some of pop culture's darkest mysteries.

The following are episode descriptions for TV Land Myths and Legends (all times ET/PT):

Wednesday, January 10, 10 p.m. - "The Ghost & Mrs. Gabor"

Who really inspired Carly Simon's #1 hit, You're So Vain? Is that really the ghost of a nine-year-old boy seen through a window in the film Three Men and a Baby? What shocking, sexual innuendo heated up late night when Johnny Carson asked Zsa Zsa Gabor to remove her pet cat from her lap? We'll explore these mysteries and more on this episode of TV Land Myths and Legends.

Wednesday, January 17, 10 p.m. - "Secret Agents & Game Shows "

Among the mysteries explored in this episode of TV Land Myths and Legends: Is it true that Gong Show host and producer Chuck Barris was also a trained CIA assassin? Did a beautiful Bond girl die of suffocation when her entire body was painted gold for a scene in Goldfinger? What stunning x-rated answer did a contestant give Bob Eubanks on The Newlywed Game?

Wednesday, January 24, 10 p.m. - "Munchkins & Misbehavior"

Was Barry Williams really high on the set of a 1973 episode of The Brady Bunch? Did famed TV chef Julia Child actually drop a chicken, pick it up, and advise her audience, "Remember, you're alone in the kitchen?" Can the body of a suicidal munchkin really be seen hanging from a tree in The Wizard of Oz? This installment of TV Land Myths and Legends explores the truth behind these mysteries and more.

Wednesday, January 31, 10 p.m. - "Film Frights & Red Scares"

Was Lucille Ball ever a Communist? Did an unemployed ice cream truck driver win over $100,000 on the game show Press Your Luck by memorizing the supposedly random patterns on the game board? Is Long Island's Amityville Horror house really haunted? These are just three of the mysteries explored in this episode of TV Land Myths and Legends.

Wednesday, February 7, 10 p.m. - "Super Stars & Sudden Deaths"

Did Mama Cass of The Mamas and The Papas really die by choking on a ham sandwich? Did Joan Rivers truly reveal Victoria Principal's phone number live on The Late Show? Did television Superman George Reeves really leap from a tall building to his death? These mysteries and more are explored on this episode of TV Land Myths and Legends.

Wednesday, February 14, 10 p.m. - "Graves, Gilligan & Groucho".

TV Land Myths and Legends investigates some of Hollywood's most compelling mysteries: Is there really a Poltergeist curse? What sexual innuendo did Groucho Marx get away with on You Bet Your Life? Was Gilligan's Island a metaphor for hell? Were the recently buried remains of legendary film comedian Charlie Chaplin dug up by grave robbers and held for ransom?

TV Land Myths and Legends is a Gay Rosenthal Production produced exclusively for TV Land. Executive Producers are Gay Rosenthal and Paul Barrosse from Gay Rosenthal Productions and Sal Maniaci, Senior Vice President, TV Land, Development and Original Production. Nicholas Caprio of Gay Rosenthal Productions is Co-Executive Producer.

About TV Land

TV Land Productions was created in 2003 to develop original programming that complements the network's successful acquired programming slate. TV Land Productions has also produced The TV Land Awards Show: A Celebration of Classic TV (March 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006), the Emmy-nominated The Dick Van Dyke Show, Revisited, the network's first original special for broadcast, which premiered on CBS in May 2004, the Emmy-nominated Still Brady ... After All These Years reunion special in September 2004 and Chasing Farrah (Spring 2005), the original reality series that followed iconic Hollywood actress and sex symbol Farrah Fawcett. Over the last year, the network premiered a variety of original series and specials including: TV Land Confidential, Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg and I Pity The Fool. For more information about TV Land's original Wednesday night line-ups, visit http://www.tvland.com.

Now seen in over 88 million U.S. homes, TV Land is a division of MTV Networks. TV Land's program mix features popular dramas, sitcoms, westerns, Retromercials and a TV-referential interstitial environment, all programmed with a specific audience in mind - the first generation of Americans to grow up watching television and features all-time Classic hits like All in the Family, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, and Bonanza.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

SOURCE TV Land
http://www.tvland.com