Academy Award(R) Winner Tatum O'Neal ('Paper Moon,' 'Rescue Me'), Jenna Dewan ('Step Up') and Ashley Benson ('Days of Our Lives') to Star in The Lifetime Original Movie, 'Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal,' A Riveting Tale of Girls Gone Wild

Based on a True Story of The Real-Life 'Mean Girls'

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22 -- Lifetime Television has ordered production on the Lifetime Original Movie, "Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal," starring Academy Award(R) winner Tatum O'Neal ("Paper Moon," "Rescue Me"), Jenna Dewan ("Step Up") and Ashley Benson ("Days of Our Lives"), it was announced today by Tanya Lopez, Senior Vice President, Original Movies, Lifetime Networks. Based on a true story, "Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal" follows the story of a gutsy young teacher who fights to end the reign of misbehavior without consequence by five beautiful and well-connected cheerleaders who are given carte blanche to do as they please at school. The movie will premiere in summer 2008 on Lifetime Television.

"The real-life story of these cheerleaders shocked many when the story broke, not only for their racy and inappropriate behavior, but also for the inaction of the school's administrators and parents," said Lopez. Adding, "We hope this movie reminds parents how important it is to set limits on their children."

In "Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal," Brooke Tippit (Benson), captain of the cheerleading squad and daughter to Principal Lorene Tippit (O'Neal), and her group of friends known as the "Fab Five," constantly disobey school rules and disregard teachers while administrators turn the other way. But when Emma Carr (Dewan), a bright-eye, optimistic young teacher joins the faculty as the new cheerleading coach, the girls discover they are in for quite a challenge when Emma doesn't let them get away with breaking the rules as they are use to. The outrageous antics of the clique quickly escalate from skipping and disrupting classes to extreme partying, posting suggestive photos of themselves on the internet, bullying and other self-destructive behavior. Hoping to protect the girls from endangering themselves and damaging their futures, Emma asks for Principal Tippit's support in disciplining the girls, but is blindsided with a request for a resignation instead. Frustrated, Emma risks the end to her teaching career by breaking the news of the scandalous conduct of the "Fab Five" and administrators to the local and national media.

Tatum O'Neal garnered worldwide recognition as the youngest person ever to win an Oscar(R) for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1973 classic "Paper Moon." She went on to star in well-known films such as "The Bad News Bears," "International Velvet," and "Little Darlings." Additional film credits include "Little Noises" and "Basquiat." Her television credits include a recurring role on the FX series "Rescue Me" as 'Maggie Gavin,' Tommy's (Denis Leary) foul-mouthed, hard drinking sister. She also had a starring role on My Network TV's "Wicked Wicked Games," in the role of 'Blythe,' a scorned woman who seeks revenge on the man who abandoned her.

Jenna Dewan is best known for her starring role in the hit dance movie, "Step Up." She also starred in the horror movie, "Tamara" and appeared in "Waterborne," "Take the Lead," and "The Grudge 2." Dewan's additional film credits include "Love Lies Bleeding" with Christian Slater, "The Six Wives of Henry Lefay" and "The Jerk Theory." Prior to her film work, Dewan was a dancer, working with performers such as Justin Timberlake, N'Sync, Sean Combs, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Pink and Missy Elliot.

Ashley Benson most recently starred in "Bring It On: In It to Win It" and is recognized for her role as 'Abigail Deveraux' on the long-running daytime soap, "Days of Our Lives." Benson has also appeared on "The OC," "7th Heaven," "Scrubs," "The West Wing" and Lifetime's "Strong Medicine." Her feature film roles include "13 Going on 30" and the upcoming "Got a Room," opposite William H. Macy. Benson also stars in a music video for recording artist NLT.

"Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal" is produced by Orly Adelson Productions in association with Fox Television Studios for Lifetime Television. Orly Adelson (Lifetime's "Odd Girl Out") serves as executive producer, Jonathan Eskenas ("Ruffian") is co-executive producer and Bob Wilson is producer. Tom McLoughlin (Lifetime's "The Staircase Murders") directs from a script written by Teena Booth (Lifetime's "A Little Thing Called Murder").

Fox TV Studios is a program supplier to the major U.S. and international broadcast and cable networks. The studio's current series include the Emmy-winning "The Shield," and "The Riches" for FX; "Burn Notice" for USA Network; "Saving Grace," starring Oscar(R)-winner Holly Hunter, for TNT; "The Girls Next Door" for E! Entertainment Television; the late-night "Talkshow with Spike Feresten" for FOX; and "Crowned: The Mother of all Pageants" for The CW. Through Regency Television, a joint venture with New Regency Films, series include "New Amsterdam" and "The Return of Jezebel James" (from "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino) both premiering in March 2008. FtvS' international format production division currently is in various stages of production on formats for Europe and Latin America. Fox Television Studios' series and TV movies have earned numerous Emmy, Golden Globe, Peabody and Humanitas awards.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE Lifetime Television
http://www.lifetimetv.com