WAYNE BRADY AND HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE TO HOST LIVE BROADCAST OF "42ND NAACP IMAGE AWARDS" FRIDAY, MARCH 4, ON FOX

Actor and comedian Wayne Brady and talk show host, actress and author Holly Robinson Peete will host the 42ND NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, broadcast live from Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium, Friday, March 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

The NAACP IMAGE AWARDS celebrates the accomplishments of people of color working in the fields of literature, music, television and film. The awards also honor individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.

"This year more than ever we need to celebrate the achievements of minorties in the arts," said NAACP Hollywood Bureau Executive Director Vicangelo Bulluck, who serves as executive producer of the awards telecast. "Inclusive and multicultural, the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS is truly a diverse American awards show. It showcases the hottest names in television, film and music. You couldn't ask for better hosts than Wayne and Holly to lead us in this celebration."

One of the most versatile performers in show business, Wayne Brady entertains audiences with his acting, comedy, singing and dancing. The winner of an Emmy Award and the recipient of two Emmy Award nominations for his work on the improvisational comedy show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," Brady hosted his own syndicated talk/variety show "The Wayne Brady Show" for two years. In this role, he picked up two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show Host and the show was honored with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show. He also hosted the popular game show "Don't Forget the Lyrics." Brady's film credits include "Crossover," the independent feature "The List" and "Roll Bounce," as well as the upcoming animated feature "Foodfight!" He appeared on stage as "Billy Flynn" in the Broadway production of "Chicago" and in Las Vegas in hit stage show, "Makin' It Up." An accomplished singer, Brady earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "A Change is Gonna Come," the single off his debut album, "A Long Time Coming."

Holly Robinson Peete currently serves as co-host of daytime talk show "The Talk" alongside Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne and Leah Remini. Throughout her 20-year career, Robinson Peete has appeared in numerous TV shows, including "Hanging with Mr. Cooper" and "21 Jump Street," and has been nominated for six NAACP Image Awards. In 1996, she and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, inspired by her father's courageous battle with Parkinson's, formed the HollyRod Foundation to help improve the quality of life of people living with the disease. Then, in 2005, inspired by their oldest son's diagnosis with autism, HollyRod Foundation's mission expanded to provide access to treatment, support and other resources to disenfranchised families affected by autism. As a recent contestant on the third season of "Celebrity Apprentice," Robinson Peete made it all the way to the final episode and won the most money for her charity in the show's history. She is the author of "Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching the Game: A Women's Guide to Loving Pro Football"; "My Brother Charlie" (co-authored with her 12-year-old daughter, Elizabeth), a children's book about autism from the sibling's perspective; and a third title due out later this year.

Founded on Feb. 12, 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information on the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, please visit www.naacpimageawards.net.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: FRINGE and KITCHEN NIGHTMARES are preempted this evening.]