CURRENT TV LAUNCHES ORIGINAL SERIES "50 DOCUMENTARIES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE" PREMIERING ON MONDAY, AUGUST 1

HOSTED BY MORGAN SPURLOCK AND FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH FILMMAKERS CHRISHEGEDUS, ERROL MORRIS, D.A. PENNEBAKER, PENELOPE SPHEERIS AND OTHERS

Explores the Most Powerful, Memorable and Moving Documentary Films From the Past Twenty Five Years

New York, NY - May 24, 2011 - Current TV will premiere the new original series, "50 Documentaries To See Before You Die," on Monday, August 1. Hosted by renowned documentarian Morgan Spurlock, this series examines how, over the last quarter-century, the documentary feature has evolved into an increasingly mainstream genre, becoming a major box office draw and impacting society and contemporary American culture in ways never seen before.

Over the course of five one-hour episodes, "50 Documentaries To See Before You Die," counts down fifty of the modern documentary era's most powerful, provocative and moving films. The series will highlight game-changers like "Roger & Me" and "The Thin Blue Line," both dating back to the late 80s, as well as more recent fare including "Catfish" and the Academy Award winning "Inside Job." From the plains of Antarctica in "March of the Penguins" to the basketball courts of Chicago in "Hoop Dreams," this series surveys the expansive and myriad landscape of an art form that entertains and educates, informs and agitates.

Animpressive and eclectic chorus of voices including critics and fans, filmmakers and their subjects, espouse their views on the movies that made the list and what in their opinions makes them great. Throughout the series, host Morgan Spurlock, will be traveling the country in search of some of modern documentary's most iconic figures, meeting along the way maverick directors and eccentric characters responsible for creating some of the most remarkable moments ever committed to film. At the end of his journey, Spurlock will ultimately reveal what was deemed "the" most influential modern documentary by a panel of preeminent film critics, academics and industry insiders.

Some of the world's greatest documentary filmmakers will be a part of the series including directors Chris Hegedus ("STARTUP.COM"; "The War Room"), Errol Morris ("The Thin Blue Line," The Fog of War") D.A. Pennebaker ("War Room," "Don't Look Back") and Penelope Spheeris, ("The Decline of Western Civilization" parts I, II and III).

The panel members who were involved in the selection process include Brian Graden, Programming Consultant for Current TV and former President of Programming MTV Networks, Betsy McLane, Project Director for the American Documentary Showcase and co-author of 'A New History of Documentary Film,' Michael Renov Associate Dean of USC's School of Cinematic Arts and author of 'The Subject of Documentary,' Eddie Schmidt President of the International Documentary Association, and Rahdi Taylor Associate Director of the Sundance Documentary Film Program.

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ABOUT CURRENT MEDIA

Current Media, the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning television and online network founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, engages viewers with smart, provocative and timely programming -stories that no one else is telling in ways that no one else is telling them. Current's programming shines a light where others won't dare and boldly explores important subjects -- opening minds, sparking conversations and forming deep connections with its viewers. The channel's audience is comprised of affluent, curious, social and connected adults who crave the kind of entertaining, enlightening, witty and informative programming found on Current's TV and online properties. Current is available in the U.S., the UK, Ireland and Italy in 75 million cable and satellite households and online at www.current.com. Independently-owned Current began with a mission: To harness the power of television and offer adults compelling programming - including real-life stories - created in part by viewers, in their own voices. Current combines the best of TV and social media to create a fully integrated TV and online network. Included among the many initiatives Current has pioneered are: The first online studio that developed viewer-generated content for TV; the world's first crowd-sourced hourly newscast; the first participatory movie reviews; viewer-created ad messages (VCAMs); and the first twitter broadcast live on TV. Current has won major awards and accolades since its founding, including two Emmy(R) Awards, the Peabody Award, The Livingston Award, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, multiple Webby Awards, the Television Academy Honor and the Hot Bird(TM) TV Award for Europe's Best News Network.