TV LAND PICKS UP FRAN DRESCHER'S "HAPPILY DIVORCED" FOR A SECOND SEASON WITH 12 NEW EPISODES

New York, NY, July 20, 2011 -- TV Land announced today that it has picked up its original sitcom "Happily Divorced," starring and co-written by Fran Drescher, for a second season with 12 new episodes tentatively scheduled to premiere in Spring 2012. Drescher shared the news with the Fran Fans on TV Land's "Happily Divorced" Facebook page. "Happily Divorced," inspired by Drescher's own life, also stars acclaimed actors John Michael Higgins ("Best in Show"), Tichina Arnold ("Everybody Hates Chris"), Rita Moreno ("OZ"), Robert Walden ("All The President's Men") and Valente Rodriguez ("George Lopez"). According to Nielsen, "Happily Divorced" is averaging over 2.2 million total viewers, a 1.0 among A25-54 and a 1.3 among W25-54 season-to-date, posting triple digit gains over the network's primetime average.

"We are thrilled that our viewers have embraced 'Happily Divorced' just like they did with 'Hot in Cleveland,'" said Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. "It's fantastic that we get to keep working with Fran, this amazing cast and all of the talented writers on another season." Keith Cox, executive vice president, development and original programming, TV Land, added, "'Happily Divorced' really resonated with our audience and we can't wait to see what new plot twists are in store for next season."

Drescher, twice nominated for both Golden Globe(R) and Emmy(R) Awards and also a New York Times best-selling author of Enter Whining and Cancer Schmancer, will co-write the show alongside her real life ex-husband, Peter Marc Jacobson. Jacobson previously worked with Drescher as co-creator and writer on "The Nanny."

Filmed in front of a live studio audience, "Happily Divorced" airs on Wednesday nights at 10:30pm ET/PT immediately following new episodes of "Hot in Cleveland." Inspired by Fran Drescher's own life, "Happily Divorced" follows Los Angeles florist Fran (Drescher) whose 18-year marriage ends suddenly when her husband (Higgins) announces he's gay. And if that weren't enough, he can't afford to move out. They figured out how to be "Happily Divorced," but her being single and his being gay, while living under one roof, is a whole other story. The series also features Fran's best friend Judi (Arnold), her parents Dori and Glen (Moreno and Walden) and her flower delivery employee Cesar (Rodriguez).

Fran Drescher, Peter Marc Jacobson, Frank Lombardi and Franco Bario are executive producers, and Larry W. Jones and Keith Cox serve as executive producers for TV Land.

See Fran's Facebook announcement here: https://www.facebook.com/happilydivorcedtv

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