HOW THE STATES GOT THEIR SHAPES

Puts a Fresh Spin on the Borders that Unite, Divide, and Define Us

Popular Series Takes on a New Shape on September 29 at 10 p.m.

New York, August 23, 2012 - Every state has a shape, and every border has a surprising story to tell. But are Americans aware that our jagged geography actually helped shape us as a nation? HOW THE STATES GOT THEIR SHAPES is back and putting America to the test with back-to-back 30 minute episodes premiering on Saturday, September 29 at 10 p.m. on H2.

Journalist and former Daily Show correspondent Brian Unger hits the road again to uncover the history hidden in our map - but this time, he is quizzing Americans about what unites us and what really divides the states - and exposing some of our country's most stubborn regional rivalries. Competitors will make some fast cash and show their state pride by proving just how well they know their United States. Unger will travel state-to-state from Pittsburg, PA; Miami, FL and Seattle, WA to Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO and Nashville, TN.

Americans are known for standing firm on their beliefs ... but we seldom seem to reach a consensus. Our state lines shape our loyalties, from tensions between Republicans and Democrats to the culture clash between the North and South. Combining the spirit of a cross-country road trip with the fun of a quiz show, HOW THE STATES GOT THEIR SHAPES explores how our jigsaw-like map fuels different rivalries on themes such as the line between Religion and Government, the Haves and the Have Nots, City Slickers vs. Country Bumpkins, Lawmen and Outlaws, Rednecks vs. Hillbillies, and more.

HOW THE STATES GOT THEIR SHAPES is produced for H2 by Half Yard Productions. Executive Producers for Half Yard Productions are Sean Gallagher and Abby Greensfelder. Kristen Burns and Paul Cabana are Executive Producers for H2.

About the host

Brian Unger started as an intern at Late Night with David Letterman, later becoming a producer at CBS News and a commentator at NPR. He is best known as one of the first correspondents and producers on The Daily Show for Comedy Central. His host and guest-hosting stints include E!'s Talk Soup, MSNBC's Countdown, Fox's World's Craziest Videos and NPR's Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me. The Unger Report ran on NPR's Day to Day for six years, and his occasional commentary can be heard on All Things Considered. As a comedian, he has corresponded for The Tonight Show and as an actor appears as a recurring character in F/X's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

In addition to hosting HOW THE STATES GOT THEIR SHAPES, Unger will represent the emerging brand as the face of H2. And as Unger travels around to dozens of towns across America revealing surprising stories of local American history, he will also be filming additional video content for H2, meeting viewers, and bringing the network's tagline "MORE 2 HISTORY" to life.

About H2

Welcome to H2(TM), where information is entertainment, experienced in unexpected and exciting ways. H2 offers a deeper perspective on history from all around the globe. It's more to explore, more to know, more to understand, More 2 HISTORY. H2 is now in 68 million households. The network, renamed in September 2011 (previously History International), is emblematic of the success and industry leadership of the HISTORY portfolio of brands. H2 - already the #1 emerging network of 2012 - is planning an ambitious lineup of new original series and specials for 2012-2013.