POP ORDERS SECOND SEASON OF ITS ORIGINAL SCRIPTED COMEDY "NIGHTCAP" IN ADVANCE OF ITS NOV. 16 SERIES PREMIERE

Produced by Lionsgate with Executive Producer and Star Ali Wentworth, "Nightcap" to Premiere with Two Back-to-Back Episodes Packed with Celebrity Guests

LOS ANGELES - Oct. 27, 2016 - The late night show goes on, as today Pop announced a renewal of its original scripted comedy NIGHTCAP ahead of its season one premiere on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 8:00 PM, ET/PT. Pop will premiere with two back-to-back episodes featuring guest stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and Andy Cohen in episode one, and Gwyneth Paltrow, Jim Norton and Nate Berkus in episode two.

NIGHTCAP is a laugh-out-loud scripted comedy starring Ali Wentworth ("In Living Color," "Head Case," "It's Complicated," "Office Space") as an overworked talent booker on the fictitious late night talk show, "Nightcap with Jimmy." Each episode offers a slew of A-list celebrity guests and all of the antics that go on behind-the-scenes of a late night set.

The network has ordered 10 episodes of NIGHTCAP for season two with Lionsgate returning as the production studio, and Ali Wentworth, Tom Brunelle and Brad Wollack continuing as executive producers.

"I had to dig deep to find the character of a middle-aged, neurotic, slightly unglued woman. Mostly because I'm seen as a twenty-four-year-old award-winning sexual icon. But that's acting!" says Wentworth.

"'Nightcap' is a fresh spin on the screwball workplace comedy in an original series that is distinctive and broadly appealing," said Justin Rosenblatt, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Development, Pop. "We're thrilled to continue working with Ali, who is an exceptional comedic talent, and with our co-parent company Lionsgate, an award-winning studio at the forefront of creating brand-defining content."

"Nightcap is the kind of signature programming that we're proud to deliver to our network partners," said Chris Selak, Executive Vice President, Television, for Lionsgate. "We're thrilled that Pop is so excited about the series that they have already renewed it for a second season, and we believe that Nightcap's hilarious behind-the-scenes action will become a staple of their line-up for years to come."

Season one of NIGHTCAP will include the following half-hour episodes:

BABYMAKER: Nov. 16

Celebrity publicist Malik needs to find a surrogate for her clients Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos (pictured), and Staci puts Penny up for the job. Sarah Jessica Parker forms an unlikely bond with a member of the Nightcap staff.

A-LIST THIEF: Nov. 16

Gwyneth Paltrow surprises everyone by being a serial thief and overall filthy woman, leading to a confrontation with fellow guest Jim Norton. Jimmy's dog Monty moves into the office, and famous interior decorator Nate Berkus (pictured) comes to design an office suitable for late night dog royalty.

LICE-ISM: Nov. 23

A lice outbreak at Nightcap forces the whole staff to be treated. But when Whoopi Goldberg (pictured) arrives for her Nightcap appearance, she thinks the staff's "treatment" hairstyles are racist, and Staci must decide which is a worse admission - that Nightcap is racist, or that it has a filthy lice infestation. Booked guest Denis Leary calls in sick, but Staci isn't having it.

THE CANNON: Nov. 30

Staci has to convince a reluctant Michael J. Fox (pictured) to be shot out of a cannon on the show. Jim Gaffigan does everything in his power to hawk his new energy drink, EnerrJesus, on Nightcap.

THE UNWANTED GUEST: Dec. 7

Todd uses questionable means to persuade Nightcap guest Debra Messing to make a video for him in character as "Grace." Meanwhile, Tim Gunn (pictured) pops by the studio claiming Jimmy asked him to come in for an impromptu appearance on the show, forcing the staff to juggle Jimmy's wishes with the scheduled guest, a sloth.

MEAN GUEST: Dec. 14

Everyone on Nightcap is excited to have Jason Biggs (pictured) on, but it turns out he's become a completely different person since the last time he was on the show. Beth Stern has brought kittens that are available for adoption to promote the North Shore Animal League, but there is a problem when one goes missing.

THE HORNY HOST: Dec. 21 Tra

nsgender personality GiGi Gorgeous (pictured) is a guest, and Staci has to convince her to go on a date with Jimmy. Ana is pitching her makeup line and wants Stephanie March to be her new spokesmodel, with unpleasant consequences.

IBS-ISIS: Dec. 28

Famed chef Mario Batali (pictured) tries to aid Staci as she struggles through a horrible bout of IBS. George Stephanopoulos schools Penny on ISIS, an organization she is worried is trying to recruit her.

GO-FUND-YOURSELF: Jan. 4

Jimmy starts a GoFundMe to make a biopic about himself, and Staci's job is to get Nightcap guest Paul Rudd attached to play "Jimmy." Wendy Williams (pictured) is also on the show and bonds with an unlikely person over her wig collection.

GUEST IN A SNAKE: Jan. 11

Staci interviews for an executive producer position at Wendy Williams and seriously considers leaving Nightcap. Mariska Hargitay (pictured) has agreed to be eaten by an anaconda on air, and Todd gets to direct his first shoot starring Rosie Perez - until Joel Schumacher intervenes.

NIGHTCAP is produced by Lionsgate Television, Dakota Pictures and Trout the Dog Productions. Wentworth, Tom Brunelle ("Chelsea Lately," "After Lately") and Brad Wollack ("Chelsea Lately," "After Lately") of Free 90 Media; Troy Miller (Lionsgate Television's "Deadbeat," "Flight of the Conchords"); and Lydia Tenaglia, Chris Collins and Craig Shepherd of Zero Point Zero Production serve as executive producers.

ABOUT POP

Fans don't sit at the outskirts of pop culture making snarky comments. They live right smack in the middle of it, sharing, creating and connecting their passions with others. At Pop, fans finally have a destination that celebrates the fun of being a fan. Fans aren't even fans anymore - they're gladiators, tributes, human beings and blockheads. Seen in more than 80 million homes, Pop gives fans a dedicated channel that loves being a fan as much as they do. A channel that respects talent over celebrity. A channel filled with optimism, passion, humor and excitement. A channel that understands the fun doesn't stop when the credits roll... it's really just the beginning.

Pop is a joint venture of CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF). The partnership combines CBS's programming, production and marketing assets with Lionsgate's resources in motion pictures, television and digitally delivered content. Pop's ownership structure is comprised of the company with the #1 broadcast network and many of the top first-run syndication series ("Entertainment Tonight," "The Insider") and the studio that produces and distributes the blockbuster "Hunger Games," "Twilight" and "Divergent" franchises and produces such award-winning TV series as "Mad Men" and "Orange is the New Black."