Weeds announcement from Showtime

For all Justin international fans who can't access Showtime's website, here's the scoop:


EMMY®-NOMINATED ACTOR JUSTIN KIRK
TO JOIN SHOWTIME NETWORKS NEW COMEDY SERIES WEEDS

AUDACIOUS 10-EPISODE SERIES PRODUCED BY LIONS GATE TELEVISION STARRING MARY LOUISE PARKER, ELIZABETH PERKINS AND KEVIN NEALON TO PREMIERE SUMMER 2005

Emmy®-nominated actor Justin Kirk ("Angels in America") has joined the cast of Showtime Networks new comedy series WEEDS. The 10-episode series produced by Lions Gate Television, starring Mary Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins and Kevin Nealon, will premiere this summer. Kirk will play the role of Andy, the younger, irresponsible brother of Nancy Botwin's (Mary Louise Parker) dead husband. WEEDS marks the first scripted half-hour series green-lighted by Robert Greenblatt, President, Entertainment, Showtime Networks.

The casting reunites Justin Kirk and Mary Louise Parker, who played opposite each other in the television mini-series "Angels In America." Kirk was nominated for an Emmy® Award for his performance as "Prior Walter," with Parker winning the 2004 Emmy® award and Golden Globe® for her role in the Mike Nichols directed film. Additionally, Kirk won an Obie Award for his role in the Broadway production of "Love! Valour! Compassion!" and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for his role in the Lincoln Center production of "Ten Unknowns."

WEEDS exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes in the fictional town of Agrestic, California. Parker stars as a suburban mom who resorts to selling marijuana in order to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies. Perkins stars as the uptight and dysfunctional head of the PTA and Nealon plays a pot-smoking city councilman.

Produced by Lions Gate Television in association with Tilted Productions, this groundbreaking Showtime series is executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jenji Kohan ("Friends," "Will and Grace," "Tracey Takes On"). Brian Dannelly ("Saved!"), who directed the series premiere, is a consulting producer and will direct additional episodes. Roberto Benabib ("Ally McBeal") is co-executive producer.

AND......................................

Showtime announces new comedy series "WEEDS" to be produced by Lions Gate Television

LOS ANGELES: December 17, 2004 – Showtime Networks Inc. has made the decision to pick up the comedy series "WEEDS," a single-camera comedy from Lions Gate Television about a single mother who makes ends meet by selling marijuana in suburban Los Angeles, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for Showtime Networks Inc.

"I made it a mandate when I arrived here that Showtime would aggressively get into the comedy business. This series, along with Kirstie Alley's upcoming 'Fat Actress,' will do that in a way that is quintessentially premium," commented Robert Greenblatt.

"We're delighted to be in business with Showtime on WEEDS," said Kevin Beggs, President of Programming and Production for Lions Gate Television. "We believe that this comedy has the kind of wit and edge that audiences are clamoring for."

Produced by Lions Gate Television in association with Tilted Productions, WEEDS has received a 10-episode commitment and stars multi-award-winning actress Mary Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins and Kevin Nealon. The series will be produced in Los Angeles and debut on SHOWTIME in mid-2005.

WEEDS exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes in the fictional town of Agrestic, California. Parker stars as a suburban mom who resorts to selling weed to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies. Perkins stars as the uptight head of the PTA and Nealon plays a city councilman.

WEEDS is written and executive produced by Jenji Kohan ("Friends") and the pilot was directed by Brian Dannelly, who recently directed Parker in the critically-acclaimed high school satire "Saved!" Dannelly will serve as a producer on the series. Danielle Gelber is the creative executive for Showtime.





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