[Pavan]

“Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” Joining ION Television’s Weekday Lineup on Monday, July 7

Award-Winning Sitcom Starts Summer Evenings with a Laugh Attack


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 7, 2008 -- ION Television announced today that, through a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, it will launch the sitcom “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” on its weeknight schedule beginning with two back-to-back episodes, airing July 7th from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. (ET). The popular series, in a branded “Laugh Attack” hour, will then continue in this timeslot Mondays through Fridays.

"Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper’ will be a really fun way to kick off ION Television’s summer evenings," said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “Not only is the sitcom terrifically entertaining, but it appeals to a broad, multicultural audience.”

In this family comedy, irreverent former basketball star Mark Cooper (comedian Mark Curry) coaches the high school team and works as the coolest substitute teacher around. This easygoing prankster has to share his home with three outspoken females (one under 10 years old!) and, at work, butts heads with his former babysitter – the dynamic Nell Carter – who is now the formidable school principal. The popular series also features Holly Robinson Peete, Raven-Symoné, Saundra Quarterman, Marquise Wilson, Omar Gooding and Dawnn Lewis.

“Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” originally aired from 1992–1997, joining ABC’s famous TGIF block in its second season, and winning two awards in 1993: Top TV Series from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and Broadcast Music, Inc.’s TV Music Award. Additionally, young cast members Raven-Symoné and Omar Gooding were nominated for multiple Young Artist Awards, while Raven-Symoné was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

“Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” joins “The Steve Harvey Show,” “Family Feud,” “Quantum Leap,” “The Dead Zone,” “ER” and a variety of blockbuster movies on the ION Television summer schedule.

A Jeff Franklin Production in association with Warner Bros. Television, “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” was created by Jeff Franklin and executive produced by Franklin, Danny Kallis, Cheryl Gard, William Bickley, Michael Warren, Barry O’Brien, Cheryl Alu and David Chambers.