Laughter is on the Air… A&E Network Announces: "The Sandra Bernhard Experience;" Actress-Comedienne to Host Week of Shows On A&E

Business Wire, June 14, 2001

Entertainment Editors/Television Writers

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--June 14, 2001

For nearly two decades, Sandra Bernhard has been entertaining audiences on television, in movies and with her one-woman show.

Now, the versatile actress, comedienne and singer brings her unique talents to A&E Network for a week of late night talk shows titled -- "THE SANDRA BERNHARD EXPERIENCE," it was announced today by Allen Sabinson, Senior Vice President, Programming, A&E Network. The show will premiere 3rd Qtr. 2001.

"THE SANDRA BERNHARD EXPERIENCE" is an extension of the actress/ comedienne's one-woman show that she performs in front of sold out audiences at venues around the country, with one exception. Very "special" guests will join Bernhard nightly. The show will feature Bernhard's unique insights on fashion, music, celebrities, style and culture. There is no studio audience, no set-ups and no punch lines or skits. Breaking all the rules of contemporary talk shows, Bernhard will provide an opportunity for guests to talk about anything and everything, not just their upcoming movies, books, or concert dates. With Sandra in charge of the microphone - anything goes!

"The A&E audience and the world may not need another talk show but, then again, Sandra Bernhard is not your typical talk show host," said Sabinson. "We're looking to send Sandra off to illuminate the near and far corners of popular and not so popular culture in her own unique and humorous way. We had better start ducking and we hope the A&E audience is ready."

Bernhard got her start along side Robert De Niro, as an obsessed fan who helps kidnap Jerry Lewis in Martin Scorsese's darkly satiric film, "The King of Comedy." Since then, Bernhard has continued to impress audiences with her one-woman shows, internet radio show, a television role on "Roseanne" and guest spots on such shows as "Will & Grace" and "Ally McBeal." Her 1998 show, "I'm Still Here...Dammit," mixed comedy, celebrity gossip, cabaret tunes and spirituality, and her latest production, "The Love Machine," pokes fun at life, fashion, culture and politics, and is backed by a five-piece rock band. In addition to her solo shows and acting roles, Bernhard has written three books and will serve as host of this year's Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards for the second year in a row.

"THE SANDRA BERNHARD EXPERIENCE" is an A&E Network and Half Baked Productions presentation in association with Sandra Bernhard Inc. The shows will be produced by Elyse Roth (The Jon Stewart Show, The Daily Show with Craig Kilborn) and directed by Brad Nathanson. Sara Switzer is the co-host and writer, and Ernest Lupinacci is the segment producer/writer. Carin Zaleski (Queen Latifa, Saturday Night Live) is the talent executive and the music director is Mitch Kaplan.

Winner of the 2000 Governors Award from The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for The Biography Project for Schools, A&E offers viewers a unique blend of original programming, including the highly acclaimed BIOGRAPHY(R) series, original movies, drama series, and engaging documentaries. A&E is available in more than 81 million Nielsen homes in the United States. The A&E web site is located at www.AandE.com, the BIOGRAPHY web site is located at www.Biography.com, and the mysteries web is at www.mysteries.com