Press Release

Enjoy a Free Evening of Comedy in New York City's Central Park This Summer! The Third Annual 'COMEDY CENTRAL Park' Live From SummerStage Starring Gabriel Iglesias With Special Guest Pablo Francisco Takes Place Rain or Shine on Friday, June 19 at 8:00 p.m.

April 23, 2009 at 12:00 AM EDT
Enjoy a Free Evening of Comedy in New York City's Central Park This Summer! The Third Annual 'COMEDY CENTRAL Park' Live From SummerStage Starring Gabriel Iglesias With Special Guest Pablo Francisco Takes Place Rain or Shine on Friday, June 19 at 8:00 p.m.

"COMEDY CENTRAL Park" Is One Of 31 Free Programs Offered During The 2009 Central Park SummerStage Season Through The City Parks Foundation In New York City

The First 3,000 Attendees Will Receive A Complimentary, Reusable Shopping Bag Courtesy Of The Network's Pro-Social Initiative AddressTheMess

NEW YORK, April 23 -- No two drink minimum necessary at this venue, it's entirely free. On Friday, June 19, New York City's Central Park turns into "COMEDY CENTRAL Park," a night of free stand-up comedy Live from SummerStage. The outdoor venue is located at mid-Central Park (near the Fifth Avenue & 72nd Street entrance) with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. and the show starting at 8:00 p.m. This is the third consecutive year COMEDY CENTRAL has participated in this hugely successful event.

This year's presentation of "COMEDY CENTRAL Park" will feature comedian Gabriel Iglesias, who blends his impeccable voice skills with an uncanny knack for animated comedic storytelling that bring his issues to life; and special guest Pablo Francisco, who has an unbelievable ability to physically morph himself into movie stars, singers, friends, family, and a multitude of nationalities. Outback Steakhouse and All-Natural Snapple are the proud sponsors of "COMEDY CENTRAL Park."

Iglesias's talent on stage has earned him several television appearances. Currently, his one hour special "Hot and Fluffy" is airing on COMEDY CENTRAL and the DVD is available at all major retailers. His other credits include "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," COMEDY CENTRAL's "Premium Blend," HBO's "Comedy Minutes," NBC's "Showtime at the Apollo," ABC's "My Wife And Kids," Showtime's original series "Resurrection Blvd," VH1's "I Love the 80s," BET's "Comic View" and numerous performances on the popular Galavision show "Que Locos."

Francisco's unmatched take on pop culture has made him one of the most popular touring comedians worldwide. His enormous popularity has driven his MySpace Comedy page into the top 25 out of over 33,000 and continues to maintain its position in the top three most visited pages on the site. Francisco's television credits include "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," COMEDY CENTRAL's "The Show Biz Show with David Spade" and "Mind of Mencia." He has also been a cast member on "Mad TV" and appeared on TBS' "Frank TV."

"COMEDY CENTRAL Park" kicked off its inaugural year with host Dave Attell and featured performances by Ted Alexandro, Joe DeRosa, Kurt Metzger, John Mulaney and Amy Schumer. Last year, Stephen Lynch, Mike Birbiglia and Julian McCullough rocked the mic.

COMEDY CENTRAL's pro-social initiative, AddressTheMess also returns again this year to participate in this free stand up event by encouraging participants to reduce dependence on the ubiquitous plastic bag. The first 3,000 attendees to the show will receive a complimentary, reusable shopping bag. The initiative focuses on issues such as e-ware recycling, proper waste disposal and fossil fuel emissions, to bring more attention to this global crisis. Visit www.addressthemess.com for more info.

About City Parks Foundation:

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009, City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. We work in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. Our programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications

CONTACT:
Renata Luczak, +1-212-767-8661
renata.luczak@comedycentral.com
or
Aileen Budow, +1-212-767-3952
aileen.budow@comedycentral.com
/Web Site: http://www.comedycentral.com