Washington, DC --The National Association of Broadcasters announced today that Carsey Werner Company, producer of such classic television programs as "The Cosby Show," "Roseanne," "That 70s Show" and "3rd Rock From the Sun," will be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame during the NAB Show Television Luncheon, sponsored by WideOrbit. The Luncheon, held Monday, April 11, in Las Vegas, will also feature Mary Hart, host "Entertainment Tonight," as emcee of the event.
"Carsey Werner Company has created some of the biggest hits in television history," said Marcellus Alexander, NAB executive vice president of Television. "Quality programming is the foundation on which free over-the-air broadcasting is built, and Carsey Werner's has been a leader in producing high quality content that resonates with viewers and stands the test of time. We are thrilled to honor Carsey Werner, and to have Mary Hart join us as emcee for what promises to be an unforgettable event for all attendees."
Established more than 20 years ago by former ABC writer and producer duo Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner, Carsey Werner Company has created a variety of widely successful television comedies, including "3rd Rock from the Sun," "A Different World," "Cosby," "Cybill," "Grace Under Fire," "Grounded for Life," "Roseanne," "That 70's Show" and "The Cosby Show." With their popular appeal and creative approach to topics and issues not previously addressed in the television landscape, these programs have played a monumental role in shaping television. Collectively, Carsey Werner shows have won more than 20 Emmys and ten Golden Globes, among numerous other awards. In the past ten years, Carsey Werner's programming and distribution has reached more than 175 countries and brought in revenues amounting to roughly $3 billion.
Hart joined "Entertainment Tonight" as a correspondent in 1982 and within weeks was named co-anchor of the show. As the top syndicated entertainment newsmagazine show, Hart's tenure at "Entertainment Tonight" has led to engaging interviews with some of Hollywood's most renowned stars. Such interviews include conversations with Tom Hanks, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Harrison Ford, Sandra Bullock, Hugh Jackman, Donna Summer, Julie Andrews and Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. Additionally, Hart has covered some of the entertainment industry's most memorable events, including the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. Also in 2008, Hart was provided with the opportunity to interview all of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates during the presidential campaign, an unprecedented opportunity for entertainment journalists at that time. Hart announced that she will step down from her position in May 2011 after an impressive 30 years of reporting on the entertainment industry.
Hart is a Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame inductee and the recipient of the American Women in Radio & Television's (AWRT) Silver Satellite Award and Gracie Allen Award. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990, and is also a recipient of the NAB Education Foundation's (NABEF) Samaritan Award, one of NABEF's highest honors, presented for her work on behalf of several children's charities.
Previous NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame television inductees include NBC Sports, Bob Newhart, Bob Barker, NBC's "Meet the Press," Regis Philbin, "The Tonight Show," "Saturday Night Live," Ted Koppel, "M*A*S*H," "60 Minutes," "The Today Show" and "Star Trek," among others.
About the 2011 NAB Show
The NAB Show, held annually in Las Vegas, is the world's largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With nearly 90,000 attendees from 151 countries and more than 1,500 exhibitors, the NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, the NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.
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About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
