(SUNRISE) – Fox Sports Net's BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, the most talked about new show on television, will end a successful year of expansion, audience growth and critical acclaim with an "All-Star Summer" celebration from June 24 to July 19. The All-Star Summer will be filled with big-name guests from both the sports and entertainment worlds, including some of Florida's shining stars.
Beginning June 24, BDSSP's guest list will be inundated with some of the hottest names from the Florida sports scene. Among those scheduled for the month-long celebration, WWE personality and action movie star The Rock will appear Tuesday, June 25; Shaquille O'Neal will roast former Dallas Cowboy and University of Florida Gator Emmitt Smith on Friday, June 28; 2001 Winston Cup Champion and Palm Beach County resident Jeff Gordon sits down with FOX analyst Darrell Waltrip on Friday, July 5; Tampa Bay Buccaneer John Lynch and former Florida State star running back Warrick Dunn will participate in a comedy skit a la "Saturday Night Live" on Thursday, July 18. And South Florida native Michael Irvin will be featured as a guest contributor to the BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD throughout the All-Star Summer.
In addition to the array of athletes and celebrities from around the state, Florida Marlins fans will not want to miss the July 4th edition of BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, as the cast honors the best and worst moments on the air over the past year by presenting the "Best Dammie" awards in more than a dozen categories. Marlins pitcher
"BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD has become popular with viewers in Florida because it brings local fans closer to their favorite athletes by showing a more personal and often humorous look at sports," said Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Fox Sports Net Florida. "The show is appealing to viewers because it's more than just stats and highlights. The impressive lineup of guests scheduled for the All-Star Summer is a perfect way to celebrate the first anniversary of such a unique program."
Other celebrities slated to appear on BDSSP in the coming weeks include actors Adam Sandler, Gary Busey, Matt Damon, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Will Smith, Lil' Bow Wow, Tommy Lee Jones, Chi McBride, comedians Andy Dick, George Wallace, and Aries Spears, and musical act Counting Crows. The top athletes from around the country will also be featured, including Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, and Tony Hawk.
In addition to seeing the biggest names in sports and entertainment talk about the games we love in conversation that ranges from provocative to comedic, viewers will be treated to several opportunities to have sports fantasies fulfilled, like winning a date with a professional cheerleader.
BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, which debuted July 23, 2001, features host Chris Rose, former pros D'Marco Farr (NFL), John Kruk (MLB) and John Salley (NBA) and actor/comedian Tom Arnold as the voice-of-the-fan. The versatile Lisa Guerrero provides sports updates and highlights and feature interviews, and Ken Rudulph anchors the Nightly Daily Sports Report. Leeann Tweeden is the show's correspondent and Lisa Joyner supplies the Best Damn Insider entertainment report.
George Greenberg is the Executive Producer of BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, and Mark Mayer is the line producer.
The two-hour show airs nightly at 8:00PM and 10:00PM (or immediately following a live game) on Fox Sports Net Florida. A special Saturday night midnight edition airs each week, featuring a "Best Of" the prior week's show. Check local listings.
Fox Sports Net Florida reaches more than 3.9 million households in Florida. Fox Sports Net Florida is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks, a division of Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. Fox Sports Net Florida's programming includes Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Devil Rays; the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers; the University of Miami, and the University of South Florida, along with select NASCAR and PGA Tour coverage.
Fox Sports Net reaches more than 79 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and Fox. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporates Rainbow's 50% ownership of Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports National Advertising, and the ownership and management of Fox Sports Net regional networks in five of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, Florida, Ohio, New England and San Francisco.
Editor's Note: Fresh photography for BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD is available by logging on to www.foxflash.com, or by calling Kali Mogul at 954-845-9994.