Based on New York Magazine’s Beloved Pop Culture Roundup,
the Neal Brennan Hosted Series Will Premiere in July
New York, NY – May 9, 2014 –SundanceTV announced today its newest original non-fiction series, “The Approval Matrix.” The six episode series will be hosted by comedian Neal Brennan (“Chappelle’s Show,” Half Baked) and executive produced by Rory Albanese (“The Daily Show”) and Ish Entertainment’s Michael Hirschorn (“Best Week Ever”). Inspired by New York magazine’s back page pop culture roundup, The Approval Matrix is a funny and passionate talk show about the cultural conversations that obsess us. Each week, host Neal Brennan and a panel comprised of entertainment insiders, celebrities and critics, debate some of today’s noisiest and most controversial entertainment and news items. The announcement was made today by Sarah Barnett, SundanceTV President. The series will premiere in July.
Barnett stated: “‘The Approval Matrix’ lives at the center of pop culture in a smart and funny way. Using the provocative axis of brilliant vs. despicable, our commentators will be hilarious, shockingly candid, impassioned and leave the viewer better informed and wildly entertained.”
New York editor-in-chief Adam Moss said: “For ten years now, ‘The Approval Matrix’ has been the laboratory for New York magazine to develop a rigorous mathematical approach to what is highbrow, lowbrow, brilliant and despicable in pop culture—something nobody had ever figured out how to do before. Now that the algorithm has been perfected, we’re happy that SundanceTV will be able to bring it to their audience.”
“The Approval Matrix” is produced by Emmy® award winning Michael Hirschorn of Ish Entertainment, and Wendy Roth of Ish Entertainment. Host Neal Brennan is best known as the creative force and executive producer behind “Chappelle’s Show,” which he developed with Dave Chappelle. In addition to writing and developing multiple comedic sketches, shows and films, Brennan is a well known personality on the stand-up comedy circuit. Showrunner Rory Albanese is a multi-Emmy® award winning producer. He has executive produced and written for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” since its first season in 1999.
SundanceTV’s non-fiction original series explore aspects of our contemporary culture in fresh and surprising ways. This new unscripted project builds on the network’s upcoming programming slate which includes the second season of critically acclaimed “Rectify” from the producers of “Breaking Bad” which will premiere on June 19th. Its highly anticipated original miniseries, “The Honorable Woman” starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, will premiere later this summer, and recently announced scripted original mini-series “One Child” will premiere in 2014.
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About SundanceTV
SundanceTV is making and celebrating television as distinctive as the best independent films. Working with today’s most remarkable talent, SundanceTV is attracting viewer and critical acclaim for its original scripted and unscripted series. Launched in 1996 and owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., SundanceTV delivers on the spirit of founder Robert Redford’s mission to celebrate creativity.
About AMC Networks Inc.
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCX) owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global and AMCN Chellomedia, international programming businesses that reach over 138 countries, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming origination and distribution company.
About New York Media:
New York Media is the parent company of the ground-breaking New York magazine; the up-to-the-minute news and service website nymag.com; the Grub Street food site; the entertainment and culture news site Vulture; the full-fledged fashion and lifestyle site The Cut; and the twice-yearly New York Weddings and New York Design Hunting magazines.
About Ish Entertainment
Ish Entertainment is a full-service production company founded in New York in 2008 by Michael Hirschorn, formerly EVP of Original Programming at VH1, where he contributed to a doubling of ratings and a tripling of revenue for the Viacom network. Ish has grown into a powerhouse on both digital and linear fronts, producing numerous series and specials for MTV, VH1, Lifetime, Oxygen, Bravo, CMT, Style, and others. Ish Digital produces series for Conde Nast, the Wall Street Journal, Scripps, and Harper Collins, and many more. Ish is also a half owner of the digital networks company IconicTV, which has partnerships with Jay-Z, Meredith Vieira and others.
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