New reality show "Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes" to star Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick


LOS ANGELES, CALIF (September 14, 2006) - Fox Reality the only ALL REALITY, ALL THE TIME channel, Sky One and Talent Television, a wholly owned subsidiary of Talent Group plc, have announced a new US/UK co-production commission. Talent Televison, in association with Magic Pictures Inc. in LA, will produce the brand new series for both Fox Reality in the US and Sky One in the UK.

"Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes" is a new reality series following the trials and exploits of award-winning entertainment producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick as they make a major investment in a long held dream - owning their own vineyard.

Commissioned by David Lyle at Fox Reality and Richard Woolfe at Sky One, the series will broadcast later this year as 8 x 30-minutes and 4 x 60 minutes respectively. "Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes" is the first US co-production secured by Talent Television. John Kaye Cooper will Executive Produce along with Elaine Gallagher, formerly at September Films and Channel X, in LA. Mike Fox is Series Producer and Magic Pictures Inc's Kris Lythgoe is Consultant Producer.

From childhood friends in the backstreets of Liverpool to producing the huge US primetime hit, "American Idol," Ken and Nigel are a phenomenal success story. Nigel is currently executive producer and "judge" on FOX Broadcasting's summer hit "So You Think You Can Dance," and Ken is executive producer of the head to head ratings rival, NBC's "America's Got Talent," and they are both enjoying the rewards and Hollywood lifestyle that come with a string of prime-time US network hits.

Everything they touch turns to TV gold, as the reality series follows the two highly successful, charismatic showmen as they venture into the vineyard abyss.

Originally planned as a consortium of buyers including Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Simon Fuller, one by one the investors pulled out leaving Nigel and Ken to purchase the beautiful 168 acre vineyard in Paso Robles, California alone.

Problems arise from the outset. Arriving at the vineyard dressed in designer clothing, Lythgoe and Warwick try to convince the jeans-clad owner of their interest in horticulture. From there the hilarities and struggles persist; business collaborations go south; wild boars cause chaos; potential profits dive; and vines become infested with rot.

Nigel and Ken refuse to give up on their lifelong dream, but will the vineyard be a success?

David Lyle, Fox Reality COO & General Manager, said: "The landscape of reality television has truly been shaped by these two pioneers, and we're thrilled that they've selected our network when they ventured into becoming the subjects of their own show. We think reality fans will love the opportunity to watch what happens when the tables are turned."

Richard Woolfe, Director of Programming at Sky One commented: "Nigel and Kenny are going to get some of their own TV reality medicine as we turn the cameras on them as they try and turn a vineyard nightmare into a dream vintage claret. Will they do it? Who knows, but we'll enjoy the ride with them."

John Kaye Cooper, Creative Director of Talent Television, added: "'Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes' will be compelling viewing for US and UK audiences alike. As producers with the Midas touch in Hollywood, it is fascinating to watch Nigel and Ken show their inexperience and learn how to become vineyard owners ...the hard way!"

Kris Lythgoe SVP at Magic Pictures Inc. added: "We are very excited to be working with Fox Reality & Talent TV and feel they were the perfect partners for this production. This is a show of adventure for two life long friends Kenny and Nigel who have come so far since their school days back in Liverpool, but have they gone too far?"

"Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes" will launch on Fox Reality from November 22, 2006 and on Sky One in Spring 2007.

Fox Reality launched May 24, 2005 to become the first destination for lovers of unscripted programming. The channel offers major US network favorites, exclusive international reality programming, Original Series and Specials. Fox Reality offers reality viewers more of their favorite reality programming with RealityRevealed in Primetime with never-before-seen footage, exclusive interviews, behind the scenes secrets and more reality fun. Fox Reality is currently seen in more than 20 million households. To get more information on Fox Reality programs and schedules, please visit foxreality.com.

Sky One is the most watched non-terrestrial channel in the UK, attracting more than 16.5m unique viewers every month
and distinguishes itself from rival networks with award-winning, exclusive US and homegrown drama, talked-about entertainment formats and distinctive factual entertainment series.

Talent Television (part of Talent Group plc) is a leading independent UK format creator and producer of innovative television, video and interactive programming. The Company's reputation for prime-time entertainment programming is unrivalled. The "Test the Nation" series for BBC1 is now well established as a scheduling event which combines the excitement of live network television with state-of-the-art interactive television and web technology. Subjects covered so far include "The Nation's IQ", "General Knowledge", "Popular Music" and "The End of Year Test". Talent was also a pioneer in reality television with "The Villa", which was first produced in 1999 for Sky One and has been one the highest rated shows on Fox Reality since it launched in May 2005.