New York, NY, September 22, 2008 – TV Land takes a closer look at some of the most shocking stories that have become notorious and compelling Hollywood tales in the second season premiere of “Myths and Legends” on Wednesday, October 8 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). The series will debut during TV Land PRIME, the network’s new primetime programming block designed to appeal to the attitudes, life stage and interests of people in their 40s and 50s. The seven-episode series examines some of pop culture’s most talked about stories revolving around Hollywood’s most famous entertainers such as – Ozzy Osbourne, James Dean, Jennifer Lopez, Marilyn Monroe, William Shatner, Jack Nicholson and Susan Lucci. Myths and Legends will search the truth behind the rampant rumors that have circulated around Hollywood and have made tabloid headlines. Archival clips and original interviews with television, music and movie insiders, fans and those who have a direct connection with some of these fables will put to rest those frustrating questions that have loomed around Hollywood for years. Produced by Gay Rosenthal Productions, each 30-minute episode searches for the truth behind these infamous stories.
Starting on September 29th, TVLand.com will offer a “Truly Amazing Fact of the Day” that provides users with a daily fact that debunks urban myths and legends related to television, entertainment, movies, music and more. The widget is compatible with social networking sites including Facebook and MySpace, and popular start pages including iGoogle and My Yahoo!. The “Truly Amazing Fact of the Day” application can be picked up virally or from TVLand.com, and embedded into almost any web page.
The following questions will be answered in the upcoming episodes of “Myths and Legends;”
Wednesday, October 8th at 10 p.m. – “PIGSKINS, BATS & THAT DARN CAT”
Did heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne intentionally bite the head off a live bat, during one of his concert performances? Is comedian Phyllis Diller really the mother of soap star Susan Lucci? Did J. Edgar Hoover really organize a team of FBI agents to spy on the making of Disney’s “That Darn Cat?” Is one of the most-watched programs in sports history – the Super Bowl – really the cause of a phenomenon known as the Halftime Flush? Was Hollywood’s most iconic blond bomb shell, Marilyn Monroe, murdered?
Wednesday, October 15th at 10:00 p.m. – “MANSON, MONKEES & MISTER ED”
Did Jennifer Lopez, one of Hollywood’s most famous stars, insure one of her assets for one billion dollars? Was television’s beloved talking horse, “Mr. Ed,” actually played by a zebra? Did cult leader Charles Manson really audition for the pop sensation group The Monkees and did he pen a song for The Beach Boys? Did a coin toss put Richie Valens on a flight that ended his life and the life of three other rock pioneers?
Wednesday, October 22nd at 10p.m. – “BLOOD EVIDENCE”
Did two of “Star Wars” most beloved characters, R2-D2 and C-3PO, make a cameo in another Steven Spielberg/George Lucas blockbuster movie “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark?” Did the woman Jack Nicholson thought to be his sister actually turn out to be his mother? Was “Hogan’s Heroes” actor Bob Crane killed by his best friend? Is the comic book based on the rock band KISS printed with the blood of the band members?
Wednesday, October 29th at 10 p.m. “SHATNER, SINATRA & OSCAR”
Was William Shatner’s face the inspiration behind serial killer Michael Myers’ mask in the grisly “Halloween” slasher movies? Was the Academy Award® statue named after Bette Davis’ husband because of the similarity of their backsides or was it named by a secretary working at the Academy®? Was singer Dean Torrance of Jan & Dean part of the conspiracy to kidnap Frank Sinatra Jr.? Did the U.S. military run a secret movie studio in Laurel Canyon?
Wednesday, November 5th at 10 p.m. – “ROCK GODS & SUPERSTARS”
Did Pete Townshend lose part of his hearing after an explosive appearance by The Who on “The Smothers Brothers?” Did powerhouse movie studio Sony Pictures create a fictitious critic to promote their movies such as “The Animal” and “A Knight’s Tale?” Was Jayne Mansfield decapitated in her fatal automobile accident? Was rock ‘n’ roll hall of famer Rick Nelson freebasing cocaine with his band when their plane caught fire, causing a fatal crash?
Wednesday November 11th at 10 p.m. – “CURSES, CORPSES & ALICE COOPER”
Did Eddie Haskell, from “Leave It to Beaver,” grow up to become rock star Alice Cooper? Was John Barrymore’s corpse taken from the mortuary and propped up in Errol Flynn’s home? Was Arnold Schwarzenegger originally cast as “The Incredible Hulk?” Was James Dean’s car cursed?
Wednesday November 19th at 10 p.m. – “BIGFOOT PHONE HOME”
Did the well-known household detergent, Ivory Snow, feature a young Marilyn Chambers on their box prior to her rise to fame as an adult film actress? Did Mars Inc. – makers of M&M’s – really turn down product placement in the 1982 hit film “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial,” paving the way for Reese’s Pieces to cash in on E.T.’s success? Was Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones murdered? Is the famous grainy footage of “Bigfoot” a hoax?
“Myths and Legends” is a Gay Rosenthal Production produced exclusively for TV Land. Executive Producers are Gay Rosenthal and Paul Barrosse from Gay Rosenthal Productions and Sal Maniaci, senior vice president, development and original programming, TV Land. Nicholas Caprio of Gay Rosenthal Productions is Co-Executive Producer.