FX acquires Kelsey Grammer/Martin Lawrence sitcom

[David]

FX ACQUIRES NEW UNTITLED SITCOM STARRING KELSEY GRAMMER AND MARTIN
LAWRENCE

Closes 10/90 Deal with Lionsgate TV and Debmar-Mercury

Los Angeles, June 19, 2013 - FX has closed a 10/90 deal with Lionsgate
Television and Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury for the new untitled sitcom
starring comedy legends Martin Lawrence and Kelsey Grammer, it was
announced today by Chuck Saftler, President of Program Strategy and
COO, FX Networks.

Prolific comedy veterans Bob Boyett and Robert Horn, whose half-hour
credits collectively include Family Matters, Perfect Strangers, Full
House, Living Single and Designing Women, will executive produce and
write the Lionsgate Television-produced show. Executive producers also
include Kelsey Grammer, Martin Lawrence, Brian Sher, Stella
Bulochnikov, Michael Green and Sam Maydew.

The new sitcom marks the much-anticipated return to television of both
Lawrence and Grammer, who play two Chicago lawyers from vastly
different backgrounds who unexpectedly meet in court on the worst day
of their lives. Brought together by fate and greed, they develop a
partnership and friendship, forcing each other to find the balance
between the ethical and the unscrupulous in both their professional
and personal lives.

"With the merging of two comedic geniuses, as well as two legendary
showrunners, we couldn't have a stronger team on board for this show
and can't wait to get to work," said Saftler. "We're also thrilled to
be continuing our relationship with the pros at Lionsgate and
Debmar-Mercury."

"I am excited to be returning to TV and to be working with Kelsey,"
said Lawrence. "We have a great time together so I am looking forward
to making a good show with a lot of laughs."

Grammer said, "Martin is arguably one of the funniest men alive and
after some success in drama I thought it might be time to try my hand
at comedy. I am thrilled to have this extraordinary team show me the
ropes. All kidding aside, I don't think a better bunch of talent
exists; I am honored and blessed."

The series will be produced by Lionsgate Television in association
with Grammnet NH Productions and You Go Boy Productions.

"Pair two great actors and comedy legends with the executive producing
team behind some of the most memorable sitcoms ever, mix in the
outstanding team at FX and you have all of the ingredients for another
TV classic," commented Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and
Ira Bernstein. "Our 10/90 model is all about delivering brand names
and concepts that will grab viewers instantly, having incredible
creative auspices and a very supportive network. This sitcom surpasses
our criteria on virtually every level."

FX has ordered 10 episodes of the sitcom and, as is standard with the
10/90 model, if the series meets designated ratings thresholds over
its first 10-episode run, the network will trigger an additional
90-episode order.

Lionsgate Television Group President Kevin Beggs added, "There was an
immediate rapport between Kelsey and Martin from their very first
meeting, and when Bob and Robert joined as showrunners, all the stars
aligned in a very exciting way. We're delighted that FX recognized the
tremendous potential for this series and look forward to another great
collaboration."

The 10/90 model is a unique syndication model crafted by
Debmar-Mercury for multiple sitcoms, including FX's Anger Management
and the upcoming George Lopez series Saint George, Tyler Perry's House
of Payne and Meet The Browns, and Revolution's and Ice Cube's Are We
There Yet? The Martin-Grammer sitcom will air exclusively on FX until
the off-network episodes start airing in broadcast syndication in fall
2017.

Five-time Emmy(R) Award winner Kelsey Grammer's celebrated career as a
stage, film and television actor includes five Emmys, two Golden
Globes(R), a SAG Award and dozens of nominations for his two-decade
portrayal of psychiatrist "Dr. Frasier Crane" in the hit comedies
Cheers and Frasier. He earned his third Golden Globe for Best Actor
for his starring role in Lionsgate's acclaimed drama series Boss, for
which he also served as executive producer. He is currently filming
Transformers 4, starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Michael Bay.
Other film credits include X-Men: The Last Stand and Swing Vote. Under
his Grammnet banner, he has enjoyed great success as a television
producer, executive producer and director, with credits including such
hit television series as the Emmy-winning Medium, The Game and
Girlfriends.

Actor-comedian-producer Martin Lawrence, most famous for his starring
roles in Bad Boys and Bad Boys II and the hugely successful Big
Momma's House trilogy, has had starring roles in numerous other films
including Blue Streak, National Security, Do the Right Thing, Talkin'
Dirty After Dark, House Party and House Party 2, Boomerang, A Thin
Line Between Love and Hate (which he also co-wrote and directed),
Nothing to Lose, Life, What's the Worst That Could Happen?, and Black
Knight. He also co-created, executive produced and starred in the hit
sitcom Martin, which ran from 1992 to 1997, earned three NAACP Image
Awards and was an enormous success for the FOX network.