Tori Spelling is So Notorious  3/27/06

Tori Spelling Is ... 'so noTORIous'; VH1's First Scripted Comedy, 'so noTORIous,' Starring Tori Spelling Premieres Sunday, April 2 With Back-To-Back Episodes Beginning At 10PM*

Also Starring Loni Anderson As Her Mother, 'Kiki'

NEW YORK, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Tori Spelling stars as a fictionalized version of herself in VH1's first scripted comedy "so noTORIous." This single camera show is inspired by real events and people in Tori's life (but this is "so" not a reality show). Also starring is Loni Anderson as her on-screen mother, "Kiki." The series will premiere on Sunday, April 2 with episode one premiering at 10PM* and episode two at 10:30PM*. The full premiere episode will sneak peek on VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel (http://vspot.vh1.com) beginning Tuesday, March 28.

Forget everything you've ever heard about Tori Spelling. OK, maybe not everything. It's true, her dad is the most successful TV producer of all time and she did spend a decade playing the virginal Donna Martin on his hit show "Beverly Hills 90210." But now that Tori has left that zip code and her parents' mansion behind, she wants the same things we all do: friendship, respect, and love.

Used to tabloid scrutiny, Tori navigates life with a self-deprecating sense of humor and the support of a loyal crew of friends she's known since high school. She has a devoted manager who rabidly disputes assumptions that Tori isn't capable of taking on a serious role--and keeps the TV movie offers coming in the meantime. Her beloved nanny, who raised her, is still always available whenever Tori needs a reality check. Whatever her critics say, though, the most intense scrutiny still comes from Tori's own mother, Kiki. The ultimate Beverly Hills housewife, Kiki demands perfection, a standard Tori tries and usually fails to meet. New episodes will air every Sunday at 10PM.

In addition to Loni Anderson who plays Tori's mother "Kiki," the show also features Cleo King as "Margaret," the nanny who raised Tori from a baby and is still always there for her, and Jeanetta Arnette as her frenetic and doting manager "Ruthie Rose." Tori is surrounded by an eclectic group of friends: "Pete," her self-involved roommate played by James Carpinello, "Janey," an ambitious, acerbic real estate agent played by Brennan Hesser and "Sasan," a haughty, gay Persian American played by Zachary Quinto. The only other regular cast member playing herself is Mimi La Rue, Tori's dog, the most fashionable (and indolent) pug west of the Mississippi.

Extensive "so noTORIous" programming on VSPOT at VH1.com (http://vspot.vh1.com) will include: original broadband packages featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, outtakes, Q&A with the cast as well as the "so noTORIous Guide to LA" which will provide the inside scoop on restaurants, shops, and hotspots from each episode and "Ask The Girls," a weekly segment where viewer-submitted questions will be answered by Nanny, Kiki (mom), and Ruthie (agent).

Other initiatives include VH1 Mobile clips, voicetones and wallpaper from "so noTORIous" - bringing Tori straight to your mobile phone. Then, beginning on April 10 exclusive content including full episodes, Q&A segments with the cast, behind-the-scenes clips, outtakes and much more will be shown on VH1 On Demand through various cable providers' VOD platforms.

"so noTORIous," was created and is executive produced by Chris Alberghini and Mike Chessler (Murphy Brown, The Nanny, Reba) with Tori Spelling. Maggie Malina, Danielle Woodrow and Michael Hirschorn will oversee production for VH1. VH1 is producing 10 episodes.

*all times ET/PT

SOURCE VH1

-0- 03/27/2006