ABC Announces Nick and Jessica's Tour of Duty Special Event  5/11/05

ABC ANNOUNCES "NICK & JESSICA'S TOUR OF DUTY," A ONE-TIME SPECIAL EVENT FEATURING MUSICAL PERFORMANCES FOR THE TROOPS IN GERMANY AND A SPECIAL VISIT TO IRAQ, AIRING MONDAY, MAY 23 ON ABC

Includes Musical Performances by Willie Nelson, Big & Rich and Brian McKnight, Plus Comic Relief Provided by Jimmy Kimmel

America's sweethearts, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, multi-platinum artists known from their hit MTV series "Newlyweds," put a modern twist on entertaining the troops overseas at the Ramstein Airbase in Germany and make a special trip to Iraq to give some much needed love and support to those serving our country, on "Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty," MONDAY, MAY 23 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

In this third installment of specials, Nick and Jessica show their patriotism as they perform for over 6,000 service men and women at the Ramstein Airbase in Germany. Their opening performance is an electrifying moment, as they exit a C-130 aircraft and sing "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." The concert for the troops includes musical performances by country music sensation Big & Rich, who sing their chart topping single, "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," R&B favorite Brian McKnight, who performs a duet with Nick of "Superstition," and musical legend Willie Nelson singing a duet with Jessica, an updated version of "These Boots Were Made for Walking" from the "Dukes of Hazard" soundtrack. Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel also pays a special visit to the troops and lends his humor in "man on the street" interviews on the base. Nick and Jessica pay homage to Bob Hope's years of service to the troops with a special rendition of "Thanks for the Memories," and the concert concludes with a stellar performance of "America the Beautiful" performed by Nick and Jessica and all of their musical guests.

Nick and Jessica take a lesson from the pros, as Nick trains to fly an F-16 fighter jet and goes for the ride of his life, while Jessica stops by the rifle range to learn how to shoot various weapons used by the military. They also make a special visit to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and visit the injured men and women to thank them for their sacrifice and service. Then Nick and Jessica make wishes come true for some deserving service people as they reunite them with their loved ones and surprise them with special video messages from home.

Iraq is the last stop in their tour and a great surprise for the troops. Nick and Jessica visit a U.S. Army base in Tikrit and meet with hundreds of soldiers to shake hands, sign autographs and show their appreciation for all their hard work and dedication. Their trip is extended a bit due to mortar fire and a sandstorm, but all return safely from this experience of a lifetime.

The "Nick & Jessica" specials have proven to be a particularly strong draw among young adults and teens, while also delivering a broad audience for ABC. In April 2004, "The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour" attracted an average audience of 11.5 million viewers and, in December 2004, "Nick & Jessica's Family Christmas" drew an even larger audience of 12.4 million viewers. Both specials won their respective time periods in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, which ABC targets. "The Nick &

Jessica Variety Hour" stood as the No. 1 TV show on the night of its telecast among viewers and young adults. "Nick & Jessica's Family Christmas" produced ABC's strongest ratings in the time period in more than 1-1/2 years among Adults 18-34 and Teens 12-17.

"Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty" was produced by Bob Bain Productions & JT Television in association with Touchstone Television. Bob Bain, Joe Simpson and Colton Gramm are executive producers. (CLOSED-CAPTIONED)

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.