MENUDO" PREMIERING OCTOBER 25 AT 10:30 PM ET/PT Released by MTV 

MTV'S NEW GENERATION OF BOY BAND HOPEFULS ARE "MAKING MENUDO" PREMIERING OCTOBER 25 AT 10:30 PM ET/PT

New Reality Series Features Special Appearances by Frankie J, Wilmer Valderrama and Backstreet Boys' member Howie D

Episodes To Be Re-Broadcast on MTV Tr3s on Saturdays at 2:00PM ET/PT

New York, NY (October 4, 2007) A new legion of fans will discover if dreams come true for a group of aspiring young performers with the premiere of MTV's reality series "Making Menudo," beginning October 25 at 10:30pm ET/PT. In spring 2007, auditions were held in Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York for bilingual male singers and dancers between the ages of 13 and 19. Hundreds of young men were seen, but only 15 were selected. And yet, only now does the real work beginon "Making Menudo," a 10 episode journey to reveal the next boy band superstars. Episodes will be re-broadcast on MTV Tr3s on Saturdays at 2pm ET/PT.

The series begins with the 15 finalists flown to Miami where they are immersed in a "Menudo Boot Camp" under the direction of manager, Johnny Wright (Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake), musical director/vocal coach, David Coury (Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Leona Lewis), and a team of choreographers. Each week, three selected finalists will be grouped together and given 72 hours to learn a surprise song, multi-part harmonies included, accompanied by a dance routine. When the time is up, they'll have to jump onstage in front of a live audience filled with hundreds of screaming fans to perform the song and dance routine. Johnny Wright and his team will be on hand to evaluate them and at the end of each performance someone's dream may come true. However, it will be bittersweet as the road to Menudo will always end for at least one finalist after every performance.

Along the way, the prospective band members will be inspired by visits from Backstreet Boys' Howie D, Frankie J, Wilmer Valderrama, record producer Danja, songwriting collective The Clutch, and Epic Records president, Charlie Walk. And for the five boys who make it to the end, a recording contract with Epic Records, a studio album, a world tour, and millions of screaming fans await.

The original Menudo took the US and Latin America by storm during its run in the late 70s and 80s, recorded 35 albums, sold more than 60 million records and set concert attendance records worldwide. A legendary five member boy band from which superstars such as Ricky Martin and Robby Rosa emerged, the group even continues to hold the world record for performing in front of the largest live audience in music history to this day.

The new Menudo will record a contemporary hip urban/Latin rhythmic sound and will be managed by Menudo Entertainment and legendary manager Johnny Wright who has worked with *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake as a solo artist.

In December, Epic plans on releasing the first of Menudo's new music to the public. A number of A-list producers have lined up to work with the group including Danja, Red One, The Clutch and J.R Rotem.

Fans can log on to www.menudo.mtv.com and check out an exclusive Menudo blog, cast and episodic photos, as well as bios and elimination breakdowns. Each week, the latest new episode will be available in its entirety online after it airs, plus a sneak peek of the following week's episode. Also, full episodes will be available on MTV Mobile and MTV Tr3s Mobile.

Source: MTV Press Release

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