TV One Announces Second Season Pick-Up of THE RICKEY SMILEY SHOW

Related: THE RICKEY SMILEY SHOW, TV One

TV One, on the heels of a record-breaking 2012 summer launch, has announced a second season pick-up of its original hit sitcom THE RICKEY SMILEY SHOW. The second season of The Rickey Smiley Show is scheduled to begin production in April with a 26-episode order and is slated to premiere in the summer of 2013.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the positive reaction to The Rickey Smiley Show," remarked Alfred Liggins, President and CEO, TV One. "The show's humor and comedic performances have made it a weekly must watch and we're thrilled to offer it as part of a dynamic slate of original programming that is clearly resonating with audiences."

"I can't even tell you how excited I am about the show's upcoming second season. It's going to be like nothing seen before," commented Rickey Smiley. "We have so many wild plans for guests, characters, and new, crazy stories. Trust me, you have to see it. We are taking things to another level of funny. Everything will be MORE!"

The September 2012 premiere of The Rickey Smiley Show, which catapulted TV One to a network ratings high, garnered a 1.08 HH rating, delivering 621,000 homes and among P25-54, earned a .75 rating, delivering 468,000 viewers. The second original episode airing at 9:30pm improved on the premiere, garnering a 1.12 HH rating, delivering 642,000 homes and among 25-54, earned a .83 rating with a delivery of 515,000 viewers. Over the four telecasts of the premieres and encores, The Rickey Smiley Show had a P2+ gross average audience of nearly 2.3 million viewers.

The Rickey Smiley Show stars comedian and nationally Syndicated radio personality Rickey Smiley. In the series loosely based on his life, Smiley plays a popular national radio personality who is a single father trying to balance his family life - including his ex-wife - and career in the spotlight. The half-hour multi-camera comedy also stars multi-platinum artist and actor Ray J as Kenny, Smiley's morning show producer and protégé; J Anthony Brown as Rickey's radio station manager Maurice, aka "Mo-Sweets" from his earlier rap career; veteran actress Roz Ryan as Aunt Sylvia; Jay Lewis as Rickey's 18-year-old son Brandon; Ajiona Alexus as Smiley's 16-year-old daughter De'Anna; Gabriel Burgess as his youngest son Aaron; Noree Victoria as his business manager Simone Renee Jackson; and Demetria McKinney as Rickey's uber-career oriented ex-wife, Monica.

The series also features several celebrity guest stars and special appearances from many of the original characters Smiley has made famous on his radio show over the years, including Mrs. Bernice Jenkins, Lil' Daryl, Minister Joe Willie and Beauford. The Rickey Smiley Show is produced for TV One by BobbCat Films. Executive producers include veteran television and film producer Roger Bobb (Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" & "Meet the Browns"), series star Rickey Smiley, Yolanda Starks-White, and Ward White. Executive in charge of production for TV One is Tia Smith.

About Rickey Smiley:

With his unique blend of comedy and originality, Rickey Smiley is firmly established as a standout in his field. For over 20 years, funny man Rickey Smiley is known for making millions laugh. As a much loved comedian, television host, and top-rated nationally Syndicated radio personality, Smiley has earned a reputation for delivering on and off stage. With the distinct ability to take everyday observations and turn them into comedic gold, Smiley is a standout in the entertainment world. Rickey Smiley is one of the few "clean" comics amongst the upper echelon of contemporary great comedians. His audiences are treated to an array of his original characters such as, "Mrs. Bernice Jenkins," "Lil' Daryl," "Joe Willie," and "Beauford."

Rickey Smiley can be seen on various platforms, including his radio show, The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, his television shows, The Rickey Smiley Show and Dish Nation, and throughout the US as he performs his stand-up comedy shows. Over the years, he has made numerous television and movie appearances. He has released eight comedy CDs complied of hilarious prank phone calls, church announcements and parodies (see credits below). In addition to his comedy CD's Smiley released his live concert special, "Open Casket Sharp," that premiered on BET in the Fall of 2011 and debuted #1 on iTunes.

About TV One:

Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvone.tv) serves 57 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies, and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. In December 2008, the company launched TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households. TV One is owned by Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK; www.radio-one.com], the largest radio company that primarily targets Black and urban listeners; and Comcast Corporation [NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK; www.comcast.com], one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services.