Citytv Ties the Knot with The Marriage Ref

All is Fair in Love and War, But Sometimes it Helps to Have a Referee.

The Latest Project from Jerry Seinfeld Premieres Thursday March, 4 on Citytv (s/NBC)

TORONTO , Feb. 4 /CNW/ - Citytv, today announced it has wed The Marriage Ref, a funny and revealing comedy series from Executive Producer Jerry Seinfeld, to its already buzzed about comedy line up. A hilarious and unique look at relationships after the honeymoon phase, The Marriage Ref premieres Thursday, March 4 at 10pm ET /PT ( 9pm CT , 8pm MT ) on Citytv (s/NBC - ET/CT/PT).

"Real-life relationships are fantastic material for comedy" commented Malcolm Dunlop , Executive Vice President, Programming, Rogers Media Television. "With Jerry Seinfeld at the helm and a host of celebrities, athletes, and comedians taking part, The Marriage Ref is an exciting anchor to the Thursday night Citytv comedy line up which we are sure our audiences will enjoy."

The Marriage Ref will feature opinionated celebrities, comedians, sports personalities and international A-list stars who will candidly comment, judge and offer different strategies to real-life couples in the midst of a classic marital dispute. At the centre of the action is comedian and Hollywood actor Tom Papa ('The Informant!'; 'The New Adventures of Old Christine') who will play the role of Marriage Ref and make 'the call' determining the victor of each spat. Papa, who has toured with Jerry Seinfeld for the past eight years, was personally chosen by Seinfeld for this role.

The couples that present their problems will be given a call by the Ref, just like in sports. Advising and influencing the Ref's decision will be a rotating panel of "experts" comprised of top celebrities, comedians and sports stars who will weigh in and offer their own wit, wisdom and unique opinions.

The Marriage Ref marks Jerry Seinfeld's first television series since Seinfeld ended its record-breaking nine year run in May 1998 . Seinfeld will be behind the camera for the US version of the show, which has been commissioned for a prime time run of eight hour-long episodes simulcast with NBC.

The show is being Executive Produced by Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen Rakieten whose previous credits include twenty-three years with The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Citytv acquired the rights to The Marriage Ref from Endemol Worldwide Distribution, who are globally distributing the show outside of the USA.

Citytv(TM) television stations in Toronto , Vancouver , Calgary , Edmonton and Winnipeg offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to other conventional television stations, Citytv engages its viewers with dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news, local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and CityLine; as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment programming. Citytv is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information on Citytv stations and programming, visit www.Citytv.com.

For further information: Media Contact: Veronica Logue, Rogers Media Television, [phone], [email protected]