Global Tests New Comedy Digital Pilot The Family Business Starring Howie Mandel

Digital Test Pilot Based on the Real Life Relationship of Howie Mandel and His Son, Millennial YouTube Star Alex Streaming Now on GlobalTV.com and Global Go

Global Invites Viewers to Have Their Say About the Pilot on GlobalTV.com 

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TORONTO, Dec. 23, 2015 /CNW/ - It's a family affair on the new multi-generational, single camera comedy digital test pilot The Family Business, starring multi-talented Canadian comedian, actor, television host, executive producer, and author Howie Mandel, and his millennial YouTube personality son Alex Mandel. Available exclusively on GlobalTV.com and Global Go, the network is taking a unique approach to The Family Business by streaming it online to engage with and generate direct viewer feedback. Once streamed, Canadians can have their say about The Family Business by completing a survey on GlobalTV.com.

Produced by Entertainment One (eOne) in association with Shaw Media and developed with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund, the hilarious half-hour digital test pilot focuses on the relationship between the famous father and his up-and-coming son. Based on Howie and Alex's actual lives and experiences, with additional cast playing their family and friends, The Family Business also explores Howie's family dynamic and the fun that ensues when living with his digital entrepreneur son in the heart of Hollywood.

"Backed by the multifaceted and always entertaining Howie Mandel, and featuring new talent, his son Alex Mandel, The Family Business is a great multi-generational comedy," said Christine Shipton, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Shaw Media. "By hosting the pilot online versus broadcasting it on TV we have the unique ability to hear directly from viewers. We're excited to discover what Canadians think."

"Not since I Love Lucy has there been a sitcom depicting a real life relationship with the real people. I'm so excited for everyone to see The Family Business because I believe it's the most relatable show I've ever done," said Howie Mandel. "Whether you're a parent who's never on the same page as your child, or the child living in a different world than your parent, there's something for everyone. I asked my son Alex to add a comment about the show but he said not now, he's busy."

In The Family Business, Howie and his wife Terry (played by Kate Vernon) are worried that their son Alex seems directionless, spending his time making YouTube prank videos with his best friend and foil, Brandon (played by Ely Henry). When they spot Alex and Brandon wrestling, they believe that the two are a couple and that Alex's "failure to launch" comes from his inability to come out to his parents and move on with his life. Encouraged by his wife, Howie tries to create a "safe space" for Alex's confession. But Howie's awkward behaviour (in an attempt to prove how "cool" he is as a father) causes Alex and Brandon to believe that Howie is the one who is gay and seeking to unburden himself of his secret.

The Family Business is executive produced by Howie Mandel (America's Got Talent), Tim McAuliffe (The Last Man On Earth), and Michael Rotenberg (Silicon Valley), and the episode was directed by Samir Rehem (This Hour Has 22 Minutes). The Family Business will be distributed internationally by eOne.  

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About Shaw Communications
Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company. Shaw serves 3.2 million consumers and businesses through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw provides consumers with broadband Internet, WiFi, Digital Phone and Video services. Shaw Business provides businesses with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, Video and fleet tracking services, and ViaWest provides collocation, cloud and managed services. Shaw Media provides Canadians with engaging programming content through one of Canada's largest conventional television networks, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks, including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY® and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specialises in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The Company's comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the US, the UK, Ireland, Spain, the Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Through established Film and Television Divisions, the Company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming, merchandising and licensing, and digital content. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 40,000 film and television titles, 4,500 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.

SOURCE Global Television

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