'Class of 3000' TV Premiere Scheduled

Class is in Session

The long-awaited animated television series co-executive produced by industry leading musician André "3000" Benjamin, has finally been granted a television premiere on its home network, the Cartoon Network. The story of a popular musician named Sunny Bridges who gives up the life of a superstar to teach children the wonders of music, the new animated television series Class of 3000 will be filled with audio interests and much more. André Benjamin, one-half of the popular musical group OutKast, has expanded his repertoire with various acting and production projects and efforts in recent years; and as such, contributes a great deal to the look and feel of Class of 3000.

This new primetime half-hour program will focus on the efforts of Sunny Bridges to teach, inform and have fun with a diverse group of musical prodigies in Atlanta, Georgia. When children gifted in the musical arts are in need of a caring mentor, one Sunny Bridges steps into the equation. Voiced by André "3000" Benjamin himself, Bridges devotes his time and energy to priming the creativity of today's youth. Class of 3000 will integrate Benjamin's unique style and flair with the world's fondness for impressionable music. Those curious for exploring more of what it is like to confront new social interests with a passion for the musical arts should definitely keep an eye out for this new program.

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Class of 3000 will join the continually expanding and continually evolving FRIDAYs programming block on Cartoon Network this fall season. The new show will have a one-hour premiere on Friday, November 3rd 2006 at 8:00pm (ET). But anxious viewers should be sure to tune in an hour earlier, because at 7:00pm Cartoon Network will begin airing a kick-off special for Class of 3000 with a special musical event. Taking place at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA this will feature special guest star performers.

The series, which currently has twelve half-hour episodes in production in addition to the premiere, will reportedly feature a new song every week from show creator André Benjamin in the context of a music video. Benjamin wrote and performed the series' theme song while additionally assisting in production, writing, voice, and music and video direction. And as previously mentioned, his own voice over work as lead character "Sunny Bridges" is icing on the cake. Television viewers curious about the general look and feel of this new Cartoon Network series can catch the half-hour mockumentary, "Sunny Bridges: From Bankhead to Buckhead," on Friday, October 27th at 7:00pm (ET); a week before the series premiere, which chronicles the life of fictional music star Sunny Bridges with interviews and insights.

The cast of Class of 3000 includes veteran voice actors Tom Kenny ("SpongeBob," Camp Lazlo), Phil LaMarr ("Foster's," Justice League, Samurai Jack), Crystal Scales (Static Shock, "Adventures of Jimmy Neutron"), Jennifer Hale (Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls), Janice Kawaye (Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi) and Jeff Glen Bennett (Johnny Bravo, Camp Lazlo).

Class of 3000 is produced by Cartoon Network Studios in association with the Tom Lynch Co. and Benjamin's production company, Moxie. Thomas W. Lynch and André "3000" Benjamin are the executive producers of Class of 3000. Twelve half-hours and a one-hour premiere are in production at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, Calif. The show's co-executive producer and head writer is Patric M. Verrone, a writer for Futurama, The Critic and Pinky and the Brain and a supervising producer on Futurama. Joe Horne (The Boondocks, Teamo Supremo, The Oblongs) serves as supervising producer.

About Cartoon Network: Cartoon Network (www.CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in nearly 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT) Sunday-Thursday, Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.