Bill Bellamy named new host of daily half-hour TV game show Let's Ask America

CINCINNATI, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Actor, comedian and multi-faceted entertainer Bill Bellamy has been named the new host of Let's Ask America, the daily, half-hour television game show from The E.W. Scripps Co. (NYSE: SSP) and produced by Telepictures and paraMedia inc. 

Contestants and viewing audiences can expect plenty of humor from Bellamy, who has built a successful acting career in television and cable networks and a loyal following from his stand-up comedy routines.

Bellamy combined his experiences from the stand-up circuit with his natural talents as a VJ for MTV to host two successful comedy competitions, including NBC's Emmy®-nominated Last Comic Standing. He refined his craft through recurring guest-host roles for shows such as Access Hollywood, The Rachael Ray Show and Entertainment Tonight.

Let's Ask America is a daily, half-hour television game show that lets the home viewer be a contestant on the show on TV from the comfort of their home via web chat. Every day, four contestants will be chosen to play the game and win cash from their homes. Bellamy will poll America about fun and irreverent topics to find out what people are thinking.

"I look forward to working with the great executives at Telepictures and Scripps and taking this show to the next level," said Bellamy. "Our contestants are a virtual gold mine for non-stop laughs. I can't wait to interact with them. Our audiences can look forward to great entertainment from Let's Ask America every day."

The access-hour program expands to television markets nationwide this fall through syndication partner MGM Domestic Television Distribution LLC (MGM), a division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. Beginning in January 2015, the Game Show Network also will pick up Let's Ask America episodes with Bill Bellamy.

"What a treat for viewers of Let's Ask America to see Bill Bellamy work his magic with contestants to find humor in the most unexpected places," said Bob Sullivan, VP of programming for Scripps. "Our expanded national audience will appreciate his comedic genius, which will fuel an already fast-paced show."

Let's Ask America was developed by Jeff Apploff (Don't Forget the Lyrics, Take Me Out) and the late Jim Paratore. Seasoned game show veterans Michael Canter (1 vs. 100, Parental Control) and Jeff Krask (Deal or No Deal, The Mole) will serve as executive producers of the program, entering its third season. Apploff also serves as an executive producer.

Additional credits for Bellamy include headlining a national comedy tour, The Standing Ovation Tour; appearing in syndicated TV comedy Mr. Box Office; and guest starring in USA's White Collar and Royal Pains, TBS's Meet the Browns and ABC's Castle.

Bellamy lives with his wife and two young children in Los Angeles. He is represented by his manager Barry Katz, his lawyer Jonathan Shikora at Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman, Inc. and his agency Resolution.

The third season of Let's Ask America premieres Monday, Sept. 8, in nationwide syndication (check your local listings.)

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (www.scripps.com) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, print and digital media brands. Scripps owns 21 local television stations as well as daily newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. It also runs an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses including online multi-source video news provider Newsy. Scripps also produces television programming, runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serves as the long-time steward of one of the nation's largest, most successful and longest-running educational programs, Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1879, Scripps is focused on the stories of tomorrow.

About Telepictures
Telepictures is an industry-leading and Emmy® Award–winning producer of innovative, multiplatform advertiser-friendly television series and digital content for the first-run syndication, cable and digital marketplace. Programs produced by Telepictures have won 85 Emmy® Awards in the last 18 years, including Outstanding Talk Show or Outstanding Talk Show Host for 15 of the last 17 years. Telepictures is currently producing The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Extra, Judge Mathis, The People's Court, TMZ, TMZ Live, Let's Ask America, Just Keke and #CandidlyNicole, as well as the upcoming The Real and Ellen's Design Challenge. For more information about Telepictures programming, please visit www.telepicturestv.com.

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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company