PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS – August 2008

• PRIMEVAL – US PREMIERE

The past and present collide in an energetic new sci-fi thriller Primeval. When evolutionary zoologist Nick Cutter (Douglas Henshall) discovers prehistoric creatures alive and well in the present day, the natural world is turned on its head and humanity faces a threat to its very existence. Unexplained anomalies are ripping holes in the fabric of time, allowing creatures from the very earliest stages of Earth’s development to roam the modern world. Cutter and his team struggle to keep the looming disaster secret, while dealing with savage dinosaurs and other deadly foes. Cutter also has to deal with a deeply personal dilemma – he discovers that his wife, missing for eight years and believed to be dead, has actually been travelling in the past. Now she’s back, with possible answers to the riddle of the anomalies, but is it an answer she’s willing to share?

Primeval premieres Saturday, August 9, 9pm ET/PT.

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• GAVIN & STACEY – US PREMIERE

Gavin & Stacey, the double BAFTA award-winning comedy, tells an endearing story of true love and human relationships. Gavin is an ordinary boy from England, Stacey is an ordinary girl from Wales. The two are obsessed with each other, yet they’ve only ever spoken on the phone. They decide to make the journey to meet, but the peculiar personalities of their families and friends make it a rocky road to happiness. Their loved ones must learn to get along as their worlds collide and the relationship gets serious. Fortunately, their best friends – Nessa and Smithy – get along ‘exceptionally’ well – they just have to be wasted first. With engagingly quirky characters and no laugh track, the beautifully observed story captures the essence of modern romance. Written by, and starring, Ruth Jones (Nighty Night) as Nessa and James Corden (The History Boys) as Smithy, Gavin & Stacey is produced by Steve Coogan’s production company, Baby Cow. As well as Jones and Corden, the UK original stars Joanna Page (Love Actually) as Stacey, Mathew Horne (The Catherine Tate Show) as Gavin, Alison Steadman (Life is Sweet) as Pamela and Rob Brydon (Little Britain) as Uncle Bryn. Like another BBC America original The Office, Gavin & Stacey is already set to be formatted by NBC.

Gavin & Stacey premieres Tuesday, August 26, 8:40pm ET/PT.

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• SKINS – US PREMIERE

Teenagers grab life by the balls in BBC America’s hot new comedy drama, Skins. Starring Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy, The Weather Man), and with a team of writers averaging the age of 22, the award-winning show follows the lives and loves of a group of shameless teenagers. A potent mix of humorous, heartbreaking and shocking stories unfold as the group get high, get drunk, get laid and get up for school, while pushing boundaries and managing their parents in ways only teenagers can.

Skins premieres Wednesday, August 13, 9pm ET/PT.

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• THE FASTEST MAN ON NO LEGS – US PREMIERE

During the final countdown to the Olympics, BBC America premieres an all-new, one-hour documentary in its BBC America Reveals documentary slot. The Fastest Man on No Legs tells the story of South African double amputee, Oscar Pistorius. Born without bones in his lower legs, Oscar was 11 months-old when his parents made the decision to have his legs amputated. At the age of just 17, the so-called ‘Blade Runner’, won the Sprint gold medal at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. Since then, Oscar has not only faced preconceptions about his disability, he also challenged the IAAF’s (International Association of Athletics Federation) decision to rule him ineligible for the Olympics games this Summer – now he just has to qualify!

The Fastest Man on No Legs premieres Sunday, August 3, 10pm ET/PT

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• STAR STORIES – US PREMIERE

Tears, tantrums, affairs, hairstyles and sex addictions – Star Stories is packed with the stories the stars didn’t want published. In this unique new comedy series, comedians take a look at high profile celebrities through outrageous re-enactments of their lives. Find out what happened to Brad and Jen, discover who really wears the pants in Madonna’s house and learn why George Michael was the most influential artist of the 20th Century, in the 15-part series making its US premiere on BBC America.

Star Stories premieres Friday, August 15, 9:20pm ET/PT

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BBC AMERICA PREMIERE MOVIES

• MY FAVORITE YEAR

In this charming comedy, set in the world of ’50s show business, Peter O’Toole, whose performance as Alan Swann earned him an Oscar nomination, plays a famous actor with his best days behind him. Swann also has a drinking problem and when he travels to New York to appear on a live television program, a writer on the show must chaperone him around the city, keeping him entertained and sober enough to turn up for the broadcast at the end of the week.

My Favorite Year premieres Sunday, August 17, 8pm ET/PT

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• THE PINK PANTHER

Peter Sellers makes his debut as the legendary French Inspector Clouseau in the first “Pink Panther” Movie. Clouseau is hot on the trail of the infamous and mysterious jewel thief The Phantom, who has traveled to Switzerland intent on stealing the largest diamond in the world: the Pink Panther. Unfortunately for the bumbling Clouseau, The Phantom isn’t the only crook with his sights set on this huge score.

The Pink Panther premieres Sunday, August 24, 8pm, 10:30pm and 1am ET

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STUNTS

• DOCTOR WHO MARATHON

Ahead of the premiere of all-new thriller Primeval, sci-fi fans can get re-acquainted with time travel, with a Doctor Who Marathon of five episodes from season three of the multi-award winning show.

Doctor Who Marathon premieres Sunday, August 3, starting at 1pm ET/10am PT

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• STAR STUDDED SUNDAY

BBC America airs a collection of celebrity specials including Beatles Biggest Secrets, Madonna Live and What’s Eating Victoria Beckham?, before comics cut the stars down to size, in the US premiere of BBC America’s outrageous new comedy Star Stories.

Star-Studded Sunday premieres Sunday, August 10, 2pm ET/11am ET

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• HOW CLEAN IS YOUR HOUSE? MARATHON

Dust-busting divas, Kim and Aggie take on some of Britain’s dirtiest homes in a six-episode marathon of How Clean is Your House? Fans can catch the dynamic duo tackling the dingiest, foul-smelling corners, in the most disgusting abodes, as they attempt to bring the owners into a clean new world.

How Clean is Your House? Marathon premieres Sunday, August 17, 3pm ET/12pm PT

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• COUPLING MARATHON

There’s romance in the air on BBC America with two different stories of love. Fans can catch up on BBC America’s original romantic comedy Coupling, with a six episode marathon, before the US premiere of the hotly anticipated comedy Gavin & Stacey, on August 26. As Coupling continues to navigate the treacherous waters of modern day romance, viewers will see sneak preview clips of Gavin & Stacey, which follows the trials and tribulations of an ordinary young couple as they embark on a whirlwind romance, bringing their interfering families, and different nations, crashing together.

Coupling Marathon premieres Sunday, August 24, 2pm ET/11am PT

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• PRIMEVAL 101

The past and present collide as unexplained anomalies rip holes in the fabric of time allowing creatures from the very earliest stages of Earth’s development to roam the modern world. Fans can catch up on BBC America’s newest sci-fi thriller with a marathon of the first four episodes of Primeval, ahead of the premiere of episode five.

Primeval 101 premieres Sunday, August 31 starting 4pm ET/1pm PT

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• DIANA, REMEMBERED

Marking the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, BBC America takes a look at her remarkable life through two documentaries – Diana: In the Name of Love and The Art of Diana. Diana: In the Name of Love explores the Princess’ extraordinary life and reveals little known facts about Diana’s childhood and the traumatic break-up of her parents’ marriage. The Art of Diana, on the other hand, celebrates aspects of her life and work, using a collection of images of the Princess.

Diana, Remembered premieres Sunday, August 31, 8pm ET

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Series that continue to premiere new episodes during August include:

Tuesdays: Not Going Out
Thursdays: Dragons’ Den
Fridays: Newsnight
Saturdays: Robin Hood

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For more information on BBC America, please visit www.bbcamerica.com