LOS ANGELES – January 12, 2006 - here!, the nation's first gay television network, announced today that a half-hour adult animated series called BUDDY'S, centered around Scott Thompson's famous KIDS IN THE HALL character Buddy Cole, is being developed with Breakthrough Animation of Toronto. This new series, which aims to explore the limits of tolerance, the meaning of maturity, and the importance of having the last word, begins as Buddy, who owns a gay bar, comes under the watchful eye of a bullying "family values" city councilman. To complicate his life even further, he suddenly finds himself a parent when his orphaned niece arrives on his doorstep. But with a little help from a colorful cast of friends, Buddy will negotiate these complications with great humor and insight. BUDDY'S is innovative, irreverent social commentary at its finest, and funniest.

Thompson, whose unforgettable character Buddy Cole was featured in the long-running, incredibly successful comedy series KIDS IN THE HALL, has made a name for himself with tart and hilarious comic creations. He was a series regular on the Emmy-winning HBO Original Series THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW, and has appeared on NBC's PROVIDENCE, CBS's TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL, and FOX's THE SIMPSONS, among others. His feature film credits include KIDS IN THE HALL: BRAIN CANDY, THE PACIFIER, and MICKEY BLUE EYES, starring Hugh Grant.

A student of improv, Thompson began his career on the Toronto comedy scene, which eventually catapulted him into the arena of film and television. In 2001, he toured with his one-man show "The Lowest Show on Earth," and has emceed various events, including the prestigious "Genie Awards," Canada's answer to the Oscars, in May 2004. Thompson is represented by Howard Lapides and Andrew Lear of THE CORE.

"here! is thrilled to be in business with one of the funniest minds of our time, and we are proud to offer the kind of cutting edge television space where Scott's brilliant wit can thrive," said Meredith Kadlec, Vice President, Original Programming at here!.

BUDDY'S arrival marks another bold and exciting addition to here!'s line-up, which offers its growing audience a unique slate of quality programming.

About here!

here!, America's first gay television network, was established in 2002 by Regent Entertainment co-founders Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow. here!, currently available to more than 42 million households, offers a wide variety of groundbreaking original movies and series plus the world's largest gay and lesbian film library targeted to a broad-based gay and lesbian audience. here! is available across the U.S. via satellite and carried by major cable providers nationwide.

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For all press inquiries, please contact:
Josh Rosenzweig
Vice President, Corporate Communications and Marketing
here! Networks
212.920.2857
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