The WB Unwraps “The Mummy” For The First Time On Network Television

(April 8, 2002 – Burbank, CA) – The WB Network is shoring up its spring schedule for the season’s stretch run, addressing needs on Sunday, Thursday and Monday, it was announced today by Jordan Levin, President, Entertainment of The WB. The most radical departure from the current schedule will be the presentation of “Flix From the Frog,” a series of top-shelf theatrical movies starring A-List Hollywood talent that will air on Sundays at 7:00 p.m. ET beginning on April 7 and run throughout the remainder of the season. The network’s first in-season movie night demonstrates how The WB has dramatically upgraded its theatrical acquisitions. Many of the films in the new library will be television or broadcast premieres, as is the case with “The Mummy,” the 1999 film starring Brendan Fraser, which grossed nearly $500 million worldwide and spawned two sequels. “The addition of these outstanding movie titles delivers a stronger schedule heading into May,” Mr. Levin said. “It will also provide a better lead-in to “THE JAMIE KENNEDY EXPERIMENT” and “OFF CENTRE,” two shows we believe in creatively that have shown ratings growth on a difficult night.” In addition to “The Mummy” on May 5, the network has also secured the broadcast rights to titles such as “Stepmom,” starring Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon and Ed Harris (May 12). Other high-profile films in the series will be “Payback,” starring Mel Gibson (April 14), “Can’t Hardly Wait,” starring Love Hewitt (April 21) and “Lethal Weapon 4,” starring Gibson and Danny Glover (April 28). The film series will conclude with “Sleepless in Seattle,” starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (May 19). “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” which was written by Kevin Williamson and stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Junior kicked off the movie night on April 7. The films will be followed by “THE JAMIE KENNEDY EXPERIMENT” and “OFF CENTRE.” In the event of a movie that runs beyond two hours, one or both of the comedies will be pre-empted. In other scheduling news, classic episodes from the first season of “GILMORE GIRLS” will return to its original berth of Thursdays at 8 p.m., where the series enjoyed steady ratings growth, setting it up to be the fastest-growing series on television this season. “GLORY DAYS” has concluded its scheduled run of original episodes and “ANGEL,” the best lead-out the network has ever had to its highest-rated show “7TH HEAVEN,” will return with all original episodes to the Monday, 9 p.m. ET time slot on April 15. # # #