Pop Aims to Impress

Pop, the fan-fueled entertainment television destination, announced that it will become the exclusive television home for 13 episodes of the original scripted series IMPRESS ME, premiering Wednesday, March 18 (10:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT). IMPRESS ME will immediately follow all-new episodes of the most-watched series in Pop’s history, SCHITT’S CREEK.

Jim Meskimen and Ross Marquand of Rainn Wilson's scripted comedy "Impress Me" set to premiere on Pop on Wednesday, March 18, at 10:30 PM ET/PT (Photo: Business Wire)

Six episodes of IMPRESS ME originally premiered online on SoulPancake’s YouTube channel. Pop will air those six episodes plus an additional seven that have never been seen before.

From Rainn Wilson’s production company, SoulPancake, and created by writer/director Ben Shelton, this half-hour scripted comedy centers on celebrity impressionists Ross Marquand (“Walking Dead,” “Mad Men”) and Jim Meskimen (“Parks and Recreation”) who are trying to quit doing impressions and transition into serious, dramatic actors. The effect: total chaos. Celebrity cameos will feature a wide range of big names, including Angela Kinsey (“The Office”), Erika Christensen (“Parenthood”), Matt Jones (“Breaking Bad”), Josh Groban and “Weird Al” Yankovic.

“We discovered this gem of a show on YouTube from Rainn Wilson and SoulPancake that absolutely killed us,” said Brad Schwartz, President, Pop. “And since we know that nobody is watching content online ;), we wanted to bring our television audience exclusive new episodes of this scripted comedy series that captures the spirit of celebrity fandom with a ton of heart, while also being a great match to follow the biggest hit in our network’s history, SCHITT’S CREEK, on Wednesday nights.”

“This show is about more than two talented celebrity impressionists. It’s about how hard (and hilarious) it can be to follow your heart, even when the cards are stacked against you,” Rainn Wilson said. “SoulPancake birthed this baby online, and Pop’s savvy creative team is bold enough to bring it to TV.”

About Pop:

Fans don’t sit at the outskirts of pop culture making snarky comments. They live right smack in the middle of it, sharing, creating, and connecting their passions with others. At Pop, fans finally have a destination that celebrates the fun of being a fan. Fans aren’t even fans anymore — they’re gladiators, tributes, human beings and blockheads. Seen in more than 80 million homes, Pop gives fans a dedicated channel that loves being a fan as much as they do. A channel that respects talent over celebrity. A channel filled with optimism, passion, humor, and excitement. A channel that understands the fun doesn’t stop when the credits roll … it’s really just the beginning.

Pop is a joint venture of CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF). The partnership combines CBS’s programming, production and marketing assets with Lionsgate’s resources in motion pictures, television and digitally delivered content. Pop’s ownership structure is comprised of the company with the #1 broadcast network and many of the top first-run syndication series (“Entertainment Tonight,” “The Insider”) and the studio that produces and distributes the blockbuster “Hunger Games,” “Twilight” and “Divergent” franchises and produces such award-winning TV series as “Mad Men” and “Orange is the New Black.”

About SoulPancake:

SoulPancake is actor Rainn Wilson’s media and production company that is quickly becoming the leader in positive, uplifting content for the Millennial generation. The company creates content that explores the human experience that it distributes through its Emmy Award-winning television division and Webby Award-winning premium YouTube channel (youtube.com/soulpancake). You can find us on Twitter and Facebook @soulpancake.

On the Web: www.poptv.com
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Pop Twitter: https://twitter.com/PopTV

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150304005203/en/