USA Network Gives Thumps Up to 'Starter Wife'

NEW YORK -- On the heels of its stellar ratings and Emmy success, USA Network has given a series order to the hit
miniseries THE STARTER WIFE, it was announced today by Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president of original programming for USA. Emmy Award-winner Debra Messing returns to star in THE STARTER WIFE and will serve as executive producer.

The Emmy nominated writing team of Josann McGibbon & Sara Parriott ("Runaway Bride") return as executive producers. Gigi
Levangie Grazer also returns as executive producer. The project will be produced by Universal Media Studios in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment. Stephanie Davis ("The Caveman's Valentine"), Howard Klein ("The Office," "Carnivale") and Molly Madden ("Picture Perfect") will also serve as executive producers for 3 Arts.

Based on the NY Times bestselling novel by Grazer, THE STARTER WIFE is
a sexy, savvy and wickedly funny tour de force about life after divorce and
one woman redefining herself after years of marriage to a Hollywood studio
head. With her signature wit, sassy style and cameos of the rich and famous
-- and wannabe rich and famous -- it tackles the most delicious and
dastardly details of a divorce and recovery, Hollywood style. The series
will focus on the post-divorce adventures of the lead character, Molly
Kagan (Messing) as she begins a new chapter in her life.

THE STARTER WIFE earned ten (10) Emmy nominations including Outstanding
Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Messing, Outstanding Miniseries,
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Judy Davis
(won), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Joe
Mantegna, Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or Movie for Sara Parriott &
Josann McGibbon, Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie,
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Outstanding
Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Part 1), Outstanding
Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie (Part 3) and
Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Non-Prosthetic).
Davis won the Emmy for her performance.

"THE STARTER WIFE was a major cultural event, and an out-of-the-park
home run for us," said Wachtel. "We're thrilled to reunite Debra, Josie,
Sara and Gigi -- the world-class team of star and writers who were
responsible for its success."

Messing is best known for her role as interior decorator Grace Adler
from "Will & Grace" for which she won the 2003 Emmy and recently earned a
2006 Emmy nomination. Her performance has garnered her six Golden Globe
nominations, five Emmy nominations and two American Comedy Award
nominations, one individual People's Choice Award nomination, as well as
winning the TV Guide Award 'Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series' in
2001. Messing has also been seen as lead in the feature film "The Wedding
Date," and has costarred in numerous feature films including "Along Came
Polly" with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston, Woody Allen's comedy,
"Hollywood Ending," opposite Woody Allen and Tea Leoni, and "The Mothman
Prophecies," opposite Richard Gere. Messing most recently wrapped
production on "The Women" directed by Diane English and starring, Annette
Bening, Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith and Eva Mendes. Upcoming projects
include "Purple Violets" directed by Edward Burns, which screened in the
Spotlight category at the 6th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in April 2007.
Messing was also heard in the animated films "Open Season" with Ashton
Kutcher and "Garfield."

The writing team of Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott are best known
for their work on "Runaway Bride" with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. More
recently, they worked at Disney Feature Animation, where they worked on
"Rapunzel," "Chicken Little" and "Frankenweenie" for Tim Burton. They have
additionally written for Sandra Bullock, Sid Ganis, Tom Shadyac and Sara
Colleton. McGibbon & Parriott also wrote the story for "Three Men and a
Little Lady."

Grazer's next book, Queen Takes King, will be published by Simon &
Shuster in 2008. She is currently writing a one-hour drama pilot for NBC
entitled "Wasbands and Wives," and her best selling book Maneater is being
developed as a miniseries for Lifetime. She also wrote the 1998 movie
"Stepmom" with Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon and has been published in
numerous periodicals such as People Magazine, Glamour, Vogue and Harpers
Bazaar.

USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series
and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television
shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 network in basic cable, USA
Network is seen in nearly 94 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site
is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of
NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies
in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and
information to a global audience.

SOURCE USA Network