Science Channel Premieres 'Bugging Out' 10/5

Science Channel general manager and executive vice president of programming Debbie Myers announced today that the network is partnering with film and television star Wilmer Valderrama and his WV Enterprises and Emmy Award-winning executive producer Tom Forman of RelativityREAL to produce BUGGING OUT. An all-new series about the little-known world of exotic (and sometimes creepy) insects, BUGGING OUT is set to debut in 2011. Science Channel is offering viewers a special sneak preview of the series on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, at 9 PM (ET).

The bug world is filled with critters so mysterious that your skin will crawl just at the sight of them. In BUGGING OUT Science Channel invites viewers to look closer, beyond their shadowy exterior, shedding light on the fascinating scientific facts and insights that make these creatures extraordinary works of evolutionary biology.

Our window into the science subculture of the insect world is Ken MacNeil or "Ken the Bug Guy," owner of America's largest insectaria. Ken gets the call when movie studios, television shows, events, laboratories, museums and collectors need exotic, crawly creatures. Each episode of BUGGING OUT follows Ken and his team as they attempt to fill the random and seemingly impossible orders from all over the world. If there is a bug Ken doesn't have immediate access to then he'll venture out on a "bug hunt," an activity he holds close to his heart.

"This is a subculture of science that very few people get to experience," said Myers. "No matter how you feel about bugs and arachnids they are undeniably fascinating creatures with incredible scientific traits. BUGGING OUT shines a spotlight on these insects, offering surprising information and a revealing look at some of Mother Nature's scariest looking, wickedly unique creatures."

"We're so happy to partner with Wilmer again to create this captivating and unique series," said RelativityREAL CEO, Tom Forman. "BUGGING OUT is truly an intriguing new show that will change the way people think about insects. We're excited to be able to bring forth a smart show that touches on the most diverse group of animals on the planet with over a million different species."

"I'm very proud of this series I've been able to create with RelativityREAL," said Valderrama "BUGGING OUT is bound to amaze people and get them more interested in these fascinating creatures that share our world."

In the first episode, rap group Souls of Mischief desperately need at least 40 scorpions that will not harm the cast and crew for an upcoming video shoot. Ken and his team don't have nearly enough in the bug shop so Ken organizes a bug hunt at night in a nearby park. When one night out yields few scorpions and the producers up their order for the bugs, the team must work around the clock to meet the rap video deadline.

BUGGING OUT is produced for Science Channel by RelativityREAL. Wilmer Valderrama and Tom Forman are executive producers for RelativityREAL. David Brown is co-executive producer for RelativityREAL. Christo Doyle is executive producer, and Bernadette McDaid is vice president of production for Science Channel.

About Tom Forman

Emmy-winning producer Tom Forman began his career in television news, most notably for CBS, where he spent almost a decade. While there, he wrote and produced the network's historic documentary "9/11" which earned Forman his first Emmy, Murrow, and Peabody awards. After leaving CBS (and news) Forman created and ran "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" for ABC. That show is currently in its 8th hit season -- and has built homes for more than 200 families. In addition, under his Tom Forman Productions banner, Forman created and Executive Produced original series for CBS, FX, ABC Family and others. 18 months ago, Forman joined forces with Relativity Media to form RelativityREAL -- the television division of the successful feature film financier. Forman is CEO. In the ensuing year-and-a-half, RelativityREAL has created and produced series for ABC, NBC, TLC and Food Network and currently has more than 30 series and pilots in production for broadcast and cable networks.

About RelativityREAL

RelativityREAL, LLC is a joint venture of Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media, LLC and awardwinning television producer Tom Forman (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition). The company, founded July 2008, produces unscripted and scripted content for broadcast television, cable, and the internet. Current shows include Find My Family for ABC, Breakthrough with Tony Robbins for NBC and Police Women for TLC. RelativityREAL has more than 25 shows in various stages of development for more than a dozen broadcast and cable networks. CEO Forman has won three Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as an Edward R. Murrow and Peabody Award.

About Wilmer Valderrama

Wilmer Valderrama, best known for his role as Fez on Fox's "That 70's Show," has produced, directed, written, hosted and acted in numerous projects over the past decade and continues to have many in development. Wilmer's children's entertainment awareness and passion stems from his award winning project HANDY MANNY where he can be heard as the voice of 'Manny' on the hit Disney animated show. The show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2009 and has won a number of other awards for the show's excellence in Children's animated programming. Wilmer was most recently seen on the big screen in the drama THE DRY LAND which premiered in the dramatic competition at 2010 The Sundance Film Festival and will be released this month. He will next be seen in the Lionsgate's dramedy FROM PRADA TO NADA alongside Camilla Belle. He is currently working on the Universal Pictures' dramedy LARRY CROWNE alongside Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts which is slatted for a 2011 release. He can be seen starring in the film, DAYS OF WRATH opposite Laurence Fishburne from director Celia Fox and is also working with Warner Brothers on the action, comedy CHiPS. He also recently signed a talent holding deal with 20th TV in which he will star and executive produce a series project for the studio. In addition to the pact at 20th TV, Valderrama's TV and Film Production Company, WV Enterprises, has a multi-year overall deal at RelativityREAL.

About Science Channel

Science Channel, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is broadcast 24 hours a day and seven days a week to more than 66 million U.S. homes and simulcast on Science Channel HD. We immerse viewers in the incredible possibilities of science, from string theory and futuristic cities to accidental discoveries and outrageous inventions. cptfc We take things apart, peer inside and put things together in new and unexpected ways. We celebrate the trials, errors and brinking moments that change our lives forever. To find out more, go to sciencechannel.com.