Network to Begin Production of New Original NESN Entertainment (ONE) Series
BOSTON, MA – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, announced plans to begin production of a new original series called Pocket Money. This multi-platform Original NESN Entertainment (ONE) program will include a dedicated interactive section on NESN.com. The series is scheduled to debut in August 2009 and will feature 20 half-hour episodes that will air weekdays at 5:30 PM and 11:30 PM.
Pocket Money will be hosted by Boston sports super-fan Paul “Fitzy” Fitzgerald as portrayed by comedian Nick Stevens. Fitzy will engage sports fans in public settings across the region and ask them New England sports trivia questions for a chance to win some ‘pocket money’ (in increments of $5, $10, and $20). The show will travel to popular locations including Boston Common, Fenway Park, MBTA stops, city streets, and college campuses.
"We are committed to developing diverse and locally focused programming for the network and our website,“ said Joel Feld, NESN’s executive vice president of programming and executive producer. “Each episode will include unique opportunities for sponsors to interact directly with our fans and our content. We like this engaging and fun concept and believe that it will bring out the competitive spirit in fans of New England sports."
One such sponsor that has already signed on is Yankee Spirits, New England’s Liquor Store. Fitzy is scheduled to be at the Yankee Spirits store in Swansea, MA on Wednesday, June 17 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM looking for sports fans that have what it takes to earn some ‘pocket money’.
Nick Stevens (aka Fitzy) is originally from Braintree, MA, and has been writing and performing sketch, standup and character comedy in NY for over ten years. In 2004 he was a contestant on the first season of ESPN’s Dream Job. He developed the Boston sports-obsessed “Fitzy” character which landed him a chance to cover the 2007 season of Monday Night Football for ESPN.com. Currently he writes and hosts the Burly Sports Show for Heavy.com and has done on-air comedic commentary for several networks including VH1, CNN HN and the NFL Network.
Pocket Money, based on a concept originally developed by IMG, will be produced by Natick, MA based Old Harbor Productions exclusively for NESN.
About NESN
NESN is owned by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins and is delivered to over four million homes throughout the six-state New England region and nationally via DirecTV and Dish Network. The definitive home for New England sports programming, NESN is the television home of the Red Sox and Bruins and is the highest rated regional sports network in the country. The network and its website, NESN.com, produce award winning content including, NESN SportsDesk a daily sports news program, over 100 NESN University college sporting events annually and distinctive Original NESN Entertainment (ONE) productions.
