PAX TV Teams With Edward Wessex for First Original Movie Starring Kathy Ireland and John Dye

STUDIO CITY, Calif., May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- PAX TV, the family entertainment broadcast network, will present one of its first original movies, "Once Upon A Christmas" (working title), during holiday season 2000, it was announced today. The film stars Kathy Ireland, John Dye and Mary Donnelly Haskell. Ardent Productions and Edward Wessex will executive produce the film along with Steve Berman. Producers are Jon Carrasco and Stephen Roseberry of the Sterling/Winters Company Studios.

"Once Upon A Christmas" is an inspiring and light-hearted holiday-themed family film that celebrates the power of the holiday spirit. It begins with an exhausted Santa declaring the end of Christmas because of an ever-growing list of naughty children. Disheartened by her father's declaration, Santa's youngest daughter, Kristin, tries to save the holiday. In her attempt to prove the spirit of Christmas exists, Kristin chooses a family to convert from naughty to nice. The task is much tougher than Kristin expects when the children she chooses turn out to be spoiled, lazy and undisciplined because their dad Bill is always working. Meanwhile, Kristin's conniving older sister Rudolfa tries her best to sabotage Kristin's efforts and implement her own version of Christmas: giving everyone prank gifts! When Rudolfa's scheming goes too far, Kristin is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice to save Christmas and the family she has grown to love.

Heading the cast is Kathy Ireland, who plays Santa's daughter, Kristin. Ireland, the super model turned actress, has a recurring role in "Suddenly Susan" and has also had roles in "Necessary Roughness" and "The Player." John Dye ("Touched By An Angel") plays Bill, the head of the family Kristin chooses to convert. Mary Donnelly Haskell, who plays Rudolfa, has had recurring roles on "Four Corners," "The Secret World of Alex Mack" and "Sisters."

"This is a thrilling time for PAX as we embark on a new journey into original films," said Tim Johnson, Senior Vice President of West Coast Programming for PAX. "'Once Upon A Christmas' is a wonderful family tale that we are proud to present as our first entree into this arena."

"Once Upon A Christmas" is produced by the Sterling/Winters Company Studios, Ardent Productions and Legacy Filmworks. Executive producers are Edward Wessex, Steve Berman, Erik Sterling and Jason Winters. The producers are Jon Carrasco and Stephen Roseberry. Tibor Takacs directs from a screenplay written by Steve Berman. The movie begins production this June in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

About PAX TV:

Paxson Communications Corporation owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group and PAX TV, the newest broadcast television network. PAX, the national family entertainment network, reaches 77% of U.S. television households via the Company's nationwide broadcast television and cable distribution system. Through the Company's strategic relationship with the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), PAX is broadcasting NBC's popular game show "Twenty One" on Saturday nights and the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. The foundation of the PAX Monday through Friday primetime schedule includes original series "Hope Island," "Chicken Soup For The Soul," "Twice In A Lifetime," and "It's a Miracle." Additionally, the lineup features off-network runs of the hit series "Touched By An Angel" and "Diagnosis Murder," as well as original specials and theatrical and made-for-television movies. For more information, visit PAX TV's web site at www.paxtv.com .

SOURCE PAX TV

CO: PAX TV; Paxson Communications Corporation

ST: California

IN: ENT

SU: PDT

05/02/2000 07:15 EDT

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com