(Los Angeles, CA September 5, 2007) Chris Hardwick and Kamala Lopez have been named hosts of the new PBS series, WIRED SCIENCE, a production of KCET Los Angeles in association with Wired magazine, premiering October 3, 2007 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. Importing the DNA of Wired magazine into a fast-paced, weekly one-hour series, PBS will unveil a new take on science and technology programming when its newest series launches this fall.
Combining the magazine's breakout journalism, irreverent attitude and award-winning design with the cache of PBS, WIRED SCIENCE will deliver stories covering all scientific fields with an emphasis on the impact of science and technology in the modern world. Hardwick and Lopez will present in-studio content, including interviews, how-to segments, demonstrations and introductions to segments presented by field correspondents from locations all over the world. Stories in the premiere episode include a report from Estonia on a botnet cyber-attack that shut down the country's banks and newspapers, a look at cardiac surgery performed by a "robo" doc and an in-studio chat with Paul Kedrosky, a venture capitalist who connects investors with innovative ideas in the world of green technology, consumer electronics, and biotech.
Hardwick attended UCLA where he studied math, science and philosophy before a fluke audition in his senior year eventually led to the hosting job for MTV's "Singled Out," one of the most successful shows in the channel's history. During an interview promoting the premiere of "Singled Out" at KROQ, the largest alternative radio station in the country, Hardwick's sardonic humor and fast wit earned him a job offer on the air that launched a four-year stint as a DJ. In 2003 Hardwick teamed up with Mike Phirman to form the musical comedy band Hard n' Phirm, dedicated to spreading the appreciation and awareness of science through comedy. The duo have released a number of titles, including "The Carbon Cycle," "Trace Elements" and "Pi" which has been downloaded from the internet over a million times. Also an actor and stand-up comedian, Hardwick is the son of professional bowler Billy Hardwick.
A graduate of Yale University, Lopez has numerous credits in film, television and theater. Most recently, she has been seen in the recurring role of attorney Kristine Romney on the hit NBC series "Medium." Additional television credits have included appearances on "24," "Alias" and "JAG" as well as roles in a number of feature films, including "I Heart Huckabees," "The Burning Season," "Lightning Jack" and "Deep Cover." Lopez also remains active in theater productions and is a member of the East L.A. Players, a repertory company of classically trained Latino actors. Other stage credits have included roles in the Eduardo Machado play "Floating Islands" at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and in the controversial New York production of "As You Like It" at the RAPP Arts Center. In addition to her acting work, Lopez is also an accomplished writer, director and producer. She recently completed principal photography on her feature directing debut, "A Single Woman," which is based on the life of the first U.S. Congresswoman, noted pacifist and ACLU co-founder, Jeannette Rankin.
"Chris and Kamala bring the perfect combination of brains, wit and charm to our already stellar line-up of talent for WIRED SCIENCE," said executive producer David Axelrod.
Added Karen Hunte, executive producer for KCET, "Our goal is to introduce smart, talented individuals who viewers can count on for plugging them into all the ways science and technology are part of their everyday lives. Chris and Kamala have a spirited chemistry together that complements their colleagues. energy and enthusiasm. We are confident this team achieves our goal."
Joining Hardwick and Lopez will be Ziya Tong, who appeared in the pilot and will serve as both host and field producer on the series. Most recently seen as host of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Emmy-nominated interactive series "Zed," Tong also served as host, director and writer on the Canadian science series "The Leading Edge," where she covered stories ranging from the latest buzz in bioacoustics to Huntington's research at a premier genetics lab. She also served as a senior producer for Orientation.com, a global internet news portal for developing countries partnered with the BBC and UNDP. In 2003, Tong launched the Ethical Media Division for Cowie and Fox Creative, one of Vancouver's leading interactive agencies, to promote green branding for non-profit and environmental groups. Tong will join Hardwick and Lopez in the studio as well as produce and report on segments from numerous field locations.
Rounding out the WIRED SCIENCE reporting team will be field correspondents from numerous arenas, including Wired magazine senior editor Adam Rogers and contributing writer Josh Davis and political blogger Jacob Soboroff.
"This cast is literally changing the face of science reporting," commented Melanie Cornwell, executive producer for Wired. "In the same way that Wired magazine broke the mold in science and technology journalism, WIRED SCIENCE will bring a fresh viewpoint to delivering television audiences the latest news in scientific advances affecting their lives."
The executive producer of WIRED SCIENCE is David Axelrod, Emmy- winner for the NOVA special "Galileo's Battle for the Heavens." Executive producer for KCET is Karen Hunte. Executive in charge of production for KCET is Mary Mazur. Executive producer for Wired Magazine is Melanie Cornwell. Chris Anderson is Wired's editor in chief.
About PBS
PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches over 75 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.
About KCET
KCET, the West Coast flagship station of PBS, produced the acclaimed Carl Sagan series COSMOS. In addition to WIRED SCIENCE, KCET's national series include three-time NAACP Award winner TAVIS SMILEY and the Peabody Award-winning series A PLACE OF OUR OWN and LOS NINOS EN SU CASA. KCET and the BBC have co-produced nationally broadcast PBS specials, including AUSCHWITZ: INSIDE THE NAZI STATE; HOW ART MADE THE WORLD and, in association with the Imperial War Museum, THE GREAT WAR AND THE SHAPING OF THE 20TH CENTURY. Throughout its more than 40-year history, KCET has garnered hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, and its outreach and community services. For additional information about KCET productions, Web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org.
About Wired
Since 1993, Wired Magazine has chronicled the people, companies, technologies and ideas that are transforming the world around us. Each month, Wired delivers a glimpse into the future of business, science, entertainment, education, culture and politics. Under the leadership of editor in chief Chris Anderson, Wired has been nominated for an unprecedented six consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, winning the industry's prestigious top prize in 2005 and 2007. Wired Magazine and wired.com reach nearly 7 million readers per month.
Wired Magazine is part of the WIRED Media group, which consists of Wired Magazine, wired.com and Reddit. WIRED Media is a division of Conde Nast Publications.
-PBS-
Additional Press Contacts: Cathy Williams, KCET (323) 953-5243; cwilliams@kcet.org Alexandra Constantinople, WIRED Media (415) 276-4962; alexandra@wired.com