Press Services : True Entertainment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept 15, 2003
TRUE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

WORLDS APART

TYPICAL AMERICAN FAMILIES DARE TO EXPLORE REMOTE CULTURES ON WORLDS APART

Each week a new family on a new adventure - Worlds Apart on the National Geographic Channel

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 15, 2003) American mom Lynne Russell is thrilled to know that, whenever she has to "take the long walk" from her hut in Longo, Ghana, she can use an unlikely luxury that her hosts offer - toilet paper! Life is very different thousands of miles from the air-conditioned comfort that Lynne and her family enjoy back home in Birmingham, AL. The noisy rooster next door wakes them to days filled with incessant heat, grueling labor, and hours of tedious food preparation. But there is also breathtaking scenery, gales of laughter, and a new appreciation for the ties that bind people together.

On Monday, October 6, 2003, at 8 p.m. ET/5p.m. PT (encore 12 midnight ET/9p.m. PT) the National Geographic Channel (NGC) premieres Worlds Apart, a new 13-part reality series that transplants American families to remote cultures across the globe to experience drastically different lifestyles firsthand. In the spirit of National Geographic, Worlds Apart transforms typical families into cultural explorers, leaving behind the comforts they take for granted in modern Western culture. The series chronicles their sometimes physically and emotionally challenging journeys of adventure and self-discovery.

For ten days, an American family, chosen for its spirit of adventure and curiosity, joins a local family and fully participates in its customs, rituals, and livelihood. Immersed in another family's hometown, worlds apart from their own, the American family members reevaluate their own limitations and potential. A crash course in cultural diversity, each episode of Worlds Apart is an entertaining and educational look at how a short-term visit can foster long-term appreciation for another way of life.

The season premiere, "Birmingham, AL meets Ghana" features the fun-loving Russell family: Scott, a financial advisor; Lynne, a volunteer director for a marathon; their son R.J., 15; and their daughter Alex, 12. They lead a comfortable but hectic life, filled with work, school and athletic activities. They are transplanted to the village of Longo, in Ghana, to stay with the Bawa family, who, in a gesture of incredible hospitality, built a hut for them within their compound. Abullah, is a border guard between Ghana and Burkina Faso. His wife Agnes, also known as "Auntie" is a teacher by trade but spends her days now tending to her home and her seven children.

As members of the Frafra tribe, the Bawas observe age-old customs including traditional gender roles and division of labor. Sedentary farmers and hunters, they survive mainly on the acres of millet that surround their village, and live in traditional stick and baked earth dwellings with their extended family. The Russells are quickly embraced by the tribe, but struggle to fully participate in the local customs, rituals, and livelihood. Yet, after days filled with new responsibilities, a completely different cuisine, and hard labor under the sun, the bond between the two families is cemented, leading to a final night of celebration filled with dancers, tears, and reflection. Much as they look forward to air conditioning, it is truly not easy for the Russells to say goodbye to the Bawas and to the inspirational experience they've shared with them.

Oakton, VA meets Papua New Guinea

Monday, October 13 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Encore presentation at 12 Midnight ET/9 p.m. PT

Bob and Robin Thurman, and their three children (Catelyn, 15; Corinne, 13; and Cameron, 11) from Oakton, VA are transplanted to Kirwinina, one of the Trobriand Islands about 100 miles off the coast of Papou New Guinea in the South Pacific. There, they join the Tobweninas who pride themselves on employing traditional hand-made methods for everything including huts, canoes, baskets, and even money. The Thurmans adapt to life without basic conveniences, such as electricity or running water, and embark on a voyage of self-discovery as they experience life together without the constant stimulation or distractions of their modern lifestyle.

Katonah, NY meets India
Monday, October 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Encore presentation at 12 Midnight ET/9 p.m. PT

The Rappys, from the quaint town of Katonah, NY, leave the creature comforts of their suburban lifestyle to fully participate in the traditions and customs of a lost royal family of India. Floyd and Michele, along with their children (Arianna, 9 and Max, 6) and family friend Sidney Morris, live with Mahendra Rathore and over 25 extended family members in their compound in Rajiliya, Rajasthan. With 115 to 125 degree temperatures, pit toilets, and daily chores from 5 a.m. until late into the night, life as a member of the Rathore family is not easy for the Rappys. They feel about ready to call it quits early on in their adventure, but then their trip takes an amazing turn that will impact them for a lifetime.

East Brunswick, NJ meets Kenya
Monday, November 10 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Encore presentation at 12 Midnight ET/9p.m. PT

The pilot episode, which premiered in April 2003, features the Palmers from East Brunswick, NJ, who are transplanted from their five-bedroom Colonial house to a mud and goatskin hut in the Kenyan desert. Chris, Susan and their three children (Allie, 15; Michael, 12; and Jamie, 8) live with the Orgubas as members of the Rendille tribe. At first, the Palmers are upbeat about their adventure, but by the second day, they start to break down, As they struggle to adapt, the Palmers learn valuable lessons as a family and undergo dramatic transformations.

Wonder how your family would cope in a completely different culture? Families who would like to participate in Worlds Apart should visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/worldsapart/ to take a quiz on remote cultures and download an application.
For more information, call 1-888-999-9423 to contact the series producers.

Worlds Apart is a production o NGC and True Entertainment, a New York-based independent production company. Executive Producers are Glenda Hersh and Steven Weinstock. For NGC, Executive Producers are Andrew C. Wilk and John Bowman.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept 15, 2003

TRUE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

WORLDS APART

TYPICAL AMERICAN FAMILIES DARE TO EXPLORE REMOTE CULTURES ON WORLDS APART

Each week a new family on a new adventure - Worlds Apart on the National Geographic Channel

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 15, 2003) American mom Lynne Russell is thrilled to know that, whenever she has to "take the long walk" from her hut in Longo, Ghana, she can use an unlikely luxury that her hosts offer - toilet paper! Life is very different thousands of miles from the air-conditioned comfort that Lynne and her family enjoy back home in Birmingham, AL. The noisy rooster next door wakes them to days filled with incessant heat, grueling labor, and hours of tedious food preparation. But there is also breathtaking scenery, gales of laughter, and a new appreciation for the ties that bind people together.

On Monday, October 6, 2003, at 8 p.m. ET/5p.m. PT (encore 12 midnight ET/9p.m. PT) the National Geographic Channel (NGC) premieres Worlds Apart, a new 13-part reality series that transplants American families to remote cultures across the globe to experience drastically different lifestyles firsthand. In the spirit of National Geographic, Worlds Apart transforms typical families into cultural explorers, leaving behind the comforts they take for granted in modern Western culture. The series chronicles their sometimes physically and emotionally challenging journeys of adventure and self-discovery.

For ten days, an American family, chosen for its spirit of adventure and curiosity, joins a local family and fully participates in its customs, rituals, and livelihood. Immersed in another family's hometown, worlds apart from their own, the American family members reevaluate their own limitations and potential. A crash course in cultural diversity, each episode of Worlds Apart is an entertaining and educational look at how a short-term visit can foster long-term appreciation for another way of life.

The season premiere, "Birmingham, AL meets Ghana" features the fun-loving Russell family: Scott, a financial advisor; Lynne, a volunteer director for a marathon; their son R.J., 15; and their daughter Alex, 12. They lead a comfortable but hectic life, filled with work, school and athletic activities. They are transplanted to the village of Longo, in Ghana, to stay with the Bawa family, who, in a gesture of incredible hospitality, built a hut for them within their compound. Abullah, is a border guard between Ghana and Burkina Faso. His wife Agnes, also known as "Auntie" is a teacher by trade but spends her days now tending to her home and her seven children.

As members of the Frafra tribe, the Bawas observe age-old customs including traditional gender roles and division of labor. Sedentary farmers and hunters, they survive mainly on the acres of millet that surround their village, and live in traditional stick and baked earth dwellings with their extended family. The Russells are quickly embraced by the tribe, but struggle to fully participate in the local customs, rituals, and livelihood. Yet, after days filled with new responsibilities, a completely different cuisine, and hard labor under the sun, the bond between the two families is cemented, leading to a final night of celebration filled with dancers, tears, and reflection. Much as they look forward to air conditioning, it is truly not easy for the Russells to say goodbye to the Bawas and to the inspirational experience they've shared with them.

Oakton, VA meets Papua New Guinea

Monday, October 13 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Encore presentation at 12 Midnight ET/9 p.m. PT

Bob and Robin Thurman, and their three children (Catelyn, 15; Corinne, 13; and Cameron, 11) from Oakton, VA are transplanted to Kirwinina, one of the Trobriand Islands about 100 miles off the coast of Papou New Guinea in the South Pacific. There, they join the Tobweninas who pride themselves on employing traditional hand-made methods for everything including huts, canoes, baskets, and even money. The Thurmans adapt to life without basic conveniences, such as electricity or running water, and embark on a voyage of self-discovery as they experience life together without the constant stimulation or distractions of their modern lifestyle.

Katonah, NY meets India
Monday, October 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Encore presentation at 12 Midnight ET/9 p.m. PT

The Rappys, from the quaint town of Katonah, NY, leave the creature comforts of their suburban lifestyle to fully participate in the traditions and customs of a lost royal family of India. Floyd and Michele, along with their children (Arianna, 9 and Max, 6) and family friend Sidney Morris, live with Mahendra Rathore and over 25 extended family members in their compound in Rajiliya, Rajasthan. With 115 to 125 degree temperatures, pit toilets, and daily chores from 5 a.m. until late into the night, life as a member of the Rathore family is not easy for the Rappys. They feel about ready to call it quits early on in their adventure, but then their trip takes an amazing turn that will impact them for a lifetime.

East Brunswick, NJ meets Kenya
Monday, November 10 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Encore presentation at 12 Midnight ET/9p.m. PT

The pilot episode, which premiered in April 2003, features the Palmers from East Brunswick, NJ, who are transplanted from their five-bedroom Colonial house to a mud and goatskin hut in the Kenyan desert. Chris, Susan and their three children (Allie, 15; Michael, 12; and Jamie, 8) live with the Orgubas as members of the Rendille tribe. At first, the Palmers are upbeat about their adventure, but by the second day, they start to break down, As they struggle to adapt, the Palmers learn valuable lessons as a family and undergo dramatic transformations.

Wonder how your family would cope in a completely different culture? Families who would like to participate in Worlds Apart should visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/worldsapart/ to take a quiz on remote cultures and download an application.
For more information, call 1-888-999-9423 to contact the series producers.

Worlds Apart is a production o NGC and True Entertainment, a New York-based independent production company. Executive Producers are Glenda Hersh and Steven Weinstock. For NGC, Executive Producers are Andrew C. Wilk and John Bowman.

# # #