Couples Embark on a Three-Day, Two-Night Date (With No Escape) Aboard A Carnival Cruise Lines’ Ship to Exotic Destinations

New York, NY – July 18, 2001 – Shipmates, the reality show that follows two strangers through the ultimate dating challenge – three days, two nights, one date and no escape aboard a cruise ship sailing to scenic and exotic destinations – will make its national debut in syndication on Monday, August 27.

The fast-paced daily series will focus on a single couple in each episode, from their initial meeting on board a Carnival Cruise Lines’ "Fun Ship"…through their first attraction (or immediate dislike)…all the way to their farewells, fond or otherwise. With tongue-in-cheek humor, Shipmates will capture the participants’ three-day arc of magical moments, sexual tension, exposed emotions and even outright confrontation. During the course of the date every aspect of each "Shipmates’" personality is uncovered.

In addition to what’s caught on tape from all around the ship and at the picturesque locales, each participant will use a camera in his or her stateroom to keep a video diary of the experience. Finally, every date – and every episode – ends with each participant watching a video prepared by the other person revealing final thoughts about the experience. From sentimental to no-holds-barred blunt, the moment is pure candor.

The series is created and executive produced by John Tomlin and Bob Young, the Emmy Award-winning team behind such successful series as "A Current Affair," "Inside Edition," "American Journal" and "Judge Mills Lane." According to Tomlin, "What makes Shipmates so unique is that we’re taking the popular relationship series genre out of the studio and relocating it to great exotic vacation destinations. Also, we get to witness unexpected twists and turns that can only come when people are brought together for several days."

Shipmates will be shot on more than eight different Carnival vessels including the Carnival Triumph, Ecstasy, Fantasy, and Victory sailing to locales including the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and Canadian Maritime Provinces.

Along with its unique concept, Shipmates faces exciting production challenges. During each three-day cruise, camera crews work rotating shifts covering five sets of couples round-the-clock. From the moment the ship leaves the port - which is also the moment that the "Shipmates" are introduced - the producers and crews follow every move the couples make. Whether it’s sharing an intimate embrace in the hot tub, battling it out on the beach or even disappearing to hook up for possible romance with others, no parts of the story will be left uncovered.

Shipmates participants have come from the hottest singles’ clubs across the country and in ongoing auditions in New York City and Miami, Florida. In addition, applicants can complete the form on the series’ official website, www.shipmatesTV.com.

Shipmates is produced and distributed by Columbia TriStar Television Distribution, with national advertising managed by Columbia TriStar Television Advertiser Sales.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 15 "Fun Ships" operating voyages from three to 17 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, New England and the Canadian Maritimes. The line currently has six new vessels with an estimated $2.6 billion value scheduled for delivery between now and 2004. Additional information on Carnival is available on-line at www.carnival.com.

Columbia TriStar Television Distribution (www.CTTD.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the premier producers and distributors of original programming to syndication and cable television. In addition to Shipmates, its slate includes the daily series "Judge Hatchett," "Ricki Lake" and the upcoming "Pyramid," a new version of the hit game show starring Donny Osmond. It also produces and distributes the weekly action hours "V.I.P." and "Sheena." For cable, CTTD produces "Strong Medicine" and "Ripley’s Believe It or Not," as well as the the upcoming series "Going to California," "Worst-Case Scenario" and "Residents." TNT. Sony Pictures Entertainment’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home video acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment technologies and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at www.spe.sony.com.