FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  CONTACT: Mary Major

                                                                        Major Jack Productions

                                                                        301-320-7276

QUIET ON THE SET AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY PREMIERS ON TV ONE AND FEATURES “A-LIST” AND RISING STARS IN ONE-ONE-ONE INDEPTH-INTERVIEWS 

Washington, DC, May 5,2005 -- In an intimate studio setting, students sit informally on stools, chairs and over stuffed pillows hanging on every word LaVar Burton speaks as he describes the road that led him from childhood to the feature role as Kunta Kente in Roots to becoming the actor/director/producer that he is today. Quiet on the Set at Howard University is a 60-minute program featuring newsmakers of color, shot before and including  a Howard University student audience.  The show highlights the inspiring journey of the guest, while allowing the students and the television viewing audience an exclusive seat to witness living history in action.

“There are numerous actors, directors, writers and newsmakers who have inspiring and uplifting stories to share, but do not have the venue to comfortably discuss their lives, their work and the challenges and opportunities that make them who they are,” says Mary Major, creator and executive producer of Quiet on the Set at Howard. “Where else is there programming where you can learn, become inspired and be entertained by in-depth discussions chronicling the journey of these history makers and trailblazers?”

The pilot program features the esteemed director, actor, producer LaVar Burton who talks candidly reveals how his quest to be a minister put him on the road to acting.  “Quiet on the Set” will go beyond the surface to the inner core of the interviewee. 

A unique feature which is unscripted and allows for natural curiosity, is the Howard University student involvement and their opportunity to ask questions of the guests. This special feature provides an opportunity to bring forth a deeper inspiration for tomorrow’s leaders as they embark on their career paths. Howard University, known for producing outstanding talents and leaders such as Ossie Davis, Roberta Flack, Toni Morrison, Phylicia Rashad, Jessye Norman, Andrew Young, Lynn Whitfield, and many more including Rhodes, Truman and Fulbright Scholars, is a perfect back drop for Quiet on the Set. “The show aims to be a source of motivation hence the importance of its interactive nature,” states Major.

Mary Major has been a journalist for over 20 years including ten years on the Hollywood beat reporting, hosting, producing and booking for many national shows including Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, with such household names as Halle Berry, Samuel Jackson, Jean Claude Van Damme, Lena Horne, and Michael Jordan. She also captured some of the biggest names in entertainment for BET’s Screen Scene and guest hosted the award winning BET Tonight. Major also worked on the national interview show Ebony Jet Showcase as a celebrity interviewer, as well as lead interviewer for VH1 Behind the Music.  Producing credits include Image Award nominated Turner Broadcasting “Trumpet Awards” and Lifetime Televisions Intimate Portrait: Vanessa Williams.

“Majors’ interviewing skills, technique and intimate style have helped many people to become comfortable enough to reveal the deepest and most intimate parts of their lives..  “Quiet on the Set provides the perfect format to stimulate the type of dialogue that people will talk about.”