Allison Janney, Rashida Jones and Jerry O’Connell to Make Appearances in Special Television Event from Academy Award-Winning Filmmaker

Davis Guggenheim and Participant Media

            Celebrities from film, television and professional sports will honor educators as part of TEACH, a new two-hour special that explores America’s education system through the eyes, minds and hearts of its most essential resource – teachers, which premieres Friday, Sept. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.  

         Network stars Jon Cryer (TWO AND A HALF MEN), Anna Faris (MOM), Allison Janney (MOM) and Jerry O’Connell (WE ARE MEN), and Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“HitRECord on TV!,” “Don Jon”) and Rashida Jones (“The Awesomes,” “Parks and Recreation”) will appear on the broadcast, joining previously announced host and narrator Queen Latifah. 

            The special, from Academy Award winner Davis Guggenheim (“The First Year,” “Waiting for Superman,” “An Inconvenient Truth”) and Participant Media, captures the essence of what it means to be a teacher through the lens and extensive footage of a year-in-the-life of four public school teachers.  

           TEACH offers an intense and emotional illustration of how passion, innovation and a toolbox of learned skills drive these educators as they navigate the ups and downs of the 2012-2013 school year.  Viewers will go into the public school district classrooms of: Matt Johnson, a 4th grade teacher at McGlone Elementary, Denver; Shelby Harris, 7th grade math teacher at Kuna Middle School, Kuna, Idaho; Joel Laguna, a 10th grade AP World History teacher at Garfield High, Los Angeles; and Lindsay Chinn, a 9thgrade algebra teacher at MLK Early College, Denver.  

           Participant Media is an award-winning global independent entertainment company known for high-quality films that inspire social change, such as “The Help,” “Good Night and Good Luck,” “Food Inc.,” “The Cove,” “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and, most recently, “Lincoln” and “A Place at the Table.” Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com, andPivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.

          TEACH, a film by Davis Guggenheim, is a Participant Media Presentation of a Pivot Original, and a Little Room production.  It was co-written with David Wild, executive produced by Jeff Skoll and produced by Lisa Zimble and Shannon Dill.

CHEAT TWEET:  .@MrJonCryer @MrJerryOC #AnnaFaris #AllisonJanney @hitRECordJoe & more join new special #TEACH, Fri., 9/6, 8pm ET! http://bit.ly/15xpJDh

RATING:  To be announced

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CBS Press Contacts:

Kim Izzo-Emmet                    212-975-3820              krizzo-emmet@cbs.com

Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i                818-655-1587              tiffany.smith@cbs.com

CBS Photo Contacts:  

Cory Davis                             212-975-3265             cory.davis@cbs.com

Amanda Beane                      818-655-1545             amanda.beane@cbs.com

Participant Media Contact:

Jennifer Garnick                    310-550-5100              jgarnick@participantmedia.com