Release

CBS's "THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS" PARTNERS WITH “THE TALK’S” SHARON OSBOURNE AND HER SON JACK TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS THROUGH CBS CARES PSA

 

PSAs to Run In Conjunction with Story Featuring MS Diagnosis of Actress Melody Thomas Scott’s Character, “Nikki”

Click Here to Watch the PSA

The #1 Daytime Drama, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (Y&R), is partnering with THE TALK’s Sharon Osbourne and her son, television personality and producer Jack Osbourne, to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis through a CBS Cares PSA.  The PSA campaign is running in concert with a storyline on Y&R to be broadcast on Friday, Feb. 22.

In the episode, longtime Y&R character Nikki Newman, played by Melody Thomas Scott, will share the news with her family that she was recently diagnosed with MS.  A CBS Cares PSA recorded by both Osbournes in cooperation with the National MS Society will be broadcast immediately following the episode. The televised message will give more information about MS as well as a web address directing viewers to learn more at www.nationalMSsociety.org.  The Osbournes’ MS PSA will also air in primetime on the CBS Television Network.

            “Recording the public service announcement with my son, who was recently diagnosed with MS, was extremely important to me,” said Sharon Osbourne. “As a mom affected by this disease, I am passionate about creating awareness and conveying the message to all who will listen that knowledge and a positive attitude are the most powerful weapons in the fight against MS.”

“Sharon and Jack’s real-life situation inspired this storyline on Y&R, which combined with the PSA helps to further elevate awareness for MS,” said Angelica McDaniel, Senior VP, Daytime, CBS. “As the character Nikki’s struggle unfolds, our audience will learn about the disease through her eyes as well as those of her family in a story that we think will surprise and move our viewers.”

“On behalf of the National MS Society and all the people with MS that we serve, we want to thank CBS as well as Sharon and Jack Osbourne for spotlighting MS as part of the CBS Cares PSA program,” says Cyndi Zagieboylo, President and CEO of the Society.  “Not only will these PSAs help more people learn about the programs available to assist them in moving their lives forward, but it will also connect more people to the MS movement which will help speed research to end MS forever.”

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.  The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease.  MS affects more than 2.1 million worldwide.  

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has been the #1-rated daytime drama for more than 24 consecutive years and will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Tuesday, March 26.  The show is broadcast weekdays (12:30-1:30 PM, ET; 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, PT) on the CBS Television Network and is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company, in association with Sony Pictures Television. 

THE TALK, daytime television’s fastest-growing network talk show and 2012 Daytime Emmy nominee, features a panel of well-known news and entertainment personalities discussing current events, pop culture, contemporary issues, family, celebrity and the trending topics of the day. The daily one-hour series is co-hosted by Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood and Aisha Tyler. The hosts swap stories, challenge each other on issues and engage the studio audience and viewers at home about events in the headlines and their own homes. Show segments include guest interviews with entertainers and newsmakers, musical performances, how-to demos and appearances from extraordinary people with stories that engage and inform. The show was developed by Gilbert, who also serves as executive producer.

CBS Daytime has been #1 in the daypart for 26 consecutive years, featuring a lineup that is a balance of dramas, game shows and talk. The network’s daytime lineup includes television’s #1 daytime program and longest-running game show THE PRICE IS RIGHT, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, THE TALK, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL and LET’S MAKE A DEAL.

Y&R Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheYoungandtheRestless

Y&R Twitter: http://twitter.com/YandR_CBS

Y&R Photos:  http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/shows/the-young-and-the-restless/photos

CBS Cares Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbscares

 

On the Web: http://www.cbs.com/cbs_cares/

CBS Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBSTweet

CBS Daytime: http://twitter.com/CBSDaytime  

On the Web: http://www.cbs.com/daytime/

 

*   *   *

Press Contacts:  

Cindy Marshall (Y&R, B&B, Price)                   818-655-1586        cindy.marshall@cbs.com

Kelli Raftery (The Talk)                                      818-655-1598               kelli.raftery@cbs.com

Erin O'Brien (The Talk)                                      818-655-1590                erin.obrien@cbs.com

Jennifer Solari (The Talk)                                    818-655-7222               jennifer.solari@cbs.com

                          

Photo Contacts:

Kathleen Tanji (Y&R)                                        818-655-1543                kathleen.tanji@cbs.com

Gaye Ann Bruno (The Talk)                               818-655-1542                gayeann.bruno@cbs.com

Heather Wines (The Talk, Y&R)                        212-975-1079                hwines@cbs.com

Kathleen Prutting (The Talk)                              212-975-8533                kprutting@cbs.com

About CBS Cares:

At the heart of CBS’s public service commitment is the multiple award-winning CBS Cares campaign, which consists of PSAs created by CBS and which usually feature talent from a wide array of CBS Television Network programming. These PSAs have addressed numerous causes including a wide array of health issues that impact the lives of millions of viewers. Some PSAs refer viewers to the award-winning CBSCares.tv website, which has been described by the Harvard School of Public Health as a “breakthrough website” for the depth of its health information.

 

About The National MS Society:

The National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move forward with their lives.  In 2012 alone, the Society invested $43 million to support 350 research projects around the world while providing programs and services that assisted more than one million people.  The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org