XM Launches Original Comedy Interview Show ’Unmasked’

XM, the nation’s leading satellite radio service with more than 8.2 million subscribers, today announced the launch of “Unmasked,” a new, original comedy series that will feature one-on-one interviews with some of the most talked about names in comedy. Comedic legend George Carlin will be the inaugural guest when “Unmasked” premieres exclusively on XM Saturday, September 22 at 8 p.m. ET.

“Whenever I do an in-depth interview like this, I’m surprised that I learn things about myself and my work I hadn’t realized before. It always opens my eyes,” said George Carlin.

Recorded before a live studio audience, “Unmasked” offers up candid, one- on-one interviews with both established and emerging comedic talent for an uncensored look into their creative process and the lives that shape their comedy.

In addition to being the series premiere, the “Unmasked: George Carlin” episode will also be featured in the upcoming George Carlin career retrospective DVD box set, George Carlin: All My Stuff, which will be released September 25. The 14-disc collection includes Carlin’s full “Unmasked” interview, filmed live in the Performance Theater at XM’s Washington, D.C. studios.

“We at XM are thrilled that George Carlin, celebrating his 50th year in comedy, will be the first guest as we launch this new thought-provoking show that offers an inside look into some of today’s most compelling comedic minds,” said Eric Logan, executive vice president, programming for XM. “Since XM became the first to offer the 24-hour uncensored comedy format anywhere on radio, our comedy programming has grown from mere concept to include original shows like ’Unmasked’ and five dedicated comedy channels with some of the strongest listenership on the platform.”

The series premiere of “Unmasked” with George Carlin debuts Saturday, September 22 at 8 p.m. ET on “XM Comedy” (XM 150), with new episodes of “Unmasked” airing every other Saturday. Future episodes of “Unmasked” will feature Jeff Garlin, Jim Norton, Patrice Oneal, Bob Saget, Brian Regan, Carlos Mencia and others. Additional programming information and encore schedules are available online at http://www.xmradio.com/unmasked.

XM’s programming lineup features five dedicated comedy channels that offer a range of round-the-clock comic programming - uncensored comedy on “XM Comedy” (XM 50), family comedy on “Laugh USA” (XM 151), Canadian comedy on “Laugh Attack” (XM 153), short-form sketch comedy, standup and satire on “National Lampoon™ Comedy Radio” (XM 154) and irreverent comedy and talk from Opie and Anthony and Ron and Fez on High Voltage (XM 202). XM also offers other original comedy programming, including “Stand Up Sit Down,” which features long-form interviews and stand-up routines from a who’s who of comedians, including Lewis Black, George Carlin, John Cleese, Dane Cook, Bill Cosby, Jim Gaffigan, Gilbert Gottfried, Mitch Hedberg, Robert Klein, Larry the Cable Guy, Richard Lewis, Kathleen Madigan, Paul Mooney, Ron White and many others.