School’s Out and Work is in Session On BET’s First Reality Spin-Off ’COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS’ Premiering, Tuesday, October 23 at 10PM*

College Students and Recent Graduates From Across The Nation Live and Work
Together in Chicago While Competing To Sustain Their High Profile Internship
New York Times Bestselling Author and Medical Expert, Dr. Ian Smith, Sets the
Level of Professionalism and Mentors Cast During Their Internship

NEW YORK,- After spending its first four seasons exploring and dominating campus life, BET’s wildly popular reality series, COLLEGE HILL -- the #1 original series in BET history -- graduates to the world of business with its first spin-off COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS, premiering Tuesday, October 23 at 10PM*. This season, a cast of 10 students and recent graduates will receive the opportunity of a lifetime to intern for some of the world’s biggest companies in the windy city of Chicago. As the competition heats up during the day, the drama will only get hotter at night.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071016/NETU096 )

This exciting new spin-off delves into the inter-personal and business dynamics of 10 college students living in a new city, hanging out in their new digs, and most importantly, working at their new and exciting summer jobs. Each cast member will participate in a challenging six-week internship program in which they will be assigned various competitive tasks including mind- building exercises, interactive workshops, marketing, event planning, focus testing, community service outreach and company promotions with organizations like Toyota, McDonald’s and BET’s Rap It Up Foundation, while at the same time experiencing Chi-town’s nightlife and co-existing under one roof. New York Times best-selling author and medical expert, Dr. Ian Smith will be on hand to mentor the interns and evaluate each of them to determine who will shine and who will crack under pressure. While juggling their professional and personal lives won’t be easy, these COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS will ultimately walk away with a well-rounded education of what life is REALLY like outside the four walls of a college classroom.

Although the previous casts included a plethora of colorful personalities, the COLLEGE HILL interns take it to another level. Chosen from hundreds of applicants who applied during the national casting of the series, the interns all have strong distinctive personalities, grade-A ambition and a cut throat competitive edge. On this season of COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS secrets will be revealed, egos destroyed and relationships tested.

Episodes one and two of COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS are available for review for working media only.

Meet the COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS:

Tationna, 19 (Bronx, New York)

This self-proclaimed “diva” attends City College of New York. Not one to be out done by the rest, this young woman takes prides in her appearance and always needs to look her best-even if that means wearing pearls and high heels to the construction site. Her approach to projects may sometimes be more flirtatious and less about actually doing the work. Tationna is not shy to tell you that the she is above certain assignments and you better not ask her to get you coffee or make copies.

Kathy 20 (Homewood, IL)

Drive and passion are just two words that describe this Southside Chicago native. Kathy is a natural born leader and taskmaster. This self-possessed woman allows nothing to stand in the way of her goals. All work and no play would make Kathy a dull girl and she can’t have that. When her work is done, Kathy enjoys having cocktails, burning up the dance floor, and flirting. It has been said that an internship is good for self-discovery and Kathy’s true character will be examined during the season when a major secret is revealed.

LeTia 21(Chicago, IL)

Attends Chicago State University and aspires to attend medical school. A native of the area, Letia is often a good resource but her roommates question her desire to be a part of the team. Deeply connected to her family and head over heels in love with her boyfriend, work/life balance definitely becomes her challenge.

Marc, 22 (Atlanta, GA)

The former captain of his college basketball team at Southern Tech University, this good-looking young man walks in as a BMOC (Black Man In Charge). At 6’5" he is a presence in any room and he instantly commands the attention of the ladies. This business mogul in the making aspires to be a sports agent with a multifaceted conglomerate. Will he lose focus along the way while surrounded by his female roommates?

Spencer, 19 (Jacksonville, North Carolina)

The son of a preacher, this young man has the expectation bar set for him. Seemingly, he is mature beyond his years -- noted by his unique sense of style, but perceptions are not always true. Shiny suits and electric blue socks can’t hide Spencer’s immaturity. This wet behind the ears student shows his age with petty arguments and elementary school yard fighting. As this young brother stands up for what he believes in, others often try to squash his opinions. Spencer attends North Carolina University.

Ivy, 23 (Tampa, Florida)

This University of South Florida sorority girl is the true definition of the “quiet storm”. Usually flying under the radar, she is a powerhouse of organization and event planning. She may be meek on the outside, but she backs down to no one.

Jenna, 21 (St. Louis, MO)

A student at the University of St. Louis, this statuesque basketball playing video girl turned PR apprentice has the smile to win you over and attitude to put you in your place. As the “beautiful” girl that has been told that few compare to her, she will attempt to force others to conform to her way of thinking ... at any cost.

Lonnie, 21 (Glendale, CA)

A recent graduate of Prairie View A&M University, Lonnie is like an older brother who constantly calls you out while getting you to laugh at yourself. Quick with a joke or to bust on someone, Lonnie thinks that he is the coolest thing to hit Chi-town since Michael Jordan. He brings some business savvy to the mix as well. He can sell snow to a polar bear ... when he wants to. Sometimes, his need for “cool points” can be an impediment.

Maurice, 21 (Las Vegas, NV)

The ladies’ man of the group, this Morehouse student excels in the bedroom and the boardroom. As the quiet smooth guy of the group, you never know what you will get from this intern. He’s one that may deliver you the unexpected.

Kasheef, 22 (Boston, MA)

This frat boy is always up in the mix. He likes to party, but he is one of the first guys to hold it down for his team. This man is a player in the club and all business in the boardroom. The ladies love Kasheef and any employer would like to have him on their payroll.

COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS is sponsored by Toyota, McDonalds, P&G, General Mills, and Rhapsody Music Player.

BET will supplement the launch of COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS with a multi- platform content strategy, including exclusive features on BET.com, the number 1 Internet portal serving African Americans; expanded broadband content via BET OnBlast; and BET Mobile, the source for COLLEGE HILL: INTERNS-themed ring tones. BET.com content includes weekly chats with cast members, a virtual tour of the COLLEGE HIL: INTERNS apartment, audition footage, polls and interactive games.

Executive produced by Tracy Edmonds, for Edmonds Entertainment and Sean Rankine for Phoenix Risen. BET partnered again with Edmonds Entertainment to produce this season’s 9-episode run and shifted Rankine from co-executive producer to executive producer for co-creating the spin-off along with network executives.

For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and photographs, visit BET’s press-only Web site at www.bet.com/pr