(CelebrityAccess News Service) — The third and final season of the Showtime Original Series The Chris Isaak Show will premiere on January 8, at 10:00 PM ET/PT. Joining Chris Isaak in new episodes of the critically-acclaimed series are special musical guests Gloria Estefan, Michelle Branch, Bret Michaels (Poison) and Brian McKnight. Also making an appearance this season is Cy Young Award-winning Oakland A's pitcher Barry Zito. Thirteen all-new episodes of the hour-long show will air on Thursday nights at 10:00 PM ET/PT in the program's regular time slot. The show, which the Los Angeles Times praised by saying, "No series is more charming or effortlessly amusing," repeats on Fridays at 11:30 PM ET/PT.
"Chris is a fantastic talent and we wish we could convince him to keep doing the series, but we understand his desire to focus more on his music and other things in his life." says Robert Greenblatt. Showtime's president of Entertainment. "At least we were able to get him to share his witty sense of humor and wonderful musical abilities with us for three highly entertaining seasons."
Part comedy and part reality, The Chris Isaak Show is an irreverent behind-the-scenes look at the life of a rock star. The series features Chris, his real-life band members: Kenney Dale Johnson (drummer), Hershel Yatovitz (guitar) and Rowland Salley (bass), and an ensemble of created characters including Kristin Dattilo as Yola, Chris' sexy manager; Jed Rees as Anson the keyboardist and Greg Winter as Cody, Yola's nemesis at the management company.
On January 8, "The Family of Man" premieres, guest starring Bret Michaels. An old Indian artifact that Isaak finds at his cabin in the woods may cost him his land, so he agrees to perform at the nearby Indian casino, hoping to enlist their support. "Candidate," guest starring Michelle Branch, premieres on January 15. When Isaak's favorite free parking spot at the public beach is designated a red zone, Isaak vows to fight for civil liberties and, with the support of Branch and his band, enters the election race for parking commissioner.
On January 22, "Let The Games Begin" premieres, guest starring Barry Zito. Isaak revels in his newfound friendship with star baseball player Barry Zito until he discovers that Zito can do just about everything better than he can. Isaak makes his directorial debut with an episode titled "Home Improvement" January 29 with Brian McKnight guest stars. Pressured by his friends to improve his homely house, Isaak decides to install a state-of-the-art steam room, but quickly comes to regret it.
"The Little Mermaid" premieres on February 5. When Isaak disregards Mona's advice to return the extra $20 dollars he got from the automatic teller, she mysteriously vanishes from her lair. On February 12, "A Little Help From My Friends" premieres, guest starring Gloria Estefan. Isaak is in for a shock when Estefan arrives to perform with him but secretly plots to break up his band.
The series is executive produced and written by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning writers/producers Diane Frolov &Andrew Schneider ("Northern Exposure," "Dangerous Minds") and executive produced by Chris Isaak and Phoenix Entertainment's Arnold Messer and Mike Medavoy.
Each episode of The Chris Isaak Show gives audiences a unique window into the life of an everyday guy with the not-so-everyday job of a rock star. Set in San Francisco, the show features Isaak performing in concert and on tour, but the real focus of the series continues to be the other 22 hours of the day when he's not on stage.
In addition to this season's special guests, the Chris Isaak Show has attracted guest stars over the years such as Bridget Fonda, Minnie Driver, John Corbett, Stevie Nicks, Trisha Yearwood, Gavin Rossdale (Bush), Adam Arkin, Green Day, The Goo Goo Dolls, Shelby Lynne, Steven Jenkins (Third Eye Blind), Sophie B. Hawkins, Paul Stanley (KISS), Bai Ling, Caroline Rhea, Joseph Bologna, Kathy Griffin, Joe Walsh, Vince Neil, Lisa Loeb and others. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
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