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Photo Flash: Zadan And Meron Host An All-Star Cast Reception For Their Lifetime Hit DROP DEAD DIVA

On August 30th, Oscar Winning producers Craig Zadan And Neil Meron hosted a truly "All-Star" cast reception for Lifetime Network's hit series DROP DEAD DIVA. Zadan and Meron are executive producers of the show which was recently picked up for a second season.

Lifetime Television's break-out hit of the summer, Drop Dead Diva, scored its highest ratings ever among Women 18-49 (2.0), a 25% increase over its season-to-date average, and Women 25-54 (2.3), a 28% increase over its season-to-date average, with last Sunday's performance at 9 PM ET/PT. The one-hour original comedic drama starring Brooke Elliott has built upon its audience for three consecutive weeks among the key demographics.

The Sunday August 30th episode, which featured special guest stars Gregory Harrison (Lifetime's Maneater, Trapper John, M.D.) and Marla Sokoloff (Lifetime's Maneater, The Practice), averaged more than 3.4 million Total Viewers (3,412, 437), a 25% increase over its season-to-date average, and garnered a 2.8 Household rating, up 27% above its season-to-date average.

Guest stars throughout the first season of Drop Dead Diva include Paula Abdul, Rosie O'Donnell, Tim Gunn, Liza Minnelli, Delta Burke, Sharon Lawrence, Nia Vardalos, Jorja Fox, Mark Moses, Shirley Knight, Faith Price, Devon Gummersall, Elliott Gould, Chuck Woolery and Diedrich Bader.

Drop Dead Diva is produced by Sony Pictures Television for Lifetime Television. Josh Berman (Bones, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) is creator and executive producer. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Academy Award-winning Chicago, Hairspray, Lifetime's Living Proof) of Storyline Entertainment are executive producers. Alex Taub (Eli Stone) is executive producer and show runner and David Petrarca (Brothers and Sisters) is a director and executive producer. Thania St. John (Eureka) is a consulting producer as are the team of Jeanette Collins and Mimi Friedman (Big Love).

Together, Zadan and Meron produced the blockbuster "Hairspray" and the critically acclaimed "Chicago," which was the first musical in 34 years to win the top honor of Best Picture Oscar at the 2002 Academy Awards. They also produced the made for television "A Raisin in the Sun", and had a recent collaboration with Lifetime on the film "Living Proof" featuring Rene Zellweger, Harry Connick, Jr. and Bernadette Peters. Last winter they released "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. In 2007 they were honored with the Hollywood Film Festival's producers of the year award. Last year the talented producing duo were honored by the The casting Society of America with career achievement awards at the 24th Annual Artios Awards. They are currently guiding the upcoming big screen remake of the 80's hit "Footloose" back to the silver screen with Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford in the lead. Craig Zadan was a producer of the original "Footloose" in 1984.

Lifetime is a diverse, multi-media company, committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming that celebrates, entertains and supports women. Through its award-winning public affairs initiatives, the Company also advocates a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (which includes myLifetime.com, LMN.TV, Lifetime Games, Roiworld.com, DressUpChallenge.com and MothersClick.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

Photos by Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Studio/BEImages

Neil Meron, Liza Minnelli, Craig Zadan and Brooke Elliott