HALLMARK HALL OF FAME PRESENTS “FRONT OF THE CLASS”; , TREAT WILLIAMS PLAY PARENTS OF A YOUNG MAN WHO TRIUMPHS OVER ADVERSITY

Jimmy Wolk and Dominic Scott Kay Play Their Son; Drama Inspired by a True Story Premieres on CBS Sunday, December 7, 2008

Front of the Class becomes the 234th presentation of the Hallmark Hall of

Fame when it premieres Sunday, December 7, 2008, 9-11pm ET/PT on CBS.

Front of the Class is inspired by the true story of , a young man diagnosed with who overcomes considerable odds to become a gifted teacher. Brad is played in this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation by Jimmy Wolk (The Spiral Project); young Brad is played by

Dominic Scott Kay (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End). Brad’s parents are played by Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Treat Williams

(Everwood).

When Brad was growing up, teachers and other adults – even his father – interpreted Brad’s involuntary sounds and sudden jerking movements as

Sunday, December 7, 2008 on CBS

2 attempts to get attention. He was teased by other kids. As a result, he hated school, until a principal recognized and acknowledged that Brad’s “acting up” was actually Tourette’s. The principal used an all-school assembly to educate the faculty and students, which helped Brad win their understanding and acceptance.

Brad decided at that point he wanted to become the teacher he never had.

But that ambition was more easily stated than achieved. Despite an impressive college record and glowing recommendations, getting a job was an almost insurmountable challenge. He was turned down in 24 consecutive interviews.

His 25th interview finally resulted in a job offer.

Brad’s openness about Tourette’s, as well as his easy-going manner and gentle humor, quickly won over his young students. In addition to the traditional curriculum, the students learned valuable lessons in understanding and tolerance. At the end of the year Brad was named Georgia’s outstanding first- year teacher.

Brad Cohen’s story is inspiring, to say the least. Interviewed on the film’s set in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cohen said an early life-lesson was that “you gotta have perseverance to get through the tough times. You can’t sit around making excuses every day.”

Cohen continued, “Everybody has an obstacle in their life that they have to overcome. I had Tourette Syndrome. [But] I didn’t want Tourette’s to win and it was that battle between Tourette’s winning or me winning, and my attitude was,

‘I’m gonna win. I’m gonna do this!’” 3

Jimmy Wolk describes Brad, the character he portrays in Front of the

Class, as “a normal guy.” Wolk said, “he’s an intelligent, funny, sensitive person who happens to have Tourette Syndrome. There’s nothing bizarre about him, nothing to be afraid of. I’m in awe of the man’s perseverance and strength.”

Emmy-winner Patricia Heaton, who plays Brad’s mother, Ellen, thinks she is at least partially responsible for his determination. “Ellen’s a hero. She never gave up, whether it was searching to find out what the heck was wrong with Brad when he was growing up, to supporting him in school when he was being bullied, to standing by him when he was at wits end, trying to get a job teaching.”

Oscar winner (Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy) directed from a script by Tom Rickman (whose screenplay for Tuesdays with

Morrie won a Humanitas Prize and Writers Guild Award; the film won six Emmys, including Oustanding Movie). Andrew Gottlieb (The Russell Girl) is the producer;

Brent Shields (Sweet Nothing in My Ear) and Tim Shriver (Amistad) are the executive producers. It is based on the book Front of the Class by Brad Cohen, with Lisa Wysocky, and is from Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Inc.

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Press Contacts:

Ellen N. Jasa Russ Patrick Barbara Abseck, CBS/NY Hallmark Hall of Fame Patrick Communications 212 975-4637 816 274-8099 310 385-9401 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Susan J. Marks CBS/LA 818-655-1582 [email protected]

(11-10 thru 12/1) Colleen Sullivan CBS/LA 818-655-1590 [email protected]