February 12, 2004

MULTIPLE EMMY AWARD-WINNER KIRSTIE ALLEY AND WILL PATTON STAR IN "FAMILY SINS," A NEW TELEVISION MOVIE TO BE BROADCAST SUNDAY, MARCH 14 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

FAMILY SINS, a new television movie starring multiple Emmy Award-winner Kirstie Alley ("Veronica's Closet," "Cheers") and Will Patton ("The Agency," "Armageddon"), will be broadcast as the "CBS Sunday Movie," Sunday, March 14 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. In this movie based on a true story, a woman regarded by her neighbors as a devoted mother and pillar of her community is accused of heinous crimes, including being the mastermind of a crime family for more than 20 years.

In her upscale neighborhood of nice homes and manicured lawns, Brenda Geck (Alley) is considered a model citizen. She is a devoted mother and wife who opens her home to foster children, runs a successful real estate business, regularly attends church with her family and generously volunteers her time to local organizations. Even the mayor and local police applaud Geck for her good deeds and acts of kindness. The last thing her neighbors would think is that their local society matron is, in fact, hiding many secrets in her house.

It is not until one woman, Marie Devereaux, comes forward with the truth -- that behind Geck's public persona is an evil sociopath -- that Geck's reign of terror finally comes to an end. The Geck family took in Marie and her mother when Marie was just an infant. But finally, after years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Brenda and her family, Marie finds the courage to escape and turns to assistant attorney general Philip Rothman (Patton). She confides her incredible story of what really went on in the Geck household, including robbery, rape, arson, insurance fraud and kidnapping.

Now, Rothman begins the investigation of his career -- seeking to prove the allegations against Brenda Geck and her children, who did their mother's bidding under threats of violence if they refused, and show that anyone can fool everyone if they project the right image.

Kirstie Alley is best known for her Emmy Award-winning performance as Rebecca Howe on the popular television series "Cheers." Other television credits include "Veronica's Closet," the mini-series "Blonde," on the Network, the television movies "Back by Midnight," "The Last Don" and "The Last Don II," and guest appearances on "Wings," "Roseanne" and "Dharma and Greg," and an upcoming guest star appearance on CBS's "Without A Trace," Feb. 19. Alley made her feature film debut in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Her subsequent movie credits include "Look Who's Talking," "Look Who's Talking Too" and "Look Who's Talking Now," "Sibling Rivalry," "Masquerade," "Deconstructing Harry" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous."

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Will Patton's varied roles in feature films won him a spot in Entertainment Weekly's "25 Greatest Actors of the 90s" issue, alongside Russell Crowe, Don Cheadle, Gary Sinise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. His feature film credits include "No Way Out," "The Spitfire Grill," "The Client," "Remember the Titans," "Gone in 60 Seconds," "Entrapment," "Armageddon" and the "Mothman Prophecies." Among Patton's television credits are the series "VR.5" and the film "A Gathering of Old Men." He won Obie Awards for his performances in "What Did He See," at the New York Public Theater, and "Fool for Love," at the Circle Repertory Theatre in New York.

FAMILY SINS was produced by Sony Pictures Television. Susan Levitan, Bettina Viviano ("Strange Hearts") and Ricka Fisher ("New Suit") are executive producers. Graeme Clifford ("Profoundly Normal," "Mario Puzo's The Last Don II") directed the movie from a script by Donald Martin ("Shadow Lake," "Butterscotch").

RATING: To Be Announced

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Press Contacts: Karin Failla            323/575-4269            kfailla@tvc.cbs.com
                        Jayna Pakman            212/975-3163            jpakman@cbs.com