FRAN DRESCHER TO HAVE SAME SEX MARRIAGE

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FRAN DRESCHER TO OFFICIATE SAME SEX MARRIAGE CEREMONY

ON MARCH 6th

Star Of TV Land’s “Happily Divorced” Will Perform The Union

At XL Nightclub In New York City
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Fran Drescher



Fran Drescher will make one deserving couple’s wedding an occasion to remember when she officiates their marriage in a special event at XL Nightclub in New York on March 6. The lucky pair, Tom and Russell, who have been together for 20 years, are winners of Fran’s “‘Love is Love’ Gay Marriage Contest.” Fran will marry the two to show her support for equal rights in the LGBT community, as well as to celebrate the second season launch of her sitcom, “Happily Divorced,” which premieres on TV Land on Wednesday, March 7 at 10:30pm ET/PT.



New York City-based Tom and Russell have a love story that touched Fran. Neither of them heavy Internet users – but lifelong Fran fans – it was Russell’s sister who first notified them of the contest and encouraged them to enter. In their submission, they recounted the story of their 20-year relationship, making it obvious to all who read it that Tom and Russell are a very special couple.



Tom and Russell’s story began when they met at a restaurant that Tom managed, and they bonded over a classic pop culture staple – a mix-tape. A tape led to a date, and that date led to a lasting relationship that now spans 20 years and two children. Later in their relationship, a crucial period of their lives ended up involving Fran Drescher. Russell, like Fran, is a cancer survivor; but during his days of treatment and recovery, he waited every afternoon for “The Nanny” to come on, brighten his day and give him a good laugh. Now, healthy and happy, Tom and Russell live in Manhattan with their two children and two loveable dogs.



Tom and Russell, who are Jewish in faith, will marry under a chuppah, perform the breaking of the glass in the ceremony and dance the Hora. And of course, their children will take part in the special event – as flower girl and ring bearer.



The exclusive event is also set to start trends in the social media world with the official launch of the #LoveIsLove hashtag. Fans of Drescher and “Happily Divorced” will be able to experience the excitement by checking into the event on FourSquare, interacting with Fran (@FranDrescher) and TV Land (@TVLand) on Twitter and viewing photos and status updates on the “Happily Divorced” Facebook page.



Rounding out this event to remember, Sylvia Weinstock – renowned wedding cake genius – will be designing the couple’s wedding cake. Blush Designs will be providing the grooms’ boutonnières and floral arrangements, KITCHIN will serve delectable appetizers for the guests, and Georgetown Cupcake will make over 300 cupcakes for the occasion. M2M (Music 2 the Max) will be DJing the event, and The Sugar Factory will provide yummy treats for guests.



“Happily Divorced” is inspired by the real-life story of sitcom favorite Fran Drescher (“The Nanny”), and revolves around Fran, a Los Angeles florist who finds out after 18 years of marriage that her husband is gay. Unable to sell the house with the economy tanking, she and her gay ex-husband Peter (John Michael Higgins, “Best in Show”) must continue to live together happily divorced as they both re-enter the dating world. “Happily Divorced” also features acclaimed actors Tichina Arnold (“Everybody Hates Chris”) as her best friend Judi; Rita Moreno (“OZ”) and Robert Walden (“All The President’s Men”) as Fran’s parents Dori and Glen and Valente Rodriguez (“George Lopez”) as Cesar, her flower shop employee. According to Nielsen, the first season of "Happily Divorced" attracted an average audience of 2.2M total viewers, up +125% versus primetime levels (Source: Nielsen, 6/15/11-8/17/11, Wed 10:30p-11p, L+7 data).



Fran Drescher, Peter Marc Jacobson (“The Nanny”), Frank Lombardi and Franco E. Bario are executive producers, and Larry W. Jones and Keith Cox serve as executive producers for TV Land.


Photo By: Sara De Boer/Retna


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