Press release from CBS, April 2, 2019:

Inspired by the recent viral video phenomenon #LipSyncChallenge, CBS announced today a new one-hour entertainment special, LIP SYNC TO THE RESCUE, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, star of CBS’ hit comedy THE NEIGHBORHOOD, to be broadcast later this year on the CBS Television Network.

LIP SYNC TO THE RESCUE is an interactive countdown special where viewers vote for their favorite video of performances featuring first responders channeling their inner pop stars and lip-syncing to hit music, a trend that began with the #LipSyncChallenge. The winner will be announced LIVE during the broadcast.

#LipSyncChallenge began as a fun way for police, sheriff, fire department and EMTs to engage with their communities by creating lip sync music videos and challenging other departments to do the same. Now, on LIP SYNC TO THE RESCUE, fans can rally around their favorite videos when the first round of voting begins on CBS.com this month. The top 10 videos selected will be revealed during the show, which will film in front of an audience of first responders, family and friends. Two videos will advance to the LIVE vote during the broadcast to crown a winner.

To submit a video for consideration, first responder departments are encouraged to email the video to LS2Rescue@gmail.com. Deadline for entries is Friday, April 12.

“When CBS first approached us with the idea for a special, we had no idea how deep the vault was of Lip Sync Challenge videos,” said Robert Horowitz, President, Juma Entertainment. “Soon, we uncovered video after video, quickly realizing this phenomenon spread to First Responder Departments in all 50 states. What made me believe we had a hit on our hands was the incredible performances and production value each video seemed to have.”

Over the course of a career spanning 30 years, Cedric the Entertainer has solidified his status as one of the world’s premier performers. In July 2018, the actor and comedian was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Just months later, in December 2018, Cedric’s hometown of St Louis, Mo., named a street in his honor, Cedric The Entertainer Way, in recognition of his far-reaching career achievements and dedicated philanthropy. In addition to starring in and executive producing THE NEIGHBORHOOD, Cedric currently appears in the hit TV comedy “The Last O.G.” Additional television credits include “The Soul Man,” a comedy Cedric co-created, executive produced and starred in for five seasons; “The Steve Harvey Show,” for which Cedric won four consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy; the sketch comedy series “Cedric the Entertainer Presents,” nabbing the AFTRA Award of Excellence; and Disney’s animated “The Proud Family,” which earned him an NAACP Image Award. Also, he hosted the 12th season of the syndicated game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” In film, Cedric is perhaps best known for his crowd-pleasing performances in the hit “Barbershop” film franchise, as well as “The Original Kings of Comedy,” the Spike Lee-directed concert feature that chronicled the record-breaking Kings of Comedy Tour. Additionally, his vocal talents are showcased in the top-ranking “Madagascar” and “Disney’s Planes” animated franchises. Recently, Cedric earned critical acclaim for his performance in the Oscar-nominated drama “First Reformed,” starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried.

Additional information will be available closer to air.

LIP SYNC TO THE RESCUE is being produced by JUMA ENTERTAINMENT. Robert Horowitz, Lewis Fenton and Jane Mun are the executive producers.

RATING: To Be Announced