GARTH ANCIER, Executive Consultant

In addition to "Ricki Lake," Ancier is in the unique position of serving as founding head of programming for America's fifth television broadcast network, The WB.

Ancier has guided The WB into its third season by increasing its schedule with a third night of original programming, featuring a line-up of such diverse stars as Kirk Cameron, Ray Wise, Robert Townsend, Joey Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, Steve Harvey and Tia and Tamera Mowry. Kids' WB, which launched last fall, has achieved tremendous success with the finest in newly-created Steven Spielberg and Warner Bros. animation, as well as with classic Looney Tunes episodes.

Ancier was founder of the Fox Broadcasting Company, serving as the network's first program chief from 1988 to 1989. During his tenure, Ancier and his programming team developed Fox's hit series "Married With Children," "21 Jump Street," "The Tracey Ullman Show," "The Simpsons" and "In Living Color." Ancier also co-developed "Cops" with STF Production's Steven Chao.

Ancier began his broadcasting career in 1972 as a radio reporter for NBC radio affiliates WBUD-AM and WBJH-FM in Trenton, NJ. In 1979 he joined the NBC Television Network as manager, East Coast development and assistant to Brandon Tartikoff. Ancier was named vice president, current comedy programs in 1983, where he supervised the production of such series as "The Cosby Show," "Cheers," "Family Ties" and "The Golden Girls." Ancier held that position until joining Fox in 1986.

From February 1989 to November 1980, he served as president of network television for Walt Disney Television, where he developed series under both the Walt Disney and Touchstone Television banners and supervised the company's flagship Magical World of Disney anthology series. While at Disney, Ancier and his team developed the hit series "Home Improvement."

He left Disney to serve as executive producer of NBC's prime-time compilation series "Sunday Best." He then returned to Fox, Inc. as a corporate officer, reporting to chairman and CEO Barry Diller. In the spring of 1992, Ancier served as creator and executive producer of "Jane," a successful 13-week test of an issues-oriented talk series aimed at viewers aged 18-34 on WNYW-TV (New York). He was also co-creator and executive producer of "Main Street," a sketch comedy pilot for ABC.

From October 1991 through July 1992, Ancier served as the television consultant to the Democratic National Committee for the '92 convention, reporting to Chairman Ron Brown.

In that role, Ancier introduced innovations such as a 56-screen video wall, which was integrated into the convention podium and program.

Ancier is a graduate of Princeton University. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Council of Families and Television, is a member of the Board of Advisors for the National Association of College Broadcasters, and serves on the Hall of Fame Selection Committee for the Academy of Television Arts&Sciences.

Garth Ancier is single and resides in New York City and Los Angeles.