TV Night at the Bowl: Joe Mantegna to Co-Host

Joe Mantegna, star of CBS' Joan of Arcadia, has signed on as co-host of "Television Night at the Hollywood Bowl II," Television Academy Foundation Chairman Tom Sarnoff said. The July 9 program, sequel to a sellout benefit in 2000, highlights the work of TV's great songwriters and composers.

Mantegna headlines a cast that includes Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Peter Gallagher (The OC), Scott Bakula (Star Trek: Enterprise), Tyne Daly (Judging Amy), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Moesha, The Parkers), James Barbour (Assassins, Sex & the City), Adam West (Batman), Ja'Net Dubois (The Jeffersons), Jack Jones (The Love Boat) and The Smothers Brothers.

The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, under the baton of conductor John Mauceri, plans musical tributes to composers Earle Hagan (Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, I Spy), Stu Phillips (Battlestar Galactica) and W.C. "Snuffy" Walden (The West Wing). The program also includes composer Bruce Broughton (Dallas, O! Pioneers), conducting his theme from JAG; a medley of TV's great western themes, and an audience sing-along.

A special segment features a return to the stage for stars such as Alexander, Gallagher, Bakula, Daly and Ralph, who made names for themselves on Broadway before moving into television.

Proceeds from the program benefit the Television Academy Foundation, which operates many educational programs as well as the Archive of American Television. Emmy winner Steve Binder is executive producer. Click here for information on tickets and other details.