Santa Monica, CA (September  1, 2011)—MTV is taking over classrooms this fall with a brand new game show series, “The Substitute,” beginning  Monday, September 12 at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted by comedian Jon Gabrus, unsuspecting students quickly find out that their substitute teacher isn’t really a substitute, and instead of class they will be competing in a series of trivia and interactive challenges for the chance to win a cash price of $5,000.  The half-hour series will air weekdays at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

Throughout each episode students have the chance to participate in four rounds.  The classroom begins with twenty students, that get pared down after each round.

• • Round One: “Things You Should Know:” Trivia questions that focus on academics, subjects such as history, math, literature and politics.  At the end of this round, there are 10 finalists left.
  • Round Two: “Things You Do Know:” Trivia questions that are pop-culture in nature. This round ends with five students moving on to the next round.
  • Round Three: “What You Do:” An interactive challenge that gets students moving – such as solving math equations to open combination locks, a rapid-fire spelling bee, and a blind typing test.  The student that wins this round goes on to face the People’s Choice – in another surprise twist, the classroom gets to vote on their peer they want to go up against the student in the lead.
  • Round Four: “Things You Think:” Students are polled in advance and contestants must guess the top answer, for example “We polled the student body and they said the best activity for a first date is…”

With the classroom cheering on– if the student in the lead wins round four, they take home $5,000 – but if the People’s Choice student wins, the whole class splits the $5,000.

Host Jon Gabrus  is an actor, host, writer and long time UCB theatre-based improviser.  He recently hosted BBC-America’s Rugby series segment, “Gabrus on Rugby.”  Last year he guest starred on the Comedy Central series “Big Lake,” co-wrote and starred in a 6-episode comedy series for Spike called “Mocap, LLC.,” and hosted a 16-part web series for College Humor and Norelco called “The Crucial Man.” He also shot a supporting role for the Mila Kunis/Justin Timberlake romantic comedy “Friends with Benefits,” and regularly appears on NBC’s “30 Rock.”

“The Substitute” is produced by Embassy Row a Sony Pictures Television company, based on original concept by Phear Creative.  “The Substitute” is executive produced by Michael Davies, Elliot Phear and Bryan Terry.  Brent Haynes, Brooke Posch and Catherine K. Whyte are the MTV executives in charge.