MTV show has 'How's Your News?'-worthy premise

"South Park" creator Matt Stone's biggest concern in executive producing MTV's latest offering, "How's Your News?," is how his and partner Trey Parker's outlandish reputation might actually hurt the program's reception.

"How's Your News?," premiering Feb. 8, features a team of reporters with disabilities who take a bus across the country, along the way interviewing people on the street (who sometimes turn out to be celebrities).

"We weren't worried about being associated with them, we were worried about them being associated with us," Stone said Friday at the Television Critics Association press tour.

The concept began more than 10 years ago at a summer camp for people with disabilities. The show's director, Arthur Bradford, taught a video class there and began the program as man-on-the-street segments that eventually grew to short films and later, a feature film.

It's all a far cry from Mr. Garrison's classroom, but perfect for MTV.

"The show fits the MTV brand because it really feels like it belongs on our network, because you can't imagine it anywhere else. It has a rebelliousness in terms of attitude, it feels fresh, it feels inventive, and it's really about a group of people working together to live their dream and have fun along the way," said Tony DiSanto, executive vice president of series development and programming at MTV.

"These are characters that you really do fall in love with," DiSanto added. "Initially, because it's different, you're not sure, but three minutes in, you're along for the ride. It's just infectious."

Some of the celebrities who make appearances include Amy Sedaris, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, Ben Affleck, Kathy Griffin and John Stamos, who spends a night out on the town with reporter Jeremy Vest as his wingman.

"I wasn't getting all the attention, he was, because he is Jesse from 'Full House,'" said Vest, who has Williams syndrome. "But hanging with John was a magical time. It was amazing."

Brendan Lemieux -- Hows Your News -- Mtv

Brendan is the youngest HYN team member at 21 years old. He joined up in 2007 along with Lucas to round out the band. He plays bass guitar and has a growing collection of tattoos. Brendan has Williams Syndrome, like Jeremy and Lucas, and shares their aptitude for music. He has also reported from far and wide for HYN, interviewing pro skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, investigating the rap scene in New Orleans, and rocking the stages at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. He lives with his parents in Madison, CT.

Lucas Wahl -- Hows Your News -- Mtv

Lucas is 23 years old and the newest member of the HYN team. He joined up in 2007 as a member of the band, taking things to a new level with his dramatic guitar playing. Lucas, who has Williams Syndrome, often plays the guitar behind his head and with his teeth. Some say he resembles Jimi Hendrix onstage. He accidentally cut off half of his index finger with a table saw a few years ago, but this hasn’t slowed down his guitar playing at all. “In fact, I think it made me better,” he said. Since joining the band Lucas has also done great news reports for us from the Roller Derby in Austin, Texas, and a pirate convention in New Orleans. Lucas lives in Waddell, Arizona with his parents.

Jeremy Vest -- Hows Your News -- Mtv

Jeremy Vest is 21 years old and lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He graduated from Quince Orchard High School and joined How’s Your News? in 2004 as the drummer for the band and he has been with us ever since. Jeremy has Williams Syndrome, which means he often skips from subject to subject and also has great musical ability. He plays the piano as well as the drums and holds avid interest in topics such as restaurant menus, firefighting, airlines, and marching bands. “I also like eating deli meats” says Jeremy. Jeremy has conducted great interviews for HYN, including memorable conversations with Ben Affleck, Howard Dean, Jimmy Kimmel, and the WWE wrestler “Mankind”.

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Larry Perry -- Hows Your News -- Mtv

Larry Perry is 60 years old and lives with his parents in Massachusetts. He has been a camper at Camp Jabberwocky, where the crew met, since its very first year, in 1952. He has severe spastic cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair, and cannot form words with his voice. He communicates “Yes” and “No” with finger motions. Larry conducts most of his interviews with the use of a word board on which he composes questions ahead of time. He is able to point to the questions with the microphone and direct the interviewee to speak in this way. He has conducted interviews with Michael Moore, Newt Gingrich, Sen. Hillary Clinton and comedian Bill Hader. Larry is also extremely daring, up for almost any stunt which comes his way. He’s best known for his dramatic rolls down gassy slopes, without his wheelchair.

Sean Costello - Hows Your News - Mtv

Sean Costello is 38 years old and lives in New Hampshire with his mother Nancy. He works five days a week doing custodial duties. He has been to the National Special Olympics on several occasions and
specializes in weightlifting and basketball. He loves food, though he no longer eats his favorite dish, fried chicken, due to health concerns. He has been with HYN since it’s inception in 1998, interviewing such luminaries as Senator Hillary Clinton, Bam Margera, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Sean has Down Syndrome.

Robert Bird -- Hows Your News -- Mtv

Robert Bird or “Bobby” as most of us know him, is 51 years old and lives in Massachusetts with his sister Debbie and her family. He has Down Syndrome and an interesting speech impairment which makes it sound as if he is speaking his own personal language. He understands everything that is said to him, yet it is often a puzzle to understand what he is saying. Despite this challenge Bobby is extremely affable and is able to converse with almost anyone who comes his way. He has interviewed Sen. John McCain, Al Franken, Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel. Bobby has been with the How’s Your News team since it’s inception in 1998. When not reporting his own brand of the news, he does janitorial work in southern Massachusetts.