�PRIMETIME: BASIC INSTINCTS� EXAMINES HOW SMALL THE WORLD REALLY IS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 ON ABC

Is Every Human Truly Connected?

People have always talked about the theory of �six degrees of separation� -- the notion that we are all somehow connected -- but is it really true? The second broadcast from ABC News� limited series �Primetime: Basic Instincts� looks at how small the world can really be. The hour takes on an intellectual experiment that had previously only been tried with letters and emails, and for the first time tries it with cameras and in real time with real people. Jay Schadler reports on �Primetime: Basic Instincts,� WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

It�s one thing to say it�s a small world but quite another to prove it. A socialite, a businessman, a boxer from the inner city and a Broadway dancer � four people with completely different lives connected by nothing � accept �Primetime�s� six degrees of separation challenge. The program explores whether these total strangers can be linked to one another through a human chain of friends and acquaintances across the biggest social, racial and geographic barriers. Will everyone complete the mission in six degrees or less? Who will connect in the fewest steps? What will they learn along the way?

Columbia University professor Duncan Watts helped design the �Primetime� experiment. As director of Columbia�s �Small World Project,� he has researched people trying to connect with mystery targets around the world via email. But he says �Primetime�s� experiment represents the first time anyone has tried to prove �six degrees� by actually following people as they create a human to human chain.... and do it across the great divides in society: race and class.

The strange, sweeping connections made and the remarkable human chain that is created are stunning for everyone involved.

Throughout the hour there will be an interactive component, where viewers will get a chance to go live to ABCNEWS.com and participate in their own six degrees challenge.

David Sloan is the executive producer of �Primetime: Basic Instincts.�