Los Angeles, November 21, 2005—On Thursday, Dec. 1, people everywhere will have the rare opportunity to speak directly with Dear Abby (Abigail Van Buren), the most widely syndicated columnist in the world, in her first-ever live Web radio broadcast. People can call in to speak with Abby live via a toll-free phone number and listen to the program by logging on to DearAbbyRadio.com.

Dear Abby's column is syndicated through Universal Press Syndicate, the largest independent newspaper syndicate in the world. Her column appears in about 1,400 newspapers worldwide and has a daily readership of more than 110 million people. People are often surprised that more than 80% of those who write to Dear Abby are between the ages of 18 and 49 and 30% are male. The majority of the rest comes from people under 18.

"I have been giving advice in my column for years but have never done a live show on the radio," says Abby. "I am excited to be able to talk to people on the phone because that is often the best way to help."

In addition to the millions of readers who appreciate Abby's daily advice column, Abby is also acknowledged for launching OperationDearAbby.net in conjunction with the U.S. Navy to send messages of support to American troops via the Internet. Since she launched this program in December 2001, Americans have sent almost 30 million messages of support, which have been delivered to the servicemen and women stationed in the Middle East and around the globe.

To ask Dear Abby for advice live on web radio, call 1-800-501-7080 from 1 pm to 2 pm Eastern and 10 am to 11 am Pacific on Thursday, Dec. 1. To listen, log onto DearAbbyRadio.com.

Dear Abby is represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).