On December 21, the full-length "Episode 2 - Situation: Comedy" picks up where "Episode 1: Culture Shock" left off. This time Sam & Max make their way to a local TV studio to investigate a talk-show taping that's spiraled into a hostage situation. Along with a few familiar faces and tons of Sam & Max's trademark humor, the episode features fresh locations and characters, a new musical score, and plenty of bizarre scenarios for players to puzzle through. The first "Situation: Comedy" screenshots and gameplay videos were also released today and can be downloaded from the Telltale website listed above.

In addition to first access to the machinima shorts, "Situation: Comedy," and every upcoming full-length episode of "Sam & Max: Season 1," GameTap subscribers are treated to weekly releases of the complete 1997 animated Sam & Max television series and a documentary that takes gamers behind the scenes of "The Making of Sam & Max."

"GameTap and Telltale are defining episodic content for the games industry, delivering Sam & Max: Season 1 on a monthly schedule from now through April," said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap's VP of Content. "This upcoming episode will pick up right where we left off at the end of Episode 1, while the new machinima shorts and the classic animated series will round out the experience, providing subscribers with a consistent stream of on-demand Sam & Max content."

On January 5, 2007, fifteen days after the GameTap premiere, "Situation: Comedy" will be available for sale from the Telltale website for $8.95 each. The season also can be purchased in its entirety from Telltale for $34.95; those who opt to buy the whole season will be able to download each episode from Telltale's website after GameTap's exclusive period 15-day period ends.

"There's a lot of talk about episodic gaming as a trend, but so far, not too many tangible examples," says Telltale CEO Dan Connors. "At Telltale we're making it a reality, and we're loving the creative freedom. With Sam & Max leading the way, there's no limit to what this can become."

Beyond the new season of Sam & Max and all the content that comes with it, GameTap gives subscribers unlimited access to more than 750 games at any time, along with over 600 original TV shows and videos that cater to fans of the video game lifestyle.

To get in on the Sam & Max action and to reap all the great benefits that GameTap offers, visit www.gametap.com where you can sign up for as low as $6.95 per month, with your first month for just 99 cents.