Nancy O'Dell and Carson Kressley Host YOUR OWN SHOW: OPRAH'S SEARCH FOR THE NEXT TV STAR on OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK
-- New Series Premieres January 2011--
September 20, 2010
(Los Angeles, Ca.) Accomplished stylist and television personality Carson Kressley and Emmy Award-winning entertainment journalist Nancy O'Dell will co-host OWN's series "Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search For The Next TV Star." Debuting January 2011, the new competition series executive produced by Mark Burnett ("Survivor," "The Apprentice"), is a nationwide search to discover television's next big star. The winner of the competition will be awarded his or her own talk show to air on OWN.
O'Dell and Kressley will appear in each episode working with the 10 finalists, who were culled from more than 15,000 entrants. The finalists will participate in a "host boot camp" in which they compete in various challenges relevant to hosting and developing a television show. Challenges will range from booking interviews and researching story ideas, to successfully completing an actual screen test. Each episode will feature a celebrity judge whose expertise will assist the contestants while challenging them to sharpen their skills.
"We are thrilled to add Nancy and Carson to the 'Your OWN Show' team," said OWN chief creative officer Lisa Erspamer. "Not only are their skills invaluable, they bring wit and fun to everything they do."
Nancy O'Dell, one of Hollywood's best known and best liked entertainment journalists, was on the original "Access Hollywood" team and anchored for 13 years from 1996 to 2009. She has contributed to "CBS's The Early Show," NBC's "Today Show" and "Dateline." O'Dell hosted "The Live Golden Globes Arrivals Special" and "The Tournament of Roses Parade" for the past nine years. With 20 years of live television experience, Nancy is a go-to host for network specials, having recently hosted ABC's 2010 Fall Preview, the 2010 Emmy coverage for CBS's "The Early Show," VH1's 2010 "Critic's Choice Awards Red Carpet Special," and the 2010 "Superbowl Fan Jam Concert." NBC Sports tapped Nancy to host their 2009 NFL Kickoff Show, the live coverage of the Kentucky Derby with Bob Costas, as well as "Ladies First: Bravo at the Kentucky Derby."
She has hosted numerous Emmy Awards Red Carpet pre-shows and was the host and consulting producer of the country music talent search series, "Nashville Star." O'Dell has guest starred on the Emmy award-winning television series "30 Rock" and "Hannah Montana." She will be seen in "Scream 4" in 2011 and appeared in the Golden Globe-nominated film "Thank You for Smoking." O'Dell has been honored with three Associated Press Awards, two Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Awards, an Emmy Award and has been nominated for seven additional Emmys. She is the author of two books, "Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Told Me When I was Pregnant," and the soon to be released "Full of Love."
According to O'Dell, "Now I can check off one of my career goals which is to work with the amazing Oprah Winfrey. I couldn't be more honored and flattered to have been chosen! When you hear the names Oprah Winfrey and Mark Burnett, you know it is going to be a quality, classy production. As soon as I was offered the job, I said 'where do I sign?!'. "
Carson Kressley is an accomplished stylist, television star, equestrian, author and fashion designer. Kressley recently hosted "True Beauty," from executive producers Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher. He also helmed the Lifetime Network's "How To Look Good Naked," and is a frequent style contributor on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Kressley earned a primetime Emmy for his role on Bravo's breakout hit series, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." His film credits include "Sordid Lives," "The Year Without A Santa Claus," "The Perfect Man," and the recently released "16 To Life."
Kressley made his theatrical debut in the Ogunquit Playhouse's production of the multi-Tony Award winning musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, alongside actress Georgia Engel. Kressley is a New York Times best-selling author with three books to his credit, including the kids book promoting diversity, "You're Different and that's Super." In addition to his work as a performer, Kressley is an avid philanthropist for a variety of GLBT and healthcare related charities. He hosted the 2008 True Colors tour, which raised awareness and promoted equality for the GLBT community. He is the founder of Manhattan's Ali Forney Center's "Styled for Success" program, which provides career wardrobes for formerly homeless youth, and the founding donor of the first college scholarship program for gay youth in his hometown of Allentown, PA.
"I am so thrilled, grateful and excited to be a part of 'Your OWN Show.' Not only do I get to inspire and be inspired by an amazing group of very talented contestants, I will also have the privilege of working with seasoned pros like Nancy O'Dell, Mark Burnett and of course, my hero, Oprah Winfrey. How lucky am I?!" said Kressley.
About OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK
A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN will debut on January 1, 2011 in approximately 80 million homes on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own.
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