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'THE
ONE' HOST: CBC's
George Stroumboulopoulos to host U.S. version of reality
singing contest. (Photo:
CBC) |
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BY ROBERT BALLANTYNE
POSTED JULY 11, 2006
CBC has announced that George Stroumboulopoulos will be hosting the
U.S. version of the reality TV singing contest The One.
The 33-year-old Stroumboulopoulos is currently the host of CBC's The
Hour,
which is an hour-long, news-oriented talk show. When The One ends
its summer run, the music journalist will be returning to The Hour for
its season premiere on Oct. 2.
"I've been
around the music industry for a long time and worked with all kinds
of artists at different stages of their careers," said Stroumboulopoulos
in a statement. "I'm
excited to be working on a show with people who will be getting fully
prepared for what it's really like in the music business, the good
and the bad."
This is not Stroumboulopoulos'
first experience as a reality host. In 2004, he co-hosted MuchMusic's
Fandemonium, which awarded prizes to music fans who won a competition
that included "gag-inducing gross-outs to tests of physical strength," according
to the show's press materials.
The CBC has faced a flurry of criticism for simulcasting the U.S version
of The One, which will bump their flagship newscast The National by an hour in some Canadian markets.
Similar to the international Idol series, The One features
contestants who perform songs, are criticized by a panel of
judges, and are slowly voted off by viewers until a winner is chosen.
Unlike Idol, The One documents the
behind-the-scenes lives of its 11 contestants. The 10-week series will
air twice a week on ABC and CBC TV beginning July 18. 
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