A&E Network Announces Phil Keoghan ("The Amazing Race") & Alex McLeod ("Trading Spaces") as Hosts of 'Best of Both Worlds'
Two One-hour Specials Premiere 1st quarter, 2003
(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 14, 2002 ) Phil Keoghan (CBS' "The Amazing Race") and Alex McLeod (original host of the smash hit "Trading Spaces"), will serve as hosts of the A&E Special Presentation BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, it was announced today.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS is one of three new docu-tainment specials (the others are "Role Reversal" and "It's a Living") to air on A&E in the 2002/03 season. The specials offer an alternative approach to documentary filmmaking. The events captured in each of the shows feature a common theme: the behavior is unscripted, the reactions are genuine and the experiences real.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, which began production in July, features Keoghan and McLeod travelling to two great destinations, Hawaii and Hong Kong. However, there is a catch. One of them will travel via first class throughout the entire trip, while the other on a limited budget. Their unique journeys will certainly provide two different perspectives to the locations that they are visiting. The first site on their adventure is Hawaii, where they visit the islands of Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Kona. While there, Phil goes kayaking at the breathtaking Napali Coast, and makes a spiritual journey down the famous Road To Hana. Alex goes power hangliding in Kauai and they both surf Hawaii's incredible waves, guided by world renown surfing instructor, Buzzy Kerbox. In Hong Kong, Keoghan and McLeod are expected to visit traditional food markets, have high tea at The Peninsula Hotel, one of the world's most exotic hotels, and tour one of the country's many spectacular monasteries. With BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, viewers have the opportunity to experience a destination from two perspectives and can decide who really had the better deal.
"We are thrilled to have such recognizable television personalities as Phil and Alex, guiding us through this fun-filled adventure," said Maryellen Cox, Director of Documentary Programming, A&E Network. "And, it doesn't hurt that they've both been such good sports about everything. I mean, after all, one of them was going to have to suffer through breathtaking Hawaii... on a budget."
Phil Keoghan has worked around the world, in over 50 countries, as a television host, producer, writer, actor and cameraman. Phil hosted the adventure series, "Go For It;" the FOX morning show, "Fox After Breakfast;" the 1998 Film Festival Awards for the Sundance Channel and the CBS special "Surprise, Surprise." As a producer he co-created and co-produced "Keoghan's Heroes," a show profiling famous thrill seekers around the world; "The Human Edge," a technology series for National Geographic and "Phil Keoghan's Adventure Crazy for the Travel Channel. Phil is currently host of the CBS reality series, "The Amazing Race."
Alex McLeod was born and raised in Galveston, Texas. She has made guest appearances on the comedies, "Married With Children," "Nightstand," "Partners," and "Ned and Stacy." She has also hosted a variety of reality programs. Alex is the original host of TLC's "Trading Spaces." Prior to "Trading Spaces" she co-hosted the irreverent and popular "Moviewatch" series for Channel Four in the UK.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS airs in first quarter of 2003.
The special is produced by Granada Factual USA in association with A&E Network. The Executive Producer is Charles Tremayne and Producer is Ted Saad. Maryellen Cox is the Executive Producer for A&E.
Winner of the 2000 Governors Award from The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for The Biography Project for Schools, A&E offers viewers a unique blend of original programming, including the highly acclaimed Biography® series, original movies, drama series, and engaging documentaries. A&E is available in more than 85 million Nielsen homes in the United States. A&E received 22 Emmy nominations in 2002, and 36 in the past two years, the most of any basic cable network. The A&E web site is located at www.AandE.com, the BIOGRAPHY web site is located at www.Biography.com.
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Produced for A&E Network
Contact:
Gina Nocero
212 210-9163
gina.nocero@aetn.com
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