  (From left to right) Rick Campanelli, Kim D'Eon, Cheryl Hickey, Roz Weston and Rosey Edeh at yesterday's press conference at the Drake Hotel unveiling the on-air personalities of Global TV's new show, ET Canada. (Photo: David Lucas, SUN) |
TORONTO - Entertainment Tonight, which calls itself the world's most-watched syndicated entertainment newsmagazine show, launches a Canadian edition.
Yesterday at the Drake Hotel, Global TV unveiled the show's hosts and reporters -- a recognizable roster that includes Global News' Cheryl Hickey, former MuchMusic VJ Rick Campanelli, former CBC reporter Kim D'Eon, former CTV reporter Rosey Edeh and former Toronto1 A-List reporter, Roz Weston.
"Entertainment Tonight has a long history of supporting Canadian talent," said ET's executive producer, Linda Bell Blue.
"Mike Myers has been on ET 225 times, Michael J. Fox, 423 times and Jim Carrey, 567 times."
ET Canada begins Sept. 12, which is also the 25th anniversary of the Entertainment Tonight empire.
It will mean a change of wardrobe for some of its on-air people.
"I'm not allowed to wear hats or short pants anymore, that's for sure," said Campanelli, following the announcement. "But for a reputable show like ET, I expected that. It's time to grow up."
Campanelli could barely contain his excitement about his new grown-up gig.
"Being at MuchMusic for nine-and-a-half years was a dream come true but now making this move, it's like, 'Oh my gosh, another show I grew up watching after school' -- it just doesn't make sense!" said Campanelli.
"It's going to be a good fit. I'm glad that they saw that and took me away -- they saved me, really."
Asked if he'll ever be able to shake the MuchMusic "Rick The Temp" moniker, Campanelli offered up one of his signature facetious responses: "I was thinking of making the switch to 'Rick The Tesh,'" referring to John Tesh, longtime ET guy.
Ben Mulroney and camp at CTV's eTalk Daily may be feeling the heat, seeing as the entertainment newsmag scene is crowding up quickly.
Besides Global's big announcement, other broadcast rivals CHUM and SUN TV are offering up Star! Daily and Inside Jam, respectively.
