by Dan J Kroll
Posted Sunday, March 04, 2007 11:38:18 PM
Alison Sweeney pegged to replace Caroline Rhea as host of weight loss reality program. NBC hopes Sweeney's fan will help give the show a ratings boost.
Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) will be pulling double duty on NBC for the foreseeable future. The Days of our Lives star has been named the new host of the network's weight loss reality show, "The Biggest Loser."
While the new gig is a boon for Sweeney's star, comedienne Caroline Rhea would seem to be the biggest loser, so to speak, in the shake up. Officially, an NBC spokesperson states that Rhea, who has hosted the show since its debut, has left the show "to pursue other interests." It is widely believed, however, that Sweeney was brought about to give the show a ratings boost.
"Alison will bring not only a great fresh face but [also] a huge, loyal fan base," Ben Silverman, the show's executive producer said.
This was not a haphazard decision by the execs at The Biggest Loser. Sweeney has been quite public about her personal struggle with her weight. In her 2004 autobiography, "All the Days of My Life (So Far)," Sweeney chronicled her own battle of the bulge.
This will be neither Sweeney's first primetime role nor her first foray into reality television. The actress has made previous guest-starring appearances on NBC's "Friends" and "Las Vegas." In 2002, Sweeney emerged as the winner of a celebrity edition of "Fear Factor" and earlier this year she appeared as part of the "mob" on the game show "1 vs. 100."
Sweeney begins taping in early April, but there are no plans to reduce her Days of our Lives appearances or alter her work schedule.
A first airdate has not yet been announced for the fourth installment of The Biggest Loser.
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