ABC's hit series "Wipeout" will be back for fifth season — but it will have a new face chronicling the spills and blowouts.
The network announced on Thursday that former "True Beauty" judge Vanessa Minnillo will take the place of "Wipeout" co-host Jill Wagner.
The series pickup applies to both Winter and Summer editions of "Wipeout," to air later this year and into next.
“We will miss Jill, but are thrilled to welcome Vanessa to the team and excited to bring her
enthusiasm to the show," series creator and executive producer Matt Kunitz said in the announcement. "She is a great host with a fun and natural energy that our viewers will love.”
Read ABC's full press release below.
ABC ANNOUNCES VANESSA MINNILLO AS THE NEW CO-HOST FOR “WIPEOUT”
AND PICKS UP THE POPULAR HIT REALITY GAME SHOW FOR A FIFTH SEASON
ABC announces television personality Vanessa Minnillo as the new co-host of the popular
hit reality series, “Wipeout,” beginning next season. The fifth season pickup includes Winter and
Summer edition “Wipeout” episodes for 2011-2012. Next season will also feature new camera
technology, bringing viewers even closer to the action to witness the best wipeouts to date. Minnillo will first appear during Winter “Wipeout.” Twenty-four energetic contestants of all shapes and sizes will compete on the world’s largest extreme obstacle course, highlighting contestants bouncing off the iconic Big Balls and falling head over heels throughout the qualifier until the final three make it to the ever challenging Wipeout Zone, providing laughs for the entire family. Wipeout is currently hosted by John Anderson (ESPN’s “SportsCenter,”), John Henson (E! Entertainment’s “Talk Soup”) and co-hosted by Jill Wagner.
“We will miss Jill, but are thrilled to welcome Vanessa to the team and excited to bring her
enthusiasm to the show. She is a great host with a fun and natural energy that our viewers will love,” said “Wipeout” creator and executive producer Matt Kunitz.
Vanessa Minnillo started at MTV Networks earlier in her career, where she served as co-host
for “Total Request Live.” She has hosted several MTV specials, including “MTV’s Prom Date,” “The Real World San Diego Reunion” and “Spring Break Celebrity Fantasies.” She has also interviewed such high profile celebrities as Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, The Rock, Good Charlotte and Madonna. Minnillo hosted the UK crossover hit, “Top of the Pops,” and the live finale of “The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott.” For two seasons she was the New York-based correspondent for the nationally syndicated newsmagazine, “Entertainment Tonight,” during which time she reported on the latest news in music, film, television and fashion. In addition, Minnillo has appeared on numerous television sitcoms, including “Maybe it’s Me,” “That’s Life” and “City Guys.” She also starred in the theatricals “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” and “Disaster Movie.” In January 2009, she hosted and judged the hit ABC reality show “True Beauty,” and returned again as the host again during the summer of 2010. More recently Minnillo guest starred on “Hawaii Five O” and “30 Rock.”
“Wipeout” will air a special sneak peek on TUESDAY, JUNE 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) and the
fourth summer season premiere will air on THURSDAY, JUNE 23 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. “Wipeout” is currently hosted by John Anderson (ESPN’s “SportsCenter,”), John Henson (E! Entertainment’s “Talk Soup”) and co-hosted by Jill Wagner.
“Wipeout” executive producers are Matt Kunitz (“101 Ways to Leave a Game Show,” “Fear
Factor”) and Scott Larsen. Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America.
