AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS, DESIGNER AND ENTREPRENEUR JACLYN SMITH NAMED HOST OF BRAVO'S NEWEST COMPETITION REALITY SERIES 'SHEAR GENIUS'
Celebrity Hairstylist Sally Hershberger Tapped As Lead Judge
Fine, Thick, Straight, Coarse, Curly - "Watch What Happens" As Talented Hairstylists Chop Their Way To The Top
PASADENA, Calif. - January 12, 2006 - Award-winning actress, designer and entrepreneur Jaclyn Smith has been named host of Bravo's newest reality competition series "Shear Genius," previously announced under the working title "Top Hair." Famed celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger will join the former "Charlie's Angel" as a lead judge on the series, which puts the spotlight on the client-driven, high-end competitive world of hairstyling. Production will commence in Los Angeles in early 2007 on eight episodes of "Shear Genius," which is scheduled to premiere in spring 2007. The announcement was made today by Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President, Programming & Production, Bravo.
"Our critically acclaimed reality competition series are branded by ultra-talented contestants as well as highly credible hosts and judges," said Berwick. "We are excited to name the iconic Smith as host and celebrated Hershberger as lead judge as they lend tremendous credibility to the series and to the contestants during their competitive journey."
To win this competition, each hairstylist must prove their "Shear Genius" as they literally go head-to-head in creative challenges that require more than just talent with a comb and scissors. Whether it's the bob, bouffant, perm, or chignon, hair becomes an art form as the contestants with a flair for hair compete in two challenges each day that could put them one step closer to being crowned a "Shear Genius." From the guy next door to the A-list celebrity, everyone is a potential client and provides a true test of skill. The crop of budding stylists will come from all walks of life and hail from all over the nation. Some will get "cut" early and others will "blow away" the competition.
JACLYN SMITH BIO
For more than three decades, Smith has held the public's interest as an award-winning actress and designer. A native of Houston, Texas, Smith's career began as a top model and soon came into American homes as the Breck Girl, which led to relationships with Wella Balsam and Max Factor. Hollywood beckoned, and soon she was appearing in popular series such as "McCloud," "The Rookies" and "Switch." In 1976, Smith starred as Kelly Garrett on "Charlie's Angels" and was the only actor to continue with the series for its five-year network run. Following "Charlie's Angels," she earned a Golden Globe nomination for her critically-acclaimed portrayal of the legendary first lady in "Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy," one of the most highly-rated television movies of all time. In 1989, Smith was honored with a star on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Recently, she co-starred in the CBS drama, "The District" portraying DA, Vanessa Cavanaugh.
In 1985, Smith entered the business world with the introduction of her collection of women's apparel for Kmart stores. She pioneered the concept of celebrities developing their own brands rather than merely endorsing others. Since that time, more than 100-million women have purchased clothing or accessories bearing her name. She then entered the home furnishings market in 2002. Her latest collection, Jaclyn Smith Home, features furniture, bedding, textiles, wall coverings, rugs and home accents. For more information, please visit www.jaclynsmith.com.
SALLY HERSHBERGER BIO
Hershberger is one of the most influential and sought-after hairstylists in Hollywood and New York. An Emmy Award and Hollywood Style Award-winner, she is a personal favorite of directors and celebrities alike for her consistently new vision and the skill that marks her individuality. Equally in demand in the world of fashion, she has been the top choice for a number of the world's most renowned photographers, celebrities and models, shooting multi-million dollar campaigns along with covers for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W, Allure, Vanity Fair, and many more.
Hershberger continues to consult on film sets, designing and coordinating looks for award-winning directors and actors. She is also constantly working as a personal stylist for numerous celebrities and models, as well as prominent social and business leaders. Hershberger can be found in her own New York at Sally Hershberger Downtown.
About Reveille
Reveille is a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Launched in March of 2002 by Ben Silverman, the company produces innovative entertainment programming across all television genres such as the Emmy Award-winning "The Office" (NBC), which has also received two Television Critics Association Awards; "The Biggest Loser" (NBC); "Ugly Betty" (ABC); "House of Boateng" (Sundance Channel); "30 Days" (FX); "Blow Out" (Bravo); "Bound For Glory" (ESPN); "Nashville Star" (USA); "Date My Mom" (MTV); and "The Restaurant" (NBC). Reveille is also the world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for leading advertisers while developing alternative financing paradigms. In addition, Reveille's growing library of programming is distributed to more than 150 countries worldwide through Reveille International. The company maintains offices in Los Angeles and New York.
About Bravo
Bravo is the cable network that plugs people into arts, entertainment and pop culture with original programming, acclaimed drama series, movies, comedy and music specials, and by showing a whole different side of celebrities. Currently available in more than 83 million homes, Bravo is known for breaking exciting new personalities, shaking up the way we look at style, media, fame and Hollywood, pulling back the curtain on the creative process, and making influential and inventive original programming. Its critically acclaimed original programming includes the Emmy-nominated "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," 12-time Emmy-nominated "Inside the Actors Studio," "The Real Housewives of Orange County," "Top Chef," "Celebrity Poker Showdown," as well as the 2004 Emmy winner for Outstanding Reality Program, "Queer Eye," and the four-time Emmy-nominated hit competition series, "Project Runway."
Bravo is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBC cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information visit www.bravotv.com.
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