Lopez to Host 'Extra' as McGrath Departs

By Chris Pursellcpursell@tvweek.com

Telepictures has tapped Mario Lopez as the new host of “Extra” for the series' 15th season.

Starting Sept. 15, Mr. Lopez will be the new face of the series, with longtime “Extra” co-host Dayna Devon shifting to the role of special correspondent for the program, focusing on major celebrity interviews and celebrity lifestyle reporting. Current co-host Mark McGrath opted to leave “Extra” to return to his musical career.

“We are excited to name Mario Lopez as the new host of ‘Extra’s’ weekday show,” said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, president of Telepictures. "Mario has done a great job as the host of our weekend show and has established himself as a highly engaging, likable and sought-after host and personality. He will be a fresh and dynamic presence for the show, and we can’t wait for him to assume his new role and get to work with Senior Executive Producer Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey, who has made ‘Extra’ one of the most highly regarded programs of its kind on television.

“I also want to thank Mark and Dayna for their tremendous contributions to our enduring success, and we look forward to Dayna’s continued involvement in the show,” she said.

Mr. Lopez recently scored as a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars” and currently hosts Warner Horizon Television’s MTV series “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew.” In addition, he is playing the director, Zach, in the Broadway revival of musical “A Chorus Line.”

“As I said when Mario joined us last year, I think he is a rising star with a winning personality both on- and off-camera. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him as our new host, which will allow Dayna to return to her roots as a correspondent. She joined the show as weekend co-host, but really made a name for herself with her interviews and reporting as a correspondent for the daily program before she became host, and we look forward to her renewed contributions in this area,” said Ms. Gregorisch-Dempsey. “When Mark came to us and asked to be let out of his contract in order to return to his first love, making music, we were of course thrilled for him, but sad not to be working with him on a daily basis in the future. Mark will always be a part of the ‘Extra’ family.”