ABC Announces Vanessa Minnillo as the New Co-Host for 'Wipeout'

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.

About Endemol USA

Endemol USA is a leading producer of television programming specializing in reality and non-scripted genres for network and cable television. The company produces the mega hits "Deal or No Deal," "Wipeout," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Big Brother." Endemol USA is a division of the Endemol Group, a prominent international content developer, producer and distributor of television and online programming. The company, headquartered in the Netherlands, has subsidiaries and joint ventures in 25 countries, including the major European markets, the U.S., South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Endemol is owned by a consortium consisting of Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Mediaset Group and Cyrte Group. For more information, please visit www.endemolusa.tv. Endemol is a privately held company.