Today's Entertainment

Host Jeff Foxworthy leaves baking to others in new CBS contest BY JAY BOBBIN He doesn't cook, but Jeff Foxworthy thinks that makes him an ideal host for "The American Baking Competition." CBS' version of a popular British show premieres Wednesday, May 29, pitting 10 food-making amateurs against one another in a contest featuring chefs Paul Hollywood (also of the U.K. version) and Marcela Valladolid as judges. Country-flavored comedian-author Foxworthy's role on the show may be the perfect one: He doesn't have to form an opinion on any of the contenders, and he gets to sample all their food as they vie for $250,000 and a publishing contract. "I'm gonna be wearing maternity clothes after I finish this," the amiable Foxworthy says with a knowing chuckle. "Let's put it this way: When I do chin-ups now, I have options. You're in this room where people are making their favorite home recipes, and I'm walking around with the judges and tasting everybody's pies. And you're gonna pay me for that? Yeah, this is a good gig." Foxworthy was offered it late in the game, and he recognizes his game show hosting track record – first on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" then on Game Show Network's "The American Bible Challenge" – served as his "audition." His only need was to see an episode of the original "Great British Bake Off" before making his decision. "My wife and I sat there and watched it together, and she said, 'I would watch this every week.' And I said, 'OK. I want to do this.' A week later, I was on the set. MA A S CH E S S N A K E S HARK ON NNYR ED E Y S TANK I L I EA EAGAN S EN E LUV N A H T A P AT I CAGO F I LO LAL AMM A L O N AM E VON END R E S T E What are you currently reading? " 'The Good House' by Ann Leary. I'm a voracious reader; I read about three books a week." What did you have for dinner last night? "My wife made black bean soup. She's from New Orleans, so she can cook, and she put sweet tomatoes and sweet onions and balsamic vinegar in it and served it over rice. And it was stupid-good." "HAshtag$," www.youtube. com A presentation of the Red Bull Music Channel — and in the show's graphics, the "a" is actually a triangle — the new series of minidocumentaries spotlights themes and music movements emerging from the Web, through online communities and media. The first episode looks at the reemergence of contemporary R&B, including such artists as Miguel, How to Dress Well, Rochelle Jordan and BadBadNotGood. "Exit Vine," www.youtube. com/show/exitvine Also from Red Bull Media, but in this case, scripted instead of a documentary, this series follows Midwest singer/songwriter Natalie Lake, who moves to Los Angeles to start a band. The audience collaborates in the writing of the series, since it gets to vote at the end of each episode on pivotal decisions made by the band. New episodes air every other Monday through June 10, including bonus videos on the off weeks featuring cast members performing tracks from the show. What is your next project? "Health Soup," www.veria. com/tv/show/health-soup Part of the "Veria Living" website, the original digital series mixes laughter with advice. In "Veria on the Street," "wellness warrior" and comedian Dave Price hits the streets and poses outrageous health and wellness questions to pedestrians — and even has them strike yoga poses — in hopes of winning prizes. In "Wellness Virgin," comedian Chelsea White attempts to get her "health on" by trying acupuncture, aerial yoga and other methods. "I started an outdoor lifestyle company about a year and a half ago – because my escape is hiking or hunting or fishing or camping – and we're putting together a festival where you can bring the whole family and look at camouflage or campers or motorcycles. Then at night, there will be a show with comedy and country music." When was the last vacation you took – where and why? "We went to Maui between Christmas and New Year's and took my brother and all of his girls. And we had a great time." Where the lakes area turns for news and information. SOLUTION A D J O OB NE "I know nothing about baking," Foxworthy notes, "but on our show, you get firemen and teachers and lawyers ... people from every walk of life. They just do this for fun, and all of a sudden, they're in a room together with someone saying, 'Make s'mores from scratch." I want to know their stories." IN FOCUS client fill 2 x 2.5" ad P.O. Box 974, 506 James Street, Brainerd, MN 56401 (218)829-4705 1-800-432-3703 2 x 2.5" ad brainerddispatch.com Solution Daniel Dae Kim MAY 26 - JUNE 1, 2013 – BRAINERD, MN/DISPATCH – 11

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