ABC has announced open auditions for The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?, a new reality series that will, as its subtitle implies, search for America's best celebrity impersonator.
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Formerly known as The Imposter, the hour-long reality series will begin production on Monday, March 5 in Los Angeles, with additional auditions being held throughout March in Las Vegas, New York City and Orlando. Contestants who advance from one of the four regional auditions will then move onto the semifinals. Ten finalists will be chosen from the semifinals to compete on-air when The Next Best Thing premieres this summer on ABC.
The Next Best Thing will be hosted by Michele Merkin, a model who has appeared in ELLE, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. She currently hosts Foody Call on Style Network, and also appeared on NBC's For Love or Money and GSN's celebrity edition of Extreme Dodgeball.
Lisa Ann Walter, an actress and comedian who has appeared in such films as Bruce Almighty and Shall We Dance, has already been signed by ABC as one of The Next Best Thing's three judges. The other two judges will be named at a later date, according to ABC.
The Next Best Thing is produced by Peter Engel Productions Inc. (the folks behind NBC's Last Comic Standing) and New Wave Entertainment. Peter Engel and Barry Katz serve as executive producers along with the team of Fax Bahr and Adam Small.
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Audition locations for The Next Best Thing are as follows. Updated casting information will be available on thenextbestthingshow.com and abc.com
Los Angeles, CA
Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6
Tribune Studios
5800 Sunset Blvd.
Studio 9C
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Las Vegas, NV
Sunday, March 11 and Monday, March 12
Rain Nightclub Palms Casino Resort
4321 W. Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89103
New York, NY
Saturday,March 20 and Sunday, March 21
Carolines on Broadway
1626 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Orlando, FL
Sunday, March 28 and Monday, March 29
Disney MGM Studios
Sounds Dangerous Theater
3111 World Drive
Orlando, FL 32830
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio