The A&E Network has announced that 'The Amazing Race' host Phil Keoghan and former 'Trading Spaces' host Alex McLeod will serve as hosts of the A&E Special Presentation 'Best Of Both Worlds.' 'Best Of Both Worlds' will air in first quarter of 2003.
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'Best Of Both Worlds,' which began production in July, features Keoghan and McLeod travelling to two great destinations, Hawaii and Hong Kong. However, there is a catch. One of them will travel via first class throughout the entire trip, while the other on a limited budget. Their unique journeys will certainly provide two different perspectives to the locations that they are visiting.
The first site on their adventure is Hawaii, where they visit the islands of Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Kona. While there, Phil goes kayaking at the breathtaking Napali Coast, and makes a spiritual journey down the famous Road To Hana. Alex goes power hangliding in Kauai and they both surf Hawaii’s incredible waves, guided by world renown surfing instructor, Buzzy Kerbox. In Hong Kong, Keoghan and McLeod are expected to visit traditional food markets, have high tea at The Peninsula Hotel, one of the world’s most exotic hotels, and tour one of the country’s many spectacular monasteries. With 'Best Of Both Worlds,' viewers have the opportunity to experience a destination from two perspectives and can decide who really had the better deal.
'Best Of Both Worlds' is one of three new docu-tainment specials (the others are “Role Reversal” and “It’s a Living”) that will air on A&E in the 2002/03 season. The specials offer an alternative approach to documentary filmmaking. The events captured in each of the shows feature a common theme: the behavior is unscripted, the reactions are genuine and the experiences real.
“We are thrilled to have such recognizable television personalities as Phil and Alex, guiding us through this fun-filled adventure,” said Maryellen Cox, Director of Documentary Programming, A&E Network. “And, it doesn’t hurt that they’ve both been such good sports about everything. I mean, after all, one of them was going to have to suffer through breathtaking Hawaii…on a budget.”
Phil Keoghan has worked around the world, in over 50 countries, as a television host, producer, writer, actor and cameraman. Phil hosted the adventure series, “Go For It;” the FOX morning show, “Fox After Breakfast;” the 1998 Film Festival Awards for the Sundance Channel and the CBS special “Surprise, Surprise.” As a producer he co-created and co-produced “Keoghan’s Heroes,” a show profiling famous thrill seekers around the world; “The Human Edge,” a technology series for National Geographic and “Phil Keoghan’s Adventure Crazy for the Travel Channel. Phil is currently host of the CBS reality series, “The Amazing Race.”
Alex McLeod was born and raised in Galveston, Texas. She has made guest appearances on the comedies, “Married With Children,” “Nightstand,” “Partners,” and “Ned and Stacy.” She has also hosted a variety of reality programs. Alex is the original host of TLC’s “Trading Spaces.” Prior to “Trading Spaces” she co-hosted the irreverent and popular “Moviewatch” series for Channel Four in the UK.