NBC hires Chelsea Clinton as special correspondent
Chelsea Clinton, who remained largely out of the media glare while her parents were in the White House, is stepping out under the television lights.
According to Agence France-Presse, NBC television announced on Monday that the 31-year-old daughter of former President Bill Clinton and current Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been named a special correspondent for the network.
“Chelsea is a remarkable woman who will be a great addition to NBC News,” said NBC News President Steve Capus in a statement.
“Given her vast experiences, it’s as though Chelsea has been preparing for this opportunity her entire life,” Mr. Capus said. “We are proud she will be bringing her considerable, unique talents and dedication to NBC News.”
Ms. Clinton will contribute to NBC’s “Making a Difference” franchise, devoted to “profiling organizations and individuals who represent the best of what works in the United States and around the world,” the network said.
“Clinton’s dedication to public service, solution-based advocacy and focus on empowering people across the country and around the globe resonates with the purpose and content of ’Making a Difference,’ ” NBC said.
“Chelsea Clinton has led a remarkable life,” NBC anchor Brian Williams said. “She possesses an uncommon understanding of humanity - on city streets, across this country and around the globe.
“We are so excited she’s joining us to tell the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
Ms. Clinton said she looked forward to working with NBC on “stories of empowerment.”
“People who imagine and implement solutions to challenges in their own lives, in their communities, in our country and in our world have always inspired me,” she said.
NBC said Ms. Clinton will continue to work with the Clinton Foundation and pursue her doctorate at Oxford.
Ms. Clinton serves on the boards of the Clinton Foundation, the School of American Ballet, Common Sense Media, the Weill Cornell Medical College and Barry Diller’s Internet company IAC.
She lives in New York with her husband, Marc Mezvinsky, whom she married last year.
Army wives in Alaska focus of new reality show
A new reality television show is looking for cast members in Alaska.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports 44 Blue Productions is seeking people for “Army Wives of Alaska.”
The company has produced shows including “The True Story of Black Hawk Down,” “U.S. Navy Pirate Hunters” and “Cell Dogs.”
According to the Associated Press, Army Alaska is supporting the show and will host the production company when staff members interview spouses this month.
Stephanie Drachkovitch, co-owner of 44 Blue, said she was an “Army kid” herself and her mother was an Army wife.
She said her company wants to show military spouses in extraordinary conditions. She said the company will seek spouses of military personnel in different units and ranks.
’Hawaii Five-0’ stars helping at military school
The stars of CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” will be lending a hand off-screen to military schoolchildren at Pearl Harbor.
According to the Associated Press, actors Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim and Masi Oka were to be among the volunteers Monday helping to plant a garden at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Husband-and-wife athletes Laird Hamilton and Gabrielle Reece also were to volunteer.
The American Heart Association Teaching Gardens will serve as a hands-on way to educate children about the importance of healthy habits.
The project is part of an initiative to support U.S. veterans through community service.
First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched her Joining Forces initiative in April with the vice president’s wife, Jill Biden, was to speak Monday at the base during a hiring fair for veterans.
’SNL’ skit weighs in on Penn State scandal
On “Saturday Night Live,” even the devil was offended by the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.
“SNL” cast member Jason Sudeikis reprised his role as Satan, appearing with red horns and pitchfork. The devil was informed by “Weekend Update” host Seth Meyers of sex charges against a former defensive coordinator and allegations that university officials failed to report the abuse.
Even he was disturbed by the news. Addressing Penn State students who protested football coach Joe Paterno’s firing, the devil spoke directly into the camera, asking, “Do you know how bad that made you look?”
Disgusted by the scandal, the devil said, “Evil isn’t what it used to be.”
He pledged to quit and said he would return to his old job: customer service for a cable TV company.
Irish jig-dancing getting reality show from TLC
It’s like Riverdance meets “Toddlers & Tiaras.” TLC is once again pulling back the curtain on a community most people know very little about. It has just ordered a new series about the competitive world of Irish jig dancing with the working title “Irish Dancing Tweens.”
“TLC is excited to share this subculture of dance with our audience,” TLC General Manager Amy Winter told the Hollywood Reporter. “Irish jig dancing is a global phenomenon, and the series will reveal the world behind the sport in a compelling combination of heart and competition.”
The network that has explored unique worlds in “Toddlers & Tiaras,” “Say Yes to the Dress,” “All-American Muslim” and “Little People, Big World” starts production on the new series this week. It has ordered eight episodes set to air in the U.S. next summer and then internationally later next year.
The series, produced by Sirens Media, features several dance schools, and each episode zeroes in on individual dancers during rehearsals, preparation and travel and as they go toe to toe during competitions.
The network also has acquired the rights to air the feature-length documentary, “Jig.” Directed by Sue Bourne, the film is an in-depth look at the discipline via the competitors in last year’s Irish Dancing World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
• Compiled from web and wire reports.
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