Michelle Merkin Announced to Host "The Next Best Thing" on ABC  5/15/07

MICHELLE MERKIN Host of the ABC Television Network's "The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?"

Michele Merkin was recently named Queen of the Red Carpet by Entertainment Weekly for her witty coverage on E!'s live Golden Globes post-show. Her disarming personality and fun attitude worked so well on the red carpet, E! invited her back for their live Oscars post-show. She has since hosted over 20 projects for networks such as NBC, VH1, Style, Fox, TBS and of course E! Whether she is hosting straight reality like "For Love or Money," a sports show like "Extreme Dodgeball," a makeover show like "Foody Call" or entertainment news shows like "The Weekend Show" for "Extra" and E!'s "Coming Attractions," Merkin always shines and finds a way to make it her own.

Born in San Francisco of Swedish descent, Merkin attended boarding school in England before studying medicine at UCLA. She went on to model for 15 years while living in Paris, Milan, New York and Los Angeles. She not only appeared on innumerable catwalks and in every fashion magazine known to man, she has shot over 60 commercials worldwide. Her most notable commercial jobs were three campaigns, both on-air and print, shot for Clairol and Nintendo's "Perfect Dark" (for which she was spokesperson). Just when she thought her modeling days were over, Maxim Magazine shot her in a six-page spread for the November 2005 issue. Merkin has since made appearances on both Maxim Magazine's and Stuff Magazine's 2006 HOT 100 lists, had a coveted spot on Maxim's 2007 calendar, and was asked to appear on the "Maxim HOT 100" television special for VH1.

Merkin can currently be seen competing on "Wild Card Poker." She openly admits that she had never played poker before this tournament, but thought it would be fun to give it a whirl.

Source: ABC Press Release