Mark McGrath is joining the ranks of syndicated TV entertainment newsmagazine "Extra." The Sugar Ray singer will co-host the daily show with Dayna Devon when its 11th season starts Sept. 13. "This is my dream job," McGrath says.
Jim Paratore, executive VP at the show's distributor, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and president of Telepictures Prods., says adding a male co-host was something the producers had been weighing for some time.
"Mark is down-to-earth and real and likable -- and he's not your polished, cookie-cutter host," Paratore says. "And he's a celebrity in his own right, so that gives us an insider's perspective."
McGrath agrees. "I've lived in the spotlight," he says. "I know what these people are going through."
Paratore adds that the hiring of McGrath, who will take on interviewing duties in addition to co-hosting, is part of a strategy to draw in younger viewers.
McGrath has appeared on various MTV and VH1 programs, including VH1's "I Love the '80s," "My VH1 Music Awards" and "Rock & Roll Jeopardy!" He also hosted the 2002 World Music Awards on ABC and the Victoria's Secret 2002 fall fashion show on CBS.
The singer also recently appeared in an episode of the Fox drama "North Shore," and, according to Sugar Ray's official Web site, he'll be a guest judge on the fourth season of the network's hit competition series "American Idol."
Sugar Ray recently waded into television waters with the Spike TV series "On the Road." The six-episode reality series aired in June and saw eight contestants working for the band and a chance to land a record company job.
Despite all of the TV work, McGrath is not throwing in the musical towel. He recently recorded the duet "Party for Two" with Shania Twain for her forthcoming Mercury "Greatest Hits" set, and the band's site promises a new studio album in 2005.
Jim Paratore, executive VP at the show's distributor, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and president of Telepictures Prods., says adding a male co-host was something the producers had been weighing for some time.
"Mark is down-to-earth and real and likable -- and he's not your polished, cookie-cutter host," Paratore says. "And he's a celebrity in his own right, so that gives us an insider's perspective."
McGrath agrees. "I've lived in the spotlight," he says. "I know what these people are going through."
Paratore adds that the hiring of McGrath, who will take on interviewing duties in addition to co-hosting, is part of a strategy to draw in younger viewers.
McGrath has appeared on various MTV and VH1 programs, including VH1's "I Love the '80s," "My VH1 Music Awards" and "Rock & Roll Jeopardy!" He also hosted the 2002 World Music Awards on ABC and the Victoria's Secret 2002 fall fashion show on CBS.
The singer also recently appeared in an episode of the Fox drama "North Shore," and, according to Sugar Ray's official Web site, he'll be a guest judge on the fourth season of the network's hit competition series "American Idol."
Sugar Ray recently waded into television waters with the Spike TV series "On the Road." The six-episode reality series aired in June and saw eight contestants working for the band and a chance to land a record company job.
Despite all of the TV work, McGrath is not throwing in the musical towel. He recently recorded the duet "Party for Two" with Shania Twain for her forthcoming Mercury "Greatest Hits" set, and the band's site promises a new studio album in 2005.
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