By April MacIntyre Sep 22, 2008, 17:18 GMT
Fred Willard, who starred in the 2000 Christopher Guest film, "Best in Show," will be reunited with four-legged muses once again as he is selected to host the first annual Worldwide Fido Awards
02/24/2008 - Fred Willard - 18th Annual Night of 100 Stars Gala - Beverly Hills Hotel - Beverly Hills, CA USA © Chris Hatcher / PR Photos
Willard will emcee the First Annual Worldwide Fido Awards, airing in primetime, Sunday, Oct. 5, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nick at Nite.
Willard will be joined by a blues-singing Beagle, a jump-roping Jack Russell and skateboarding and toilet-flushing Bull Dog among some of the talented canines competing for "Top Dog" Honors.
The one-hour special event will showcase the six Fido finalists and best of WorldwideFido.com's user-generated videos, where one lucky dog will ultimately be crowned the 2008 Worldwide Fido winner.
Fans can vote now on here to determine the finalist in each of the six categories, including "Cutest Dog," "Best Dressed," "Best Voice," "Most Outrageous," "Best Trick" and "Dog/Owner Look-Alike."
"We're thrilled that comedy-great Fred Willard will be bringing his unique timing and sensibility to the Fido Awards," said Marjorie Cohn, Executive Vice President, Production & Development for Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids & Family Group.
"From Anchorman to Wall-E, his appeal spans across all ages and audiences."
Albie Hecht, Creator and Executive Producer of the awards added, “The Worldwide Fido Awards is a truly first of its kind event. By combining one of the internet’s most popular viewing categories in dog videos with our expertise in creating compelling awards ceremonies for television, I believe the Worldwide Fido Awards will become a much anticipated, annual event.”
Popular dog trainer-to-the-stars Tamar Geller will serve as one of the judges, while one very special dog will be presented the "Hero" Award, to honor invaluable services provided to humans. The show will also feature pooch performances throughout the evening.
The semifinalists include:“Cutest Dog”Big Mac (Bulldog) – Palmdale, CABella (Maltese/Yorkie Mix) – Colonia, NJKonan (Maltese) – Glenarden, MDSamson (French bulldog) – San Francisco, CA
“Best Trick”Gabe, a toilet-flushing, skateboarding Bulldog – Bellingham, WADazzle, a milk-bone flipping Border collie – Renton, WAPetie, a dancing Chihuahua/Mutt mix – Pflugerville, TXJesse, a jump roping, stair-climbing Jack Russell– Avondale, AZ
“Best Voice”Coda, an opera-singing Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix – Grand Prairie, TXSunny, a Schubert-humming Golden Retriever – Ocean Beach, CAFred, a blues singing Beagle – San Diego, CAPugsly, an “I Love You” singing Pug – Calabasas, CA
“Owner Look-Alike”Safy (Standard Schnauzer) – Miami, FLKaine Vom Feuerspiel (German Shepherd) – Avondale, AZDuke King Pierre (Cocker Spaniel/Lab mix) – The Colony, TXPiper (Yorkshire Terrier/Chihuahua Mix) – Dexter, MO
“Most Outrageous”Kate, an extreme, ladder-climbing Labrador Retriever – Harvest, ALTommy, a deep diving Labrador Retriever – Sewell, NJCamilla Guardama, a skate boarding Chihuahua – Kennesaw, GASugar Rodriguez, a cat- boxing Pug/Toy Fox Terrier) – Santa Rosa, CA
“Best Dressed”Hurkulez, a tuxedo clad Pug – Valencia, CAJasmine, a 70’ hippy clad Golden Retriever – Elko, NVPhoebe Buffay, a poolside boxer in a bikini – Pasadena, TXMaygen Kelly Murray, an Australian Shepherd dressed for a Sunday drive – Lexington, KY
Fred Willard is a master of improv and has a dry, quick wit. Willard is an alumnus of The Second City and was a co-founder of the comedy group Ace Trucking Company which appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson over fifty times.
Emmy-nominated Willard has appeared in numerous television series and feature films, including every "mockumentary" film ever directed by Christopher Guest: A Mighty Wind, Waiting For Guffman, This is Spinal Tap, For Your Consideration and Best in Show in which he portrayed "Buck Laughlin," a dog show announcer who offered up an unending stream of bad jokes and off-color comments.
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