Fast on the heels of the The Weakest Link’s US success and host Anne Robinson’s instant cult status, networks Stateside are wooing presenter Ulrika Jonsson to cross the Atlantic. Soon, Ulrika’s catchphrase “It’s time to choose the loser” may overtake Anne’s already ubiquitous “You are the weakest link, goodbye”.
“The big networks are really looking to the UK at the moment for new stuff,” says BBC Worldwide’s Director of Programmes and Operations, Colin Jarvis. “The perception is Dog Eat Dog is from the makers of The Weakest Link, it’s a voting-off show and it has that important element of tension and drama. The exciting thing about it is that a contestant can be the best, but still end up losing.”
Despite UK critics’ lacklustre reviews of the programme, US networks believe the show can be a major hit. Colin Jarvis expects a deal to be signed by the end of the week.
As per standard practice, the BBC is to sell the format alone, letting the foreign network select a host. However, many suspect Swedish-born presenter will be imported as well.
While Ulrika’s professional life seems to be going from strength to strength, her personal troubles continue. Her baby daughter Bo was born with a life-threatening heart defect back in November and will likely undergo a series of operations in the next few years.
Rumours also recently surfaced that Ulrika was back on friendly terms with her former lover footballer Stan Collymore, however she denies such reports. “I don’t know anything about his life now, nor would I want to know.” The two split in 1998 after he assaulted her in a Paris bar.
Bo’s father Markus Kempen broke off with the Swedish beauty the night before the couple was scheduled to take the baby home from hospital.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
