Cat Deeley plays cupid on new Fox dating show

The Associated Press, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 9:25am (PDT)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Cat Deeley is so convinced that a love connection could result from the new Fox dating show "The Choice" that she jokes she's ready to buy a fancy hat to have on standby for a wedding.

"We meet people in all different ways nowadays, on the Internet, through friends ... there has to be a possibility for something to happen," Deeley, an England native, said in a recent interview.

"The Choice," which premieres Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Fox, essentially pairs real people with celebrities.

It's like "The Dating Game" meets "The Voice." Four stars sit in chairs with their backs turned to a non-celeb who tries to pique their interest. If the celebrities like what they hear, they turn around. The show has three rounds where the contestants are narrowed down until each star has chosen a date.

Cameras follow the pairs on their dates so viewers will be able to see what happened next.

Some of the celebrities who took part are "Jersey Shore" stars Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, reality star Rob Kardashian, actress Carmen Electra, model Tyson Beckford and singer Joe Jonas.

The chemistry between Electra and her date "was thunderbolt city," Deeley said. "The chemistry was palpable."

The 35-year-old Deeley says her ideal casting for the show would be George Clooney.

"He's the most eligible bachelor of all time! He still hasn't gotten married," she said. "Also, it's a way of me getting to the wedding."

Besides "The Choice," Deeley also hosts "So You Think You Can Dance," which is in its ninth season and airs Wednesdays on Fox.

Both "Dance" and Deeley were nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Reality Series and Best Reality Series Host. Those awards will be handed out June 18.

Deeley said her success on camera is a surprise because she was "very geeky" growing up.

"I was told to be a lawyer or a doctor or an accountant and be sensible, have a sensible career. And I didn't listen to anybody," she said, laughing.

Now that her career has brought her to the U.S., Deeley said she misses her friends and family in England but loves the opportunities in America.

"I like the whole idea of the American dream and the fact that it's alive and kicking, and if you're successful, you guys are so enthusiastic," she said. "I love being here, actually."

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Online:

http://www.officallycatdeeley.com/

http://www.fox.com/the-choice/

http://www.fox.com/dance/

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Alicia Rancilio covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow her online at http://www.twitter.com/aliciar.