'Extra' moves to USH

[Ryan]

Universal main entrance just got a new attraction.

http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/extra-moves-to-new-home-at-universal-studios-hollywood-1200592396/

Entertainment newsmag “Extra” is moving from a mall to a theme park.The syndicated series, hosted by Maria Menounos and Mario Lopez, will kick off its 20th season from Universal Studios Hollywood. Show will tape daily segments from various parts of the theme park, as well as from theCityWalk entertainment complex, starting Sept. 9.

The move is expected to help raise the profile of the properties, especially during the off season, and provide guests with another attraction.

“Extra” has been based at Los Angeles’ Grove shopping complex for several years, attracting a crowd during the day hoping to grab some screen time as segments tape.

“Extra” will tape Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Universal and include celebrity appearances. The lineup for September already includes Hugh Jackman, Vin Diesel, Eva Longoria, Jack Black, Sofia Vegara and Ariana Grande.

With more traffic at Universal’s properties, “Extra” plans to expand its “Friends with Benefits” segment where Menounos and Lopez play celebrity trivia games and give away prizes.

“It’s a place people go to be a part of the Hollywood experience and that’s what we do on ‘Extra,’ we give our audience a chance to mingle with celebrities and be part of a daily event,” said “Extra” senior executive producer Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey of Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal has been attracting more TV productions to its properties, including NBC’s “The Voice,” whose contestants have performed at CityWalk’s concert stage, erected in 2011. The park has also promoted other entertainment mags like “Access Hollywood” with cut out displays of its hosts, including Billy Bush, as a photo op.

Produced by Telepictures Prods and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, a half-hour episode of “Extra” airs daily, with an hour-long edition on the weekend. Show airs on major market affiliates, including NBC Television owned-and-operated stations.

From what I know, a stage will be erected somewhere just past the Globe, and they'll do various segments around CityWalk and the park before and after the taping. I have no doubt that they'll move again immediately once Potter opens. That's just a nightmare waiting to happen.

 

[raven24]

Just read about this a few hours ago. Conceptually, it makes sense. Still kinda weird, I've seen it filmed at The Grove plenty of times. It's going to be strange seeing it filmed at the park.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Hmmm...alrighty then! Maybe USH will label this an attraction but if they do, Mario Lopez HAS to get everyone wet.

Read that as you will.

 

[William]

I'm not too excited reading this. While I think it's great that they've chosen a location like USH, it just seems like there's too much going on at once. With all this construction finishing and starting all at the same time, is it really the best time for a daily television show to be taping right in front of the park? I dunno, I have mixed feelings about it.

 

[Jon Fu]

I've always liked the Grove, so I wonder what prompted the change.

Anyway, here's the full presser for anyone that's interested:

“EXTRA” MOVES TO NEW HEADQUARTERS AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD,
BEGINNING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th
 
Hosts Mario Lopez and Maria Menounos to
Broadcast Daily Entertainment Magazine Show In Front of a Live Audience at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.
 
(Visit Local Listings)
 
LOS ANGELES (August 29, 2013) - “Extra,” the second longest running entertainment newsmagazine in syndication, will kick off its 20th season from its new home at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., bringing the latest breaking news from the worlds of entertainment, pop culture, crime, politics and lifestyle to millions of viewers daily, beginning on Monday, September 9, 2013.
 
Universal Studios Hollywood will serve as the new headquarters for “Extra,” hosted by Mario Lopez and Maria Menounos in front of a live audience. Mario and Maria will broadcast from a variety of locations throughout Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk, home to the iconic world famous Studio Tour, groundbreaking thrill rides, chance encounters with celebrities, the world’s largest working movie and television studio and a wide array of dynamic retailers and restaurants.
 
Fans of “Extra” and theme park guests visiting from around the world will have a chance to participate in “Extra’s” daily “entertainment event,” which takes place Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and will include live appearances from A-List film and television actors, musicians, athletes and newsmakers. Fans will also be able to interact with Mario and Maria, with a chance to ask questions, pose for pictures, get autographs, enjoy live musical performances and see their favorite stars up close and personal.
 
Celebrity guests kicking off the month of September will include, Hugh Jackman, Vin Diesel, Eva Longoria, Jack Black, Sofia Vegara, Ariana Grande, plus more.
 
“Extra’s” Senior Executive Producer Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey says, “We are thrilled to partner with Universal Studios Hollywood which symbolizes everything ‘Extra’ is about. It's a place people go to be a part of the Hollywood experience and that's what we do on ‘Extra,’ we give our audience a chance to mingle with celebrities and be part of a daily event."
 
“As the Entertainment Capital of LA, our goal is to deliver first-class entertainment that brings the world of Hollywood movie making magic within arm’s reach of our guests,” said Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk.” As the broadcast headquarters for this very exciting venture with ‘Extra,’ we are thrilled about the unimaginable opportunities that our guests will have when they visit us and know there’s a chance they too can ‘rub elbows’ with Hollywood’s A-List.”
New for season 20, a signature franchise called “Ride the Headlines,” where each member of the “Extra” team from coast to coast will come to our virtual rollercoaster to play "can you top this" with a hot gossip item of the day. It will be an action packed segment where we will ride the headlines of the day. Returning franchise segments include “Now Trending,” “The A-List Interview,” “Extra, Extra,” and “Beauty by the Numbers.”
 
“Extra’s” popular giveaway series, “Friends with Benefits” will get even bigger. The audience will play celebrity trivia games with Mario and Maria for a chance to win millions of dollars in merchandise from vacations to designer clothing and jewelry, electronics and much more.
 
“Extra” is helmed by Senior Executive Producer Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey. Her senior production team includes Executive Producers Theresa Coffino and Jeremy Spiegel. “Extra” has fully staffed bureaus in New York and Las Vegas. With correspondents and producers around the globe, the show offers a half-hour edition every weekday and an original hour-long weekend installment. Seen in more than 98% of the country, “Extra” airs on major market affiliates, including the key NBC Television Owned-and-Operated Stations. "Extra” is produced by Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
 
More information about “Extra” at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollyowood.com or on www.extratv.com For up-to-date insight, Like Universal Studios Hollywood and Extra on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @UniStudios, @ExtraTV and [HASHTAG]#UniversalExtra[/HASHTAG].
 
About ”Extra”
 
“Extra” is the second longest-running entertainment news magazine on U.S. television, with co-hosts Mario Lopez and Maria Menounos reporting in front of a live audience from the show’s hot location at Universal Studios Hollywood. Unlike any other show in the genre, the audience becomes a part of this electric new experience, getting to interact live with Mario and Maria and the A-list celebrities who come to Universal Studios Hollywood and take part in interactive, unpredictable and “event style” interviews. The show takes viewers on a coast-to-coast trip in every episode, from Hollywood to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas to Times Square in New York City and beyond.  “Extra” continues to provide a hip, fresh and unique approach to breaking entertainment news. “Extra” is produced by Telepictures Productions and is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. Check local listings for stations and times.

 

[William]

It just doesn't seem right to be at USH. Maybe I'm just too used to it being at The Grove, but I can't help but feel like this isn't the appropriate spot for it to be. Maybe I'll change my mind once they settle in?

 

[BehindTheTheme]

I've always liked the Grove, so I wonder what prompted the change.

Anyway, here's the full presser for anyone that's interested:

One word SYNERGY.

 

[Jon Fu]

One word SYNERGY.

But Extra is Time Warner, isn't it?

 

[...]

Deleted

 

[Allen The Actor]

But Extra is Time Warner, isn't it?

USH and it's backlot is such a melting pot in terms of what studios and production companies use it, so I'm not surprised.

 

[Jon Fu]

Syndicated to NBCUniversal (aired on NBC).

That makes sense.

USH and it's backlot is such a melting pot in terms of what studios and production companies use it, so I'm not surprised.

No, no. I was referring to BehindTheTheme's use of the word synergy. Synergy gets tossed around when different productions and subsidiaries within the same corporation collaborate to reduce costs and to increase efficiencies. Think of CNBC collaborating with NBC News, or Fear Factor Live/Universal Studios. That sort of thing.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Ahhh gotcha!

Well, what I'm curious about is where exactly they'll film inside the park without it being obnoxious and cause even more stress on crowding considering the upcoming construction. Probably Universal Plaza?

 

[Ryan]

I think more along the lines of the backlot than the actual park, although limited filming (mostly on the lower lot) will be seen there.

 

[raven24]

The article stated they will be filming in various spots of the park, not just in one spot.

 

[jay]

I was at USH today and for the first time in my life I saw a celebrity. Some 10 feet away. It was Mario Lopez. huehuehue. Now, when I go to theme or amusement parks, I am oblivious to how people look. I don't look at people. "People watching"? Pshh that's something I can't believe some people enjoy doing! I don't know if I should have been starstruck or not. I think I wasn't because in high school I had a teacher who I always thought looked like Mario Lopez, albeit older. So when I see Mario Lopez I'm always reminded of that old high school teacher I had. But my, its impressive how Mario Lopez looks. He hasn't aged a day.

Paris Hilton was supposed to be the guest star on Extra but I felt she wouldn't show up and surprise surprise. She didn't. I don't know why she'd even be on it anyway. What is Extra about these days? Some things I overheard being discussed about her by one or two paparazzi and a security guard were quite interesting and lewd. lmao. And well I suppose I saw another celebrity too. The female host. I'm not familiar with her name or work but she looked quite attractive. She never interacted with the crowd. It was just Mario Lopez being the swell guy he is.