Now that VH1 has announced its new series, “Model Employee” — set to premiere early next year — the show’s creator and executive producer Michael Flutie, and host Chrissy Teigen, can talk about the show.
On the eight-episode reality competition series, eight models will vie for the opportunity to become the “face” of Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and will win a $100,000, one-year spokesmodel contract.
Judges will include Mandalay marketing VP Patrick Miller, spokesmodel Vanessa Branch and Amusement Park Entertainment CEO/chief creative officer Jimmy Smith.
“I love inventing reality entertainment around the world of fashion, models, talent and pop culture,” says Flutie, the veteran model agent who’s producing “Model Employee” for Madwood Media. “Today I am focused on reality programming. I would love to venture into scripted TV and live events.
“I love the theatrical world of entertainment,” says Flutie, who also executive-produced and starred in E!’s “Scouted.” “I pride myself on discovering new talent and working with [executive producers] Eli Holzman, Kevin Bartel and [showrunner] Troy Searer.”
Teigen, who was featured in the 2010 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and appeared on “Deal or No Deal,” says the experience was “awesome” in praising Flutie for choosing her for the job.
“I think Michael’s background in the fashion world was insanely crucial for this and it will really show in the final product with both the girls and the look and feel of the entire set,” she says. “Clearly there comes a time when a model feels like she needs to ‘make a transition’ . . . and what a perfect first project this was for me.”
Steven Lambert is also an executive producer (the show is being produced for VH1 by his production company, Studio Lambert, which did “Undercover Boss” for CBS).
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Former “Oz” star Chuck Zito will be seen as Frankie Diamonds on this season’s “Sons of Anarchy.” To help mark the occasion, Zito — riding Mickey Rourke’s bike featured in the 1991 movie “Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man” — will lead a mile-long entourage of bikers and car-clubbers from Empire Harley (in his hometown of New Rochelle) to Jaguars 3 in Brooklyn (Sunset Park), next Tuesday, Sept. 11 — the day of the show’s fifth-season premiere on FX.
Speaking of “Sons of Anarchy,” amputee-actor Kurt Yaeger — who lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident six years ago — debuts on the show this season in the recurring role as Greg the Peg (playing, natch, an amputee biker).
Yaeger, who’s an accomplished BMX Extreme Athlete and US Paralympian, is also a volunteer for the Wounded Warriors Project. His resume includes acting appearances alongside Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Christina Ricci and Harry Connick Jr.
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Last, but not least:
* “Pawn Stars” star Les Gold visits tomorrow’s “Big Morning Buzz” on VH1 to show some weird bling — and other strange stuff people pawn on his hit truTV series . . . “Georgia,” a new series on YouTube’s WIGS channel (youtube.com/wigs), premieres Sept. 17. It’s from “Friends” writer/director Marta Kauffman and stars Mary Elizabeth Ellis (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) as a “yoga psychotherapist” and Harold Perrineau (“Lost”) as her fiancee . . . Conan O’Brien will host the 59th Annual Public Service Award Dinner (Nov. 14 at the Waldorf). It’s sponsored by The Ad Council.