Breakfast Television’s Dina Pugliese to host Canada’s Got Talent

It seems Canada has found its version of Nick Cannon, and no, it’s not Shawn Desman (thank goodness). Breakfast Television’s Dina Pugliese has been named the host of Canada’s Got Talent, joining a panel of judges that includes comedian Martin Short, soprano Measha Brueggergosman and musician Stephan Moccio on the show. Pugliese is no stranger to hosting duties: she joined Breakfast Television in 2006, served as a judge on Canada’s Next Top Model, received a Gemini nomination for her work on MuchMusic VJ Search: The Series and is an annual co-host on CityTV’s Canada’s New Year’s Eve Bash; she even has a yogurt commercial under her belt, just like Jamie Lee Curtis. Canada’s Got Talent is another Simon Cowell franchise (like it’s competition-based counterpart, American Idol); the show started in Britain, spread to America and makes its debut in Canada in 2012. Initial auditions took place in September, but live theatre tapings run until the end of December in select cities across the country. When asked about career advice for would-be performers, Short told the National Post, “I certainly have learned, which takes a lot of time, to not take it personally. To just treat it like a business and do absolutely the best you can, at the time.” We feel like Pugliese’s best is already a high standard, since she has to be up at who-knows-what-time every morning for Toronto’s version of Wake Up, San Francisco and still manages to look great.

• Citytv’s Dina Pugliese named host of “Canada’s Got Talent” [680 News]
• BT’s Dina Pugliese to host Canada’s Got Talent [CityNews]