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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 24 November 2018

'The Challenge' star Johnny 'Bananas' morphs into a TV host

By GARY GERARD HAMIL- and it's spanned so many
TON years and generations, is
Associated Press because they bring back
NEW YORK (AP) — During characters season after
Tuesday's episode of "The season. I run into fans_the
Challenge," Johnny "Ba- majority of my fans aren't
nanas" Devenanzio man- the prototypical MTV de-
aged to escape elimina- mographic, 18 to 24. I have
tion on the reality show fans that are late 30s, early
competition. Saving himself 40s and late 40s who've
from all-but-certain expul- been watching me since
sion has become a recur- I first started on the 'Real
ring theme for the show World' and have followed
veteran, season after sea- me ever since.
son. AP: You're the face of one
For the last decade, Deve- show, 'The Challenge,' and
nanzio has been one of the now you're the face of a
most consistent reality stars new show.
on MTV, if not all of reality Devenanzio: I've always
television. He's arguably the wanted to do hosting.
face of MTV's long-standing I've always thought it was
hit reality show "The Chal- something that I'd be good
lenge." at and I've managed to
"Arguably? Come on, This Oct. 11, 2018 image taken from video shows reality TV personality Johnny “Bananas” find essentially the perfect
man," Devenanzio inter- Devenanzio during an interview in New York. job in hosting for me, and
jects playfully. Associated Press that's '1st Look.' '1st Look' is
Devenanzio may have a hoped to align with to until I was in a walker, at of people love to hate you. part travel, part experien-
case — the one-time "Real make it deep into the com- some point there's has to Devenanzio: I would rather tial.
World" contestant has petition, he's now often the be some sort of transition be hated than someone AP: So you're doing all of
amassed an astounding top target to be eliminated into another role," he said. not have an opinion of me these unique experiences?
32 individual wins, six finals by an up-and-coming crop "I've managed to stay rel- because at least I know Devenanzio: The reason it's
wins and has won the most of younger rivals. evant and keep myself that they have an opinion. called '1st Look' is because
prize money — all records This marks Devenanzio's on reality television longer I think the worst thing to be it's giving most people their
for "The Challenge," where 17th season on the show, than anyone in the history is someone on TV they're in- first look into all these crazy
contestants live in a house and while he has no plans of reality television, on the different about. experiences, through my
and compete in insane to quit it anytime soon, he's same show. And it's taken a AP: If this was professional eyes essentially.
challenges. It's a show he now expanding beyond lot of hard work." wrestling, some people It's been an absolutely wild
calls "the craziest, sociologi- his reality star job as host of The Associated Press talked may call you a heel, the ride and talk about chal-
cal, physical, athletic, men- NBC's "1st Look," which airs with Devenanzio about his bad guy. Is that why you lenges: Every day is a new
tal challenge you could in some markets after "Sat- new role at "1st Look" and have such a cult following? challenge. I go one day
ever dream up." urday Night Live." the difference being a Devenanzio: You look at from dressing in drag and
During the past few sea- "I mean, obviously, I'm 36 host of a lifestyle show as every other show that's stripping at a burlesque
sons, the self-proclaimed and I'm competing against opposed to a reality show ever been on MTV. As big show to sumo wrestling a
"pot-stirrer" has found him- guys that are 22, you know? contestant, as well as his as they've been, they're like 600-pound man to com-
self in an unfamiliar posi- And as much as I'd love to legendary career on "The a flash in the pan. But I think peting in 'American Ninja
tion; once the No. 1 con- do this for the rest of my life Challenge." the reason 'The Challenge' Warrior' to going to a smell
tender many contestants and be doing challenges AP: On 'The Challenge,' lots has been so successful lab in Kansas City and
smelling feet and armpits
Aerosmith's Perry all day.
AP: What's the hardest part
cancels tour after about being the host?
Devenanzio: This is what
I didn't realize_the real-
recent hospital visit ity television world and
the hosting world are two
completely different arts.
Associated Press after a guest performance Reality TV is about sucking
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Joe with Billy Joel at Madison all the oxygen out of the
Perry has canceled his fall Square Garden in New room.
tour to take time off after York. Paramedics back- And it's about being the
recently being hospital- stage gave Perry oxygen loudest, most over the top,
ized with breathing prob- and used a tracheal tube most dominating voice
lems. to clear his airway before and personality. Hosting's
The Aerosmith guitarist's taking him to the hospital. the exact opposite. Host-
publicist said in a state- Perry had joined the ing is about making the
ment Tuesday the 68-year- 69-year-old Joel on stage other person that you're
old will take the rest of the for a rendition of Aeros- interviewing or that you're
year off. He had expected mith's "Walk This Way." working with, the star of
to return to the road start- Perry says he apologizes In this Aug. 15, 2018 file photo, Steven Tyler, left, and Joe Perry the show. And you are es-
ing Nov. 30 through Dec. to fans who planned to at- of Aerosmith perform on NBC's "Today" show at Rockefeller sentially just trying to get
16. tend his shows. He expects Center in New York. as much information out of
Perry felt short of breath to return next year.q Associated Press this person as you can. q