Contestants
In September 2003, the show's producers went on a nationwide talent search to find those who wanted a chance to be an ESPN anchor. Over 10,000 people attended the talent search across the United States. The field was narrowed down to 10 contestants who would compete in the televised finals, which started in the Winter of 2004. Originally, the show wanted 11 contestants, 10 from the nationwide search, and another from a contest that was being sponsored by the popular fast food chain Wendy's. A 12th contestant would be selected as an alternate.
The last 12 contestants still in the running on the premiere episode ranged in ages from 21 to 40. The youngest contestant was Maggie Haskins, a Chicago native who was a full-time student at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Haskins was originally the alternate, but producers later changed their minds and she competed from the show's first episode. The oldest was Michael Quigley, an auto parts salesman from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. Quigley quickly became known for his over-the-top anchoring style, similar to a play-by-play announcer. Other contestants were Aaron Levine, 21, a senior at Stanford University; Mike Hall, 22, a senior at the University of Missouri; Casey Stern, 25, an executive recruiter from Bellmore, New York; Zachariah Selwyn, 28, an actor and a musician from Los Angeles; Nick Stevens, 29, a Brooklyn-based comedian; Chris Williams, 31, an attorney from Boston; Chet Anekwe, 38, a Nigerian-born computer programmer who has taken up residence in Jersey City; Alvin Williams, 38, a retail manager from Montgomery, Alabama (Williams won the contest sponsored by Wendy's to become a contestant on the show); Kelly Milligan, 38, a Dallas attorney; and Lori Rubinson, 39, from New York City, now a host at WFAN.
Read more about this topic: Dream Job