Dream Job

Dream Job was an American reality television show from ESPN, which began on February 22, 2004. It was the network's second reality show, with two editions of Beg, Borrow & Deal having previously aired. However, this was the first reality show from a network to offer its winner an on-air place on one of its shows. The show was hosted by Stuart Scott.

Summary

The premise of Dream Job was to find a new anchor for ESPN's popular sports news program, SportsCenter. The winner of Dream Job would get a one-year contract with the network, and would play a trivia quiz on SportsCenter to determine her or his annual salary. The winner would also receive a new Mazda 3. Every week, either one or two contestants would be cut from the show as the American viewing public and the show's judging panel were allowed the power of whom they wanted to be cut from the show.

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.

Dream Job (season 2)

The second season of Dream Job, the ESPN American reality television show that searches for new on-air talent for the network, began on Tuesday, September 14, 2004. Like the show's first season, this edition was also looking for a new anchor for SportsCenter. A talent search for the show had begun in late June, 2004. ESPN anchor Stuart Scott returned to host the new season.

Judges

The show's judging panel had changes. Gone were first season judges Tony Kornheiser and LaVar Arrington, who had begun play for the Washington Redskins in the 2004–2005 NFL season. Kornheiser and Arrington were replaced by Cold Pizza contributor and Around the Horn panelist Woody Paige, and ESPN NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith. Cold Pizza co-host Kit Hoover and ESPN Vice-President of Talent, Al Jaffe, returned for the second season.

Unlike the judging panel, the voting for season two did not change. The viewing public still had one vote (which was given to the contestant who had received the highest number of votes from online voting and text messaging) to cut a contestant with. In the first two episodes, the judges were given one vote apiece to vote for a contestant to be cut, with two given to them for the third episode only, making episodes 4-10 also one-cut-apiece shows.

Joe Lipari

Joe Lipari, also known as J.R. Lipari, (Born October 5, 1979) is an American writer, comedian and artist.

Personal life

Born in Passaic, New Jersey, the first of three children, Lipari is a distant relative of Fred Allen.

After high school Lipari joined The United States Army and became a member of the 3rd Infantry Division. An expert marksman, Lipari worked as a military advisor to defense contractors like Honeywell. As an advisor, Lipari was a key member of the development of the Land Warrior system. After two years in the military Lipari blew out his knee and is now a Disabled Veteran.

Prior to leaving the Army, Lipari attended classes at Troy State University, Bergen County Community College, Santa Monica College, The Connecticut School of Broadcasting, The New York Film Academy, The School of Visual Arts and received camera training at Panavision in Hollywood. It was at Bergen County Community College that Lipari's speech teacher gave him a push to try stand-up comedy.

An avid yoga enthusiast, Lipari practices frequently with close friend Tara Stiles. Lipari is a graduate of the Strala Yoga one-month intensive teacher training program. Lipari teaches yoga sporadically, occasionally substitute teaching for friends who lead yoga classes in New York City.