Leave it to Oprah Winfrey to have it her way. After weeks of doing the reality show shuffle, the big winner of their very own talk show on the media maven’s newish network turned out to be none other than Austin’s own Zach Anner!
But wait! There’s more!
The big winner is ALSO Kristina Kuzmic-Crocco!
Cue, “We Are The World.”
Kuzmic-Crocco and Anner were the final two hopefuls on Oprah’s Search for the Next Reality Star competition, and a nearly full house had gathered at the Alamo Drafthouse South last night to watch the two-hour finale (commercials and all) where the winner (typically singular) would be named.
Okay. Maybe it’s because I didn’t watch the series from beginning to end, but I don’t think I was mistaken in sensing a moment of wan enthusiasm when the big reveal was made. Oh sure – there was applause. There was a standing ovation – Anner is an entirely amiable, funny, and charming young man – but when two big winners were announced, it was a bit disappointing, wasn’t it? But hey! Far be it from me to put a damper on a party. The audience was genuinely pleased for Anner. You can’t help but be. He’s so darn self-effacing and quick witted. And regardless of my impressions, the party went on into the evening. Or, at least till 10pm when I saw Anner rolling off into the night.
Kuzmic-Crocco will host a cooking show designed to get people out of the drive-thru lane and back into their kitchens. Anner will host a travel show for the travel-challenged. Production is expected to begin asap.
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This article appears in February 25 • 2011.