NBCs upcoming military-themed competition series Stars Earn Stripes has lined up a celebrity cast, plus enlisted a former NATO commander as its host.
Stars Earn Stripes will feature celebrities competing in tough military training exercises and EW.com has the exclusive online cast scoop. NBC has tapped General Wesley Clark (ret.), the former Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO and 2004 presidential candidate to host the show along with TV personality Samantha Harris (Entertainment Tonight, Dancing with the Stars).
The celebrity competitors include boxing champion Laila Ali, actor Dean Cain (Out of Time), former NFL player Terry Crews (The Expendables), singer Nick Lachey (The Sing-Off), Sarah Palins husband Todd Palin, Olympic gold medalist Picabo Street, The Biggest Loser trainer Dolvett Quince and WWE star Eve Torres.
I am thrilled to join Stars Earn Stripes as host and look forward to watching the celebrity cast members test themselves as they step up to take on these tough challenges, said Clark in a statement. This new series pays tribute to members of our dedicated armed forces and civil law enforcement and I know that the winnings, which will be donated to first-responder charity and veterans groups, will make a difference and send an important message.
The eight competitors will gather at a training facility where they will tackle complicated and difficult missions inspired by real-life military exercises. Like on Dancing With the Stars, each celebrity will be partnered with an expert in this case, an experienced member of the U.S. military or a law enforcement agency. Contests range from helicopter drops to long-range target shooting, with the celebrity and the veteran competing as a team. Each week, one team is eliminated.
Stars Earn Stripes is executive produced by Mark Burnett (The Voice), Dick Wolf (Law & Order) and David A. Hurwitz (Fear Factor). The show will debut with a special two-hour episode on Monday, August 13, at 8 p.m.