JOAN LUNDEN TO HOST CBS'S ORIGINAL REALITY SERIES "FINDING THE NEXT DESIGNING DIVA" ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Television journalist Joan Lunden has been named host of the upcoming reality series FINDING THE NEXT DESIGNING DIVA, to be broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The series was originally announced in May 2004, and will be broadcast later this season.

The series will pit 12 people with a creative knack for the finer things in life in a no-holds-barred competition to crown the country's new authority on at-home living. The contestants will compete in different areas of beautifying the home and entertaining, including gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, crafts, floral arranging and decorating. In addition to chronicling relationships that develop amongst the participants, each week a contestant will be eliminated from the series when they are judged on their flair for elegant living, party planning and expertise in homemaking.

�I�ve had the privilege of working side by side with some of the best chefs and lifestyle experts for years on morning television, and now I can bring that experience, as well as my hosting skills, to a show that is certain to take 'domestic arts' to a new level of excitement,� said Lunden. "And I could always use a little help myself throwing the perfect party or simply preparing a meal for my family of five, I mean seven, I mean nine. I�m also excited to be teaming up with an old friend, Eric Schotz, who produced my show �Behind Closed Doors,� and with a new friend � CBS.�

�Finding America�s next lifestyle icon will, in large part, be about grace and style,� said executive producer Eric Schotz. �Joan Lunden is a television star who defines grace and style. We are thrilled to have her as our host.�

A well-known wife, mom and homemaker herself, Emmy Award winner Joan Lunden was the longest-running co-host on early morning television, co-hosting "Good Morning America" from August 1980 through September 1997. During her tenure, she reported from 26 countries, covered four presidents, five Olympics and two royal weddings. Currently, Lunden hosts and executive produces "Behind Closed Doors with Joan Lunden." Lunden has been allowed access to the inner workings of places few have ever seen, including flying at 65,000 feet in a U2 Reconnaissance aircraft, survival training with Army's Special Forces, the Culinary Institute of America, the private warehouses of the Smithsonian Institution and the elite world of thoroughbred horse racing.

The series will be produced by LMNO Productions. Eric Schotz and Bill Paolantonio are executive producers.