Jon Kelley has recently replaced the original
Mole host Anderson Cooper for the show's fifth installment, which began its run on June 2. Kelley, who is known for his job as a weekend anchor on
Extra, began his work in the series in 2001 and has now spanned over 15 years in the broadcast industry. Aside from appearing on television and hosting radio shows, he also co-wrote the book Breaking Into Broadcasting. Now that he's the newest face to become the host of ABC's
The Mole, Jon Kelley dishes out on the new batch of contenders to compete in the grueling reality series.
Let's start with
Marcie Ciscel, the single mother of three who was the first to leave the
Mole. Kelley says of her, "She hesitated even going on this because she didn't want to leave her family. Her family was like, 'Look, this is your chance to go out in the world. Do it and do it for us.' So she really wanted bad to do this, experience the world and make her family proud. She was just sweet, genuine -- one of those people you can really, really get to like."
Marcie isn't the only likeable and passionate person in the group. In fact, season 5 also has
Mark, a 42-year-old high school history teacher who is literally fueled by Coke and coffee.
"He's a coach and an athlete and a leader -- and that comes through every pore in his body. Just every day he'd be Dr. Intensity," Kelley said. "He's one of those guys who could be endearing yet he can also be overbearing. I think he used that to his advantage. He was funny."
When it comes to being funny, though, count on
Victoria to bring on the laughs and unexpected statements. Kelley reveals, "She's the type, like a perfect little cheerleader from college that everybody would enjoy. But she had the zingers. She'd catch you off guard and say things that would let you know...She can beat you up and make you smile while she was doing it."
As if there wasn't enough laughs to go around, here comes
Liz, a retired 60-year-old from Whitefish, Montana. Kelley says that she is "resident comedian No. 2. She call ed herself, 'little-old lady from the South,' and she had the mouth of a sailor and she took pride in it. She was this loveable, grandma that kind of became the den mother of the group."
Of course, if there's a resident comedian number 2, there'd be a resident comedian number 1, which comes in the form of 30-year-old graphic designer from San Diego, California.
"
Craig was our resident comedian. He was like Chris Farley, and he actually did a great Chris Farley impersonation. So he was Dr. Feel Good," Kelley told Reality TV World. "If something was going bananas or there was some tension in the air, he'd bust in with a one-liner that would melt everybody's heart and get everybody laughing again."
Catch more of the funny antics in this seriously grueling game of hide and seek on ABC’s The Mole on Mondays, 10pm.
-Valerie Anne del Castillo, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source:
Reality TV World
(Photo courtesy of NBC)