Amc Tv Schedule

Samantha Harris is really just moonlighting on our cover: Her day job is co-host for the entertainment TV show Extra. In a rare moment of free time, the Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) alumna lets us in on how she maintains those rock-hard abs and gives us the scoop on how she broke into the entertainment biz.

HERS: With such a busy, high-profile job like your Extra gig, how do you manage to stay in shape?

SAMANTHA HARRIS: Sometimes, especially now with a busy shooting schedule, it's harder and harder to get to the gym, but I find time because it's a priority. My fiance is my favorite workout partner, and working out makes me feel alive and energetic. I think it's essential to combine weight training and cardio, but also change it up sometimes. Keep your body guessing.

HERS: So what is your workout program?

SH: Overall, I weight train two to three days per week with either free weights or a sculpt class, and I try to take at least two to three kickboxing or step classes a week for pure cardio burn. I love to hit the gym with a cardio sculpting class twice weekly to sweat and tone at the same time. Yoga is also important to me because it forces me to breathe.

HERS: How does diet figure in to your routine? What do you eat in a typical day?

SH: For breakfast, I'll have Total cereal with a banana and decaf coffee, or an egg-white omelet with veggies and hot chocolate. For lunch I'll have two chicken breasts or Total cereal. Dinner could be any of the following: a chicken burrito with veggies, chopped salad with turkey or Thai chicken skewers and noodles. I love to eat, but I also work out hard to stay in shape!

HERS: How did you get started in the entertainment business?

SH: My family produces Renaissance fairs, so I was born into a performing family. I started acting and modeling when I was 12, in Minneapolis, but it's been a long road of passionately working hard. I began working at my high school's TV department, learning everything I could, including editing. I then graduated from the journalism program at Northwestern University, which was very intensive and demanding. I moved to Los Angeles, and after focusing on acting for a few years, I hosted a few cable TV pilots that were never bought. Finally, one show for AMC stuck. After it got cancelled, the first thing I booked was a guest-hosting day on Extra, then two days on The View. I also met with producers for The Next Joe Millionaire in July 2003 and was off--40 hours later--to Italy for a month of shooting. When I returned, Extra's incredible producers called!

HERS: What are the best aspects of hosting such a wide variety of shows?

SH: I loved hosting The Next Joe Millionaire. Reality television is truly an incredible phenomenon and to be a part of it is amazing because it really takes on its own life. The View was a dream! I mean, it was Barbara Walters. And the other ladies were truly wonderful. The topics make it a tough show sometimes, so you really have to know your stuff. I had to stay strong and hold my own to get a word in. Now, at Extra, I'm where I've dreamed of being in my career since I was 16.

HERS: What has been your most exciting moment with Extra?

SH: Dancing and singing in front of Debbie Allen for her FAME reality show--I was undercover for Extra. And recently, I had the opportunity to dance with Patrick Swayze on the show.

Check your local listings to catch Samantha Harris every weeknight and on the hour-long weekend edition of Extra.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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