Lachey to host "High School Musical" show for ABC

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Reality TV staple Nick Lachey will host an ABC talent show based on the Disney Channel's "High School Musical" franchise.

The series, tentatively titled "High School Musical: Summer Session," is launching open casting calls this weekend with a series premiere set for Sunday, June 20.

"Musical" will be Lachey's first major regular reality gig since MTV's hit "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica," which ran for three seasons. Since then, he has appeared on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and NBC's "Clash of the Choirs."

"Musical" is considered ABC's tentpole summer reality show. The network hopes to capture some of the excitement that made the movie version and its sequel game-changing hits for its Disney corporate sibling.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter