Janel Koloski has added another stamp on her virtual passport.

The Greensburg woman who bills herself as thefearless traveler recently discovered she was one of two finalists to host an online series on the Travel Channel website. The winner will be announced on a Travel Channel special on Labor Day.

Having survived two previous rounds of selection comprising audience votes and input from a panel of Travel Channel experts Ms. Koloski has eaten meal worms and played with a tarantula to prove her ease on camera.

Kudos to the Travel Channel for the judges critiques. Sure, they sometimes take it easy on the would-be Travel Channel Stars, but they can also be snarky. Ms. Koloski has been good-natured in addressing their concerns.

Shes been praised for hergoofy enthusiasm, and last week, when the two finalists were revealed online, the networksTrip Flip host, Bert Kreischer, admitted hes smitten.

Every time I watch you, I find something brand new, cute and adorable, Mr. Kreischer said.

Later, however, when noting Ms. Koloski has all the tools to be a successful host, he told heryoure using the hammer upside down sometimes.

Her competition in this final round where they will be filmed going head-to-head in a challenge is Savannah high school science teacher Blake Jeffers. The next online video will be posted Aug. 3, when another voting window opens at TravelChannelStar.com.

Other shows

bull; If theres a dead fish nearby, perhaps you shouldnt drink the water.

Too late for North Carolina private military contractor Brant McGee, who figured he drank about 10 quarts from a brackish pond/stream/whatever on Historys latest episode ofAlone (Thursdays, 10 pm). Besides hallucinating about ancient symbols on the ceiling of his tent, he got nauseated.

It was Day 6 of the adventure, and while others were chowing down on chanterelle mushrooms, bull kelp and roasted salmon, Mr. McGee was so ready to tap out. He said he didnt fear animals, just losing his sanity.

Animals were to be feared. Massachusetts butcher Mitch Mitchell caught a big salmon, and after cooking it, seemed to attract a cougar to his camp. Viewers have to wait until next week to see what happens.

Plums Dustin Feher seems to be cruising along. The big animals dont worry him, he said, just skunks.

Five men remain.

bull; Bob Kusbit and Ellen Berkman Davis know reality TV, having worked as producers and casting execs on shows such as MTVsMade and CBSs Survivor.

They, as well as the Steeltown Entertainment Project and the Pittsburgh Innovative Media Incubator, are holding an open casting today forThe Next Reality Star: Pittsburgh. Its from 1-7 pm at the WQED studios in Oakland. Bring your crazy family, props or just your crazy self.

For more information, go to TheNextRealityStar.com.

bull; Live broadcasts of FoxsSo You Think You Can Dance begin Monday, with a lineup of 10 traditional dancers and 10 street dancers. But dont get too attached; one of them has to drop out, and his/her replacement will be announced. Also, each week one dancer from each group will be eliminated.

bull; It is always a puzzlement that Pittsburghers excel at all sorts of reality competitions, but weve yet to crack that fashion design thing. Season 14 of LifetimesProject Runway returns Aug. 6 with no apparent locals in sight. That said, its still a pretty fun ride. Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, plus judges Nina Garcia and Zac Posen are joined by a coterie of guest judges that includes Kiernan Shipka, supermodel Coco Rocha,Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross and Ms. KlumsAmericas Got Talent colleague, Mel B.

bull; Virtuosity, a new documentary following the 2013 Van Cliburn International piano competition, will air at 9 pm July 31 on PBS. It follows the lives of five young musicians during the competition, which is held every four years.

Maria Sciullo: msciullo@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1478 or @MariaSciulloPG.

article source