Steven Donahue

JOHN O’HURLEY has become one of the entertainment industry’s most versatile players–Award-winning actor, show host, advertising spokesperson, feature film star and one of People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive.” He has served as host of “The National Dog Show presented by Purina^®” on NBC since its inception in 2002. Best known as “J. Peterman” on “Seinfeld,” the #1 syndicated television show in the world, O’Hurley’s television career began in daytime television on a number of soap operas. He starred on the inaugural edition of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” and was the show’s ultimate champion. O’Hurley went on to star on Broadway in “Chicago,” as the male lead, “Billy Flynn,” and he hosted the syndicated game show, “Family Feud,” for several years. He has written two books, the New York Times bestseller, “It’s Okay to Miss The Bed On the First Jump” and “Before The Dog Can Eat Your Homework First You Have To Do It: Life Lessons From A Wise Old Dog To A Young Boy,” both published by Penguin Books.

Steven Donahue

DAVID FREI is a natural choice to serve as expert analyst since he is one of the most authoritative voices in the dog show world. An AKC-licensed judge who has officiated at dog shows all over the world, Frei has hosted USA Network’s coverage of “The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show” since 1990. He has co-hosted “The National Dog Show presented by Purina^®” since its inception in 2002 and along with O’Hurley has become a Thanksgiving Day fixture in American homes. Director of Communications for The Westminster Kennel Club since 2003, Frei and the Club helped to create “Angel On A Leash”, a therapy dog program with health care facilities around the country.  He serves as President of that organization. He is most proud of the wonderful work that his own dogs do as therapy dogs, regularly visiting patients and families at the Ronald McDonald House and Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.  His Brittanys, Teigh and Belle, who have recently passed, pioneered the practice in many places, and his Cavalier, Angel, and Brittany, Grace, are carrying on for them today.  His most recent book, also named “Angel On A Leash” has just been released by Bowtie Press and is available at the shows this weekend.

MARY CARILLO, a longtime dog owner and lover of man’s best friend, brings a wealth of experience to the National Dog Show commentary team. Best known for her work as a host and correspondent for NBC’s coverage of The Olympic Games this past decade, she also serves as an analyst on NBC tennis events and as a correspondent for HBO’s “Real Sports”. Her credentials for coverage of a major event like The National Dog Show come from her work on USA Network’s six-hour presentation of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  Carillo partnered with longtime host David Frei for the 2009 show, working the event of which she had become a huge TV viewing fan over the years.  For 17 years, Carillo owned a Bichon Frise named Oley, who died earlier this decade. Her accomplished career includes two coveted Peabody Awards, one of television’s highest honors. One was for her work on the HBO documentary “Billie Jean King, Portrait of a Pioneer,” and the other for co-writing with Frank DeFord the HBO documentary “Dare to Compete: The Struggle of Women in Sport.” Carillo was named “Best Commentator” by Tennis Magazine (1988-91), “Best Commentator” by World Tennis Magazine (1986) and “Broadcaster of the Year” by the WTA (1981 and 1985). She has co-written two books–”Tennis My Way with Martina Navratilova” and “Rick Elstein’s Tennis Kinetics”.