Rachael Ruiz hired as host of new show

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Rapids production company Storytelling Pictures has hired its hosts for a nationally broadcast entertainment movie review show. One of them is 24 Hour News 8's Rachael Ruiz.

She will be one of three hosts of the 30-minute show, which begins filming Aug. 20 in the Grand Rapids area.

Ruiz will keep her job at 24 Hour News 8.

The show will provide families with information and analysis about current movies, DVDs and video games. Storytelling Pictures is partnering with the Dove Foundation and Zondervan Publishing.

Ruiz said she has worked with Storytelling previously on news stories, and thought the hosting job would make for an "interesting opportunity."

She was one of 120 who tried out, and one of 10 who was called back. Next, the pool was narrowed to four.

Ruiz found out she was selected Wednesday. In addition to Ruiz, Brian Burch was selected as the show's male host and Derek Emerson will be the gamer host, who specializes in video game reviews.

The ideal host is between 30 and 45 years old with knowledge about parenting, a producer told 24 Hour News 8 in a July 22 interview.

Ruiz fits that criteria: Her daughter Coco is about 7 months old.

"I'm excited because I have a strong interest in this, and an interest in entertainment," Ruiz said. "(And) I recently entered the world of parenting. It hit home in a big way."

So what's next?

The crew and talent will shoot one pilot episode. A writers meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss logistics. The show will be focused to faith-based, family oriented cable channels, such as Hallmark.

And if it gets picked up, the project could become a full-time commitment for Ruiz.

"I'm excited to be working with organizations like the Dove Foundation, Zondervan and Storytelling," she said. "They're highly reputable."

The show will be wrapped up and ready for distribution Oct. 1.