The Next Best Thing
Created byPeter Engel Productions
Presented byMichele Merkin
JudgesJeffrey Ross
Elon Gold
Lisa Ann Walter
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesNew Wave Entertainment
Peter Engel Productions
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMay 30 (2007-05-30) 
July 25, 2007 (2007-07-25)

The Next Best Thing is an American reality TV series competition of celebrity impersonators with a grand prize of $100,000. It was hosted by Michele Merkin. The judges were Jeffrey Ross, Elon Gold and Lisa Ann Walter; ultimately, the winner was chosen by viewer voting. The eight-episode series debuted May 30, 2007 on ABC and ended the same year.

Episodes

The premiere featured contestants impersonating (among others) Howard Stern, Jack Nicholson, Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Superman, Jennifer Aniston, Janet Jackson, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Phil McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., Arthur (Fonzie) Fonzarelli, and Avril Lavigne.

Semi-finals

The judges narrowed down the contestants to 30 semi-finalists, 28 of whom were featured in fully shown performances over two episodes. The semi-finalists were:

Finalists

Of the 30 semi-finalists, the judges chose the following 10 to be finalists:

  • Sebastian Anzaldo
  • Trent Carlini
  • Donny Edwards
  • Roger Kabler
  • Suzanne LaRusch
  • Garry Moore
  • John Morgan
  • Sharon Owens
  • Natalie Reid
  • Cookie Watkins
  • Erv Dahl

Order of finish

American viewers voted, and ranked the finalists in the following order:

  1. Trent Carlini
  2. Sebastian Anzaldo
  3. Donny Edwards
  4. John Morgan
  5. Suzanne LaRusch

As the winner, Trent Carlini received $100,000.

Trivia

  • The ten finalists of season 1 included two Elvis Presley impersonators; to reduce confusion, they were named "Blue Suede Elvis" (Donny Edwards) and "Heartbreak Elvis" (Trent Carlini), after the songs "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Heartbreak Hotel."
  • Little Richard appeared as a "surprise celebrity guest" in the last episode of season 1 (#108).
  • On The Next Best Thing Episode 6, "Semi-Finals, Part 2", On July 11, 2007, Trent Carlini As Elvis Presley Dipping Michele Merkin, With Her Ponytail Hairstyle, Rubble band, Earrings, Red Lipstick, Black Tube Top Skirt Dress, Bracelet, Microphone, & Her High Heel Shoes. & He Pull Her Back Up. Is Supposed to Be on the YouTube Videos with Full Length Episodes.


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