Marissa Jaret Winokur Set to Host OXYGEN'S 'DANCE YOUR A** OFF', Debuts 6/29

Oxygen kicks off its second night of original programming with the premiere of its first-ever dance/weight-loss competition series "Dance Your Ass Off" on Monday, June 29th at 10pm ET/PT. The 10 one-hour episode series launches with a super sized 90-minute premiere with limited commercials.

Bringing dance and diet together, the new series features talented, full-figured contestants who struggle with their weight and dance to unleash their inner thin. Tony Award-winning actress Marissa Jaret Winokur, well known for her role as plus-sized Tracy Turnblad in the hit Broadway musical "Hairspray," serves as host.

"We are thrilled to kick off our new night of original programming with 'Dance Your Ass Off'," says Amy Introcaso-Davis, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and Development, Oxygen. "Monday nights will be a 'big' night for us when viewers see how weight loss can be achieved through a great hip-hop dance, a healthy diet and maybe a little bit of blood, sweat and tears."

Each contestant will be paired with a professional dance partner who will train them for their weekly stage performances - ranging from Hip Hop, to Ballroom and even Pole Dancing! Then they'll shake and rattle their rolls in front of a live studio audience and a panel of expert judges: choreographer Danny Teeson, dancer/choreographer Mayte Garcia, and dancer/actress Lisa Ann Walter.

The judges will score the routines, and then the contestants will weigh in to reveal their weekly weight loss. The dance score and the weight loss are combined for an overall score, which will determine who is sent home each week.

"Dance Your Ass Off" has assembled a world-class team of weight loss specialists, including Dr. Robert Huizenga (NBC's "Biggest Loser"), nutrition specialist Meg Werner Moreta, R.D. and Crunch trainer Lee Wall. This team will give the contestants a chance to reach their maximum weight loss potential and undergo the ultimate lifestyle transformation.

But even with all this support, it won't be easy. In a nod to real-life temptations, the contestants' kitchen contains a "Cheat Pantry" loaded with the very snacks and goodies that helped land the contestants on the show. With $100,000 and a healthier life on the line, who will have the last dance?

In addition to its new night of programming, Oxygen enters its first-ever multiplatform marketing partnership with Crunch. The integrated brand initiative features on-air, online and on site components including a "Dance Your Ass Off" class at locations nationwide throughout the run of the show, a co-branded fitness DVD available timed to the season finale later this year. Also, online components include exclusive videos, fitness tips, merchandise for sale, e-newsletters and mobile content.

Winokur acts as a correspondent for "Hollywood 411" and "Reality Chat." Most recently, Winokur's fancy feet brought her to the semi-finals on the sixth season of "Dancing With the Stars." Winokur has been featured in a myriad of roles on both the big and small screens, including a co-starring role with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon in "Fever Pitch." She also played roles in popular classic films such as "American Beauty," "Never Been Kissed" and "Scary Movie." Winokur's TV credits include a co-starring role on the comedy series "Stacked" with Pamela Anderson; recurring roles on "Dharma & Greg" and "Moesha;" and appearances on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Just Shoot Me" and "Felicity." She began her career on stage, appearing as Jan in the Broadway production of "Grease." Winokur's performance as Tracy has garnered her a TONY Award, Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress. In July 2008, Winokur and her husband, Judah Miller, welcomed baby boy Zev Isaac Miller.

"Dance Your Ass Off" is produced by 495 Productions with SallyAnn Salsano serving as executive producer and Joel Zimmer as co-executive producer, with concept by Lisa Ann Walter and Kate Rigg also serving as executive producers.

495 Productions is a dynamic reality television Production Company that was launched in by veteran producer Sally Ann Salsano. In the company's three years since launch, 495 Productions has emerged as one of the leading production companies that creates, develops and produces innovative and cutting-edge programming for all major cable and network broadcasters, including the company's overall deal with MTV. Named after Salsano's hometown expressway in Long Island, 495 Productions is the foremost Production Company for identifying the most interesting everyday people, putting them in unique situations and creating water-cooler programming unlike any other on television.

Oxygen Media is a multiplatform lifestyle brand that delivers relevant and entertaining content to young women, wherever they are. Oxygen is rewriting the rulebook for women's media, with a vast array of unconventional and original content including "Bad Girls Club," "Pretty Wicked" and "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood." Popular features online include makeOvermatic, tweetOverse and hormoneOscope.

Available in 74 million homes, online at www.oxygen.com, or on mobile devices at wap.oxygen.com, Oxygen Media is a service of NBC Universal.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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