MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall replaces Mario Lopez on dog show

Posted Jan 29, 2010 by Walt Belcher

Updated Feb 2, 2010 at 03:10 PM

MSNBC’s Tamron Hall will replace Mario Lopez as the co-host of the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 15 and 16 on the USA network.

Hall will co-host the event with David Frei, in his 21st consecutive year with the show. Also rejoining the team this year will be NBC Sports’ Tiffany Simons as a sideline reporter. On Feb. 15, USA will air the first hour of the show at 8 p.m. and will then switch over to CNBC for the 9 to 11 p.m. portion of the broadcast. On Feb. 16, USA will air all three hours, including the crowning of the 2010 Best in Show, from 8 to 11 p.m.

Lopez, who is stepping down, explains, “It saddens me to say I will not be able to co-host this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts. I wish Tamron, David and all the dogs the best of luck. I will be cheering you all on from L.A.”

“I’ve been a dog lover my entire life,” says Hall. “I currently have two furry ‘best friends’ in my family, and I can’t wait for the show. I’m honored to be given the opportunity to join this team.” 

Hall anchors “MSNBC Live” weekday mornings and co-anchors weekday afternoons from 3 to 4 p.m. Hall can also be seen on NBC News as a fill-in correspondent and newsreader for “The Today Show” and “Weekend Today.” In addition, Hall served as co-host of a 2009 “Dateline” series titled “You Might Be Rich.” Before she joined MSNBC in July 2007, Hall spent 10 years at WFLD in Chicago, where she held a number of positions including general assignment reporter, consumer reporter and, most recently, host of the three-hour “Fox News in the Morning.”