Dominic Bowden
Encyclopedia
Dominic Joseph Bowden. is a New Zealand television personality, host, radio and voice actor. He is best known as the host of the reality series New Zealand Idol
. Bowden was also the host of TVNZs game shows Are You Smarter than a Ten Year Old? and Dare to Win, which has a similar format to Minute to Win It
. Based in Los Angeles, he has hosted the American reality music competition show, The Next Great American Band
for Fremantle
and Fox
. Currently, he is an entertainment correspondent for TVNZ.
, where he had an intense interest in music, playing in the school jazz band and as a member of the Aotea Orchestra, touring Asia and Australia. In his youth, he learned to play clarinet and piano and to read and write music. Bowden is a graduate of the Auckland University of Technology
, with a Bachelor of Communication Studies, majoring in Television which he achieved in 2000.
, Bowden began hosting the popular Saturday morning Children's television programme, Squirt for TVNZ. Then moved into live television on the weekly late-night magazine style music-show Space, where he stayed for 3 years, interviewing stars as broad as Pink
, Bon Jovi
and Coldplay
on a weekly basis. He also traveled the country with British Popstar, Robbie Williams
for a television special, Robbie Williams: Be Here Now.
Bowden, then moved to Australia
and into Radio, working as a roving nightly reporter for Austereo, on 2Day FM
, under
Kyle Sandiland. Then in 2004, it was announced Bowden would return to New Zealand as the sole host of New Zealand Idol
for TVNZ. New Zealand Idol catapulted Bowden into one of the country’s most familiar faces. The Idol series one Grand Final was watched by a quarter of the country's population.
During this time, Bowden hosting hie own nightly radio show for MediaWorks Radio
, called Most Wanted. He also appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Treasure Island: Series 1
and Shock Treatment. As well as hosting the successful game-shows, Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader and Dare to Win, which has a similar format to Minute to Win It
.
Bowden has worked as a reporter for the magazine news show 20/20 (US television series), traveling to Los Angeles to interview Ryan Seacrest
for a television special in New Zealand. Shortly after, Bowden signed with Seacrest's then agent William Morris Endeavor
and moving to Los Angeles. He was selected by American Idol
executive producers Nigel Lythgoe
and Ken Warwick
to host "The Next Great American Band
."
, New Zealand Music Awards
, Girlfriend Model Search, NZ Color Trophy Awards and the Christmas at St Matthews Music Special. He has also been enlisted as a weekly columnist for the New Zealand Woman's Weekly
, New Idea and The TV Guide.
He appeared on Shortland Street
s 15th anniversary show. He has done voice over work for Bond and Bond and Burger King
as well as appearing in numerous TV commercials.
As an actor, Bowden appeared in the independent feature "The Devil Dared Me To
". The film had its world premiere at Austin's "South by Southwest Festival" and received a standing ovation. In addition to his film role, he had small roles on the television series Hercules
, Xena
and Shortland Street
. He also played himself on "Go Girls
".
Television Shows (Host)
Television Show reporters/co-host
Game Shows (Contestant)
Other
New Zealand Idol
NZ Idol, more commonly known as New Zealand Idol, was the New Zealand version of the Idol series originated as the hit British TV series Pop Idol. New Zealand first saw the Idol format when TV2 aired American Idol 2, which garned impressive ratings...
. Bowden was also the host of TVNZs game shows Are You Smarter than a Ten Year Old? and Dare to Win, which has a similar format to Minute to Win It
Minute to Win It
Minute to Win It is an American prime time game show on NBC hosted by Guy Fieri. Contestants take part in a series of 60-second challenges that use objects that are commonly available around the house....
. Based in Los Angeles, he has hosted the American reality music competition show, The Next Great American Band
The Next Great American Band
The Next Great American Band is a reality television talent show. The show premiered on October 19, 2007 and aired on FOX at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times Friday nights...
for Fremantle
Fremantle
Freemantle is a suburb of Southampton in England.Fremantle or Freemantle may also refer to:- Places :* Fremantle, the port city to the capital Perth, Western Australia...
and Fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
. Currently, he is an entertainment correspondent for TVNZ.
Early life
Bowden was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He attended Sacred Heart CollegeSacred Heart College
There are a number of colleges with the name Sacred Heart:-Australia:*Sacred Heart College, Kyneton, a Catholic co-ed Secondary School run by the Sisters of Mercy*Sacred Heart College, Geelong, a Catholic school for girls in Victoria...
, where he had an intense interest in music, playing in the school jazz band and as a member of the Aotea Orchestra, touring Asia and Australia. In his youth, he learned to play clarinet and piano and to read and write music. Bowden is a graduate of the Auckland University of Technology
Auckland University of Technology
The Auckland University of Technology is a university in New Zealand. It was formed on 1 January 2000 when the Auckland Institute of Technology was granted university status. Its primary campus is on Wellesley Street in Auckland's Central business district...
, with a Bachelor of Communication Studies, majoring in Television which he achieved in 2000.
Career
After graduating from AUTAUT
AUT may refer to:- Autriche - Österreich*The IATA airport code for the airport in Atauro, Indonesia.*The ISO 3166-1 3-letter country code for Austria-Other uses:In education:*Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran...
, Bowden began hosting the popular Saturday morning Children's television programme, Squirt for TVNZ. Then moved into live television on the weekly late-night magazine style music-show Space, where he stayed for 3 years, interviewing stars as broad as Pink
Pink (singer)
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
, Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
and Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
on a weekly basis. He also traveled the country with British Popstar, Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
for a television special, Robbie Williams: Be Here Now.
Bowden, then moved to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and into Radio, working as a roving nightly reporter for Austereo, on 2Day FM
2Day FM
Not to be mixed up with Today FM in Ireland.2Day FM is a commercial FM radio station broadcasting in Sydney, Australia, on a frequency of 104.1 MHz, and part of Austereo's Today Network.- Transmission :...
, under
Kyle Sandiland. Then in 2004, it was announced Bowden would return to New Zealand as the sole host of New Zealand Idol
New Zealand Idol
NZ Idol, more commonly known as New Zealand Idol, was the New Zealand version of the Idol series originated as the hit British TV series Pop Idol. New Zealand first saw the Idol format when TV2 aired American Idol 2, which garned impressive ratings...
for TVNZ. New Zealand Idol catapulted Bowden into one of the country’s most familiar faces. The Idol series one Grand Final was watched by a quarter of the country's population.
During this time, Bowden hosting hie own nightly radio show for MediaWorks Radio
MediaWorks Radio
MediaWorks Radio is the radio division of MediaWorks New Zealand. MediaWorks operates 7 radio brands nationwide across New Zealand with the majority of the programming on these stations based from Auckland, in addition to the nationwide brands MediaWorks also operate several local radio stations...
, called Most Wanted. He also appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Treasure Island: Series 1
Treasure Island (show)
Treasure Island is a popular reality television game show produced in New Zealand by Eyeworks Touchdown as well as in Ireland and Australia. In the show, contestants are isolated on a remote Fijian island and compete for a cash prize...
and Shock Treatment. As well as hosting the successful game-shows, Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader and Dare to Win, which has a similar format to Minute to Win It
Minute to Win It
Minute to Win It is an American prime time game show on NBC hosted by Guy Fieri. Contestants take part in a series of 60-second challenges that use objects that are commonly available around the house....
.
Bowden has worked as a reporter for the magazine news show 20/20 (US television series), traveling to Los Angeles to interview Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
for a television special in New Zealand. Shortly after, Bowden signed with Seacrest's then agent William Morris Endeavor
William Morris Endeavor
WME is the largest talent agency in the world, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York City, Nashville, London, and Miami. WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production...
and moving to Los Angeles. He was selected by American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
executive producers Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can...
and Ken Warwick
Ken Warwick
Ken Warwick is a television executive producer and director, most noted for producing the reality television series American Idol, and Pop Idol. Before being a producer he was a dancer. Warwick has received numerous awards for his television programs including a BAFTA, the Golden Rose of Montreux,...
to host "The Next Great American Band
The Next Great American Band
The Next Great American Band is a reality television talent show. The show premiered on October 19, 2007 and aired on FOX at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times Friday nights...
."
Other Work
Bowden has co-hosted the televised Qantas Television AwardsQantas Television Awards
The Aotearoa Film & Television Awards, formerly known as the Qantas Television Awards, are presented by the New Zealand Television Broadcasters' Council...
, New Zealand Music Awards
New Zealand Music Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
, Girlfriend Model Search, NZ Color Trophy Awards and the Christmas at St Matthews Music Special. He has also been enlisted as a weekly columnist for the New Zealand Woman's Weekly
New Zealand Woman's Weekly
The New Zealand Woman's Weekly is a weekly New Zealand women's magazine published by APN News & Media. , it has a circulation of 82,040, third by paid sales after TV Guide and New Zealand Woman's Day.-History:...
, New Idea and The TV Guide.
He appeared on Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
s 15th anniversary show. He has done voice over work for Bond and Bond and Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
as well as appearing in numerous TV commercials.
As an actor, Bowden appeared in the independent feature "The Devil Dared Me To
The Devil Dared Me To
The Devil Dared Me To is a New Zealand film written by and starring Chris Stapp and Matt Heath. The film revolves around a fictional stuntman, Randy Cambell, who aspires to be the greatest living New Zealander in that profession...
". The film had its world premiere at Austin's "South by Southwest Festival" and received a standing ovation. In addition to his film role, he had small roles on the television series Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
, Xena
Xena
Xena is a fictional character from Robert Tapert's Xena: Warrior Princess franchise. She first appeared in the 1995–1999 television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, before going on to appear in Xena: Warrior Princess TV show and subsequent comic book of the same name...
and Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
. He also played himself on "Go Girls
Go Girls
Go Girls is a New Zealand comedy/drama television series centering around four adult friends, Amy, Britta, Cody and Kevin, who live on the North Shore, Auckland...
".
Television
Fiction- "Go GirlsGo GirlsGo Girls is a New Zealand comedy/drama television series centering around four adult friends, Amy, Britta, Cody and Kevin, who live on the North Shore, Auckland...
" as Himself (1 episode, 2009)
Television Shows (Host)
- "The Next Great American BandThe Next Great American BandThe Next Great American Band is a reality television talent show. The show premiered on October 19, 2007 and aired on FOX at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times Friday nights...
" (12 episodes, 2007) - Dare To Win
- "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is a television game show format based on asking grade-school level questions to adults, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy...
" - "Pop's Ultimate StarPop's Ultimate StarPop's Ultimate Star was TV2's reality television show which pits former reality contestants againest each other, most of whom are former NZ Idol contestants. The show was produced by Eyeworks Touchdown, with first prize $50,000 and a Kia 'Rio' car. It is hosted by Dominic Bowden and was originally...
" - "New Zealand IdolNew Zealand IdolNZ Idol, more commonly known as New Zealand Idol, was the New Zealand version of the Idol series originated as the hit British TV series Pop Idol. New Zealand first saw the Idol format when TV2 aired American Idol 2, which garned impressive ratings...
" (86 episodes, 2004–2006) - Space (television show)|Space (2000)
- "SquirtSquirt (TV series)Squirt was a New Zealand children's television show, produced in Dunedin. It had been aired since 1996 and on two different TV networks, coming to a close on 25 November 2006. Squirt was aired every Saturday morning, originally from 7am to 9am, then from 8:30am to 10am, but now only 30 minutes...
" (1996)
Television Show reporters/co-host
- Breakfast (TVNZ Show)|Breakfast (2008- Hollywood Reporter) (co-host sub for Paul Henry 2009)
- The Erin Simpson Show LA/Entertainment reporter (2009–2010)
- "One News/Close upClose upA close-up is tightly framed image of a person or an object.Close-Up or Close Up may refer to:- Film and television :*Close Up, two different New Zealand current affairs programmes...
" Interviews/Entertainment reports (2009)
Game Shows (Contestant)
- "Treasure IslandTreasure Island (show)Treasure Island is a popular reality television game show produced in New Zealand by Eyeworks Touchdown as well as in Ireland and Australia. In the show, contestants are isolated on a remote Fijian island and compete for a cash prize...
" (2001)
Other
- "What NowWhat NowWhat Now is a long running New Zealand children's television program that premiered in 1981. It is filmed before a live studio audience at Whitebait Productions in Christchurch....
" (10 episode, 2005) - Cleo Bachelor of the Year 2000 (2000)
- 38th Annual New Zealand Music Awards (2001)