6/21 News & Notes

-Former "Splash" co-host Charissa Thompson is going back to FOX to be a part of the new FOX Sports 1 channel. Her final day at ESPN was today.
-Brides Week '89 was the only perfect WBMG week ever on "$ale of the Century". On the next-to-last week of the NBC series, the car seen in the intro was a Volkswagen Jetta (similar to what was on the set during some of Elaine Paulino's run), but Don only plugged it as a Volkswagen. In '88, Rani White (whose husband Richard was a champ during the Winner's Board era) had the best record out of anyone at the WBMG at 7-1, including a VW Cabriolet on a Fri. show (& won that $50K the following Mon.).
-Cristina is the 2nd any number winner this season to win a Showcase; One Away still leads all the car PGs in the current season w/ three winners of that game going on to win the Showcase.
-Paula Deen has been FIRED from food network for recent racial slurs. She skipped her scheduled "Today" interview. 
-The $500 QD items tomorrow are a $1 coin & a contact lens case.
-The next season of "project RUNWAY" will begin on Jul. 18. The 16th designer of that season's cast will be a returnee determined by the fans & Tim will even save a designer during the season. Also, the grand prize package will be the most expensive ever for a regular season at $500K+, including $150K from GoBank, a $100K fabric allowance from Tide Pods, a $50K L'Oreal styling contract, a '14 Lexus IS 350, a trip for two to the Maldives & a yr.'s supply of Resource Natural Spring Water (who sponsors that trip).