‘Biggest Loser’ casting couples

Can't win for losing? Not on NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Couples," which returns to Las Vegas in search of sixth-season contenders from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Towbin Hummer, 5550 W. Sahara Ave.

Casting officials are looking for two-member teams with "a strong bond," explains casting producer Allison Kaz, whether parents and children, engaged or married couples or lifelong friends.

About 500 are expected Saturday, Kaz notes; if more than 500 show up, the first 500 in line are guaranteed interviews. Lines form three hours before tryouts start; those auditioning should bring nonreturnable photos.

"We had a really good turnout from Las Vegas last year," according to Kaz, explaining the show's return. Besides, "Las Vegas is ranked No. 1 on one of our 'fattest cities' lists."

Game(s) on: DreamVision Studios hopes to transform Las Vegas from a gaming mecca to a game-show mecca with three pilots shooting this week: the half-hour "$300,000 Trivia Challenge" and "Say the Word," plus the hourlong "It's Only Money."

The latter "is very much on line with 'Deal or No Deal,' except you start with $1 million and try to keep it," explains DreamVision's Jonathan Seti, who's producing the shows along with creator Mark Richards and studio colleagues Phyllis Carreon-Taie, Guillaume Guy and Jeff Specker. Another familiar game-show name also is involved: veteran host Wink Martindale, whose company is producing in association with DreamVision.

"Extra" effort: The syndicated showbiz series "Extra" expands its presence locally with a search for a "New Face of 'Extra' " to report from its Planet Hollywood headquarters.

"Extra" officials are accepting audition tapes at www.extratv.com through March 24; four finalists will participate in a three-day on-camera challenge, starting April 9, to "interview celebrities and do stand-ups," plus develop stories, explains Steve Weiser, "Extra's" Las Vegas bureau chief.

"It's an opportunity for an unknown talent to be seen," he points out. "You never know who's watching."

Everything goes: An eclectic array of projects rounds out the week's location calendar.

From Britain, the festival-bound short "Beached" showcases Abi Roberts, alias "the Bette Midler of Britain," in a Midler homage she's shooting with co-writer and director Lisa Marks.

The German TV show "My New Life" follows the Ramazan Yildrim family as they become Las Vegas residents, while the upcoming Tennis Channel special "Off the Strip With Mieke Buchan" explores everything from sky diving to land sailing.

And comedian Zane Lamprey brings the season finale of his Mojo HD drinking-tour series "Three Sheets" to Las Vegas. Cheers!

Carol Cling's Shooting Stars column appears Mondays. Contact her at (702) 383-0272 or e-mail her at ccling@reviewjournal.com.