Estrada to Host Hallmark Channel’s “Hollywood Christmas Parade”

Erik Estrada is ready to get you into the holiday spirit…

The 63-year-old Puerto Rican actor and Spanish telenovela star will host this year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade on the Hallmark Channel.

Erik Estrada

Estrada, who rose to acclaim on the police drama CHiPs, will co-host the show with his fellow World’s Funniest Moments host Laura McKenzie. Along with his work on the weekly series, Estrada competed on Univision’s Mira Quien Baila last season.

This year’s Grand Marshal is actor Joe Mantegna, who has starred on Criminal Minds. He’ll be joined by Lou Ferrigno, Louis Gossett Jr., as well as cast members from Glee, Criminal Minds and Days Of Our Lives, among others.

The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade will air on December 10 at 6:00 pm ET on the Hallmark Channel.

Mendoza to Compete Against Velásquez on Celebrity Apprentice

Former Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza and actress/model Patricia Velásquez will be heading to Donald Trump’s boardroom this February…

The 25-year-old Venezuelan beauty queen will compete against fellow Venezolana Velásquez, the 40-year-old The Mummy actress, in the next edition of NBC‘s Celebrity Apprentice.

Dayana Mendoza

Mendoza won the title of Miss Universe in 2008. Meanwhile, Velásquez has appeared in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns films, as well as fashion advertisements for Chanel and Victoria’s Secret.

Patricia_Velasquez

The show’s host Donald Trump announced the new batch of contestants on Wednesday’s Today show.

Mendoza and Velásquez will face off against IndyCar legend Michael Andretti, reality star Victoria GottiReal Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Guidice, comedian Lisa Lampanelli, rock star Dee Snider and American Chopper’s Paul Teutul Sr., radio host Adam Carolla, comedian Arsenio Hall, singer-actress Aubrey O’Day and magician Penn Jillette.

Rounding out the rivals are model Cheryl Tiegs, singer Deborah Gibson, Star Trek’s George Takei, singer Tia Carrere and Incredible Hulk’s Lou Ferrigno and singer Clay Aiken.

“This season of Celebrity Apprentice will be the most exciting yet. The show will be great, with a record number of contestants and 15 episodes,” said Trump. “We are thrilled to bring 18 new and talented celebrities who will help me make Celebrity Apprentice one of the hottest shows on television this spring. This will be season 12 — Amazing!”

Celebrity Apprentice returns for its new season on Sunday, February 12.