EW can exclusively reveal that Ari Shapiro of NPRsAll Things Consideredwill be the newMolemaster of ceremonies.
Courtesy Netflix
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So, is it true that you actually auditioned for the originalMole?
ARI SHAPIRO:The word is out, huh?
Host Ari Shapiro on ‘The Mole’.Courtesy Netflix
And I did not get so much as a callback.
But I have been a fan of the show since its very earliest days.
I cannot keep my chill.
Season 7 of ‘The Mole’.Courtesy Netflix
What is it aboutThe Molethat you love so much?
I love the sense of adventure.
I love that it takes place in interesting parameters.
Season 7 of ‘The Mole’.Courtesy Netflix
Each episode takes you to a new location.
And I can now say it was.
So how did you land the hosting gig?
So this is a testament to the power of manifestation.
Last year, I came out with a memoir calledThe Best Strangers in the World.
And I said, It doesn’t even have to be something that feels like NPR.
For example, I would love to host a show likeThe Mole.
And one thing led to another and somehow that dream seems to have come true.
What is it about the connection of journalists hosting this show with you, Anderson, and Alex.
Is there something about the format that lends itself well to that?
It sort of grounds it in… How would you describe your hosting style compared to other past hosts?
I take a stab at think of it as a three-part role.
Part one is camp counselor.
Hey everybody, let’s go do something fun!
I didn’t have to pretend that what they were about to do was thrilling.
How did it feel?
What did you observe?
What are your suspicions?
I remember on the originalMoleone time, Anderson Cooper just out there sipping tea as they all ran by.
Do you ever pop in on any challenges?
I dont want to give anything away.
And I was really excited to just be sitting in that sidewalk cafe.
I don’t know whether it was a deliberate homage to that earlier season.
I know you’re close with Alan Cumming.
Did he give you any reality TV hosting tips?
And I graciously accepted the advice and then went in my own direction.
How will your attire compare to it to Alan’s onThe Traitors?
No veils in my look.
I didn’t wear any gloves, no tartan at all to speak of.
What can you say about the cast of players this season?
But the group of 12 is a very diverse group in every sense of the word.
What else can you say about the season?
I think every episode felt to me like a blockbuster movie.
This could plausibly be likeOceans Eleven.
This could plausibly be likeIndiana Jones.
That could not have been farther from the truth.
I did not know who the Mole was.
So it was really fun for me to play along with everybody else.
I sat down with the showrunner, and I said, Well David, I figured it out.
And David said, “Interesting.
And I said, That was a very good choice.
And David said, Just don’t let on that you know who it is.
Leave a little bit of doubt in your head just for appearances.
I was totally wrong.
It was not that person.
Even though I said with so much confidence to the showrunner, I figured it out.
