Bluegrass meets red carpet

0 Comments | USA TODAY, May, 2008 | by Michael Hiestand

Inside the industry

So-called red carpet shows -- where celebrities are asked who they're wearing -- are in their infancy in TV sports.

They popped up on Fox Sports Net at baseball's All-Star Game and on Fox's Super Bowl last season. NBC debuted a half-hour red carpet before last year's Kentucky Derby -- begetting an hour-long Access at the Derby Saturday.

"They dabbled in it last year," says Billy Bush, who'll host Saturday's show. "They're bringing me in because they want to turn it over to me. ... They're stepping it up. You either pull the trigger or you don't. They're going for it!"

Bush has worked red carpets shows at the Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes and co-hosts the NBC-owned Access Hollywood. Famously called "the most...