Mario Lopez Signs Talent Holding Deal With The CW

Variety is reporting that Dancing With the Stars runner-up Mario Lopez has signed a talent holding deal with The CW. The pact calls for The CW to either develop a project for Lopez or cast him in one of its 2007-08 pilots. ABC’s Dancing has already proved its ability to boost the careers of contestants. After appearing on the show last year, John O’Hurley landed a gig hosting Family Feud.

The CW project would represent Lopez’s first primetime scripted series since 1998’s USA Network drama Pacific Blue. More recently, Lopez has guest-starred on series such as Nip/Tuck, Eve and Resurrection Blvd; he also hosted NBC’s 2002-03 variety show America’s Most Talented Kids. Lopez is best known for his role as Slater from Saved by the Bell and its primetime spinoff Saved by the Bell: The College Years.