The Game Show Forum > The Big Board

Who do you think could replace Barker?

<< < (7/11) > >>

Neumms:
[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Oct 25 2003, 10:39 AM\'] For whatever my opinion is worth, I've worked closely with quite a few hosts over the years. Todd has far better empathy, grace, and ad-lib skills than anyone around today. Don't judge him entirely on his Whammy! performance; there's so much more to Todd. And for the record, he's authentic - what you see on-air is what you get. [/quote]
 Newton was a lot more restrained on "Hollywood Showdown" and he was terrific, adding life to a pretty dull show. I agree with you, Randy, I think he'd do great, as long as he realizes the show is naturally exciting and lively and doesn't need to be as artificially manic as "Whammy." You'd let him know that, wouldn't you?

The other issue is that while, yeah, Bob is the best host ever and does amazingly well at his age, his energy level used to be higher. Anyone who comes in (unless it's, heaven help us, Eubanks or Wink) might seem hopped up by comparison.

zachhoran:
[quote name=\'MyCapableAssistant\' date=\'Oct 25 2003, 09:30 PM\']

BTW, how old is Bob Eubanks? [/quote]
 He's 65, which MIGHT make him too old for Fremantle to consider. Although it was reported that similar-in-age George Hamilton's name was tossed around last year

Esoteric Eric:
[quote name=\'DjohnsonCB\' date=\'Oct 25 2003, 01:48 PM\']I don't know most of the current crop of hosts, so I'll take a stab in the dark and say Billy West <snip>[/quote]


Having seen Billy in person (when he working @ WBCN-FM in Boston in the early Eighties)... (gee, how do I say this delicately?)... well, not to be discriminatory as to size, but he's so short... (MG Audience) HOW... SHORT... IS HE? (/MGA) he wouldn't stand a chance w/ one of those Samoan women who chased Barker around (to say nothing of G.L.O.W.'S Mt. Fiji, who pretended to body-slam Eubanks on that MOGSM Card Sharks clip.)

Mind you, I've always been entertained by Mr. West's humor, but I don't think Fremantle would go for somebody who'd be, like, (what, nine?) inches shorter than the average contestant, since it'd make for an awkward two-shot ((Dan Patrick) camera term (/DP).)

Esoteric Eric, with the Top Three visual pictures I had while composing this post:

3) Billy West holding the long mic Barker & Rayburn used in the Seventies (with his mic hand down around his knees)

2) Memories of ABC's old NBA coverage, with jockey-sized Chris Schenkel sharing a handheld mic on camera with his 6'10" broadcast partner Bill Russell

1) Another memory of old TV, this one of pint-sized actor/songwriter Paul Williams standing nose-to-cleavage with statuesque Julie Newmar on "The Mike Douglas Show"

zachhoran:
[quote name=\'Esoteric Eric\' date=\'Oct 26 2003, 03:31 AM\']

1) Another memory of old TV, this one of pint-sized actor/songwriter Paul Williams standing nose-to-cleavage with statuesque Julie Newmar on "The Mike Douglas Show" [/quote]
 Or Paul Williams standing next to Richard Kiel(who was/is some two feet taller than Williams) on an episode of MG80 when both were on the panel.

Sonic Whammy:
Well, the consensus that this question is a bit old is true, because this comes up at least twice a year, as far as I can tell. But I think this time, the question seems a little warranted because of two significant changes that have been taking place almost right on top of each other.

1) Rod Roddy's health battles - and these personally hit me hard because of his ties to Press Your Luck. Rod, God bless you always for all the years I've gotten to wake up to your welcoming voice.

2) The Price Is Right stage show in Reno - a first of its kind, I would assume, yes? A perfect training ground for the prince to prepare his ascension to the throne.

Which basically leads me to believe that it is going to be VERY difficult for Todd Newton to NOT be the #1 contender right now. He has unquestionably been the fastest growing game show personality in recent years, and his personality has been so adaptable that it just works for everything he's done in entertainment. They wouldn't choose him for the stage show if they didn't have that much trust in him. And I get a feeling that it could and should lead to something more...

As a closing thought. To you, Randy West, you seem to be the one destined to ascend the announcing podium. You said the first time that you wanted to salute the original: Johnny Olsen, in your stint. Just do us one favor: If you are the new man, make sure Johnny lives on... and make sure Rod does, too.

Stay Way Past Cool!

Brian Sapinski
The Sonic Whammy
Host of Net Press Your Luck

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page