The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Dbacksfan12 on September 22, 2004, 04:03:34 AM
-
What sports commentators/analysits would make a good game show host? I personally feel that Jim Rome would do an adqueate job, as well as Keith Olberman, Bob Ley, and John Madden.
Among those who would make horrible candidates include any announcer from the last series of NBA on NBC (Gary Johnson and company), any NASCAR annoucer, and NBC's current teams in other sports.
What do you guys think?
-
I think Gary Thorne would make a good game show host as well....He has that commanding voice, I can almost hear him saying something in a game-show-esque setting ("You need this question right to stay alive...")...
Yeah. If I hear Gary doing an NHL or college football game, I'll stop and watch.
As far as terrible ones, the two Jim twits (Jim Lampley and Jim Gray) would not do very well...
-
I'm sorry, I'm just getting this picture of Marv Albert hosting Jeopardy....
Ken Jennings: "What is the Franco-Prussian Alliance?"
Marv: YESSS! And it counts!
-
Since we know Dick Enberg would be a good one, I'll pick another personal favorite: Dick Stockton. I've been a big fan of his since the days of The CBS Sports Spectacular.
-
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 07:26 AM\'] Since we know Dick Enberg would be a good one, I'll pick another personal favorite: Dick Stockton. I've been a big fan of his since the days of The CBS Sports Spectacular. [/quote]
Ahmad Rashad did OK, but not spectacular as a host. It has been said Greg Gumbel was the best thing about the unsold pilot for the updated $64K Question CBS did in 2000.
-
Yeah. If I hear Gary doing an NHL or college football game, I'll stop and watch.
Considering there likely won't be an NHL season this year, maybe Gary should look for a game show to do :)
I agree...I've always enjoyed his work on the hockey telecasts.
-
I know it asks for no one from NBC, but I always thought Bob Costas would make a decent host for something trivia related. I also think Keith Olbermann would make an excellent host. I could see him doing something like Millionaire. Dan Patrick is another choice.
-
My vote goes to Kenny Mayne for best sportscaster / game show host. I think his shot to break through to the Huge Time would be a vehicle like "The Wright Stuff" (a combination of Win Ben Stein's Money, Make Me Laugh, and The Chair).
Seriously, 2-Minute Drill was great and I'd like to see how he'd do in a different format.
-
[quote name=\'Dsmith\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 01:03 AM\'] What do you guys think? [/quote]
I think Jim Rome is a jackass who has no business having access to any sort of broadcasting device, much less the podium of a game show host, but I digress.
Olbermann. Man. How the mighty have fallen. Besides, he's not all that good of a reader. He'd be brutal in a speed round.
Ley is too low-key.
Madden would be crap. Utter crap. Madden does one thing very well, and that is show up at a football game and enjoy watching it, qnd his enthusiasm is infectious. Fortunately, when you are sitting next to Al Michaels, that's all the color job really entails.
Thorne has possibilities. The show would need to have a sports format, though...I wouldn't give him The All New Super Neato High Rollers. None of the contestans would be allowed to be named "Marcus", though, as he would keep calling them "Magnus".
(And Gary can afford to take a hockey season off, he does just fine calling the Mets games during baseball season, and likely he'll make some mad money doing college hoops and March Madness.)
Mayne was very good on 2-Minute Drill, but again, the show required an overly-dry-to-the-point-of-parody host, and that's Mayne all over.
My picks? Randy Hahn of the San Jose Sharks, and Charlie Simmer of the Phoenix Coyotes. Randy because I think he's very good and would have fun doing such a thing (although he's too short to be a game show host, the guy comes up to my chin), and Charlie because I would do just about anything to break up that broadcast team and not have to listen to them butcher another NHL game, like, ever.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 11:10 AM\'] (And Gary can afford to take a hockey season off, he does just fine calling the Mets games during baseball season, and likely he'll make some mad money doing college hoops and March Madness.)
[/quote]
Minor nitpick--Thorne lost the Mets gig last year. Of late, his only baseball duties are on ESPN (primarily doing their Daygame package--which means he's probably slated to work ESPN's telecast of Cubs/Pirates tomorrow [of which those of me in Chicago get blacked out; which is unfortunate because I'm not the biggest fan of Chip Caray]).
So other than college football for ABC and a few baseball playoff games, he'll have a very quiet autumn (I think CBS and ESPN are pretty well set with their hoops announcers as well, although of course they could always adjust).
Doug
-
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 09:40 AM\'] I know it asks for no one from NBC [/quote]
No, when I typed that, I just meant that I didn't think that any NBC commentators would make a quality emcee.
Mr. Lemon: My, how opinions differ. :)
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 12:10 PM\'] Olbermann. Man. How the mighty have fallen. Besides, he's not all that good of a reader. He'd be brutal in a speed round. [/quote]
It's true that when my cats are in the room with me, the audience for MSNBC effectively doubles, but nevertheless, I think Keith's work on Countdown is the best thing he's done in his "serious newsman" career. I also think he'd be a good game show host in the right vehicle.
Basically, any decent sports broadcaster would probably also make a decent game show host, again given the ever-elusive right "fit". Historic experience would back this up. I can think of lots of successful actors and comics who were horrid game show hosts, but you'll have a hard time finding top-of-their-game sportscasters who struggled with a game show. The skills needed to excel in both are remarkably similar.
-
Jimmy Cefalo wasn't that bad as a host. He probably just had a bad show.
I was thinking maybe Ralph Strangis or Darryl Reaugh of the Dallas Stars broadcasts could make a good host. Especially Strangis, since he's appeared on a game show long ago.....about two weeks before someone named Larsen showed up.
P. S.: He won over $7000.
-
For our fellow Canadians still suffering from the withdrawl of their beloved hockey thanks to the NHL lockout...what about Brian Williams, Ron McLean, Chris Cuthbert, or even Don Cherry?
Jim Nantz would also be great as a game show host; and if he was alive today, Tom Mees. Dunno about Ernie Johnson, Al Michaels, Keith Jackson, or Brent Musburger (I can imagine Brent opening "Dream Job" with "You are looking LIVE!! as these 12 people are vying for fame and fortune as the next SportsCenter anchor!"). Chris Schenkel (who's now retired) would be boring back in the day.
Jonathan Allen
-
[quote name=\'SRIV94\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 11:25 AM\']
[of which those of me in Chicago get blacked out; which is unfortunate because I'm not the biggest fan of Chip Caray]).
Doug [/quote]
He seriously cannot be that bad? Sure, he's no Skip or even the Great Harry, but he does what he could....
and speaking of which, I think Grandfather Harry would do fine (albeit spells of drunkenness and 'Holy Cow' spiels would be mixed in, I presume). May I even suggest Ken "Hawk" Harrelson of the south side...he's a great announcer, and he'd be good enough to host a gameshow--even when he eliminates a contestant, he's exclaim: "you Gone!"
-
[quote name=\'johnnya2k3\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 02:45 PM\'] For our fellow Canadians still suffering from the withdrawl of their beloved hockey thanks to the NHL lockout...what about Brian Williams, Ron McLean, Chris Cuthbert, or even Don Cherry?
[/quote]
Ronnie Mac could read the phone book and I'd watch him do it. On the other hand, you're insane to even mention the other three, particulary Grapes.
or Brent Musburger
Musburger is a horrifyingly bad sports broadcaster, I dunno what qualities he has that make you think he'd even be remotely competent as a game show host.
You know who would be an AWESOME host...Pat O'Brien. That guy's GOOD.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 05:34 PM\'] Musburger is a horrifyingly bad sports broadcaster [/quote]
That guy had the gig of gigs when he hosted The NFL Today. Now he's reduced to back-end college football games and the Little League World Series. That darned greed bit him on the BEE-hind in 1990 and he never bounced back. He couldn't even cut it as halftime host on Monday Night Football, from where he was bounced after one year.
-
[quote name=\'Strikerz04\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 05:04 PM\'] He seriously cannot be that bad? Sure, he's no Skip or even the Great Harry, but he does what he could.... [/quote]
He's a nice enough guy, but Chipster does have a tendency to overstate things. But I credit Chip and broadcast partner Steve Stone for one thing--they're not afraid to criticize (even if the Cub players don't like what they say). When I was in L.A. in June to see TPiR (did I mention the episode airs tomorrow? :) ), two Chi. Cubs/Houston games were available to me on ESPN. It was rather refreshing, as I tend to gravitate toward national announcers rather the homers that I hear every day.
Hawkeroo? Too much of a company man--only really criticizes when he has no other alternative.
Nobody beats Harry in his prime (after the double whammy of his 1987 stroke and his 1993 fall in Miami, he was just never the same).
Doug
-
If I had to choose sports commentators...
1). Dick Stockton; Steps in for Joe Buck (while he's doing baseball playoffs) doing the NFL with Troy & Cris. His last CBS effort, Speed Skating @ the 1994 Winter Olympics when Dan Jansen finally triumphed.
2). Chris Schenkel; He did do a form of a game show in 1988 when ABC Sports had a game show special, Make That Spare.
And forgive me for this choice...
3). Tom Hammond; NBC's top commentator who does horse racing (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont & The Breeder's Cup).
-
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 05:45 PM\'] [quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 05:34 PM\'] Musburger is a horrifyingly bad sports broadcaster [/quote]
That guy had the gig of gigs when he hosted The NFL Today. Now he's reduced to back-end college football games and the Little League World Series. That darned greed bit him on the BEE-hind in 1990 and he never bounced back. He couldn't even cut it as halftime host on Monday Night Football, from where he was bounced after one year. [/quote]
If you can find a copy, there's a great book called The Game Behind The Game, which gives a great inside look at CBS Sports from 1981-86 from one of its executives (Musberger's ego is covered in a lot of detail--although I did meet him once in NY and he was very cordial). It's out of print, but I believe Amazon.com has some copies available through other sellers.
Doug
-
[quote name=\'GSWitch\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 08:47 PM\'] 1). Dick Stockton; Steps in for Joe Buck (while he's doing baseball playoffs) doing the NFL with Troy & Cris. His last CBS effort, Speed Skating @ the 1994 Winter Olympics when Dan Jansen finally triumphed.
[/quote]
Ugh. Stockton was very good a number of years ago, but listening to him work Chicago/Green Bay last week was painful (twice he called new Bears head coach Lovie Smith Lovie Jones). I realize that all announcers make mistakes, but Stockton's good for a couple of misnomers/mistatements per game (which doesn't lend itself to competence in a rapid-fire question-and-answer-type game).
I'll see if he's any better on the Eagles/Bears game in a couple of weeks.
Doug
-
Am I the only person here who can't stand Gary Thorne? I can't stand to hear him do hockey, although that might have something to do with his "the goal light didn't go on" call in Game 7 of the Devils-Senators series two seasons back. He just comes across as too loud, the way most sports commentators these days seem to.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 22 2004, 02:34 PM\'] You know who would be an AWESOME host...Pat O'Brien. That guy's GOOD. [/quote]
Actually, Pat did host the unsold pilot of "The Krypton Factor" in 2000 for Fox. If it got the green light, he would've been better than Stuart Scott on Stump The Schwab.
Oh, since somebody mentioned Tom Hammond from NBC, I would throw in Dan Hicks. But let's hope and pray we don't see Al Trautwig. (By the way, this is my 100th POST!!!!!)
-
...[of which those of me in Chicago get blacked out; which is unfortunate because I'm not the biggest fan of Chip Caray]).
Frankly, I have had enough of Chippy for the next few lifetimes. I personally would like to see the Trib. not renew Chip's contract for the next upcoming few years, and give the TV play-by-play job to Pat Hughes, who very rightfully deserves it.
Might as well toss Pat's right hand man Ron Santo up there as well, and make it a three man booth with Stoney. Pat would supply the play by play, Steve would supply the color commentary (as well as the various jabs at Moises Alou), and Ron would supply everything else.
Yeah. If I hear Gary doing an NHL or college football game, I'll stop and watch.
Geez, I guess I'm not the only one. In my opinion, Gary Thorne and Mike Emerick do fantastic jobs when it come to hockey play-by-play. (And further off topic, Is it just me, or did Mike Emerick do an excellent job with the Olympic water polo play-by-play?) But I'm getting well off on a tangent somewhere.
Anywho, I personally think that Dan Patrick would do a good job with some type of hosting gig; Bob Costas could do pretty well too, perhaps.
-
Ronnie Mac could read the phone book and I'd watch him do it. On the other hand, you're insane to even mention the other three, particulary Grapes.
There was one "Hockey Night in Canada" personality that hosted a game show...Dick Irvin, who still occasionally does spots for "HNIC", hosted a show in the '70s for CTV called "Know Your Sports". It was on once a week and lasted about two years.
-
I'm not as familiar with today's sportscasters, but back in the day, I thought Jim Simpson or Don Criqui might make good Q&A hosts, Bob Uecker or Warner Wolf for less serious games.
-
I know wrestling is just a form of entertainment, not a sport, but if we were to throw those commentators in there, the only two possible candidates I could see is Michael Cole (SmackDown! commentator) and Josh Matthews (Velocity commentator). I don't know about serious Q&A game shows, but Cole and Matthews would be good for the less serious shows, such as Family Feud, Match Game, shows that fit in that category. I can think of at least two commentators from RAW who wouldn't cut it hosting ANY game show (and get this...I prefer RAW over SD!). Here's why:
For Jim Ross:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are live from (Insert studio here) for (insert game show here). Folks, we're going to have a slobberknocker on this episode!"
"You need to catch up and get in this game! Your opponent is beating you like a government mule!"
"BY GAWD, YOU'RE GOING TO THE BONUS ROUND!"
And for if someone wins the bonus round:
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS WILL GO IN THE HISTORY BOOKS, FOLKS!"
For Jerry "The King" Lawler:
(When a female with big boobs is a contestant) "WHOA! PUPPIES!"
"Wow, you're looking hot tonight!"
"We're going on to the bonus round! It will be you two ladies in a catfight! WHOOHOO!"
"No losers here tonight! I think all of us men are winners, especially me, since I'm up here with these fine young ladies!"
-
Here's the problem with today's sportscasters vs. the sportscasters we grew up with: guys like Chris Schenkel, Keith Jackson, Frank Gifford, Dick Enberg in his prime, Vin Scully, etc.: There is too much ESPN SportsCenter influence in a lot of the new guys coming up, so they feel they have to be either smartasses or prone to random vocal utterances. I can't understand the appeal of guys like Jim Rome or Jim Gray (the interviewer who blindsided Pete Rose a number of years ago) or "I, Max". Do these guys even know sports, or do they play guys who know sports on TV? The old guys knew sports and could impart their enthusiasm for same to the viewer.
That's why you could put a guy like Dick Enberg on a non-sports game show like "Baffle" and he could make it work just as good as a "traditional" game show emcee. He could break down "Baffle" to its essentials, just as though it were a UCLA basketball game. (Sadly, Enberg, now 70, couldn't work that same magic today. He's just too precious.)
-
[quote name=\'Johnissoevil\' date=\'Sep 24 2004, 04:41 AM\'] For Jerry "The King" Lawler:
(When a female with big boobs is a contestant) "WHOA! PUPPIES!"
"Wow, you're looking hot tonight!"
"We're going on to the bonus round! It will be you two ladies in a catfight! WHOOHOO!"
"No losers here tonight! I think all of us men are winners, especially me, since I'm up here with these fine young ladies!" [/quote]
Sounds like a pig. Which means he'd probably end up with the job for shock value.
-
In no particular order:
Among people who cover individual games, John Madden is the best one who would not be good on a game show. At first, I didn't think Joe Buck would be good, but his appearances in the Leon commercials suggest that he might do okay as the straight arrow on a funny show. (He's already under contract to Fox if What the Blank ever needs a guest host.)
I agree that Bob Costas would be good on a tough-material quizzer (J/WWTBAM). So would Keith Olbermann.
Chris Rose (Best Damn Sports Show Period) would probably be good.
-
QUOTE (Johnissoevil @ Sep 24 2004, 04:41 AM)
For Jerry "The King" Lawler:
(When a female with big boobs is a contestant) "WHOA! PUPPIES!"
"Wow, you're looking hot tonight!"
"We're going on to the bonus round! It will be you two ladies in a catfight! WHOOHOO!"
"No losers here tonight! I think all of us men are winners, especially me, since I'm up here with these fine young ladies!"
Sounds like a pig. Which means he'd probably end up with the job for shock value.
Lawler is a pig. He is like, 55 years old, somewhere in that neighborhood, and he goes crazy over women who are young enough to be his daughter. He even married one about 5 years ago (They are now divorced, thank god!)
ObGameShows: Sony would have to be on something to hire Lawler to host The Dating Game.
-
and speaking of which, I think Grandfather Harry would do fine (albeit spells of drunkenness and 'Holy Cow' spiels would be mixed in, I presume).
This post calls to mind that whole Harry Caray's Hot Streak bit from GSC8... :-)
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
-
You know, since we've brought up many past and present sports announcers who would be great GS hosts...
WHERE IS JIM McKAY?!?!?!?! Or Al Michaels, Pat Summerall, James Brown (no, not that James Brown), or Verne Lundquist?
Summerall may be calling NFL games for ESPN until Mike Patrick (their main play-by-play guy) returns to full strength after surgery, but he's slow as hell! JB could do an adequate job; ditto for Michaels. And Lundquist may provide a witty style similar to J.C. Daly.
-
Well, Jim McKay did host "Make the Connection" for Goodson-Todman. Verne Lundquist hosted "Bowling for Dollars" on WFAA, Channel 8 in Dallas in the mid-70's.
-
I know it’s been almost 15 years since this post has been made. But I couldn’t resist. Tim Brando would make a good game show host. He actually auditioned for Wheel after Pat left and did a good job with his audition. Nancy Jones and a lot of ppl were pushing for him and the job went to Rolf Benirschke. And we all know how that turned out.
-
Bob Costas may not have much going on soon; he's negotiating an exit from NBC (according to a recent report in USA Today). He's now 66, so I don't see that happening; I think he'll probably wind up doing play by play with an MLB team (he lives in New York, but I would think he'd try St. Louis if he goes that route).
Keith Olbermann was mentioned here before. If you're not expecting your show to go much beyond two years, he could be your guy.
How about Joe Buck? [ducking]
-
I know it asks for no one from NBC, but I always thought Bob Costas would make a decent host for something trivia related. I also think Keith Olbermann would make an excellent host. I could see him doing something like Millionaire. Dan Patrick is another choice.
It took me 10 years, but Dan finally came to fruition. :P
I think Mike Tirico could have some good chops, but his sexual harassment controversy resurfaced when the Me Too movement started last year. People wanted him fired from NBC, so I dunno if that could follow him to another show.
Could also see Scott Van Pelt and Rich Eisen doing something.
-
How about Joe Buck? [ducking]
Oh, what the hell, let's see if we can also get Tim McCarver an audition while we're at it! :P
-
How about Joe Buck? [ducking]
Oh, what the hell, let's see if we can also get Tim McCarver an audition while we're at it! :P
Marv Albert for the hat trick... YESSSSSS!
-
I know it asks for no one from NBC, but I always thought Bob Costas would make a decent host for something trivia related. I also think Keith Olbermann would make an excellent host. I could see him doing something like Millionaire. Dan Patrick is another choice.
It took me 10 years, but Dan finally came to fruition. :P
I think Mike Tirico could have some good chops, but his sexual harassment controversy resurfaced when the Me Too movement started last year. People wanted him fired from NBC, so I dunno if that could follow him to another show.
Could also see Scott Van Pelt and Rich Eisen doing something.
I know John Anderson did Wipeout (the 2000s version). Mike Greenberg did Duel. The late Stuart Scott w/ Stump The Schwab.
Scott Van Pelt or Trey Wingo seem like logical choices. I wouldn't mind seeing Cari Champion host one.
-
I could see John Anderson doing a trivia show, maybe even as a sub on Millionaire. Same for SVP.
-
Jim Brockmire. Perhaps on the Newlywed Game.
-
I always thought motorsports commentator (well, he's also commentated college football as well for ESPN if I recall) Allen Bestwick would make a decent game show host. To me he has that voice and personality.
-
Could the Lawler "quotes" have been any more repulsive?
Or unnecessary?
JakeT
-
Watching Supermarket Sweep and I think this guy might be a decent choice...
(https://i.imgur.com/gnOeHQ4.jpg)
-
Can you give us either an episode number or team names?
-
Can you give us either an episode number or team names?
I wanted to see if it rang a bell with anyone, but I'm almost certain that was a very young Matt Vasgersian now of MLB Network/ESPN on tonight's Supermarket Sweep rerun.
-
I knew who it was—just hoping to see if I could find that episode.
-
Can you give us either an episode number or team names?
I wanted to see if it rang a bell with anyone, but I'm almost certain that was a very young Matt Vasgersian now of MLB Network/ESPN on tonight's Supermarket Sweep rerun.
Believe it or not, he did host a game show! Remember Baseball IQ?
-
I wanted to see if it rang a bell with anyone, but I'm almost certain that was a very young Matt Vasgersian now of MLB Network/ESPN on tonight's Supermarket Sweep rerun.
Believe it or not, he did host a game show! Remember Baseball IQ?
Never heard of it. (Edit: Ok, now I have (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_IQ)) He also hosted "Sports Geniuses" for Fox Sports Net.
/was fairly addicted to said show back in the day