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The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Jimmy Owen on January 23, 2004, 10:30:59 AM

Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Jimmy Owen on January 23, 2004, 10:30:59 AM
Curt A. was musing on the GSN section about having a thread regarding best substitute host.  I will nominate Walter O'Keefe who filled in well for Herb Shriner on "Two for the Money."
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: GSWitch on January 23, 2004, 10:59:04 AM
I nominate Sally Struthers sitting in for Vicki Lawrence on the NBC Win Lose or Draw!  She didn't act like a meathead or a dingbat as sub host!
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: JMFabiano on January 23, 2004, 11:19:37 AM
Since he wasn't permanent, would Bill Cullen on PW+ count?
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Matt Ottinger on January 23, 2004, 11:26:56 AM
[quote name=\'JMFabiano\' date=\'Jan 23 2004, 12:19 PM\'] Since he wasn't permanent, would Bill Cullen on PW+ count? [/quote]
Sorry, the judges say no.  Since this thread was based on Curt's original musing, we have to go along with his rules, and he specifically said that we couldn't select Bill on Password Plus.

So I nominate Bill on To Tell The Truth.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: ChuckNet on January 23, 2004, 11:30:08 AM
I'd go w/Jim Peck on TJW.

Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: clemon79 on January 23, 2004, 11:58:12 AM
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Jan 23 2004, 09:26 AM\'] [quote name=\'JMFabiano\' date=\'Jan 23 2004, 12:19 PM\'] Since he wasn't permanent, would Bill Cullen on PW+ count? [/quote]
Sorry, the judges say no.  Since this thread was based on Curt's original musing, we have to go along with his rules, and he specifically said that we couldn't select Bill on Password Plus.

So I nominate Bill on To Tell The Truth. [/quote]
 When I saw that, the first thing to fly into my head was "Fine, then. Tom Kennedy, Password Plus."

But I suppose it could be argued that Tom was a replacement host, and not a substitute. Same with Peck, really.

How about Geoff Edwards on LMAD? As we've seen, few men can run a trading floor like Monty Hall, but Geoff did an able job.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: tommycharles on January 23, 2004, 12:28:17 PM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Jan 23 2004, 11:58 AM\'] When I saw that, the first thing to fly into my head was "Fine, then. Tom Kennedy, Password Plus."
 [/quote]
 Lol...that was the first thing I though of as well. However, my vote goes to...Alex Trebeck. He did a pretty great job on Wheel.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: SRIV94 on January 23, 2004, 01:01:15 PM
[quote name=\'tommycharles\' date=\'Jan 23 2004, 11:28 AM\'] [quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Jan 23 2004, 11:58 AM\'] When I saw that, the first thing to fly into my head was "Fine, then. Tom Kennedy, Password Plus."
 [/quote]
Lol...that was the first thing I though of as well. However, my vote goes to...Alex Trebeck. He did a pretty great job on Wheel. [/quote]
 Marc Summers on SCRABBLE didn't do too badly either.

And didn't Gene Rayburn do a few stints on TT so that Bert & Ann Convy could play the game (other than the various hosts weeks)?  That merits a vote or two.

Doug
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: David Lawrence on January 23, 2004, 02:41:50 PM
I enjoy IGAS episodes with Henry Morgan as guest host. He made a much better transition from panelist to guest host than Bennett, who seemed ill-at-ease the one time he hosted WML.

I'm sure Bill's stint as TTTT fill-in host also ranks high, but I haven't had the chance to see one of those episodes.

Among the surviving Cullen-era TPIR that GSN once aired, was Arlene's episode as guest host among them? If so, any thoughts on how it turned out?
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Don Howard on January 23, 2004, 02:46:43 PM
Jack Clark on Password. For that matter, Jack did a good job when
subbing for Bud on To Tell The Truth also.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Winkfan on January 23, 2004, 05:21:54 PM
I'd go w/Jim Peck on TJW.

Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
Ditto on Jim; he'd be MY #1 choice! I'd also go with Robert Q. Lewis on To Tell the Truth, Bob Kennedy on Beat the Clock, and even Betsy Palmer during the two times she hosted I've Got A Secret.

Now, how about WORST Guest Host? I feel Beat the Clock is guilty of having two of them: John Reed King (way too enthuiastic) and Win Elliott (not enthuiastic enough).

Cordially,
Tammy Warner--the 'Nancy Dussault of the Big Board!'
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Don Howard on January 23, 2004, 11:52:02 PM
[quote name=\'Winkfan\' date=\'Jan 23 2004, 05:21 PM\'] Now, how about WORST Guest Host? I feel Beat the Clock is guilty of having two of them: John Reed King (way too enthuiastic) and Win Elliott (not enthuiastic enough).

 [/quote]
 Gotta disagree on John. He was so over the top he was a trip--infinitely better than that schlock Sonny Fox, that's for sure.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Vgmastr on January 24, 2004, 12:52:59 AM
Jim J. Bullock was pretty awful when he hosted Double Dare.  He was confused about the rules, as he continually asked the staff which team he was supposed to ask the question to.  Also, he described the physical challenges way too quickly.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Robert Hutchinson on January 24, 2004, 03:50:40 AM
Geoff Edwards guest-hosting Chain Reaction '80.

Honorable mention: Pat Sajak hosting Jeopardy! Ah, one blessed day without missing punch lines and bad, vaguely offensive accents.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: aaron sica on January 24, 2004, 08:38:31 AM
My vote definitely goes to Jim Peck when he'd sub for Jack Barry on TJW. That was the first time I'd ever seen Jim Peck, and considering Jack Barry always seemed scary-looking to me when I was a child,  Jim was a welcome change...
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: calliaume on January 24, 2004, 08:47:06 AM
Gee, ya make one offhand comment, and there's a big honkin' thread.

Considering he had no background for it, Ralph Bellamy did an okay job of helming I've Got a Secret with very little advance notice.

And how about To Tell the Truth starring Mark Goodson?
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Starkman on January 24, 2004, 08:58:08 AM
Whoever said worst guest host obviously forgot ALF! on squares what a disaster! Living proof that unless you are el blabador, Puppets and game shows do NOT mix.

Best would go with Jim peck, also todd newton on RR was really good imho
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: DrBear on January 24, 2004, 08:59:50 AM
OK...would Peter Marshall's visit to Bergeron's Squares count?
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: aaron sica on January 24, 2004, 10:39:30 AM
[quote name=\'DrBear\' date=\'Jan 24 2004, 08:59 AM\'] OK...would Peter Marshall's visit to Bergeron's Squares count? [/quote]
 I see no reason why it wouldn't - actually it fits the picture even more than some of the ones we've mentioned.

I would actually be more apt to classify Jim Peck as "substitute host", if you could call "substitute" and "filling in" the same thing - I'm pretty sure the beginning of the show, Johnny G. introduced him as "filling in for Jack Barry, Jim Peck!".

Peter Marshall, since he was only on one episode, would definitely be a guest host, as he was a guest to H2.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Mike Tennant on January 24, 2004, 09:14:38 PM
[quote name=\'Starkman\' date=\'Jan 24 2004, 08:58 AM\']Whoever said worst guest host obviously forgot ALF! on squares what a disaster! Living proof that unless you are el blabador, Puppets and game shows do NOT mix.[/quote]
Now see here.  You forgot about Guy Smiley!
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: trainman on January 24, 2004, 09:52:40 PM
[quote name=\'Mike Tennant\' date=\'Jan 24 2004, 06:14 PM\'] Now see here.  You forgot about Guy Smiley! [/quote]
 Or, for that matter, Stephanie D'Abruzzo and Kate Monster of the Broadway musical "Avenue Q" giving away $10,000 on "Pyramid" a couple of months ago.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: SRIV94 on January 24, 2004, 09:59:31 PM
[quote name=\'trainman\' date=\'Jan 24 2004, 08:52 PM\'] [quote name=\'Mike Tennant\' date=\'Jan 24 2004, 06:14 PM\'] Now see here.  You forgot about Guy Smiley! [/quote]
Or, for that matter, Stephanie D'Abruzzo and Kate Monster of the Broadway musical "Avenue Q" giving away $10,000 on "Pyramid" a couple of months ago. [/quote]
But they weren't hosting, though.  Or were they (insert villainous booming laugh here)?  :)

EDIT:  OK, the general statement of "puppets and game shows do not mix" isn't necessarily correct (although everyone's entitled to their opinion).  But puppets HOSTING game shows is a completely different story (although Kermit the Frog probably could pull it off).

Doug
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: DrBear on January 24, 2004, 11:12:54 PM
[quote name=\'SRIV94\' date=\'Jan 24 2004, 08:59 PM\'] But puppets HOSTING game shows is a completely different story (although Kermit the Frog probably could pull it off).
 [/quote]
 I don't doubt it - he did a creditable job filling in for Johnny Carson one night...
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: GS Warehouse on January 24, 2004, 11:39:35 PM
[quote name=\'DrBear\' date=\'Jan 24 2004, 11:12 PM\'] [quote name=\'SRIV94\' date=\'Jan 24 2004, 08:59 PM\'] But puppets HOSTING game shows is a completely different story (although Kermit the Frog probably could pull it off).
 [/quote]
I don't doubt it - he did a creditable job filling in for Johnny Carson one night... [/quote]
 Kermit also filled in for Larry King one April Fool's Day.  Miss Piggy called in very frequently that night.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: Starkman on January 25, 2004, 03:54:38 AM
Guy smiley was a parody but yeah, a legend, just wouldnt call him a game show host, he just played one on sesame street ;)  

I didnt see the Ave Q bunch on Pyramid. They are geniuses seeing the play twice i gotta tell ya if you're in NY, gotta get out and see it!...but for every Olmec (i guess you can call him a puppet) and Blabador, there seem to be 2 shari louises on squares, alf hosting, kermit on millionaire, or prof. price. But im always happy to be proven wrong (hence why i post here ;) )
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: PPatters on January 25, 2004, 12:50:27 PM
Gosh, I think that Betsy Palmer and Henry Morgan both did wonderful jobs subbing on I've Got a Secret. Also, I can't forget to mention Bill Cullen's stunt on To Tell The Truth.

As for puppets and game shows, I have to say that I love some puppets on game shows. On To Tell The Truth a couple of years ago, Kermit the Frog was one of the best panelists! I mean, amazing... I wouldn't mind it if Kermit hosted a game show, honestly.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: WhammyPower on January 25, 2004, 02:34:38 PM
I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Gene Rayburn on Tattletales yet....
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: zachhoran on January 25, 2004, 02:37:20 PM
[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' date=\'Jan 25 2004, 02:34 PM\'] I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Gene Rayburn on Tattletales yet.... [/quote]
 Or Bob Barker or Bobby Van or Jack Narz, who also rotated with Convy as a panelist and or/host on said week.

THere were instances where others hosted a question or two of MG7x while Gene played; Betty White and CNR for two. McLean Stevenson hosted most of a 1981 syndicated episode while Gene played, and did a decent job enough as host.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: clemon79 on January 25, 2004, 02:57:37 PM
[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' date=\'Jan 25 2004, 12:34 PM\'] I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Gene Rayburn on Tattletales yet.... [/quote]
 Well, in all honesty, he wasn't that good. Barker was better on TT.
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: melman1 on January 25, 2004, 04:21:17 PM
[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Jan 25 2004, 12:37 PM\'] [quote name=\'WhammyPower\' date=\'Jan 25 2004, 02:34 PM\'] I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Gene Rayburn on Tattletales yet.... [/quote]
Or Bob Barker or Bobby Van or Jack Narz, who also rotated with Convy as a panelist and or/host on said week.
 [/quote]
 Except that he said "other than the various hosts weeks".  Which I assume means that Rayburn hosted outside of the "hosts weeks".
Title: Best Guest Host?
Post by: SRIV94 on January 25, 2004, 05:17:50 PM
[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' date=\'Jan 25 2004, 01:34 PM\'] I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Gene Rayburn on Tattletales yet.... [/quote]
 Ahem.  What am I, chopped liver?

Quote
And didn't Gene Rayburn do a few stints on TT so that Bert & Ann Convy could play the game (other than the various hosts weeks)? That merits a vote or two.
 Posted by yours truly at 12:01PM CST on 1/23/04 (a mere two days ago).

Thanks for your support.  :)

Doug