The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: tyshaun1 on July 05, 2006, 11:21:21 PM
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The subject in the Page O'Clips thread has got me thinking.... who would you rate as your top 3 overrated and underrated hosts?
My Top 3 underrated:
1. Jim Perry- Made every game he did run smooth as butter, yet provided a friendly and warm atmosphere to the show.
2. Peter Tomarken- Like most people have said, Peter was great at balancing when to take the game seriously and when to have some fun, which worked marvelously on PYL and Wipeout, not so much on Hit Man.
3. Bill Rafferty- Remembered hating him in the past, but now I realized how much smoother the 80's Card Sharks ran with him at the helm, and despite him being a comedian, he never got in the way of the game.
Overrated:
1. Allen Ludden- Seemed very cold to the contestants, IMO, and I enjoyed watching TK host P+ more.
2. Bob Eubanks- Slowed the pace of the shows too often, constantly drew attention to himself, especially on CS.
3. Alex Trebek- Same as Ludden, always comes across as trying to be above the show he is doing, IMO. Although he was great on Classic Concentration......
Thoughts/Plusses/Minuses/Times's?
Tyshaun
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Underrated:
1. Jim Peck
2. Bill Rafferty
3. Jim Perry
Overrated:
1. Geoff Edwards
2. Bob Barker
3. Pat Sajak
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[quote name=\'tyshaun1\' post=\'123409\' date=\'Jul 5 2006, 10:21 PM\']
Thoughts/Plusses/Minuses/Times's?
[/quote]
Your choices are spot on with me. I would add to the underrated list Kevin O'Connell. Man, I would've liked to see him host other shows. If he was so effortless with GO as a rookie, I'm sure he could've handled formats. Also, I think the biggest himbo of all time, John Davidson, is sooooo overrated. Why was he picked to host anything? Weren't there other good looking guys who weren't as bumbly?
Brandon Brooks
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[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'123415\' date=\'Jul 5 2006, 09:24 PM\']
If he was so effortless with GO as a rookie, I'm sure he could've handled formats.
[/quote]
The thing about K.O. that really stands out is this: Take another look at that Very First Episode of Go that was posted recently. (Jamie, was that you?). This was a rookie host, hosting his VERY FIRST EPISODE. And he was slicker'n snot.
The people of Buffalo are very lucky indeed.
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Okay; I guess it's my turn:
Underrated:
1. Marc Summers
2. Kevin O'Connell
3. Peter Tomarken (WHAT?!? I know that's what you're thinking...:) But, honestly, I think most people who respect him as a host are doing so simply because he hosted PYL. Yes, he was good on that, but he was also good on every show he did, even that God-awful BH!)
Overrated:
1. Jim Lange (How this guy, who kept slowing games down to a crawl, kept getting hosting jobs is beyond me!)
2. Jack Barry (A terrific producer, yes, but he just never could grow on me as a host)
3. Richard Dawson (Somebody take a pin and pop that ego, PLEASE!)
I have many honorable mentions in both columns, but I'll stick to this for now...;)
Anthony
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My list, all modern hosts, who I feel deserve another chance:
1. Tom Bergeron. I know he doesn't want to be seen as just a game show host, but his work on HSq really showed how down-to-earth he is. He honestly seems like a modern-day Jim Perry or Peter Tomarken who knew how to let the contestants be the star, yet knew when to add humor to the show.
2. Mark L. Walberg. He had to go through a few bad shows ("Free 4 All", "Big Date") and even a talk show, but he proved himself with "Russian Roulette" and "On the Cover". He honestly deserves another shot.
3. George Gray. He added the right touch of sarcasm and cyncism to syndie "Weakest Link".
I can't think of anyone I'd say is overrated...I pretty much like the hosts that are generally liked by everyone else.
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[quote name=\'beatlefreak84\' post=\'123418\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 12:46 AM\']
2. Jack Barry (A terrific producer, yes, but he just never could grow on me as a host)
[/quote]
I mentioned this in the Page 'O' Clips thread...I think it got lost in the Bill Cullen debate. ;-)
Anyways, I found it hilarious how he tried to build the faux drama on every single question, and draw things out the best he could. I loved how he praised the tournament winner as if she was a testament to all women everywhere. Yes, I'm sure that's exactly what the suffragists had in mind, a female game show tournament winner. ;-) To me, he also seemed a bit condescending during the post-mortem interviews. He did the same dramatics on the Million Dollar tournament a year later.
Then again, I still couldn't get past the celebration graphics...how much did she win again?! ;-)
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My choice for most underrated would be Jack Narz. Three years on BTC, five years on Concentration, a year on NYSI, yet he seems to fly under the radar. Too bad Dotto was rigged, that would have been his signature show.
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Argh! I closed my window.
Underrated: I vote for Jack Narz solely on the strength of his half-episode switch with brother Tom Kennedy on Password Plus. He seemed like he'd been there for years.
Another vote for underrated: Pat Sajak. I wish we could see how he'd have done on another long-term game show.
I don't feel like coming up with four more, so I'll nominate one as (slightly) overrated: Wink Martindale. Little too much smarm for me.
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Here are my picks as I see 'em:
Undertated:
3. Kevin O'Conell-Sure he was a nice guy & all. He made GO what it was. A true testament to a guy that should've gone for more.
2. Marc Sunners-With Double Dare(Nick version) & History I.Q., he was always on the ball witth his hosting style. Definitely a gold mine of game show hosts.
1. Jim Perry-How can you not mistake his voice? The way he creates tension was so good, it's hard not to overlook this pick.
Overrated:
3. Pat Sajak-I'm surprised this hasn't been thrown out yet. He was good in his heyday, but now he's losing sense of who he really is these days.
2. Bob Barker-He's still around. After 34 years of TPIR, I'd figure he'd hang it up, but he's back for more. I think his age is about to get the best of him if he's not careful.
1. Alex Trebek-In his early days, he was lively & cheerful on J!, but now he seems more mundanr these days. That's definitely a drag there.
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I don't have much to add to anyone's posts - althrough I'd dispute Ludden being on the overrated list. As Clay said in the other thread, it's just that his Password work overshadowed the other good stuff he did.
And if anyone doesn't think Bergeron is first-rate, consider this - he's the only host who ever added interest to "America's Funniest Home Videos." (Granted, Bob "The World's Unfunniest Man" Saget isn't much competition.)
But I do have two more for the overrated list:
Art James. Always seemed too, well, forceful for me. Although I liked him on "Who What or Where."
Bud Collyer. Maybe part of it is just not liking BTC, but compare his work on TTTT to Garry Moore - or even Gordon Elliott - and it just isn't as good.
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Underrated:
1. Jim Perry. It's too bad that nothing else was found for him after Sale of the Century was cancelled.
2. Monty Hall on OTHER SHOWS. His work on shows like Beat The Clock and Split Second was very good. Split Second suffered from a very weak format.
3. Peter Tomarken. It seems as though he gets more underrated every year, and a lot of people don't like PYL, so they don't like him for some reason.
Overrated:
1. Bob Eubanks. Talk about someone who's good for one show, here's the king of that. What Bob doesn't realize is what worked on The Newlywed Game doesn't work on shows like Dream House and Card Sharks...
2. Dennis James. His smoker's voice is annoying, and I think he's not really that exciting...
3. Jim Lange. Though I like him on Bullseye and TDG...I just don't think he can cut it with anything else BUT.
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I'll add one to the underrated list, and this one is certainly open to criticism, Todd Newton.
Todd gets "hatorade", granted it's somewhat justified, for being on Jolt cola when he hosted Whammy! a couple of years back. But, he really wasn't that bad even on Whammy. Truth be told I think a lot of the criticism for Todd on Whammy in the end comes from people who were peeved that he wasn't Peter Tomarken.
The man in every format he's hosted (Hollywood Showdown especially) knows how to let the contestants shine while getting in his personality here and there. And if you haven't seen him do Price in A.C. (when Governor Corzine isn't f'n up the state) or Vegas, well, you're missing out on the craziest time ever.
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3. Richard Dawson (Somebody take a pin and pop that ego, PLEASE!)
Agreed with Richard Dawson. I really think I like the Combs "Feud" a bit better - and mostly because Dawson wasn't on it. What surprised me is that his gigantic ego was well know by the early '80s - even written up in TV Guide - yet everyone on the show seemed to love him including announcer Gene Wood.
Was that all just an act for the show, or is there something I'm missing here?
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[quote name=\'PYLW\' post=\'123432\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 07:04 AM\']
3. Peter Tomarken. It seems as though he gets more underrated every year, and a lot of people don't like PYL, so they don't like him for some reason.
[/quote]
Who else had a bet that someone with "PYL" or "Whammy" in their name would say this?
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'123431\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 04:36 AM\']
(Granted, Bob "The World's Unfunniest Man" Saget isn't much competition.)
[/quote]
Spoken like a man who has never seen his (absolutely filthy) stand-up act. If you have, please accept my apologies, but it's been my experience that people pass judgment on Saget based on the body of his broadcast work, and you're really not being fair if that is the case.
/that's a hell of an act, what do you call it?
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[quote name=\'PYLW\' post=\'123432\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 05:04 AM\']
3. Peter Tomarken. It seems as though he gets more underrated every year, and a lot of people don't like PYL, so they don't like him for some reason.
[/quote]
Note, please, that a lot of us don't hate PYL because of the show itself, or even Tomarken, but because of the incessant overbearing fanbois who think the show can do no wrong and flat refuse to even listen to or consider an argument to the contrary.
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Overrated
Bert convy - Too often he would slow the game down (see Super Password)
J.D. roth - Comes across as too loud & pushy.
Dennis James - No idea how he did Price for so long.
Underrated
Mark Walberg - Hasn't been given a really good show to work with, but he's smooth with what he's given (Russian Roulette, On the Cover). I think he is/was the best of the Atlantic City TPIR hosts I've seen.
Jim peck- I thought his work on Joker's Wild was solid.
Chuck Henry - Probably not a popular choice, but having recently seen NYSI, I don't think he did that bad of a job. Although he was very dry, I thought he did well. Would have like to seen him host another game to compare.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' post=\'123447\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 07:08 AM\']
J.D. roth - Comes across as too loud & pushy.
[/quote]
For someone to be "overrated", they must first be "rated". Is there ANYONE who puts Roth in the upper echelon of the hosting scale?
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'123444\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 09:29 AM\']
[quote name=\'PYLW\' post=\'123432\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 05:04 AM\']
3. Peter Tomarken. It seems as though he gets more underrated every year, and a lot of people don't like PYL, so they don't like him for some reason.
[/quote]
Note, please, that a lot of us don't hate PYL because of the show itself, or even Tomarken, but because of the incessant overbearing fanbois who think the show can do no wrong and flat refuse to even listen to or consider an argument to the contrary.
[/quote]
Yeah I know (Some of you guys are intelligent compared to basically, almost everyone on gsn.com...), it's just that some people (I *ahem*, won't say names.) tend to bash it...
Who else had a bet that someone with "PYL" or "Whammy" in their name would say this?
Who else had a bet that Mark would say this when it would happen?
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*Looks down at my ticket* I had all of those things mentioned as part of my trifecta. Do I win the Malcom jackpot?
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[quote name=\'PYLW\' post=\'123450\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 10:25 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'123444\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 09:29 AM\']
[quote name=\'PYLW\' post=\'123432\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 05:04 AM\']
3. Peter Tomarken. It seems as though he gets more underrated every year, and a lot of people don't like PYL, so they don't like him for some reason.
[/quote]
Note, please, that a lot of us don't hate PYL because of the show itself, or even Tomarken, but because of the incessant overbearing fanbois who think the show can do no wrong and flat refuse to even listen to or consider an argument to the contrary.
[/quote]
Yeah I know (Some of you guys are intelligent compared to basically, almost everyone on gsn.com...), it's just that some people (I *ahem*, won't say names.) tend to bash it...
[/quote]
Yes, some people tend to bash it, but the bashing is not as widespread or as simple to explain as you made it sound.
I've been as disgusted as anyone else by the fact that people have been bashed merely for mentioning the words "Press Your Luck" or Peter Tomarken's name in any context. However, the fact that some people seem to believe that such mentions should be a capital crime doesn't mean that the aforementioned incessant overbearing fanbois -- the people for whom I coined the term "Tomarkenite" in the first place -- don't exist and don't contribute to the PYL-bashing that has occurred.
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As is probably well known around here, I'm a big PYL and Tomarken fan, yet I understand completely where David (and Chris C. in some regards) is coming from, where some folks believe that the game show world begins and ends with PYL. At the same time tho, it's become very easy to think that every PYL fan is automatically a fanboi.
Tyshaun
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[quote name=\'tyshaun1\' post=\'123464\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 01:01 PM\']
As is probably well known around here, I'm a big PYL and Tomarken fan, yet I understand completely where David (and Chris C. in some regards) is coming from, where some folks believe that the game show world begins and ends with PYL.
[/quote]
Actually, I can think of several folks who have expressed the belief that the whole world, period -- not just the game show world -- begins and ends with PYL. Thankfully, they're a minority.
At the same time tho, it's become very easy to think that every PYL fan is automatically a fanboi.
And that wasn't my intent when I came up with the term "Tomarkenite." It was never meant to refer to everyone who likes the show, or even everyone who considers it his or her favorite show. Unfortunately, the fanbois are loud and persistent enough that they often drown out everyone else.
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But is Jim Jackson ever any GOOD? I mean, besides like his first two years in the league (He's not even a good shooter...). Comparing Jim Jackson to Bill Cullen is really off...
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[quote name=\'mcfly95\' post=\'123466\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 10:45 AM\']
4. Bil Dwyer: As much as I hate the "all gay" panel of IGAS, this guy has always been a pretty solid host, a good combo of a comedian's act and personable charm.
[/quote]
Ya know, considering that outside of Billy Bean, I hadn't heard of a single member of the IGAS panel (and Billy I only knew as a benchwarmer-for-a-year with the Dodgers; I have one of his cards), I gotta say that gay, straight, or whatever, they're a really good panel, and they seem to meld together pretty well. So I'd be curious to know why you dislike them.
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Underrated
1. Bert Newton. He runs Bert's Family Feud very well and he injects subtle humor when necessary. He lets the contestants be the star of the show, unlike other people who have hosted the show.
2. Todd Newton. Bag on him all you want. When I saw him in Pittsburgh at the Hollywood Showdown contestant search, he was a pro. He knew what to say and when to say it, plus the ladies love(d?) him.
3. John O'Hurley. He was one of the few positives during To Tell the Truth's run six years ago. He adds class to a show instantly, plus like Bert Newton, he delivers one-liners when appropriate.
Honorable mention to Bil Dwyer
Overrated
1. Ray Combs. He paled in comparison to Dawson. The wearing women's shoes gag got real old real fast.
2. Jack Barry. I never liked Barry that much growing up. When he breaks down every possible scenario, it ruins the continuity of the game plus it wastes time. Then again, they were his programs...
3. Jim Lange. I've always seen him as an average host at best, almost like he did well enough to justify a paycheck.
Honorable mention to Peter Tomarken
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I have to agree with Chris, I think the panel works really well together. Two of them are loud (Frank and Jermaine), and the other two are more quiet and ask more questions (Suzanne and Billy Bean...who was indeed a benchwarmer, but wasn't too bad. Decent hitter.). I think it just gels very well together.
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My turn...
UNDERRATED
1. Tomarken. Your feelings about PYL aside, IMO it's hard argue with Tomarken's hosting ability on his shows. It's too bad that outside of one show, his shows either sucked (Bargain Hunters) or didn't have a chance to build an audience when they first aired (Hit Man, Wipeout).
2. Rafferty. I'm just gonna say I'm glad I got GSN when I did. Over the last few months seeing him on Card Sharks, I can see what all the fuss has been about him.
3. Perry. Damn fine host.
OVERRATED
1. Ray Combs. I don't knock his Feud, but the more I see of Dawson's the more I think that his was better, no matter how big his ego got.
2. Jim Lange. Good for the Dating Game, bad for most else.
3. Pat Sajak. Gotten worse as the years have gone along.
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I'll throw on my list...
UNDERRATED
Pat Finn- He came across as stiff on TJW, but he proved himself much looser on STYD. He tried to maintain some degree of class that Dee Baker seemed to drain out whenever he came out in drag.
Rolf Benirschke- You'd have to see his later WOF shows to see that as the run progressed, he got better and looser... even TV Guide praised him as a good host.
OVERRATED
Pat Sajak- Just have to say that I agree, but it's also not entirely his fault. Wheel is so chock full of sponsor plugs that Pat has much less time to inject his dry wit.
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In terms of overrated, I echo the sentiment of others about Jack Barry not being all that great.
To me, Bert Convy was a lot more of "just a pretty face" than a good host.
Last but not least, I didn't like Regis' style of presenting 'Millionaire' at all.
I didn't go at all for this "Mr. Nice Guy" style by refusing to string the contestants and the audience along in order to provoke at least SOME tension and drama. He was pretty dull on what I've seen of The Neighbors, too.
My underrated list would be Jim Peck, Jim Perry, and Kevin O'Connell.
--Jamie
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Fiono Coyne\' post=\'123490\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 07:15 PM\']
In terms of overrated, I echo the sentiment of others about Jack Barry not being all that great.[/quote]
But come on, is he really overrated? I've never read any glowing praise for him here.
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May I think outside the box?
For underrated hosts, how about J. Keith van Stratten? I thought he did a great job. He kept the game going without being stiff, and he's a quick thinker.
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'123414\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 12:20 AM\']
Overrated:
1. Geoff Edwards
[/quote]
Was Geoff even RATED at all? Seems to me he didn't gain much fame outside of the die-hard community for his shows...
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[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'123415\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 12:24 AM\']
Your choices are spot on with me. I would add to the underrated list Kevin O'Connell. Man, I would've liked to see him host other shows. If he was so effortless with GO as a rookie, I'm sure he could've handled formats. Also, I think the biggest himbo of all time, John Davidson, is sooooo overrated. Why was he picked to host anything? Weren't there other good looking guys who weren't as bumbly?
Brandon Brooks
[/quote]
I thought John was alright on Squares. As for $100K Pyramid, you're right. I always pictured Bob Goen as more of a natural than Davidson for Pyramid.
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Here's the thing (to me) about being 'overrated'...that would assume you've had a few chances to host various game shows...(How can Pat Sajak be overrated if he only hosted one show?) and not proving yourself capable time and time again..
In the case of an overrated host with a long running show, a guy whose personality gets in the way of the game at hand...for me, some of them (below) at times, got so annoying, they made me turn the channel.....
Underrated is a little different. Someone who deserved more opportunities and/or accolades that what they got...
That said , here's my list.
Underrated :
Jack Narz
Bobby Van
Jim Perry
Overrated :
Jim Lange
Jack Barry
Bob Eubanks
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As I always like to point out when someone forwards this argument:
[quote name=\'Johnissoevil\' post=\'123515\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 12:19 AM\']
I thought John was alright on Squares.
[/quote]
...except for the little part where, save for an IFB with a producer in it telling him whenever it happened, he DIDN'T KNOW THE RULES TO HIS OWN FRIGGIN' GAME.
"Circle gets the...erm, what's that? Oh, we can't put a circle there, you have to earn that yourself."
Considering his utter inability to recognize a winning condition, I always thought that playing Tic-Tac-Toe with John Davidson for money would be a rather profitable experience.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'123522\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 09:27 AM\']
Considering his utter inability to recognize a winning condition, I always thought that playing Tic-Tac-Toe with John Davidson for money would be a rather profitable experience.
[/quote]
I have to agree with Lemon here. I always thought that, if John Davidson were a soccer player, he would continually kick the ball into his own goal because he does not know the rules.
UNDERRATED
Pat Finn- He came across as stiff on TJW, but he proved himself much looser on STYD. He tried to maintain some degree of class that Dee Baker seemed to drain out whenever he came out in drag.
Excuse me? Pat Finn? Underrated? You must be joking. I plainly remember the first time I saw Pat Finn was at the age of 12, when USA was repeating TJW '90, and I cringed the moment I heard his over-excited voice. I just never could tolerate him on anything I ever saw that he hosted, and I've not exactly went out of my way to watch anything he's hosted lately either. In other words, it's overrated to say he's underrated.
I have to agree with most of the list to say that Jim Perry is underrated, I think he is a great, capable host that had some good hits in the 70's/80's.
I also say that Bert Convy tends to get underrated sometimes too, he was a great host on Tattletales, maybe not so much so on Super Password. If only we had gotten to see him on MG '90. :-\
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Here's my picks:
UNDER-RATED
George Gray: Great ad-libber, knows how to run the game well.
Bil Dwyer: See George Gray
Bill Rafferty: He moved the game along, and inserted humor where it was needed.
Honorable Mention: Laird Macintosh: He has the right touch for a show like Treasure Hunters. Which is good, since he does host that.
OVER-RATED
Bob Barker: lame humor + pointless thoughts = Why is he still there?
Chuck Woolery: See Bob Barker.
Richard Karn: See Bob Barker. Oh wait, they fired him. YAY!
Dishonorable mention: Ricki Lake. Even though she got "better" during the run, she still sucked.
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[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' post=\'123527\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 08:23 AM\']
Honorable Mention: Laird Macintosh: He has the right touch for a show like Treasure Hunters. Which is good, since he does host that.
[/quote]
If by "host" you mean "holes up in a studio and records all of his bits in a single day", sure. The guy's a talking head, fer God's sake. He's a "host" in the same sense that a guy who voice-tracks a six-hour radio shift in twenty minutes without so much as touching a compact disc, cart, or hunk of vinyl is a "deejay". How the hell you even rate him, much less UNDERrate him, is completely staggering to me.
Here's a little hint for you: Just because it says "Host" under his name when he's fonted the first time he appears on-screen, doesn't mean he actually IS one.
Your title could not be more appropriate right now.
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lame humor
I thought that'd be right up your alley.
And I don't think even the most casual of viewers considered Richard Karn to be anything resembling "good" much less overrated.
-Jason
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Well, Karn was considered good when he took over, if only because he followed Louie. So Karn was good in the sense that morphine is good after you've broken your leg. But you can't continue with it. Karn never really grew into the job.
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'123562\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 12:15 PM\']
So Karn was good in the sense that morphine is good after you've broken your leg.
[/quote]
There, fixed that for you.
A more apt analogy might be "in the sense that having your foot stomped on is good...after being kicked in the nutz." :)
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Richard Karn's performance on Feud can be compared to what the networks told Monty Hall on LMAD... "yeah, the first show is good... but what have you got for the next one?"
Karn knew the game backwards and forwards, and ran the game at a fairly brisk pace, but if you compared his first show to a more recent one, you'll see that it's pretty much the same ol' same ol'. You can't get away with doing the exact same show for very long.
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For the category of overrated hosts....Rush Limbau....oh, you mean GAME SHOW hosts!?!??
Definitely, Dickie Dawson.
Although I liked when he told it like it was (i.e. when someone came up with a dumb response, he would play it up), I never liked when he'd spend the first several minutes talking about minutia while stroking his ego, having Mr. & Mrs. Joe America bowing at his feet and having one-sided conversations with people off camera and out of earshot.
If you edited out all that gibberish, you'd have about 15 minutes of good TV per show episode.
Hmmm. Come to think of it, all of the above fits for El Rushbo too. And I believe he purposely wanted security to find his little blue pills so he could brag about his big....ego!
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'123589\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 11:09 PM\']
For the category of overrated hosts....Rush Limbau....oh, you mean GAME SHOW hosts!?!??
Definitely, Dickie Dawson.
Although I liked when he told it like it was (i.e. when someone came up with a dumb response, he would play it up), I never liked when he'd spend the first several minutes talking about minutia while stroking his ego, having Mr. & Mrs. Joe America bowing at his feet and having one-sided conversations with people off camera and out of earshot.
If you edited out all that gibberish, you'd have about 15 minutes of good TV per show episode.
Hmmm. Come to think of it, all of the above fits for El Rushbo too. And I believe he purposely wanted security to find his little blue pills so he could brag about his big....ego!
[/quote]
I thought he was a comedian.
Well I know your post did not go through David. He tries to keep political posts off the forum, and I learned that the hard way (no pun intended).
Anyway back to the topic on hand, I do not consider Chuck Woolery to ever host anything. His hosting style is of he is one of the contestants, the real host cancelled, and he was put in charge. Chuck Woolery is a different style combining southern charm and humbleness in the same person.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'123522\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 08:27 AM\']
...except for the little part where, save for an IFB with a producer in it telling him whenever it happened, he DIDN'T KNOW THE RULES TO HIS OWN FRIGGIN' GAME.
[/quote]
Further substantiation: When appearing on the E!THS:The Hollywood Squares, Mr. Davidson was asked to recite the rules of the game--same for Peter Marshall. One of the former hosts spat out the rules as if he hosted it just yesterday. The other had no clue. Both hoeted the game for years. Match the stars.
Brandon Brooks
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[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' post=\'123527\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 10:23 AM\']
Bob Barker[/b]: lame humor + pointless thoughts = Why is he still there?
[/quote]
Sorry, you may say a lot of things about Barker, but one thing he ain't is overrated. He does his job extremely well, even at his age. Three other hosts didn't even do it as well as he does it now (you're a great host, Mr. Kennedy, but I'm sure you can even admit this).
Brandon Brooks
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[quote name=\'rebelwrest\' post=\'123593\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 11:21 PM\']
Well I know your post did not go through David. He tries to keep political posts off the forum, and I learned that the hard way (no pun intended).
[/quote]
Since you apparently still don't understand what happened, let me explain.
When it's clear that the primary intent of a post is not to discuss the topic at hand, but to make a political point or advertise a product, the post is edited or deleted. Your post did both of the latter, as its entire content was an excerpt of an anti-Bill O'Reilly and anti-GOP (no, they're not the same thing, as the former worships himself more than he does any party) book followed by "WATCH KEITH OLBERMANN ON COUNTDOWN ON MSNBC!!!!" in the largest font Invision allows. I told you that since said excerpt did make an interesting game show allusion, you could repost the excerpt; even an added comment like "this is why I prefer Keith Olbermann" wouldn't have been out of line, just the glorified ad. You declined, making your intent clear.
Though Mr. Kubat's Limbaugh slam was not on topic, the primary content of his post was. We don't ban all political references. (As an aside, I'd argue that a Limbaugh slam isn't necessarily a political comment, as I know many conservatives who can't stand him and more than a few liberals who enjoy his show.) We just don't want the board to degenerate into the likes of Democratic Underground or Free Republic.
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If you want to see Barker at his peak, you have to go "T or C." Granted, it was a very unstructured format, but that worked to his advantage as he was able to bring out his contestants' personalities as no one else who hosted the show in its long run was able or allowed to do (and that includes the guy who created the show).
In fact, I don't think it's a coincidence that the only time "T or C" worked on television was Barker's version. He was very good on "TPIR" at his peak before his ego got to him, but even then he was better on "T or C."
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UNDERATED:
1. Jim Perry- Two Words: THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!!
2. Bill Cullen- If you were to go up to anyone in the street and ask them to name a game show host I think none of them would say Cullen.
3. Marc Summers- He is one of the only hosts I know that can host both game shows involving kids (Double Dare) and adults (History I.Q) very well.
OVERATED:
1. Bob Eubanks- When he was on CS he tried to converse with the contestants in a NG sort of way and it didn't really work.
2. Pat Sajak- He's gotten too caught up in running the game itself which is not entirely his fault.
3. Bob Barker- I think that after 34 years his charm might be beginning to wear down.
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[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123877\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 03:29 PM\'] Jim Perry- Two Words: THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!! [/quote]
When you phrase it like that, you almost make him sound like Patrick Wayne in my mind.
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[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' post=\'123886\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 06:26 PM\']
[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123877\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 03:29 PM\'] Jim Perry- Two Words: THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!! [/quote]
When you phrase it like that, you almost make him sound like Patrick Wayne in my mind.
[/quote]
Good Point. I meant on $OTC.
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[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123887\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 06:11 PM\']
[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' post=\'123886\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 06:26 PM\']
[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123877\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 03:29 PM\'] Jim Perry- Two Words: THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!! [/quote]
When you phrase it like that, you almost make him sound like Patrick Wayne in my mind.
[/quote]
Good Point. I meant on $OTC.
[/quote]
You say "good point", and then go on to cite an example...which is it?
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'123888\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 07:20 PM\']
[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123887\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 06:11 PM\']
[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' post=\'123886\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 06:26 PM\']
[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123877\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 03:29 PM\'] Jim Perry- Two Words: THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!! [/quote]
When you phrase it like that, you almost make him sound like Patrick Wayne in my mind.
[/quote]
Good Point. I meant on $OTC.
[/quote]
You say "good point", and then go on to cite an example...which is it?
[/quote]
I wanted to clear this up. What I meant was two things:
1. It is a good ponit that it does sound like Patrick Wayne.
2. Jim Perry said that spiel on $OTC.
Sorry about the confusion.
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[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123889\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 04:26 PM\']
I wanted to clear this up. What I meant was two things:
1. It is a good ponit that it does sound like Patrick Wayne.
2. Jim Perry said that spiel on $OTC.
Sorry about the confusion.
[/quote]2. "That's right!" is not a spiel. It is a declaration of the quality of correctness.
3. You've only added to the confusion. Thanks. We appreciate that.
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[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'123898\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 06:10 PM\']
[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123889\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 04:26 PM\']
2. Jim Perry said that spiel on $OTC.
[/quote]2. "That's right!" is not a spiel. It is a declaration of the quality of correctness.
[/quote]
It's also wrong, if he's quoting Perry declaring Barbara Phillips a Lot winner. He said "Israel is right!!!"
So not only does he not make any damn sense, but he's factually incorrect as well.
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What I meant was that Jim Perry always used to say THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!! emphatically during the speed round.
And as for the confusion, I'm sorry about that. Let's just forget it.
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[quote name=\'GSmaniac\' post=\'123902\' date=\'Jul 11 2006, 06:53 PM\']
What I meant was that Jim Perry always used to say THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!! emphatically during the speed round.
And as for the confusion, I'm sorry about that. Let's just forget it.
[/quote]
Your words may be forgotten. Your legacy will live on.
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Actually from clips I've seen it was only early on that Perry said "THAT'S RIGHT!/That's Incorrect!" in the speed round before going on a Sanka kick and later in the run simply saying "Right!/Wrong!" in the speed round. In the end it prolly means the difference of being able to spit out a handful more words of a question.
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My top 6 underrated:
1. Jon Bauman
2. Jim Lange
3. Wesley Eure (he tried to be personable with the kids and his jokes were not that bad at all!)
4. Pat Finn
5. Chuck Henry
6. Bill Rafferty
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[quote name=\'gsnstooge\' post=\'123994\' date=\'Jul 12 2006, 07:37 PM\']
My top 6 underrated:
1. Jon Bauman
2. Jim Lange
3. Wesley Eure (he tried to be personable with the kids and his jokes were not that bad at all!)
4. Pat Finn
5. Chuck Henry
6. Bill Rafferty
[/quote]
Earlier in this thread, I have already stated why #4 should not be on the underrated list, but Jon Bauman? JON BAUMAN!?!? I think that is all I have to say... the man was not game show host material, plain and simple. I got annoyed about the second or third time he said "Agree or Disagree" on MG/HS Hour.
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[quote name=\'NicholasM79\' post=\'123999\' date=\'Jul 12 2006, 05:18 PM\']
Earlier in this thread, I have already stated why #4 should not be on the underrated list, but Jon Bauman? JON BAUMAN!?!? I think that is all I have to say... the man was not game show host material, plain and simple.
[/quote]
Well, that's great, but I happen to disagree. Always liked him. Might be because I was always a Bowzer fan, I thought it was neat to see someone "in-character" as a guest on a game show.
Jim Lange, that's the one that has me scratching my head. But then, consider the source.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'124002\' date=\'Jul 12 2006, 08:43 PM\']
Well, that's great, but I happen to disagree. Always liked him. Might be because I was always a Bowzer fan, I thought it was neat to see someone "in-character" as a guest on a game show.
Jim Lange, that's the one that has me scratching my head. But then, consider the source.
[/quote]
Agreed on the source. Jim Lange, he's kind of in the middle. He's not great, but he's not that bad. I'd rank several people below him.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'124002\' date=\'Jul 12 2006, 08:43 PM\']
[quote name=\'NicholasM79\' post=\'123999\' date=\'Jul 12 2006, 05:18 PM\']
Earlier in this thread, I have already stated why #4 should not be on the underrated list, but Jon Bauman? JON BAUMAN!?!? I think that is all I have to say... the man was not game show host material, plain and simple.
[/quote]
Well, that's great, but I happen to disagree. Always liked him. Might be because I was always a Bowzer fan, I thought it was neat to see someone "in-character" as a guest on a game show.
Jim Lange, that's the one that has me scratching my head. But then, consider the source.
[/quote]
Your fandom is indeed clouding your perception, Mr. Lemon. Bauman's voice is akin to that of nails to a chalkboard, and he looked like he was just going through the motions in the hope that Gene wouldn't go off on him on camera.
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[quote name=\'FOXSportsFan\' post=\'124051\' date=\'Jul 13 2006, 06:21 AM\']
Your fandom is indeed clouding your perception, Mr. Lemon. Bauman's voice is akin to that of nails to a chalkboard, and he looked like he was just going through the motions in the hope that Gene wouldn't go off on him on camera.
[/quote]
Not the vibe I got at all. Certainly not that bad, anyhow.
Jim, you're what, early-mid 20's? How many episodes of MGHSH have you seen?
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'124055\' date=\'Jul 13 2006, 09:28 AM\']
[quote name=\'FOXSportsFan\' post=\'124051\' date=\'Jul 13 2006, 06:21 AM\']
Your fandom is indeed clouding your perception, Mr. Lemon. Bauman's voice is akin to that of nails to a chalkboard, and he looked like he was just going through the motions in the hope that Gene wouldn't go off on him on camera.
[/quote]
Not the vibe I got at all. Certainly not that bad, anyhow.
Jim, you're what, early-mid 20's? How many episodes of MGHSH have you seen?
[/quote]
Early 20s actually. I've seen a handful of episodes...nowhere near as many episodes of Davidson's/Marshall's/Bergeron's runs, but enough to make the preliminary judgment above. He was thrown into the fire and it showed.
Here, Chris...get a kick and giggle out of this: Bauman is 4 New York (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErfcxB5jKOc&search=Sha%20Na%20Na\")
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I'll be darned I never gave my lists I just suggested a name or two here.
UNDERRATED
1) Jim Perry - No one, and I mean NO ONE could host Sale of the Century with better poise and sense than this fellow home stater.
2) Todd Newton - I mentioned it awhile back in this thread. He gets points off to many for his over the top hosting on Whammy, but the guy is a pro. He's got talent, unlike that Seacrest hack.
2a) Geoff Edwards - He never really had a great vehicle, and I don't count the cable run of Chain Reaction as a great vehicle. Starcade proved he could bridge the generation gap and make the game interesting without talking down to the kids playing the game.
OVERRATED
1) Peter Marshall - As good as he was, I deem Bergeron the true master of the Squares because he never got an ego with the gig, unlike Peter. To me, from what I've seen, it shows that as the run goes on he cares about getting his words in more and more. I know the explanation isn't exactly understandable, but I just don't like his style.
2) Dickie Dawson - Egocheck again. Yeah he took Feud to the top and such, but instead of being humble in victory, he clashed with staffers and tongued women of all descriptions.
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[quote name=\'FOXSportsFan\' post=\'124064\' date=\'Jul 13 2006, 06:41 AM\']
Early 20s actually. I've seen a handful of episodes...nowhere near as many episodes of Davidson's/Marshall's/Bergeron's runs, but enough to make the preliminary judgment above. He was thrown into the fire and it showed.
[/quote]
Not saying you're wrong, or that he'll be giving Cullen a run for the title, no way. But I think the "nails on a chalkboard" thing is a little harsh. He sounded like....well, Bowzer. Except toned down, 'cuz it wasn't Bowzer. Like Bob Golthwait or Gottfried when they're not "in character". You were expecting Don Pardo?
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'123469\' date=\'Jul 6 2006, 02:21 PM\']
I gotta say that gay, straight, or whatever, they're a really good panel, and they seem to meld together pretty well.
[/quote]
I agree with you. I don't have GSN anymore, but I caught several episodes of IGAS while I was in LA a few weeks ago. I was really surprised by how much I liked this show (and not just because I'm gay :) ).
I was never a huge fan of the panel shows like this in the first place, but I think it's cool how there are nods to the past mixed with some edgy humor that's not TOO over the top and tasteless.
It's a classy show and proof that old formats can work if they're done right.
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[quote name=\'NicholasM79\' post=\'123524\' date=\'Jul 7 2006, 09:40 AM\']
Excuse me? Pat Finn? Underrated? You must be joking.
[/quote]
I know it's probably a cardinal sin to say this, but I never had an issue with Finn or TJW 90. I liked this show. Granted, I was 16 when it was on and I didn't remember a whole lot about the original show at that time, but I always enjoyed it. The questions were much more challenging than the 70s/80s run as well.
Perhaps a fresh look at it would make me change my mind? I don't know, but I certainly don't think it was as horrible as everyone makes it out to be. I also thought TTD 90 would have been fine minus Patrick Wayne and the rapping dragon.
Wayne had NO redeeming qualities as a host. Finn could have been a bit better with a little more experience, but I think he did a respectable job.
[quote name=\'NicholasM79\' post=\'123524\']
I also say that Bert Convy tends to get underrated sometimes too, he was a great host on Tattletales, maybe not so much so on Super Password. If only we had gotten to see him on MG '90. :-\
[/quote]
I had the opportunity to see two of the Convy MG pilots and they were GOOOOOOD. It's really too bad that he didn't live long enough to host. This was a perfect show for Bert. Having said that, I think Shafer was the next best thing given that Gene was "out" because of his age. MG 90 was probably the closest we'll ever come to the "real deal". :(
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[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' post=\'124147\' date=\'Jul 13 2006, 08:40 PM\']I know it's probably a cardinal sin to say this, but I never had an issue with Finn or TJW 90. I liked this show. Granted, I was 16 when it was on and I didn't remember a whole lot about the original show at that time, but I always enjoyed it. The questions were much more challenging than the 70s/80s run as well.
Perhaps a fresh look at it would make me change my mind? I don't know, but I certainly don't think it was as horrible as everyone makes it out to be.[/quote]
I always enjoyed the gameplay of TJW 90. I was a little irked that they had put the name "The Joker's Wild" on it, but give yourself a couple of minutes to get past that, and I think it's a solid game. I always liked that, unlike the pure bad luck of an insufficient spin (or spins) that could lose the game for you on Jack Barry's show, on the Finn "version", you almost always had a chance to come back and win--given that you knew enough about a particular subject. (EDIT: It probably wouldn't surprise anyone to learn that I always enjoyed "classic" TJW a lot more when there was a Fast Forward category in play.)
I always got the impression from Pat Finn that there was a pretty good host hiding under the cardboard. When he wasn't (figuratively) reading something off of a cue card, and especially when he would get into the game itself, he was pretty good, I thought. Not quite good enough to call him "good" overall, but okay.
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TOP 3 Underrated:
1. Kevin O'Connell - This guy really knew how to keep a game moving fast!
2. a tie between: Jim Peck & Geoff Edwards
3. BILL RAFFERTY - Had an uncanny sense of humor to the show and had a lot of fun with his shows! It's a shame that he never got another show after BB '87 ended, b/c I really enjoyed this guy!
TOP 3 Overrated:
1. Peter Marshall - He wasn't really anyone special, b/c on HS IT WAS THE STARS THAT MADE THE SHOW. All Mr. Marshall really did was his tee-hee laugh, which grated my teeth. I also hated the way he took bogus crappy potshots at the 2 most recent versions of HS.
2. Pat Sajak - After seeing Chuck W. in action on Wheel, Pat just seems like one of those people that act like he's better than everyone else (esp. during that time period that he had his own talk show) and that can get on one's nerves!
A tie between Richard Dawson & Bob Eubanks!
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[quote name=\'megamanj1986\' post=\'126209\' date=\'Aug 3 2006, 07:56 PM\']
TOP 3 Overrated:
1. Peter Marshall - He wasn't really anyone special, b/c on HS IT WAS THE STARS THAT MADE THE SHOW. All Mr. Marshall really did was his tee-hee laugh, which grated my teeth. I also hated the way he took bogus crappy potshots at the 2 most recent versions of HS.
[/quote]
I have to step in and disagree here. I'm not saying Peter is perfect but I just haven't seen any of his shows where he came off acting like the show was about him. If anything he did an especially good job of making the contestants feel it was about them and not "in the way" (as Carl Reiner unfortunately acted on "The Celebrity Game"). One especially good example is when Marshall was hosting the hour-long week and he came to the defense of a contestant with an uncontrollable laugh, after Milton Berle had just insulted that laugh. (Peter's own "tee hee" laugh never got on my nerves, but I'm sure it would have if he'd done five or six times every show...and he didn't.) His criticism of the other versions of HS is a point well taken but I don't recall him ever doing that while actually hosting a game show, so that's obviously not a criticism of his hosting ability. (I do remember him taking potshots at NBC, the very thing that made David Letterman one of my heroes, and Peter was pretty good at it too.) Take a look at the Bert Parks pilot and you'll see it's not as easy as it looks to play straight man to nine egos and still make the contestants feel appreciated.
A whole lot of people who I think are overrated/underrated have already been mentioned in detail so here are a few more:
underrated:
1. Hugh Downs--who even remembers him as a game show host anymore? He did an especially good job on "Concentration." Very smooth and a comforting voice, no one could ever possibly accuse him of being obnoxious.
2. Johnny Carson--ditto, from what precious little I've seen.
3. Alan Thicke. (What, are you stoned? Dear God, get out the rocks and the tar!) In fact, I've seen Alan Thicke do exactly one thing I liked and it was to host "Animal Crackups." And I was reluctant to watch it when it came on because I was convinced he would suck. What can I say? He was funny and quick and nowhere near as obnoxious as I would think he would be. I was predisposed not to like him and I had to give in.
Honorable mention (so far): Danny Bonaduce, "Starface" (see #3).
Overrated:
Can't think of any that haven't been mentioned already, except maybe Wally Bruner of "What's My Line?" Much better on "Wally's Workshop," where he fit in with all the wood. (Or I might be unfair to Wally since he reminds me of a former TV boss of mine I never liked.)
I agree, Jack Narz and Bill Cullen really get shafted in discussions of legendary game show hosts. The fact that someone can do a lengthy documentary and never mention Cullen means something is horribly wrong in the universe.
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'126306\' date=\'Aug 4 2006, 09:49 AM\']I agree, Jack Narz and Bill Cullen really get shafted in discussions of legendary game show hosts. The fact that someone can do a lengthy documentary and never mention Cullen means something is horribly wrong in the universe.[/quote]
Just so we're clear, Bill Cullen rarely gets "shafted" in discussions of legendary game show hosts. That documentary was a freaky, odd exception, which is one of many reasons that most of us didn't think very much of that documentary.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'126307\' date=\'Aug 4 2006, 08:53 AM\']
Just so we're clear, Bill Cullen rarely gets "shafted" in discussions of legendary game show hosts. That documentary was a freaky, odd exception, which is one of many reasons that most of us didn't think very much of that documentary.
[/quote]
He certainly doesn't get shafted among the die-hard game show faithful, I know that. But he does among younger people who were babies when he passed on. That's what I meant. The fact that the documentary caught as much hell as it did shows we certainly remember him, but the fact that he got left out in the first place is a symptom of something else, otherwise even someone who never heard of him would've been afraid to commit such an obvious faux pas.
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Matt, aside from a few pics shown, I too was disappointed that Bill Cullen was not mentioned on the A&E Game Show Documentary and neither was Allen Ludden, but I did see Betty White on there.
I would like to see GSN do a game show special for 3 hours not two like the A&E one. Maybe you can host it and have interviews and better segments than what we got from the A&E special.