Game Show

Legends

People who just don't get it wonder what is the big deal about game shows and game show hosts.  Well I'll tell you:  game shows were the original interactive TV events and a great game show host could make a great game better and a lame game watchable.  Thus we watched THE PRICE IS RIGHT and HOT POTATO for the same reason:  Bill Cullen.

It is almost unfair to try to list in order the greatest game show hosts of all time.  The talent pool is too wide, and too deep and the whole thing is based on subjective judgment.  But it would be equally unfair not to state that the number one spot would almost certainly and clearly belong to Bill.  He is the standard by which everyone else is measured.  His wit, ageless boyish charm, and easy going style were television "comfort food" for almost thirty years.  His body of work and popularity with both his colleagues and the public amply supply the evidence to support his title as best of all time.

His special knack was knowing, as a host and panelist how to enhance a game without dominating it.

I started watching TV in general and game shows in particular with my Mom before I was old enough to go to school.  When I was home sick and in the summers I kept up with the morning shows.  One of ourvery favorites was Art James, here in a rare photo with fellow legends Art Flemming and Peter Marshall.  Bob Clayton (far left) succeeded Hugh Downs on CONCENTRATION, but is more of a legend in his own right as one of the all time great game show announcers.

Peter Marshall won his legend status by being Master of the Hollywood Squares at the peak of its popularity.  Like LET'S MAKE A DEAL and Barker's version of PRICE, it is an extremely show to host well.   Peter understood the elements of the game and managed them better than any of his successors.  He understood that the role of the comedy was t serve he game and that a  certain pace is required so that the conyestants have the opportunity to win as much money and stuff as possible.  Later hosts often forgot Rule #1 of Great Game Shows:  Ulimately the game has to be the star.

Every host has a show that was their best work and I believe TRUTH OR CONSEQENCES was Bob Barker's shining moment, best effort and the how that made the best use of his talent and skills.  I was a huge fan of the show.

This show and Monty Hall's "DEAL" proved that if a show was exciting enough and the host was good enough, huge numbers of people would watch what were essentially program length commercials.

I liked JACHPOT when I was a kid because of the high energy and because it was different,  But I never really understod the game. Geoff Edwards shining moment would come on TREASURE HUNT.

There's no question why DEAL OR NO DEAL was a recent hit.  It owes its origins and much of its' success to LET'S MAKE A DEAL and TREASURE HUNT.  Part of Edwards story was that he had to fight producer Chuck Barris to maintain the integrity of the game.