January 3, 2006
Host or No Host
Last
week in this space, I started the speculation about who
might host a syndicated version of Deal or No Deal and
asked for your ideas on the subject. I received some
intriguing responses that really made me think.
I put
out George Gray and Todd Newton as possibles last week.
Here are some (not all, due to time concerns) of your
thoughts, and my comments:
Jordan
Hass threw in the ring several choices, including former
sitcom star Drew Carey and Dancing with the Stars host
Tom Bergeron. Bergeron likely would not have time to do
the show, and besides he is almost as beholden to ABC as
Regis is. Carey proved his hosting-ability with Play
for a Billion but would he fit in with the required
drama element of the series?
One of
Jordans names is rather intriguing, and not many would
consider it: Hal Sparks. Sparks is the former host of
E!s Talk Soup, and most recently co-star of the
Showtime series Queer as Folk. I dont know how
strong of a host hed be, but at face value, he sure
does seem to have the required skills for this show
the ability to be funny when necessary, a dramatic
element, and at least a little ability to ad-lib. That
last piece of information is the one that could cause
problems
how well does he ad-lib, and how well would he
roll with the punches that this show creates?
If we
use the Weakest Link and Millionaire theories, then
Brad Hasbrouck has the right idea: he says Cold Pizza
host Kit Hoover is a good choice. Hoover has a little
game show experience
as judge on ESPNs Dream Job.
The theory Im referencing is as follows: the NBC
series Weakest Link was hosted by Anne Robinson
(female) and the syndie series by George Gray (male).
ABCs Millionaire is hosted by Regis Philbin (male);
the syndie version by Meredith Vieira (female).
Scott
Meckley, after throwing his own hat in the ring, adds
another great choice to the mix: Mark L. Walberg.
Walberg most recently hosted GSNs Russian Roulette, a
show that also requires humor and a little drama.
He also
mentions game show legends Chuck Woolery and Peter
Tomarken. In my opinion, probably neither of them would
be suited for the series
the producers are probably
looking for someone younger, or who would attract
younger viewers.
Thanks
to everyone who took time to make suggestions and send
comments. After considering what youve had to say, and
thinking about it myself, heres my take:
If
and only if Deal or No Deal remains an occasional
5-day series on NBC, then keep Howie Mandel as host of
both series. If NBC wants to take Deal to more
than an occasional series
a new syndie host must be
found. I dont know if Walberg is interested in doing
another series
but it seems to me hed be well suited
for this one if he wanted it.
Not Dancing with the Dancing Stars
Yes,
its true. I cant dance. So well leave it to the
stars
some of whom cant dance either! I have a
sneaking suspicion the American public felt bad for pro
dancer Ashly DelGrosso (who had a great partner
last season). That, in combination with Master Ps
pleas for New Orleans, probably led to them getting
another week. Beyond that, Kenny Mayne is probably the
one who shouldve gone this week. I think once we get
past week 3 or 4 of the series, we are going to see some
great dancing and great competition. This weeks
Quick Step should probably knock Master P out of the
game, since he was barely moving at all last week.
The Game Show Alphabet
Wow
two
weeks in a row I remembered to do this feature! Lets
take D
and why not? After all, the two shows already
discussed in this weeks column both start with D also.
This
weeks choice is Double Dare. Not the game show folks
like you and I grew up with, where kids got doused with
green slime. Im talking about the 1976-1977 version,
hosted by Alex Trebek. The game lasted just four
months
and was a bit tough to follow. Read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Dare_(1976)
See you
next week
when I try to find a game show that starts
with E. (Wish me luck!)
Jason Elliott should really play Ultramix2 if he
wants to get his dancing with the stars. E-mail him at jason@stormseeker.com |