Episode 22.16
December 28

Jason: Sounds like fun.
Chico: Welcome back. This is WLTI's 2009 Year in Review... Not only are we ending a year, we're also ending a decade... And for the last two months, we've been going through 10 years. It's something we call ... 10 Years... in Two Months. Right now, we're going to put this all in perspective with TWO top 10 lists... the Most Important of the Decade.
Gordon: We've been going through moments for the past 10 years. Now, we go through our list (as complicated by staff and friends of GSNN) of the Top 10 hosts and Shows of the decade. This is in no apparent order.
Chico: Remember, this is not the best or the greatest or the most successful... but the most important.
Jason: Correct.
Gordon: Since in terms of importance, we didn't want to compare the impact.
Jason: And again, this is subjective.
Chico: Right. So... Gordon... BOARD ME!

Gordon: We start with show, and we start with... Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Chico: Premiering in 1999, this started the great wave that would follow the next 10 years.
Jason: Millionaire was the most successful of the first game show renaissance early on in this decade
Chico: That game shows in primetime COULD BE successful.
Gordon: It started the revolution, which was solidified when this next show came over and clobbered WWTBAM: Survivor.
Chico: Survivor was unlike anything that was ever on television.
Jason: One of the top reality shows of the decade. A classic in both social (yes I said it), mental and physical.
Chico: It was so different that they had to come up with a new name for it... Reality TV.
Gordon: It introduced the reality genre and spearheaded a new genre and countless hours of playing on an entirely different battlefield.
Chico: This from our Joe Mello: "It changed the way we looked at game shows. It made a whole new genre for the new type of game." It basically set the template for what a reality show is... and what a reality show should be.
Jason: I remember the first finale where they had to film four different endings before the live reunion shows
Chico: Right. It was that compelling.
Gordon: Sure did. That of the socialist game show. But it also spurned on spin-offs, one of which has been extremely successful: The Amazing Race.
Jason: My favorite show of this decade. Bar none.
Gordon: I prefer Survivor. But The Race is great must-watch TV.
Chico: This show basically showed that a reality show can survive on the road.
Jason: it is as close to perfect in execution. Everything on this show works.
Chico: And it almost made world-class travel into a game show. This from Mike Klauss: "The little reality show that could. It isn't as
popular as Survivor. Its Emmys more than make up for it." It showed that reality could be more than just scheme, challenge, vote.
Gordon: Very true. But I think it did. With the million dollar shows happening in reality, the studio shows needed to reinvent themselves. The show that evolved the best into the 20th Century: Jeopardy!
Chico: It used to be the show that only eggheads and your nana watched. Then came a man in 2004 by the name of Ken Jennings.
Gordon: Jeopardy, by waiving the 5 time champion rule and doubling the stakes, opened the door for Ken Jennings, David Madden and the Masters Tournament, which gave us play that we haven't seen before.
Jason: And doubled the values in 2001.
Chico: It was game shows as sport.
Jason: Unreal stuff.
Gordon: Jeopardy went from 5 time champion fun to down and dirty trivia warfare.
Chico: This from James Dinan: "it began the decade as “that show nerds and grandparents watch." But Ken Jennings managed to make the show cool again, and prove to America that being smart is a good thing. " Not only good, but also profitable...
Gordon: Sure did. But that's not the only show that transitioned. This one gave us Million Dollar prime time specials and a new host that's getting into his roe of being cool. That would be The Price is Right.
Jason: The retirement of Bob Barker in 2007 brought Drew Carey into the fold.
Chico: This was a show to watch in the middle of the decade. We all knew that Bob Barker was going to step down, but the show continues.
Gordon: The show peaked, then valleyed, but once again, is on the rise.
Jason: The show is fun to watch again.
Chico: From Mike Klauss: "The most popular game show in history, hands down. A horrible start to the 37th season was a blip on the radar in the grand scheme of things." It's basically.. relearning. And that's better than nothing.
Gordon: TPIR is audience participation at home. The next show classified Audience Participation from your own house and no show has yet to match it; American Idol.
Jason: The show that saved the music industry in this decade. You can name lots of music superstars that came directly from this show.
Chico: It's an event in and of itself. It's not just a game show. Or a talent show. It's event television. You haven't seen that since Millionaire. This from about.com game show queen Carrie Grosvenor: "Besides being proof that the British do reality and game shows better than us and we should continue to import their stuff, audiences for Idol shows are devoted and numerous. These shows led to all kinds of talent-based programs and produced lots of memorable contestants."
Gordon: Even contestants that didn't come close to making the finals. William Hung, anyone?
Jason: (shudder)
Chico: I'll see your William Hung and raise you a Tatiana Del Toro and a Katrina Darrell.
Jason: And Antonella Barba and Alexis Cohen
Gordon: As move on to the latter half of the decade, we started seeing prime time game shows fade from the distance until December of 2005, where one show put it back on the map. Deal...or No Deal?
Chico: Deal or No Deal... it had everything... Contestants you want to root for, a game you wanted to play... models... models...
Jason: This show started the birth of the comedian/game show host hybrid. It was compelling television
Gordon: Fun format. Again until they overkilled it and brought in players as dull as dishwater and as dumb as a bag of hammers, this was appointment TV again.
Chico: We've not heard from Uncle Tom, have we? Here's Uncle Tom Gauer: "It's a silly little guessing game with 26 hot models. Who woulda' thought people would watch. It also serves as proof, that NBC learned nothing from ABC's handling of "Millionaire"--that airing a show several times a week, causes viewer burnout."
Gordon: I agree with Tom. If it stays once a week with no silly gimmicks, the show is not only still on, but still on in the Top 10.
Chico: That was a problem throughout the decade, networks pitching all of their eggs in one basket.
Gordon: And it still happens today.
Jason: They never learn.
Gordon: But The Discovery Channel learns, as they put on a show that so far has won 2 Emmys: Cash Cab.
Jason: This show is so addcitively simple, it's brilliant.
Chico: this one basically took the game show and flipped it on its ear. Proved the old adage true: getting there is half the fun.
Jason: You are in NYC, and in the cab ride you answer questions.
Gordon: This is the only show in the group that doesn't offer anything more than 4 digit payouts. It also doesn't have to. It's a tightly knit show, and Ben Bailey is very good as the host.
Chico: Back to Tom Gauer: "Mark Goodson once said, "Hosting a game show is like driving an 18-speed truck backward, while blindfolded." Bailey has an automatic, but he IS driving. Let's see Barker do that."
Gordon: The next show is here, I think because of potential more than impact now. That would be Let's Make a Deal.
Chico: Well, there is some impact. After all, this is the first network daytime game show in... 15 years. Give or take a couple.
Jason: And yes potential. There was a version in 2003...but let's not talk about that.
Chico: No.
Jason: This is the 2009 shiny new version. With Wayne Brady
Chico: Now, who here had doubts? *hand raised*
Jason: I did.
Chico: Who's doubts were erased? *hand raised*
Jason: Mostly.
Gordon: I don't have doubts. I knew he could do it.
Chico: From Mike K: "It replaced a show which had been on the air for 72 years. Regardless of success, that in itself is quite a feat." And Joe Mello adds.. "This could shift as time goes on, but it's modest success could pioneer a shift in what daytime is."
Gordon: It could start a new Daytime Game Show revolution on TV. And that, of course, is a good thing. Finally, we have...and this one I'm scratching my head one... 1 Vs. 100?
Chico: I can actually see 1 vs. 100.
Jason: I can't. It was ok at best.
Chico: It didn't last long as a TV show... but the idea was there... and now it's changing the way we PLAY with game shows.
Jason: True. See XBOX Live.
Chico: It's a big hit on Xbox, and I'm surprised that you didn't bring it up sooner, Mr. Look at me with my Xbox I'm tough (^_^)
Gordon: I will say this. It's the first show to make a successful conversion to the internet world; now instead of a standalone, I want the next game show to convert over build a community, with tournament of champions, etc.
Chico: And it won't be the last. Mark it.
Jason: No.
Gordon: It won't be. If you had 1 show you would put into the Top 10 to make a Top 11, what would it be?
Chico: WPT. It turned poker into a game show. And it launched a franchise of TV poker. Not only as game, but as sport.
Gordon: I'd put in The Apprentice. It created a job genre that continued with Project Runway, Top Chef, etc.
Jason: I would put the Ultimate Fighter.
Gordon: 3 good choices. Now let's move on to hosts.
Jason: One of the best competition reality shows out there.
Chico: Again, no particular order.
Gordon: And you're going to see a lot of repeat here.
Chico: Because there's a lot of importance here.
Gordon: We start with the man who's 'Saved 3 networks'., Mr. Regis Philbin.
Chico: ABC at the beginning... then NBC... then CBS.
Jason: Yes And did well at all of them.
Gordon: Millionaire, America's Got Talent, Million Dollar Super Duper Password.
Jason: ROFL, But yes.
Chico: From Tom: "Sure, "Millionaire" was the landmark show, but Reege's hosting "Password" shows he can move along a show in which time is the enemy."
Jason: And is still going strong at almost 80
Gordon: Next up - The living legend, Mr. Bob Barker.
Chico: He was the Energizer Bunny and he chose to go out as a gentleman on his own terms. That is worth something,.
Jason: Big time.
Gordon: Very classy way to go out.
Jason: And at nearly 90, putting his money where is mouth is when it comes to animal rights.
Chico: From Carrie: "He's never been a personal favorite, but you have to respect his tenure, his huge fan base, and his dedication to The Price is Right. He showed a lot of class in dealing with his retirement, and handing over the baton to Drew Carey."
Gordon: Speaking of which, his replacement, Drew Carey.
Chico: Only hosted THREE shows before being given TPIR.
Gordon: He did Power of 10, Million Dollar Price is Right specials, and Who's Line is it Anyways? (For the sake of this discussion, we'll ignore Green Screen)
Chico: I was referring to Play for a Million.
Gordon: Can we ignore that one, too?
Chico: Fine enough.
Jason: But his importance is huge. He took over the biggest show in history)
Chico: From James: "No one even considered him when the “Search to Replace Bob" began. Yet somehow, he managed to get the job. And while his tenure as host has been bumpy, and even hostile, at times, Carey has succeeded in making the show his own, and he could enjoy a long tenure at the helm if he so chooses. IMO, no game show host has been under the microscope in decades as Carey, and that alone warrants a stop in the top 10."
Gordon: I still think he's the best choice of what they had to select from.
Chico: I think Roger's right in the long run... the good forces won out over the evil forces.
Jason: Rosie O Donnell anyone?
Chico: no thank you.
Gordon: Next up - and let's go to the land of Reality. As good as Regis has been, so has the next 2. First up, Mr. Survivor himself, Jeff Probst.
Jason: The face of Survivor. And a damn good conduit to boot.
Gordon: He did Rock and Roll Jeopardy as well, so he knows how to host.
Chico: Now he's the face of a genre. From Carrie: Probst *is* Survivor. He's so involved in all aspects of the game that it's hard to imagine the show without him. He's not afraid to push the envelope, and his hosting of the live reunion shows has gotten better with each season.
Jason: Don't be surprised if he goes back there to the Jeopardy set down the road.
Gordon: I can see him as the next Jeopardy host. I really could.
Chico: I think anyone can. I know I can. I always call him "The once and future Jeopardy! host".
Gordon: His counterpart - and the one that takes the Emmys from his show - Mr. Phil Keoghan.
Jason: Love his work too. He makes the travelogue easy.
Chico: Yep. You can tell he enjoys this...
Gordon: I don't think he has the acumen like the other hosts do. I do think his style perfectly complements the show and the narrations are perfect for his style.
Chico: He's a big part of what makes The Amazing Race successful....Again, here's Carrie: "Keoghan has a certain classiness about him, and he treats all contestants on The Amazing Race with respect, no matter how reprehensible they might be. He's a big part of the success of the show."
Gordon: The show is not nearly as good if you removed Keoghan from the show.
Chico: Correct.
Jason: Agreed.
Gordon: Just don't ask him to play Password.
Chico: He'll die on set again.
Jason: LOL
Gordon: The next one up is a host that's done not one, but 3 long running shows. He's also one of the few hosts that has been on every year from 2000 to 2009. He is Tom Bergeron. Hollywood Squares. America's Funniest Home Videos. Dancing With the Stars. Tom can do it all.
Chico: He can.
Jason: Tom doesn't get the respect he richly deserves
Chico: He's almost engineered to be the perfect emcee.
Jason: He is the prototypical host.
Gordon: He is so smooth that he doesn't get the appreciation.
Chico: Again, from Carrie: "From Hollywood Squares to Dancing With the Stars, he's always been solid. He handled Marie Osmond's fainting episode with class and humor, and keeps the show going in spite of his hosting-challenged sidekick on DWTS."
Gordon: He is a conduit - someone who keeps the show moving without having to inject his on ego into it.
Chico: And even if he did, he's self-deprecating, which makes us appreciate his job.
Jason: He should be here.
Chico: Yes he should.
Gordon: Sure does. Another person in the same vein is Ryan Seacrest, who has hosted the #1 watched show in America for 8 seasons.
Chico: Basically a media machine.
Jason: And has gotten better at it year to year
Chico: A success story about where know how and will to do will get you.
Jason: He doesn't sleep much and made himself into a media empire. He is a host, radio host and reality show producer.
Chico: From James: "An afternoon disc jockey in Los Angeles is tapped to (at the time) co-host what’s essentially a remake of Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour. As we enter 2010, Seacrest is a one-man Hollywood empire, hosting “Idol," producing his own non-scripted fare, helming numerous TV and radio projects, etc. Not bad for a guy who, before “Idol," was best known for kiddie game shows." Click click.
Gordon: And somewhere, Brian Dunkelman is lighting up a doobie.
Chico: Remember kids, Drugs are bad.
Jason: Very bad.
Gordon: So Ryan recreated his career. So did Howie Mandel, who went from comedian to Deal or No Deal host.
Chico: He basically paved the way for former a-list stand=up comics to play the game show game.
Jason: His first week on Deal or No Deal was brutal. But when the show came back, he was polished as hell. And he has gotten better.
Gordon: Now I want to see if he can be a full-time game show host and not just a one farm pony.
Jason: Exactly.
Chico: Right on.
Gordon: For example, Wayne Brady, who hosted Don't Forget the Lyrics and had his own talk show before possibly being part of the wave of the future in terms of game show hosts. He has Let's Make a Deal, and hopefully, he can steer the ship to the new decade.
Chico: He's on the list too, isn't he?
Gordon: He is indeed.
Chico: Mike K: "He's the first host of a network daytime game show not named Barker or Carey in over 15 years, which is enough reason for
Brady to be on the list."
Jason: He is smooth. He got 2 Emmys for his talk show. And he is doing very well by the new Deal.
Chico: He really is. He's actually be a busy sort these last 10 years. With the talk show... and the variety show... and the live show... and Don't Forget the Lyrics...
Jason: You notice that Whose Line produced 3 Game Show Hosts?
Chico: Four if you count Brad Sherwood.
Gordon: Finally, the only woman on the list, but well-deserved with her set of Emmys. I'm talking about Meredith Vieira.
Chico: She injected her own warmth on a long-standing franchise. And she did it with one try.
Jason: She took over from Regis and made the show her own.
Gordon: She did. It's a major reason why the show is still on the air.
Chico: From Carrie: "She's smart, warm, and confident, and the perfect person to have taken over the syndicated WWTBAM. It's a daunting thing to carry on a show after someone like Regis built such a huge audience for the prime time show, but she's done it well."
Gordon: And we've seen the show with other hosts (shudder)
Chico: MAKE THE HURT STOP DADDY.
Jason: Please.
Gordon: And that's it for 2009 present. Those are your Top 10 hosts and shows of the decade. We move on to Game Show future...next!
Jason: You need me to wear the turban?
Chico: No, and please destroy the turban
Jason: (throws it in fire)

(Brought to you by Harry Potter: The Curse of the CW. Yes Harry can get through Deathly Gallows, but can he conjure up game show hits for the CW? This may be too big of a challenge for Poor Harry...)

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