Steve Harvey on How The Secret’s Out: Game Show Host is a Pretty Good Gig, Even For A-Listers
variety.comMichael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Those of us who grew up with “Sesame Street” still remember Guy Smiley, the stereotypical game show host as originally voiced by Jim Henson.
Guy was loud, boisterous and the host of everything from “Here Is Your Life” and “Beat the Time” to “Name That Sound!” Guy Smiley served a purpose for “Sesame Street,” and so did real-life game show hosts.
It was a very specific (and also, very non-diverse) group: Bob Barker, Monty Hall, Jack Berry, Bill Cullen, Wink Martindale, Bob Eubanks, Richard Dawson, Gene Rayburn, Alex Trebek and many more.
As he retires, “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak may be the last of that string of game show hosts pretty much only known for being a game show host. (Sure, some of them were actors and many of them came from radio or other TV roles, but they’ll always be remembered first and foremost for their hosting gig.) Game show host is a tough job, requiring a lot of skill to juggle the gameplay, keep the contestants involved and the audience entertained.
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