It's tough, but I have to go with Match Game's Gene Rayburn

I'll have to go with my fellow Canadian Monty Hall. (I've got $5 for the first person to show me a bobby pin)

You can send the 5 bucks to my Paypal account. ;)
http://3baidsblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/bobby_pin.jpg

Congratulations Charles! You Win!

146769

Hope you don't mind Canadian currency!

Bob Barker!

Closely followed by Gene Rayburn, Dick Clark, Bill Cullen, Bob Eubanks, Jim Perry, Monty Hall, Geoff Edwards, and basically all of the other 70s hosts.

Dick Clark

I'll go with Gene Rayburn followed closely by Bob Eubanks.

Loved all of these gentlemen, especially Rayburn, but the list wouldn't be complete without a mention of the great Bill Cullen and Allen Ludden.

Gottta go with Bob Barker


After that Dick Clark, Richard Dawson, Pat Sajack, Wink Martindale, Alex Trebeck, and the guy who hosted Joker's Wild, remember that show?

I always liked George Gray, who hosted the daytime version of Weakest Link.

Gottta go with Bob Barker


After that Dick Clark, Richard Dawson, Pat Sajack, Wink Martindale, Alex Trebeck, and the guy who hosted Joker's Wild, remember that show?

Pretty sure that guy was Jack Barry. And yeah, I liked him, too, and loved the show.

Pretty sure that guy was Jack Barry. And yeah, I liked him, too, and loved the show.
Not only was Jack Barry the host of The Jokers Wild, he was also the creator of the show and a co-producer.(along with Dan Enright)

Used to like Gene Rayburn but I'd have to go with John Bergern (sp?). He cracks me up and is so natural with the spontaneous humour.

Pretty sure that guy was Jack Barry. And yeah, I liked him, too, and loved the show.



Jack Barry, ok thanks its been ages since I've seen Jokers Wild.

Bob Barker

followed by Allen Ludden (Password) and Richard Karn (Family Feud)

Oh God! Such a tough call...I can't mention only ONE...so I'll mention ALL my favorites:

Hal March
Alex Trebek
Gene Rayburn
Richard Karn
Jack Barry
Bill Cullen

Peter Marshall, Tom Bergeron, Wink Martindale, Dick Clark, and Pat Sajak.

I can't believe no one has mentioned the kissing bandit, Richard Dawson! Survey says!!!!

I can't believe no one has mentioned the kissing bandit, Richard Dawson! Survey says!!!!
That would be Cathy aka dawsongirl. She loves him!! :kiss:

That would be Cathy aka dawsongirl. She loves him!! :kiss:
I guess her screen name should have been a big clue huh?

Peter Tomarken, I was a contestant 6 times on GSN's interactive games several years ago and had the privilege of speaking with him twice during the games he hosted. He was really nice and a true professional.

:rip:http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/petertomarken.jpg

My vote goes to Alex Trebek.

Other nominees include: Chuck Woolery, Bob Eubanks, Tom Kennedy, Marc Summers, David Ruprecht, Regis Philbin, Howie Mandel, Jim Perry, Peter Marshall, Dick Clark, Monty Hall, Wink Martindale, Richard Dawson, Tom Kennedy, Pat Sajak, Allen Ludden, Bob Barker, Bill Cullen, Jim Lange, Peter Tomarken, Bert Convy, & Jack Narz.

I can't believe no one has mentioned the kissing bandit, Richard Dawson! Survey says!!!!



I mentioned him.

I mentioned him.
Sorry Mickey. I guess the old selective eyesight is acting up again!

here are 3 faves of mine who are very underrated imho gary moore larry blyden and bobby van

chuck woolery, richard dawson, bob eubanks....:)

Bob Eubanks, all-time
Geoff Edwards underrated but awesome
Richard Dawson
Peter Marshall
Gene Rayburn

Chuck Woolery and Dick Clark

Here are a few of my favorite people:

Garry Moore, I've Got a Secret (old series) and To Tell the Truth* (he was on for years as the TTTT host in 1969-up -- I used to watch every weekday).

Wally Bruner, What's My Line?. (I remember him well from Wally's Workshop, a home project type of show. He was also a world news correspondent for ABC.)

..... And let's hear it for the women!

Vicki Lawrence, Win, Lose or Draw*

Stephanie Miller, I've Got a Secret* (Oxygen, 2000s)

*These shows' episodes are not yet documented fully by IMDb.

I guess her screen name should have been a big clue huh?
:lol:


Yeah, I'd be some kind of hypocrite if I didn't say him. But I liked most of the 70s hosts. They just seemed to have a lot of fun doing their job, which made it more fun to watch.

Never been a huge Barker fan though.

Peter Tomarken, I was a contestant 6 times on GSN's interactive games several years ago and had the privilege of speaking with him twice during the games he hosted. He was really nice and a true professional.

:rip:http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/petertomarken.jpg
That's pretty awesome. Too bad he passed so soon. :(

Bob Eubanks, followed by Richard Dawson

My Favorite is J.D Roth, the host of "Fun House". The reason why is that he wrote to me once in an autograph, as a matter of fact, 2 autographs. I actually have a crush on him. I'm so lucky in love. :eyes: :heart:

Ray combs

I was always a fan of Wink Martindale.

Ray combs


Ray Combs (R.I.P) was my favortie "Feud" host of all time as well, I also like
Pat Sajak (Wheel of Fortune, of course) as one of my favorite game show host of all time and Vanna White as on of my favorite game show co-hostess of all time as well.

also I want to give an (R.I.P) shoutout to:

Richard Dawson,Dick Clark, Bill Rafferty, & Peter Tomarken we all love you and we miss you each and everyday in our hearts and in our lives. see you on the other side someday.

Ray Combs for me since I grew up watching him on Family Feud and he was a great host! It is a shame he passed away :(

Also Bob Barker too

Ray Combs for me since I grew up watching him on Family Feud and he was a great host! It is a shame he passed away :(


me too man, me too
(R.I.P) to Ray C.

...and Technically, he didn't "pass away" he "committed suicide".but to be fair, he was my favorite as well and I'll miss him too!

me too man, me too
(R.I.P) to Ray C.

...and Technically, he didn't "pass away" he "committed suicide".but to be fair, he was my favorite as well and I'll miss him too!

Oh yeah, I do not understand why he would do that unless he was suffering from depression or had problems with his life

Look at my username to see my answer.

let me guess, Bill Cullen is your favorite game show host of all-time, am I right?

Gene Rayburn


Wink Martindale

Chuck Woolery

Bill Cullen

Allen Ludden

Alex Trebek

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Jim Lange (The Dating Game) here in this thread!

I will now add more to my list. . . . . . .

Tom Bergeron

Peter Tomarken

Jim Lange

Bert Convy

Tom Kennedy

Bert Parks perhaps?

Bill Cullen, the "Dean" of television game show emcees. He had a very easy-going style, and was just like having a dear uncle visiting whenever his likeness graced my family's television set. As a child of 4 or 5 years old, I was very enamored with the NBC show "Three on a Match". Mr. Cullen was such a joy, he didn't seem so darn full of himself either.

Tom Kennedy. He was another classy guy who hosted a great many programs over several decades. "Split Second" and "Name That Tune" were awesome. "50 Grand Slam" not so much. It's still hard to believe that 1987's "Wordplay" was the last network television game show Tom hosted. He too had a very warm and friendly, welcoming air about him.

Allen Ludden. He made being "square" cool. "Mr. Password" was also a fine gentleman, who, like Cullen and Kennedy, had a great sense of humor, but never seemed too full of himself.

Art Fleming. He had a very soothing voice, but he could escalate it as well during exciting or intense moments during "Jeopardy!". He too seemed like a classy gentleman who wasn't full of himself.

So many other emcees who were sensational at hosting shows, but their general character was not so great.

Bill Cullen, the "Dean" of television game show emcees. He had a very easy-going style, and was just like having a dear uncle visiting whenever his likeness graced my family's television set. As a child of 4 or 5 years old, I was very enamored with the NBC show "Three on a Match". Mr. Cullen was such a joy, he didn't seem so darn full of himself either.

Tom Kennedy. He was another classy guy who hosted a great many programs over several decades. "Split Second" and "Name That Tune" were awesome. "50 Grand Slam" not so much. It's still hard to believe that 1987's "Wordplay" was the last network television game show Tom hosted. He too had a very warm and friendly, welcoming air about him.

Allen Ludden. He made being "square" cool. "Mr. Password" was also a fine gentleman, who, like Cullen and Kennedy, had a great sense of humor, but never seemed too full of himself.

Art Fleming. He had a very soothing voice, but he could escalate it as well during exciting or intense moments during "Jeopardy!". He too seemed like a classy gentleman who wasn't full of himself.

So many other emcees who were sensational at hosting shows, but their general character was not so great.

what about your prespective on Dennis James or Art Fleming?

As others have already pointed out, it is difficult to pick just one. They were all good. I liked Chuck Woolery on Love Connection, and always liked many others already mentioned: Gene Rayburn, Alex Trebeck, Peter Marshall, Richard Dawson, Dick Clark, and the list goes on . . . all were similar in that they were/are personable and likable.

As others have already pointed out, it is difficult to pick just one. They were all good. I liked Chuck Woolery on Love Connection, and always liked many others already mentioned: Gene Rayburn, Alex Trebeck, Peter Marshall, Richard Dawson, Dick Clark, and the list goes on . . . all were similar in that they were/are personable and likable.

For Chuck Woolery on LC this man is so "In-Fa-mous" of putting the "2 and 2" together when it comes to hooking up couples.

and BTW, not trying to hinder your knowledge or anything like that, but Alex's last name is spelled "T-R-E-B-E-K" not "T-R-E-B-E-C-K" just wanted to pointed out there that's all.

Hands down, Gene Rayburn.

Ray Combs

John O'Hurley

John O'Hurley

i'm surprised that nobody mentioned Annie Wood of Bzzz! fame in this thread yet.

David Ruprecht (Supermarket Sweep)

David Ruprecht (Supermarket Sweep)

this next host would cost a "Lifetime" in your memory banks...

Pat Finn (Shop Til' You Drop)

Gene Rayburn....was such a dork. But he is unquestionably my favorite.

and BTW, not trying to hinder your knowledge or anything like that, but Alex's last name is spelled "T-R-E-B-E-K" not "T-R-E-B-E-C-K" just wanted to pointed out there that's all.

Correcting another member's grammar is against board rules.

Correcting another member's grammar is against board rules.

I did say that I was sorry!

Richard Dawson. He made out with lots of women.

Richard Dawson. He made out with lots of women.

He was OK for awhile but became a parody of himself. He was better in the Stalag

and now with Harvey at the helm, Dawson's former show is now basically a parody of itself...and I hate that with all of my heart & soul!

First and foremost, the "Dean" of game show hosting, Bill Cullen. Perhaps I am somewhat biased as he was also my late mother's favorite. I am perhaps also biased because he and I have the same first name, something for which I am quite proud. Bill never took himself too seriously. He had a very easy-going nature, but at the same time could also build up suspense without going over the top. He was also the best "giver" of clues I thought as a Pyramid or Password Plus celebrity contestant. Whenever I would play the game "Taboo", I was very cool, calm and collected like Mr. Cullen, and would win virtually every single time. He was, is, and always shall be the greatest.

Tom Kennedy had a very warm persona and also proved he could host many different types of games. I was very fond of his style.

Wink Martindale also is at the top of this list. He and I have the same initials (W.M.) and are both Sagittarians. I e-mailed Wink a few years ago, and he replied within the next day or two. And it wasn't some quick "Thanks for your e-mail and support." He actually took time to address me, and that only endeared him to me even more.

I had the great privilege of listening to Monty Hall tell his biography from a series of youtube videos. He was not only an exceptional emcee, but an exceptional producer as well. He is the personification of class.

In spite of the many scandals that are sadly associated with him, Bob Barker was an excellent master of ceremonies. He was the best at audience participation programs.

Last, but not least, and while not a game show "host" per se, Groucho Marx with the "You Bet Your Life" quiz was sensational! I kind of fashion myself with him. He, Alan Alda, and dare I admit this, Howard Stern all seem to have some qualities about them that I admire, and will emulate. People say I'm funny. More times than not however, I'm usually funny when I "play off" of somebody else, much the way Groucho did, much the way Hawkeye Pierce did, and in some cases the way Howard would with his guests.

For me I would say it's a tie between Wink Martindale, Tom Kennedy, and Jack Narz.

- Chris Kennedy

Gene Rayburn.

Top 5:

1. Bob Barker
2. Pat Sajak & Vanna White (you can't have one without the other!)
3. Ray Combs
4. Chuck Woolery (for Lingo)
5. Bert Convy (for Super Password & Win, Lose, or Draw)

Oh wow- that's kinda tough. Let's see....

a few favorites-

Bob Barker and Rod Roddy (announcer) on "The Price is Right"
Alex Trebek on "Jeopardy!"
Pat Sajak and Vanna White on "Wheel of Fortune"
Ray Combs on "Family Feud" (also Richard Dawson, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, John O'Hurley and Steve Harvey)
Dick Clark on "The $25,000 Pyramid" and "The $100,000 Pyramid"
Peter Tomarken on "Press Your Luck"
Chuck Woolery on "Lingo"
Bert Convy on "Super Password" and "Win, Lose or Draw"
Regis Philbin on "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" (and later Meredith Viera- I'm not as enthused for Cedric the Entertainer, but whatever- I'm sure he's doing fine.)



I don't know if these really count as game shows, but for other favorite hosts-

Bob Saget on "America's Funniest Home Videos" (and Tom Bergeron does a great job too- I wasn't terribly enamored with Daisy Fuentes and John Fugelsang but they did okay. Same for D.L. Hughley and Richard Kind.)

Dave Coulier on "America's Funniest People" (and Arleen Sorkin and later Tawny Kitaen)

Allen Funt (and later Peter Funt) on "Candid Camera" (also Dom Deluise and Eva LaRue)

Bob Saget on "America's Funniest Home Videos"
Oh how I wish they'd release the Saget AFHV on DVD! I loved all the voices he did for the commertaries.

None of his episodes are on the DVDs released? That's pretty sad- they definitely should release some of his episodes. I've got one episode taped on VHS somewhere where most of the Full House cast showed up alongside Bob Saget on the show.
I've also got two of the officially released VHS compilations and they do include Bob Saget hosting episodes. (Here's a list of releases- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_funniest_home_videos)

Bill Cullen-- smart, witty, charming.

Cash en Carlo, American Gladiators, Dirty Rotten Cheater

Alan Ludden
Dick Clark
Monty Hall
Peter Marshall
Richard Dawson
Alex Trebek

Richard Dawson and Gene Rayburn

Richard Dawson and Bill Cullen

It's tough, but I have to go with Match Game's Gene Rayburn
I would have to say HIM or Bob Barker... (Watched him many years)

aww I always loved George Gray! ;) :)

I LOVED the Newlywed game as a kid, so I'm gonna say Bob Eubanks, also loved Let's make a deal , Monte Hall. And to tell the Truth. I watched that in the early 70's, the host was Garry Moore. And Truth or Consequences, Bob Barker.

Than later Richard Dawson/ Family Feud and Chuck Woolery/ Love Connection.

So my favorites are:

Bob Eubanks
Monty Hall
Garry Moore
Bob Barker
Richard Dawson
Chuck Woolery

Without a doubt, John Daly of What's My Line?

I also liked Bert Convy - Tattletales

and now with Harvey at the helm, Dawson's former show is now basically a parody of itself...and I hate that with all of my heart & soul!

I say the same thing about Drew Carey hosting The Price is Right.

Granted, incompetent production is more so to blame via. Fremantle Media.

*Hiring an inexperienced 30-something year old as Executive Producer (Goodson & Todman had been producing game shows for nearly 30 years).

*Hiring a comedian who has very little Game Show hosting experience as the Game Show host (Bob Barker had been hosting Truth or Consequences for 15+ years).

*Hiring a comedian who has very little announcing experience as the Announcer (Johnny Olson and Rod Roddy had YEARS of experience carefully crafting their voices for the ideal announcer sound).

I'm sure Mark Goodson and Bill Todman are turning over in their graves...

Gene Rayburn.

Revisiting this thread, I have to give honorable mentions to:

*Bob Barker
*Peter Marshall
*Monty Hall
*Allen Ludden

Might go with my favorites...
Bud Collyer-didn't realize how good he was when i saw a few daytime To Tell the Truth episodes on GSN in 97- wasn't he sick in 67 and 68? and also you could tell at times that he wasn't as great as he had been in the 50s. Also it was weird seeing him in color!
Jim Perry-always liked him on SOTC, but when i had GSN i was impressed how he did Card Sharks.

Another host i could add would be Dick Clark. There were many times when he would tell the audience to be quiet. That showed me how professional Dick could be. Sajak was great at that too

Bob Barker who i mi$$ very much!!

I have to add a few more...Mike Adamle on American Gladiators, especially with Larry Csonka. those two made that show very exciting sometimes. could also add Alex Trebek. while a lot of people have made fun of him(like when he treated Jeopardy! very seriously) he has loosened up over the years.

Probably the best of all time would be John Daly, the host of "What's My Line." I found him to be very learned, witty, sophisticated, but also hilarious, warm, friendly and everything else, and his show was fun, I discovered this program as an adult and I didn't know the answers, so I would close my eyes when they would walk someone on so I would not know (I wonder if lots of people did this).



I have been binge watching "Match Game", a show I have not seen in over 30 years, and it is absolutely hilarious, wih Gene Rayburn about the funniest of all of them. from the shows I watched, Gene would make fun of losing answers, make light of the audience, make light of the panel.

Bob Barker is pretty awesome too. Saw some eps of him on Match Game and in the midst of all the ugliness which was 1970's clothing, he looked great. Rayburn looked awful, but that was part of his persona. Rayburn was your funny uncle and Brett was your drunk aunt.

I actually don't watch Game Shows much, but I do like Steve Harvey on the Family Feud. I like his funny responses to some of the family members answers.

Wink Martindale was really good too. Never liked his replacement on TTD, Jim Caldwell or even Patrick Wayne. Jim Lange was really good too from what i saw on Chance Of A Lifetime. he made those million dollar wins very exciting.

Best ever hands down was Bill Cullen.

He could take the most dull game or game format and make it compelling to watch. He had a terrific wit, terrific sense of humor, was a brilliant panelist too. Never took himself too damn seriously either the way Rayburn and Barker seemed to.

While I'm not a huge fan of the game show "Child's Play", Bill really shined on that program, especially when they had the youngsters on the set and he would interact with them.

I'm honored that he and I share the same first name, and I miss him dearly. A big part of my childhood in the 1970s had Bill in my living room, during summer vacations, snow days and sick days.

as far as Dick Clark, i remember when there was a lot of money at stake on the Challengers, he always asked the audience to be quiet that made him very formal in my book i remember that happening with Pat Finn on TJW' 90 too

Ken Ober from Remote Control every time.

Here's some of my favorite game show hosts and the reasons I like them
1. Regis Philbin
I started having a big time crush on Regis Philbin when Who Wants To Be A Millionaire debuted and I think he's such a dear gentleman and really cool
2. Howie Mandel
Little did I know that from the time I watched him on Bobby's World Howie Mandel would become my crush later on Deal Or No Deal and Howie Mandel is wonderful and was so great on Deal Or No Deal
3. Wayne Brady
Wayne Brady is so cool and I think he's such a gentleman and on Let's Make A Deal I think that it's the show that really showcases his game show hosting talent
4. Brooke Burns
When I first saw The Chase Brooke Burns became my favorite female game show host because she is nice and cool and also very cute and she also has a funny personality as well. I would like Brooke Burns to host another game show someday
Bestie

Brooke Burns did host another game show (sort of, if you want to call it that). She hosted a one hour show called Dog Eat Dog, I forget it was either on ABC or NBC. But it was the opposite of The Chase, with a lot of extreme physical stunts and not much need for intelligence. And they always made sure to dress her very provocatively. It was kind of like Fear Factor without all the gross stuff. I hated it. But then I hate Fear Factor too. I think those kinds of shows are dumb and dangerous.

Ed.

This is a hard one but one of my favorites is Wayne Brady as host of the current "Let's Make a Deal"