Stand-up Comics Hosting Game Shows

[Janice]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-02-21-comedians-gameshows_N.htm

Game shows get funnymen, and Miller is the latest

By Gary Strauss, USA TODAY

How many stand-up comics does it take to host a game show?

At least five, counting Dennis Miller, whose NBC quizzfest Amne$ia premieres tonight (9 ET/PT).

Miller joins many others, including Howie Mandel (NBC's Deal or No Deal), Bob Saget (NBC's 1 vs. 100), Jeff Foxworthy (Fox's Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?) and Drew Carey (CBS' New Price Is Right, Power of 10) as the latest funnyman turned game show honcho.

"I wasn't looking to host, but when they brought me … uh, what's the name of the show again? Oh yeah, Amne$ia," Miller says. "I got excited because I realized it's a comedy wrapped in a game show package, and that allows me to be who I am."

Amne$ia contestants earn cash by recalling life events. "It's not just a game show where we're out there smacking buttons all the time and trying to do speed and alacrity. There's some sort of a whimsical walk through a person's life, sort of like Ralph Edwards on This Is Your Life," says Miller, who promises to be less sardonic and more kind than his normal stage persona. "There's potential for a few smiles, a few blasts from the past, and somebody walks away with some bread."

Stand-up comics have long been radio and TV mainstays. Their TV game show gigs date back to Groucho Marx, host of the 1950s hit You Bet Your Life, and Johnny Carson, whose late-night talk show career was preceded by 1954's Earn Your Vacation and 1958's Who Do You Trust?

Mandel's fast success with the 2005 debut of NBC's Deal or No Deal appears to have opened a fresh floodgate for quick-witted, fast-reacting comics.

Like others whose early roots were in stand-up comedy, Miller — a five-time Emmy winner and former Saturday Night Live star — has also had success in film roles and as a talk show host.

"Comics have been steeled in the fire of nightclubs. You think on your feet because it's a fluid situation," he says. "Game shows are fluid situations.

So you take the same skills, sort of flip them inside out, shepherd them through this, get your laughs, be a hail fellow, and everybody is happy."

Mandel's Hollywood career spans talk shows to TV dramas. But he spurned initial offers to do Deal, accepting only after wife Terry repeatedly urged him to host, telling him he'd be great at it.

"When (producers) first approached me, I was insulted — I thought it would be the nail in the coffin of my career," Mandel says. "But this show is the most thrilling, exciting thing I've ever done in my career."

Until 1 vs. 100, Saget, who starred as widowed dad Danny Tanner on ABC's long-running Full House, spurned game show gigs for several years.

The show's format and opportunity to combine humor and spontaneity helped sell Saget.

"There's a certain lightness and fun about a trivia show," he says. "I'm a cynical guy. But this gives you the ability to get real sometimes. I also get my 10% of innuendo humor. And I've coined the term shiggles." (That's his combination of a word unprintable in a family newspaper and giggles).

The success of longtime friends Carey and Mandel was also persuasive.

Both are well suited for their particular game show format, Saget says.

"Drew has this kind of bounce (on Price Is Right). He's excited to have his wheel spun. When he gets to say 'come on down,' he treats it reverentially."

Amne$ia should fit Miller's personality, Saget says. "He's a wordsmith. You give him a show that requires smarts — that's good casting."

Look for more stand-up comics as hosts. "Their experience with a live audience is invaluable," says Deal or No Deal producer Scott St. John, a veteran game show runner. "They're relaxed and at ease with who they are. And they're adept, because they've dealt with hecklers and know how to handle unexpected situations."

These five comedians have the game show game on lock:

Dennis Miller: Amne$ia (NBC, Friday, 9 ET/PT)

The skinny: How well do you know your life?

Dennis says: "There's potential for a few smiles, a few blasts from the past, and somebody walks away with some bread."


Bob Saget: 1 vs. 100 (NBC, season finale Friday, 8 ET/PT)

The skinny: Saget poses questions to one contestant and a "mob" of 100 opponents. Correct answers eliminate any of the mob who get it wrong. Prize money up to $1 million.

Bob says: "I always liked You Bet Your Life. I guess I wanted to be like Groucho Marx."


Jeff Foxworthy: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (Fox, returns March 13, 8 ET/PT)

The skinny: Adult contestants reduced to imbeciles by grade-school questions.

Jeff says: "Some 60-year-old grandpa will tell me what he scored on the last show," he has said. "I used to only get redneck jokes. Now I get test scores."


Drew Carey: New Price Is Right (CBS, Friday, 8 ET/PT)

The skinny: Carey, who replaced longtime Price host Bob Barker in 2007, hosts the daytime (11 a.m. ET/PT) version and a string of prime-time "million dollar spectaculars" starting tonight.

Drew says: "You're giving away prizes and making everybody happy," he told CBS' Early Show. "I can't complain."


Howie Mandel: Deal or No Deal (NBC, Monday and Wednesday, 8 ET/PT)

The skinny: No special prowess needed. Contestants guess which of 26 briefcases holds $1 million or accept a "deal" for less.

Howie says: "You have no idea the thrill we get giving away money. I'm devastated when it doesn't work out."

[Ireneparalegal]

Great article. thanx for posting Janice. Well, it seems that funnymen are the way to go when it comes to hosting game shows. Wow, who can complain abt Drew when it is proven that the funny man is the key to making a game show interesting? I don't hear anyone complaining abt Howie Mandel and his antics on his show. Jeff Foxworthy is a funny man who had his own sitcom and now he hosts a successful lshow. Where are the complaints? Nothing against Alex Trebek or Pat Sajak, but I like when I can laugh while watching a game show.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Great article. thanx for posting Janice. Well, it seems that funnymen are the way to go when it comes to hosting game shows. Wow, who can complain abt Drew when it is proven that the funny man is the key to making a game show interesting? I don't hear anyone complaining abt Howie Mandel and his antics on his show. Jeff Foxworthy is a funny man who had his own sitcom and now he hosts a successful lshow. Where are the complaints? Nothing against Alex Trebek or Pat Sajak, but I like when I can laugh while watching a game show.

Great points Irene. As the article points out, it goes way back to comedians such as Groucho Marx and Johnny Carson hosting game shows. This is nothing new.

Tonight's game show night in my house. Drew at 8, and I'm going to give Dennis Miller's new show a try at 9. The concept is clever, and looks interesting to me.

Amne$ia contestants earn cash by recalling life events. "It's not just a game show where we're out there smacking buttons all the time and trying to do speed and alacrity. There's some sort of a whimsical walk through a person's life, sort of like Ralph Edwards on This Is Your Life," says Miller

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Janice

Great points Irene. As the article points out, it goes way back to comedians such as Groucho Marx and Johnny Carson hosting game shows. This is nothing new.

Tonight's game show night in my house. Drew at 8, and I'm going to give Dennis Miller's new show a try at 9. The concept is clever, and looks interesting to me.

Amne$ia contestants earn cash by recalling life events. "It's not just a game show where we're out there smacking buttons all the time and trying to do speed and alacrity. There's some sort of a whimsical walk through a person's life, sort of like Ralph Edwards on This Is Your Life," says Miller

You said it, it is nothing new. If anything, we are going back to basics, to how it used to be. There is nothing like a good laugh.

I hear that. I can't wait for the primetime games tonight.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

You said it, it is nothing new. If anything, we are going back to basics, to how it used to be. There is nothing like a good laugh.

I hear that. I can't wait for the primetime games tonight.

And posting during commercials. Just thought of something. We're three hours ahead of you, timewise. Oh well, I can wait until later to chat. Are you going to watch Dennis Miller's show? I think he's funny.


I'm going to tape this about Heath Ledger. It looks good. Last past on this thread.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...67#post3837367

[Mr. Television]

Great article Janice. My favorite game shows were always the ones that had a lot of humor in it like Match Game. I think it's great that these comics are hosting these shows. Most of the modern game show hosts are boring and would probably put me to sleep.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Janice

And posting during commercials. Just thought of something. We're three hours ahead of you, timewise. Oh well, I can wait until later to chat. Are you going to watch Dennis Miller's show? I think he's funny.


I'm going to tape this about Heath Ledger. It looks good. Last past on this thread.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...67#post3837367

I will watch most certainly. Dennis Miller is a riot. Well, as far as chatting, you can start chatting away and then I can start as soon as I see it.

You are right Sonny, nothing like a boring host to turn me off. Any host who can make me laugh, whether it is a talk show, a game show, etc. makes for some fun television watching. If I want boring, I will watch news. ZZZZzzzzzzzzz

[Schmoopie]

I wish they would have more comedians hosting game shows. It would definitely make them more enjoyable! John O'Hurley is still my favorite game show host, although technically he's not a comedian!

Andrea