Favorite Family Feud Host (and New Host Announcement)

[appleye1]

Family Feud announced last week that John O'Hurley (Peterman on Seinfeld) will be the host on the show next season as they revamp the show to celebrate it's 30th anniversary. (Story (http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/networktv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002237742))

I can't put my finger on why, but I've always enjoyed this show. It's not something I'd set up a season pass for, but if I notice it's on I'll usually stop and watch it.

I'll kind of miss Richard Karn. I thought he was a pretty decent host, but Dawson has always been my favorite. I still catch the reruns of his version on GSN from time to time. Louie Anderson was passable as a host, but I really didn't care for him. I really couldn't stand Ray Combs, and pretty much quit watching the show during the 6 years he was on. (GSN is showing his version too.)

If you're a fan of the show who was your favorite host? (And who did you dislike?)

[murgatroyd]

I've seen the two Richards, missed the guys in between. Karn did a pretty good job. But had to go with Dawson.

It's a fun show. But like all such shows, I sometimes wonder if the contestants had ever watched the show before they went on it. ;)

Jan

[atrac]

Dawson might be my favorite game show host of all time. Cool, suave, and an impeccable wit. He was also hilarious in "The Running Man."

And the ladies loved him too...

[LoadStar]

Ray was probably my favorite, may he rest in peace. Following that, I'd say Richard Dawson was slightly better, if only because Richard Karn was so typecast in my mind as Home Improvement's "Al Borland." Louie was not a good fit at all for the show, IMHO.

The only thing is - none of the newer Family Feud's ever really seemed like the Family Feud of old, regardless of the host. The set was so much smaller feeling and just didn't seem as "fun," somehow. I miss the old style Family Feud, as silly as it was.

[Spire]

Richard Dawson. No one else comes close.

[Inundated]

Richard Dawson. No question.

[fmowry]

My wife was on a cruise with Mr. Peterman 10 years ago. If only she would have known. He was hitting on her. She could have been the wife of a game show host!

Frank

[Anubys]

My wife was on a cruise with Mr. Peterman 10 years ago. If only she would have known. He was hitting on her. She could have been the wife of a game show host!

Frank

must. not. make. joke. must. control. myself. :D

I voted Dawson, who's my all-time favorite host for any game...Louie was/is horrible...I like Ray as well...

[cheesesteak]

Survey says! Richard Dawson

[wendiness1]

Richard Dawson. Absolutely.

(Didn't Ray Combs commit suicide?)

[marksman]

I am pretty sure I have not seen a full episode since Richard Dawson left. I am a bit amazed this show is still on the air.

What current top-rated sitcom second/third tier actor is going to take over in 5 years?

[kdelande]

Richard Dawson, no question.

Ray Combs was passable, everyone else is an also-ran.

I agree with the comment on the set, I think the current iteration looks hokey. I know the 80s set looks dated but it had something to it (size?) that the current ones don't have.

Also agree, Richard Dawson is/was one of the best game show hosts ever, as well as THE best panelist on Match Game, home of one of the other best hosts ever, Gene Rayburn.

KD

[Anubys]

Richard Dawson. Absolutely.

(Didn't Ray Combs commit suicide?)

yes, he did. Depression, I believe...

[WinBear]

I don't think I ever saw an episode with either Louie or Karn. I simply wasn't interested in seeing either of them host the show. The latter Combs episodes also dinked too much with the formula and I didn't care for it.

[Inundated]

Richard Dawson. Absolutely.

(Didn't Ray Combs commit suicide?)

Indeed, he did.

And you're biased.

:D

[quarkman97]

Richard Dawson by a country mile. The man had mad ladykiller skills!

"I'm causin more Family Feud's than Richard Dawson." -Wu Tang Clan

[VegasVic]

Several times Combs would try on a woman contestants heels and walk around with them on. Weird.

[VegasVic]

Here's some info on Combs for those unfamiliar...

But around 1993, ratings for the show slipped, after the death of creator Mark Goodson.

Jonathan Goodson took over the show, and Felsher, Goodson and Harris Kattleman talked. Goodson said that "if we don't do better in the next year, we're probably not going to get renewed."

Felsher asked him what he would do, and Kattleman said he'd bring back Richard Dawson.

That was probably the worst, single thing they could do.

Within a year, Ray Combs would lose his job, his comedy clubs, and his marriage.
He moved from his home and into a small apartment, but things we're just getting started. In 1994, Ray's car was clipped and spun out of control. He was rushed to emergency. He would forever be stuck with a back problem. He tried to open another comedy club, but it was quickly shut down. For a man who mad over $6 million yearly as host of the Family Feud was now broke and in debt. The bank foreclosed on one of their homes.

But Ray tried to fight back. He tested out a stint for a talk show, but it fizzled. He made numerous appearances on the Game Show Network, but he wasn't the same Ray Combs.

Desperate to make some money, he landed a gig as the host of "Family Challenge." But everyone knew, is new show was no Family Feud.

Ratings for the show slipped, and in a desperate attempt to boost them, he hosted a special Memorial Day edition of Family Challenge, but he was disjointed saying. "I can't seem to remember the score" or "I'm a little rusty." But it also fizzled, and he was fired from that show too.

He then became disoriented. He frantically made a call from his apartment to his wife. He was sobbing and hysterical. Debbie quickly called 911, and paramedics quickly responded. He was treated and released. As Debbie drove him home, Ray leaped from the car at a red light and disappeared behind some houses.

A few hours later, he was seen infront of his wife's house. Debbie sent oe of the kids to lock the door, and when he wouldn't open up for Ray, he became hysterical. He bashed his head against the wall, and Debbie called the cops. When they showed up, Ray claimed he had slipped in the Jacuzzi.

The police decided that Ray was suicidal and a danger to others and was placed in a 72 observation at Glendale Mental Hospital. Then on June 2, 1996 at 4:00 A.M., Ray Combs, a broken man, cried out for help, and with his last steps approached the closet.

He died at 4:07 A.M. as a result of hanging. He left no note.

Ray was buried in the nearby cemetary without a tombstone. There was no money left to buy one.

One man who donated generously was Ray's idol, Johnny Carson who donated $25,000.

[KenDC]

Let's just say if I was down to my last question on the final round and this was the question and I was at 125. I would feel save that I would get to 200 points with my answer....Richard Dawson.

[VegasVic]

I haven't seen Dawson around for awhile. He got married in 1991 to a woman who was a contestant on Feud and had a daughter. I believe he's 70 something.

[Guindalf]

"Jack Killian is lying to you!"

[VegasVic]

Combs was a pretty funny comedian.

On his first show with Feud:

"I'm real excited about being on CBS and hosting this show. I have been studying all of the great CBS shows. I think I'm prepared, so if you're ready, let's have the first item up for bid. "

[dswallow]

I've never seen the show without Richard Dawson and I never will.

[busyba]

Les Dennis. :)

[busyba]

For a man who made over $6 million yearly as host of the Family Feud was now broke and in debt.
If I made $6 Mil a year over 6 years, I'd never have to work again, much less go broke and be in debt.

What a tool. :rolleyes:

[boneill]

If I made $6 Mil a year over 6 years, I'd never have to work again, much less go broke and be in debt.

What a tool. :rolleyes:

Obviously he agreed with your assessment. Have a little sympathy.

Dawson was certainly the best. He comes across as something of a letch now if you watch the reruns though. I still enjoyed the show with Combs, mostly because the show was very similar. The newer show had weaker hosts in Louie and Karn, but it wasn't just the hosts that was the problem. The set looks cheaper and smaller, the families and host are too rehearsed and phony, and the audience is weak (if there even is one). The Price is Right hasn't changed all that much over the years and it's still fun to watch. It's too bad Family Feud didn't hold up.

Hopefully the revamped show will get back to the original style.

[Guindalf]

Les Dennis. :)

If you really want to be picky, Les Dennis, Max Bygraves or Bob Monkhouse were never hosts of Family Feud.

For those who don't know, they all hosted the UK version of Feud called Family Fortunes.

Bygraves...

http://i2.tinypic.com/syt98i.jpg

[johnspalm]

Richard Dawson by a mile.

Ray Combs was just too plastic.

Louie Anderson just didn't fit the mold.

Richard Karn is a pleasant host, but he's no Dawson.

[alansh]

Richard Dawson by a mile.

Ray Combs was just too plastic.

Louie Anderson just didn't fit the mold.

Richard Karn is a pleasant host, but he's no Dawson.I agree with this, but I really disliked Louie Anderson. Something about him triggers the fingernails-on-a-chalkboard reaction. I couldn't bear watching him more than a few seconds.

[5thcrewman]

They should get Steven Wright.

"How do you like the beach? Survey says-"