According to collider.com, “Despite enjoying decades of loyal viewership, the game shows have considerably declined in numbers and popularity.” So, what’s an ex-game show host to do? The lights, the excitement, the pomp, the pressure, the advertised treasures of a dream vacation, a new car, a million dollars, what can now fill that void? Clearly the traits that a given game show host, even a not long standing one, must possess include: Charisma, an engaging personality: Anyone worth his or her salt in the game show world must have the ability to draw an audience in, to make them feel to be involved with the game being played around them, to make them feel as though he, or she, is the one in charge.

Showmanship: To draw and keep a crowd it helps to be outspoken, and to draw attention, perhaps even a bit unhinged. Repetition pays. Saying the same thing to the same ‘crowd’ plants a seed of authenticity. Friends in high places: A showman is only as good as his production team. What goes on behind the scenes is just as important as what takes place out front. Whether they’re professionals, or simply puppets acquiescing to the man in charge, the team backstage must work in unison to make things come out as planned. So maybe there’s a former game show host on your TV screen. One of them served a term in the highest office of our government. Might he do it again?

Paul Blackford

Franklin