22 Game Show Hosts from the Past Who Would Be Condemned for Their On-air Conduct
Forget nostalgia! Remember those game show hosts whose charm now seems…problematic? Here are 22 personalities whose on-air antics wouldn’t fly today. From blatantly sexist remarks to insensitive cultural stereotypes, we wonder how their offensive behavior made it to the airwaves!
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Richard Dawson
The original host of ‘Family Feud’ from 1976 to 1985, he was known for his habit of kissing contestants, particularly female contestants. This used to be considered affectionate and charming. However, you can imagine the amount of criticism and backlash he would have faced in today’s time, as such behavior would be considered inappropriate and an invasion of personal boundaries.
Bob Eubanks
He hosted ‘The Newlywed Game’ from 1966 to 1988 and was famous for his humorous jokes. While the audience of that time may have laughed off those jokes, today’s audience considers them sexist and insensitive. They are viewed as a means of perpetuating Stereotypes about gender roles and relationships. People want to hear jokes that do not support a backward mindset and instead focus on highlighting these issues.
Chuck Woolery
‘Love Connection’ had Chuck Woolery as its host from 1983 to 1994. He often made offensive and objectifying remarks. He would casually bring up topics regarding contestants’ appearances and personal lives without considering the term ‘personal space.’ Today’s audience would criticize him for hosting inappropriately.
Gene Rayburn
‘The Match Game’ host Gene Rayburn conducted this show from 1962 to 1982 and made the audience laugh with his witty remarks. However, what made the audience laugh at that time may make today’s audience fierce with the amount of insensitivity it held. The comments made would often involve flirting with contestants and problematic remarks about their bodies. People today expect more professionalism and decorum when doing public broadcasting.
Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak has entertained the audience with his humorous jokes since 1981 he hosted the show Wheel of Fortune. In a time when people are aware of the influence of a TV Personality’s words, they would not want to perpetuate politically incorrect and judgmental jokes about social issues. People expect hosts to maintain a respectful and inclusive demeanor.
Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek hosted Jeopardy! from 1984 until his recent demise in 2020. He was synonymous with professionalism and intelligence, but sometimes, he made dismissive remarks towards female contestants. These remarks would have been scrutinized because of today’s values, where gender sensitivity is considered crucial.
Bob Barker
Bob Barker was famous for hosting the ‘The Price is Right’ show from 1972 to 2007. But the hosting included something that might receive heavy backlash from today’s people. There were several controversies related to the treatment of female models on the show known as ‘Barker’s Beauties.’ Many allegations were made of him about harassment and discrimination against contestants during and after his hosting tenure. People would have heavily scrutinized this incident had it happened now.
Monty Hall
Monty Hall was known for his playful hosting style on the game show, ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ from 1963 to 1986. He often engaged with the contestants in a playful banter, crossing personal boundaries. It was seen as playful back then but would have received negative views from people today as there’s more sensitivity towards private space now. The audience also considers the potential discomfort and embarrassment such interactions can cause.
Peter Marshall
The well-known host of ‘Hollywood Squares’ from 1966 to 1981 would not be popular today. The humor he relied on would be unacceptable now as it played to stereotyping. Today, there’s a high expectation of cultural sensitivity and awareness, and Marshall’s shtick wouldn’t stick.
Wink Martindale
Though Martindale has hosted many shows, we’re talking about ‘Tic-Tac-Dough,’ which he hosted from 1978 to 1985. During his tenure, he made many remarks that might be considered insensitive and inappropriate today. His hosting style included flirting, which was considered playful at that time but would be scrutinized in today’s light because of a lack of respect and professionalism.
Jim Lange
Host of ‘The Dating Game’ from 1965 to 1980, he often made jokes that were considered inappropriate today. The show’s format itself was such that it included making suggestive comments about each other and encouraging flirtatious behavior. This practice might receive negative reviews from today’s generation as there’s more emphasis on creating a respectful and professional environment.
Allen Ludden
Allen Ludden was the host of ‘Password’ from 1961 to 1980 and captivated the audience with his charm and wit. However, what he might receive criticism for today involves his comments towards female contestants and celebrities, which might be seen as demeaning in today’s time. Today’s values promote gender equality and respect in public discourse, which is the opposite of what he was doing.
Tom Kennedy
Kennedy hosted numerous shows, one of which was ‘Name That Tune’, from 1974 to 1981. Though he had done an outstanding job, his remarks might be seen as insensitive or inappropriate according to today’s standards. And what are those standards, you may ask? People expect more respectful and inclusive conduct because the host’s actions can significantly impact the language and behavior of diverse audiences.
Bert Convy
‘Super Password’ was hosted by Convy from 1984 to 1989. During his on-air hosting, he often engaged in joking and demeaning humor, which would be considered inappropriate now. His comments about contestants and celebrities might be seen as insensitive or offensive by today’s generation.
Pat Finn
The host of ‘Shop Til’ You Drop’ from 1991 to 1994 sometimes made remarks that might not go well with today’s generation’s mindset. He comically joked about contestants’ lives or played pranks on them, which might not fit today’s standards. People criticized him for not maintaining a professional and respectful decorum with the contestants.
Bob Goen
The popular show ‘Entertainment Tonight’ was hosted by Bob Goen. However, his interactions with guests and contestants may not meet the expectations of today’s generation, which has different standards for professionalism. They might criticize it for not treating guests respectfully and behaving offensively and inappropriately.
John Davidson
The show Hollywood Squares has added one more host to this list, John Davidson, because of his inappropriate approach to the contestants. His interactions with them might not be accepted today, as they often made the contestants uncomfortable. Davidson’s approach might receive backlash today.
Peter Tomarken
The host of the popular game show, ‘Press Your Luck,’ Peter Tomarken, hosted it from 1983 to 1986. He was known for his enthusiastic delivery and engaging presence. However, the problem arises when the show’s emotional exploitation of the contestants is viewed today. Placing intense pressure on the contestants for the dramatic effect for the sake of viewership would not only be criticized but also become controversial while promoting more ethical treatment and respect for participants’ well-being.
Bill Rafferty
Bill Rafferty hosted “Card Sharks” from 1986 to 1989. It was a game show in which contestants had to predict the upcoming card’s number and guess if it would be higher or lower than the preceding one. While Rafferty was enthusiastic, he often asked objectifying questions and made remarks about female contestants and models. In today’s world, when trivializing women’s appearances and reinforcing gender stereotypes is unacceptable, such practices receive heavy criticism.
Geoff Edwards
Edwards hosted ‘Treasure Hunt’ twice, once from 1973 to 1977 and then from 1981 to 1982. The show’s format was such that contestants would have to select boxes containing various prizes. While hosting, he would be playful but flirtatious when interacting with female contestants. This behavior might be seen as objectifying and demeaning today. People would not want anyone to perpetuate failure in treating female participants with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Jack Berry
Jack Berry hosted ‘The Joker’s Wild’ from 1972 to 1984. The game was a quiz show where a slot machine determined the questions. Berry was known in the industry for his professional hosting, but the primary issue he might have faced today would have been his mockery of female contestants.
Jack Narz
‘Concentration’ was a show where contestants solved rebus puzzles to win prizes. It was hosted by Narz from 1973 to 1978. His smooth hosting style and jokes earned him fame, but that might only have caused controversy today. His jokes might be seen as outdated or inappropriate because modern audiences expect to maintain a higher level of sensitivity and inclusivity in their interactions.
