GAME SHOW HOST AN INCREASINGLY COVETED POSITION "So you want to be a game show host? Get in line. These days it seems as if every B-list actor is angling for the job. … For the networks, game shows are winners because they are inexpensive to produce, appealing to viewers and can be sold in the same format around the world. For actors, the job can be a good way to revive a flagging career — think of Howie Mandel, who had a failed talk show and a stalled acting career before starring in 'Deal or No Deal' on NBC during prime time. In the last year, Kevin Belinkoff, vice president for original programming at the Game Show Network, has been peppered with résumés from performers, some of them well known. Barely a day goes by without an agent or talent manager suggesting that he hire a client."
It's a good year to have a fake job. First, all those Bigfoot researchers are getting some airtime. Then Jon Stewart gets fingered as the most trusted man in news. And now "Outstanding Reality Host" is a category at this year's Emmys. Taking this nonsense a step further, the nominees won't just have their names read off a teleprompter — the five contestants nominees will group-host the primetime ceremony. But as we all know in reality show hosting, one day you're in, the next day, you're out. So who's going to show up for the opening of an envelope and hear her own name called?
THE EMMYS JUST LOST ALL STREET CRED "The five nominees for top reality show host are not just up for Emmy awards — they're also going to oversee the entire ceremony! American Idol's Ryan Seacrest, Project Runway's Heidi Klum, Dancing with the Stars' Tom Bergeron, Deal or No Deal's Howie Mandel and Survivor's Jeff Probst have all signed on to co-host the Sept. 21 awards show."
We thought reality television had reached the pinnacle of its dizzying, doltish heights when that production crew really infected an Amazonian village with the flu, thus killing three children. But we should have known to never underestimate Hollywood, where it seems the only unbreakable law is gravity. Now, rather than simply feeding the zeitgeist poison, the entertainment business will also be awarding those whose efforts best shrivel culture.
A category recognizing "outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program" was created by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and will be presented at the 60th annual Emmys in September.
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Besides Seacrest of "American Idol," Mandel of "Deal or No Deal" and Banks of "America's Next Top Model," other potential nominees identified by the academy include Ty Pennington of "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," Jeff Foxworthy of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" and Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris of "Dancing With the Stars."
Because where would our country be without Jeff Foxworthy and his show about how American adults are so goshdang stupid?
IT'S HARD OUT THERE FOR A MODEL "For the 26 women who take the stage each week on [Deal or No Deal], life is not all glamour and sequins and witty repartee with the host, Howie Mandel. At this taping in mid-January, for instance, there was the 14-hour workday, 8 ½ hours of which involved some or all of the models standing on an Arctic-like soundstage in short, short sleeveless dresses and four-inch heels." How can they even stand it?
Remember when someone decided to re-introduce Howie Mandel into our lives? Yes, I try to forget that day as well, but at least we got Deal Or No Deal out of it. These lovely ladies, the models who have the weighty task of holding their designated suitcase containing a placard with a number on it, and whose names I'm convinced Howie messes up on a constant basis are just a few of the reasons that you should probably try to get on DOND. That and I like the show and would really enjoy it if someone remotely connected to me was a contestant. Well, if you're in or around Vegas, here's your shot. Thanks to MeeVee, the information for this weekend's casting:
DEAL OR NO DEAL
Ever wonder what YOU would do with one million dollars?
Are you a risk taker?
Do you feel lucky?
Now's your big chance to try to find out…OPEN CASTING CALL IN LAS VEGAS!
REMEMBER: If you've already submitted a tape, it is not necessary to attend an open casting call.
Keep checking back for specific times and locations for the city nearest you.LAS VEGAS, NV
When:
Saturday, June 3rd 2006
10:00am - 1:00pmWhere:
Las Vegas Hilton
3000 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Check out the site for anything else you need to bring. Those of you outside of Sin City, just send in a tape like the rest of the desperates. Send in a video looking as spastic as possible. You should probably also demonstrate your nauseatingly enthusiastic family and a sick devotion to something marketable, like the Steelers. And please, for the love of god, if you make it to that mecca of Deal Or No Deal, send me some sort of recap of your experience, or at least try to bed Nancy (above) the model I voted most likely to kill you in your sleep.
Editor
