Real People
Game shows might feel like an exciting and easy path to money and mad loot.
It can be incredible to meet the host if you’re a long-time fan. But what most people don’t think about is that the faces on television are human, and some have a fair number of skeletons in their closets (and one that should have led to an arrest.
Wheel Of Fortune
If you have any number of years added to your birthdate, you’ll know the name Pat Sajak.
He helped make Wheel of Fortune a household name with that spinning wheel and “clack, clack, clack” to a pile of cash or the dreaded bankruptcy wedge. And let’s not forget Vanna White.
Lots Of Gossip
She quickly became one of the most famous presenters of all time - right down to the iconic hand gestures.
How many people can say their name would become an actual verb for the way they showed off an item? There was also plenty of gossip about the two’s relationship that didn’t make light until years later.
Goodbye Kiss
It was the last episode before Sajak was going to leave the show.
It was years of rumors that were finally cleared up as he planted a long, deep kiss on the hostess and former Playboy bunny. The crowd might have cheers but the creator, Merv Griffon, came on set looking less than pleased. That, however, isn’t the worst of kisses.
The Price Is Right
Years ago, before modern-day political correctness, hosts could get away with so much.
It could get so bad that it’s now cringe-worthy and might bring a little bit of bile into the back of the throat. The Price is Right comes under the guillotine.
Money Pocket
Bob Barker might seem like a friendly old man, but let’s not forget the “money pocket”.
Yes, the special pocket that had a $100 bill inside. He looked far too happy when people reached in there. It wasn’t until years later did some of his assistants step forward with some disturbing news.
Unwanted Advances
Behind the scenes, it was regular for Barker to shame their weight, make unwanted and inappropriate advances, as well as coming down pretty hard if they refused to spread lies in the media to cover up his bad behavior.
Next, Family Feud (yes, let’s destroy all the favorite childhood memories), took it up a notch.
Richard Dawson
The original host insisted he should kiss every female participant … on the lips.
He said it was for good luck … ew. It was obvious that many of them were uncomfortable, and if we factor in all the years he hosted, that’s over 20,000 ladies. Oh, and he also showed up drunk every day.
Family Feud
Family Feud, in fact, has probably the worse stretch of hosts since its inception.
Luis Anderson (comedian and TV personality) and Richard Karn (from Home Improvement) were only let go because their style didn’t meld with fan’s expectations or tastes. Also, Steve Harvey is known to be a drama queen. The final, grossest, mention?
Just Like Mom
Fergie Olver takes the first place trophy for all-time creepiest host … and one that should honestly be in jail.
The face of the Canadian game show “Just Like Mom” – the name alone induces unpleasant chills – was infamous for stealing kisses from (trig-warning) the nervous children contestants. It can, and does, get worse.
Ew, Ew, Ew!
It was feathery hair, velvet jumpsuits, and plenty of “gack” moments that we would never tolerate today.
And it wasn't a simple peck on the cheek you would get from a family member. He also had a number of “rules” or “tricks” around any refusals that the contestant gave him.
Wife There
He would say they couldn’t win unless they let him get a smooch, or he would just go in and steal one on the lips without permission.
Mothers stood there with wide smiles – the kind that stretches the face but doesn’t make it to the eyes. It gets worse when people realize his wife was also on set.
Continued Career
This went on for three years, and then he left to be a sports commentator for the Toronto Blue Jays national baseball team.
His fame shot up again and he went on to do more high-profile sports events. Somewhere in there, he had a kid who followed in his sports footsteps.
Staying Away
People still wonder what happened to Olver.
It turns out the host is living out the rest of his life in seclusion and away from the public – no wonder, but jail would be nicer. If we think about all the times people left shows because they were simply “not liked” or their personality just didn’t meld with the programming ...
Weird People
It turns out the host is living out the rest of his life in seclusion and away from the public – no wonder, but jail would be nicer.
If we think about all the times people left shows because they were simply “not liked” or their personality just didn’t meld with the programming ...
In order to protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.