THE POP TEN SHOWCASE SHOWDOWN

Well, what with the recent passing of Merv Griffin, we decided that this latest "Pop Ten" should be the top game show hosts. Yes, we realize that Mr. Griffin wasn't actually a game show host, per se, but Merv is responsible for a bunch of game shows, that include Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Now before we get to those that made the list, we would liketomention a few names that juuuuuuuust missed the cut. Now as much as we loved Funhouse, JD Roth just wasn't quite good enough to make the "Pop Ten". Other notables that missed the cut include Hollywood Squares' John Davidson, The Gong Show's Chuck Barris, Pyramid's Dick Clark, Wheel's Pat Sajack and Remote Control's Ken Ober. And while we know we'll get some argument over this one, Regis Philbin has been left off the list. Sorry, but we were just annoyed by Reg and generally don't care for him. We'd rather see Gelman host a show. Now we are not denying the hosting talent of those left off, but when you get a load of the "Pop Ten" you can see that we were hard pressed to find room for them. Anyways, that's enough of the potatoes, let's get to the meat:

10. Mark Summers- Now, sure some may question this ranking, with such hosting studs like Clark and Sajack making the list, we stand by it. No other host sported a smile, while being in constant peril. He never knew when one of his Botany 500 suits would get splashed with slime or some other gunk. And I don't know if you know this, but slime is hard to get out! No other host had to endure such a "physical challenge" of a hosting job.

9. Alex Trebek- While Alex has never been in as much "Jeopardy" as Marky Summers, he does bring a lot of class to the world of game show hosting. Even back when he was hosting Classic Concentration, you could tell he had the moxie to go far in the fast-paced world of game show hosting. He did his time, hosting a boodle of shows before getting the "Jeopardy" gig. Plus he had one of the best cameos ever on "Cheers" when Cliff went on Jeopardy.

8. Peter Tomarken- "No whammies, no whammies stop! You landed on number nine on the "Pop Ten" and a Free Spin! One of my favorite game shows growing up, "Press Your Luck", not that "Whammy" crud, is one of the greatest games of all time. Yes, I said it! Tomarken was not only handsome, but charming as all heck to boot. Of course Peter has passed on and is now in place where there are only "Big Bucks" and "No Whammies."
7. Jim Lange- Who needs eHarmony? Jim Lange was helping bachelors and bachelorettes make a connection long before the internet even existed! Yes he was the famed "Dating Game." He was also the host of several other games including "Bullseye." Lange also appeared as himself in shows like "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" and "Laverne and Shirley".

6. Bill Cullen- BC hosted and participated in over dozens of game shows including, "The $10,000 Pyramid", "Blockbusters", and "The Price is Right." Yes that's right, Cullen was the original host of the "The Price is Right"! Cullen is a game show icon! And with spectacles like those, who can doubt his talent.

5.-Gene Rayburn- The incomparable host of "The Match Game" he had to keep the likes of Jimmy Walker, Richard Dawson and Charles Nelson Reilly in line day in and day out. And let me tell you, that is no easy task. He also has hosted more shows with the word "dough" in it than any other game show host in history. That's right, two! "Tic-Tac-Dough" and "Dough-Re-Mi".

4. Chuck Woolery- Maybe some wouldn't have put Chuck this high, but the guy IS the modern game show host. He would kick Tom Bergeron's heinie in a Host-Off! Of course he's probably best known as the host of "Love Connection", but he also hosted one of the more underrated game shows, "Scrabble." I still don't know why GSN won't air "Scrabble"? Ridiculous! But seriously, I think what pushed C-Wool into the "Pop Five" was his reality show, "Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned." That's tough to beat.

3. Bob Eubanks- The man who made the term "Whoopee" lose all meaning as the host of "The Newlywed Game" is a legend in the hosting field. He hosted all three stints of "The Newlywed Game", totaling 17 seasons. Now, that's impressive. You cannot have a valid discussion about classic game shows without bringing up Bob Eubanks. Go ahead, try it! I dare you. I double dare you, and there's no physical challenge avaialable here. That Eubanks smile will brighten up any living room. ANY living room, I say!

2. Bob Barker- I don't think there needs to be a whole lot of explanation to go with this one. Double B has been the host of 'The Price is Right" for like a quarter of a century. That's borderline absurd! But he has hosted it with class and aplomb all the way. I mean, who amongst us hasn't yodeled along to "Cliff Hangers"? Who?! Let's face it whenit comes down to game show hosting, it doesn't get much better than Bob Barker. In fact we think there is only one better at charming the old broads and that is none other than.....

1. Richard Dawson- I dare you to find a more charming game show host. You can't do it, can you? Survey says, "NO!" If you think you can, well then my friend, we shall "Feud"! No, Richard Dawson was even a great game show host in "Running Man", for crying out loud! A bit evil, but great, nonetheless. And don't forget his witty banter as a panelist on "Match Game". The man is a living legend. If there's ever a "Game Shows Hall of Fame", he's a first ballot inductee, hands down!