I really didn't enjoy "Hot Streak" in 1986, because I was only 1 year of age then !
"Hot Streak" was a clever show, but to be honest, even though I enjoy Brucie, he really hurt the show. His style was too British. A contestant would make an error and Bruce would spend over a minute teasing and mocking the player in a very loud accent. Richard Dawson did the same thing, but he sorta got away with it because he was particuarly suave and charming, aspects he lost in 1994.
And it might of appeared to Average Joe or Jane that the host slapping his name on his own show would come-off as pretentious.
However, his farewell speech was great for the way he praised America. Despite the fact America pretty much rejected him, at least he was a good sport about it.
-Joe R.