The Game Show Host Look Alike Contest

[PeterMarshallFan]

[quote name=\'bricon\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 03:52 PM\']

The story I heard about Monopoly states that Reilly was indeed a test contestant. The tryout host (it wasn't Merv) blew, and Reilly jokingly said to Merv, "I could do better than that guy

For what it's worth, the host of the Monopoly pilot was Peter Tomarken, who did (in my opinion) a capable job.  
The pilot also featured a little person in a tuxedo to move around the board.

Merv has used unknowns before (one that comes to mind is Arizona newscaster Ron Hoon, who hosted a pilot called Buzzword)  And, Pat Sajak was a national unknown when selected for Wheel.  So he's apparently willing to take a chance on new blood. [/quote]
 I don't think it was Tomarken....from what I heard, Tomarken did a pilot in 1987, then Merv himself hosted one, and then a few others until the version that aired got on.

[MyCapableAssistant]

I think, in a vague way, Ray Combs and Pat Sajak look somewhat similar. Think hair color, and hair style. I first noticed this when I saw the two appear side by side on the E! THS wearing tuxes.

[Dan Sadro]

[quote name=\'bricon\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 03:52 PM\'] Merv has used unknowns before (one that comes to mind is Arizona newscaster Ron Hoon, who hosted a pilot called Buzzword) [/quote]
 By any chance, was this pilot done around 1981 or 1982?  Just a theory...

)  And, Pat Sajak was a national unknown when selected for Wheel.  So he's apparently willing to take a chance on new blood.

Taking a chance on new blood, yes, but also cutting back pay scales.  With the notable exception of Bill Cullen, I can't think of an emcee that brings so much life to a game show that makes them inherently better game show hosts.  All they bring with them is experience, and sometimes it's cheaper to teach the fundamentals than to pay for the experience.  And, if anyone would be good at teaching GS fundamentals, it would be Griffin.

[J.R.]

[quote name=\'bricon\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 03:52 PM\'] Merv has used unknowns before (one that comes to mind is Arizona newscaster Ron Hoon, who hosted a pilot called Buzzword)  And, Pat Sajak was a national unknown when selected for Wheel.  So he's apparently willing to take a chance on new blood. [/quote]
 ... and sometimes that can result in collosoal failures.

*cough*Rolf*cough*

[zachhoran]

The Buzzword pilot was done in 1986, TV Game SHow Magazine(the seven issue GS fanzine that existed at the time) even reported that Merv was doing a pilot for NBC. A report in ATGS several years back said that the show had unscrambling words as part of the format.

In a Tom Snyder CBS show interview several years back. Merv even talked about Jimmy Connors trying out as a WOF host, but he didn't say at what point he tried out.

[bricon]

I don't think it was Tomarken....from what I heard, Tomarken did a pilot in 1987, then Merv himself hosted one, and then a few others until the version that aired got on

Trust me, it was Tomarken.  Merv appears at the beginning of the pilot, introducing it, but didn't host it.

[BrandonFG]

[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Jun 28 2003, 05:12 AM\'] My 9th grade algebra teacher was the spitting image of Art Fleming. In looks and in voice. True story. Weird guy, tho. Never said anything about it to him 'cuz I was afraid he wouldn't appreciate it as I did. [/quote]
 Hmmm....I had a high school sub that we all swore looked like Mark DeCarlo. :-P

[Kevin Prather]

I always thought Greg Proops from Whose Line Is It Anyway? resembles a young Allen Ludden.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 10:05 PM\'] I always thought Greg Proops from Whose Line Is It Anyway? resembles a young Allen Ludden. [/quote]
 Only 'cuz he wears those same thick glasses. He had them off on an episode of DLIIA? last week and there wasn't much of a likeness. Even MORE goofy lookin' guy with his glasses off, tho.

ObProops: One of my favorite Greg Proops moments was the single episode of \"Vs.\" I saw, where one of the contestant teams was not only a group of porn stars, but one of said stars was none other than the legendary Ron Jeremy. He was trying to keep a low profile, but apparently Proops was familiar with his work, and insisted on calling him by his nickname, \"Hedgehog\", over the entire course of the show.

[dmota104]

Seeing the \"you fool\" incidents on a MOGSM had my girlfriend and I thinking Tom Bergeron looked like Simon Cowell in that particular episode.  

Now, get a load of this...

http://ocean.otr.usm.edu/~lgwozdz/

... the above address links to the website of Lawrence Gwozdz, professor of music (specifically, the sax) at Southern Miss.  

We've had him on the morning show I produce a few times and some of the crew and I agree Lawrence looks like Bill Cullen.

[ChuckNet]

And when I was a kid, I had an art/music teacher that looked something like Ross Shafer.

Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious \"Chuckie Baby\")

[Matt Ottinger]

http://ocean.otr.usm.edu/~lgwozdz/

As David Letterman might say, \"What's the deal with old guys and giant glasses?\"

Of course, I've wanted to see Bill Cullen turn up on one of those segments.  Yeah, I see a resemblance between Cullen and your guy.

[J.R.]

I was channel surfing last night and, I must say, that Ron Popiel looks and talks just like Wink Martindate !

-Joe R.
(On that same night, I aslo caught Jim Caldwell hawking a dog vitamin)

[HYHYBT]

Several people have told me I look like Louie Anderson:( Now all I have to do is become famous...

[PeterMarshallFan]

I think Casey Casem looks like Peter Tomarken. If you've seen his new commercial you'll agree.

Then again, when I first watched Starcade w/ Mark Richards I thought *I* was hosting it for a moment, so I digress....