Top Five: Favourite TV Hosts

Alright, so i’m going to try something new with my blog. Perhaps give you a scope of the things I like and share a little more about myself. I’ll admit I’m a little bit biased when it comes to TV hosts as most of them come from Canada. However, I hope to make a list of favourite hosts in Asia soon.. problem is that I have to get to know their work a little better.

1. Ty Pennington ( Extreme Makeover: Home Edition)

Ty has always been that handsome carpenter on TLC’s Trading Spaces. People are usually fascinated by his over the top energy and his compelling story-telling – as am I. I always think that the importance of a host, is to be able to relate to a story without looking like the star of the show, because really, the show isn’t about you, its about the content – in this case, the families in need of a good home. Even as the hunky carpenter, he caught my eye and when he got his own show, I was even happier for him! I trust him, I believe that he really wants to help the families he works with and that he wants to open the hearts of America and challenge them to consider charity in their own communities. He doesn’t just bring the value of wit, energy and honesty, he also brings inspiration, hope and trust. More than deserving for #5.

1. Anderson Cooper ( CNN: Anderson Cooper 360)

Whether he’s gay or not gay, I don’t really care. I’d probably wish for a catastrophe to hit Malaysia so that he can come and cover it! (Just kidding, touch wood!) But seriously, I credit his ability to seem like the most unbiased reporter on CNN. Compared to Nancy Grace, he’s incredibly left winged. Then again, I haven’t watched much of CNN these days, its usually just for entertainment. But as a host, I’d say Anderson has a way of remaining objective and professional without ever losing his cool. (He kind of looks like the dude from Mad Men too, don’t you t,hink?) Whenever things go awry, its super important to maintain your coolness. He does a really good job at it and with the kind of work he has to do, its not like a reality show, it is a reality.

1. Jesse Cruickshank ( MTV Canada: The After Show)

I can’t give her all the credit for The Hills: After Show but i must say she’s a reason why I watch it (when i did). Her commentary and goofball demeanor really seem to set off a very fun and inviting show. She has a self-deprecating humour which i’m always a huge fan of, you really have to check out her interview with Glambert. I could not stop laughing and best of all she hails from Vancouver! (Even tho a friend of mine who went to the same high school as her said she was irritating as fuck) I could see why but that makes it entertaining. She asks the questions everyone wants to hear and is never akward about it, instead she makes the akward funny. A huge challenge when hosting is turning a quiet or weird situation into an entertaining one. Its not easy driving home a sense of humour when an audience isn’t exactly receptive. But Kudos to Jesse for making random shows like that fun!

1. George Stromboulopolous ( The Hour)

I still don’t think I spelled his name right, but George made his name on MuchMusic. Then he got his own show, The Hour. One of my favourite shows to watch, why? Not only does he talk about pop culture, there is much more to the show than meets the eye. He is able to interview politicians, rockstars, pop icons, newsmakers and makes it cool. The format is quick and fast and works well for the audience of Canadian youth. His social commentary isn’t entirely biased but then again, its his show with his opinion. Most hosts can throw some ego around tugging at who they know and what they do but his angle is far richer than that. In fact you can see that he is humbled by most of his guests that come on to his show and there’s a fundamental purpose to give a scope of news within an hour.

1. Stephen Colbert ( The Colbert Report)

The man of the year (IMO) and one who makes watching television in Canada so entertaining. I love that his show is on Comedy Central and I can assume the producers of the show has balls the size of China with the random shit that he says. Stephen Colbert is and always will be my first love. His “right-winged” approach has made me enjoy political satire and humour more so than trash tv like Tila Tequila’s A Shot of Love. Its so in-your-face and gutsy that even I can’t believe the things he says sometimes. The fact that he got his viewers to throw in money (The Colbert Nation) and sponsor the US Speed Skating team is beyond belief! Now that’s definitely more power than Oprah: she gives away her money, he gets it from other people! I am so in love with this man, its not funny. If I had faster internet in KL, i’d be viewing his videos all the time.

Agree? Disagree? Questions?

I have been a TV Host for a couple years, on different style of shows, formats and even mediums. I’m always learning and still have a lot more to go. I’ve put together a must-have list for hosts to be successful at what they do:

1. Always be entertaining . Like Jesse or Stephen, they use humour to capture the audience. Laughing is always such a real reaction and consider most highly paid artists happen to be comedians! The show always needs to be entertaining!

2. Engage the audience . There’s always a subtle message or undertone when watching programs, whether its to make you buy something, think of participating or even to make you feel inspired, a connection must always be made. Who better to do that than the host (passion is also a very important aspect to make this work)

3. Focus on the show . Hosts can sometimes be seen as the star of the show but its not supposed to be an explicit factor. Instead, they are the ones to facilitate the entire process. It should never be about the hosts and rather more about the story, or contestants or the subject.

4. Be informative and unbiased . I believe the job of the host is to make the audience/viewers think for themselves. They are to put out the information and give ideas so that its upon the will of the viewers to make certain decisions. (Unlike Tyra who likes to spoonfeed her ideas to other people.)

5. Be Likeable . Essentially a host is playing him/herself. There is no character but who you are trying to portray. Don’t feel forced to be anyone else because the audience is always able to tell if you’re faking it. Always think that you are talking to your friend and that your friend wants to like you and watch your show. I think the most successful hosts are NATURALLY candid and real which are reflected in their programming.