An Interview with “Family Feud” Host John O’Hurley
September 7th is a date that no fan of Family Feud will want to miss. The long-running syndicated game show begins its eleventh season, the fourth with current host John O’Hurley. If you’ve been following any game show news at all you are most likely aware that the show is adding a lot of fantastic changes which improves the show greatly. First is the new Bullseye round at the start of the game giving families the opportunity to play the Fast Money end game for up to $30,000. The other big change is the car for any family that wins five games. The thing that hasn’t changed is the fantastic hosting by John O’Hurley. I’ve been a vocal fan of Mr. O’Hurley from the first season and he’s greatly improved since. Even more than a Feud fan, I am a gigantic Seinfeld nerd, so when I got the chance to talk to John on the set of the show I had a minor mental meltdown. He’s just as funny, witty, and nice in person as what you see on television daily.
Again, John O’Hurley is on his fourth season and it seems just as fun as it has been since day one for him. “It’s been a wonderful show. It’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen and done in my lifetime and I say that with the full knowledge that I was in Seinfeld.” John continues, “The show feels really comfortable to me, I like the format of the show I like the idea that nothing is scripted. I like the idea to walk on, that trusting the families will be enough to entertain. That’s the learning curve. No preparing time. You have to learn and hope that the funny will appear and it does.”
While it has been a nice run for John, it does take time to get comfortable. During that first season one complaint issued often was his over-reliance on certain comedic elements such as jumping at the buzzer every show which has gone away. But as John O’Hurley explains, it’s definitely a learning experience. “I had to learn not to keep up. It just comes. You don’t have to constantly worry about, “Will I say this?” If it comes, it will. There’s a learning curve. I call it an un-learning curve. Every show has its own curve. I loved doing To Tell The Truth, it had a wonderful ambiance and it was one of the most enjoyable experience I had. Great producers and great celebrity panel, but I don’t have that. I have my families. This is a whole different experience. The show has its own personality.”
He continues, saying that the changes have been fun for him, as a host, to go through. “It’s different for me because you have to develop a different flow. I like it because immediately the families were energized. It starts off on a higher level. [Giving away a car] was a great experience].”
Something I didn’t realize is that John O’Hurley actually did the show back in 1986 as part of a special soap opera edition. He said, “I was doing a show, Men of ABC Daytime VS Women of ABC Daytime. I don’t remember much of the game but all I remember is watching [the host] and remembering, “This is a great gig,” and 20 years later I got it.”
The experience of playing Family Feud makes John really feel for the contestants under the pressure. “I have a lot of compassion, genuine compassion, for the families that come up. First for the compression of time and you’re being asked something so simple that you want to over think it and that’s a problem.” John also gains a relationship with these families in a very short period of time. “I try to instantly find something I like about people, whether something physical or something with their personality. Especially if they’re older females. I try to flirt with them. I try to find something likeable and it’s easy, and they are here to have fun. This isn’t a tense show. This is the joy of answering surveys. I don’t take myself seriously doing this. It’s all for fun.”
The one thing I always love to ask hosts is what their favorite segment of the show, since everyone has something different. John answered, “I really love the game, and I just want them to win. The end, to me is the best. And I don’t know the answers. I know the number one, but I don’t know the rest so I’m playing along with everyone else. I mean in these days it’s just one answer that can change your life. I get really excited. I get really emotional when someone is given 160 points on the first round and the person doesn’t carry it over the line. I remember once one person got 180-185 points on the first round and the 2nd person didn’t get it. I mean I would fall on my sword. I don’t think he can go on living.“
Before leaving, I had to ask John O’Hurley about other shows he’s done and where this stacks up. This isn’t John’s first hosting gig. He’s done several such as the previously mentioned To Tell The Truth, he did a spelling bee game show for FOX, and he was at one time a serious contender to take over The Price is Right. But for John, he can’t think of a better place to be than Family Feud and all its great fans. “I get very nice responses and there are still people who just don’t like me. I have very thick skin. I did a test show for [The Price is Right] but this is my favorite show. I like the survey end of this more than a show about prices, it wasn’t my style. Also I wouldn’t give this show up…for the world. I can’t think of a happier place to be.”
I’ve said from the first season that John O’Hurley is the best host of Family Feud since Richard Dawson without a shadow of a doubt, and with the way things are going he’s looking to be the longest lasting host of this current edition of Feud. It’s a very exciting season for the show. Be sure to watch the season premiere of Family Feud on September 7th on whatever local station near you carries it.
Great story, Alex. I work at a TV station that carried the original Feud when it was in syndication — and we've carried FF in syndication since the Louie days in '99 (yeah, I know, less said the better).
Seeing clips of Bullseye move at a faster pace than the Bullseye of the '90s, I'm becoming less and less edgy about Bullseye's re-insertion into FF. Nevertheless, I can't wait for 09/07/09.
John's taking excellent care of "the feud".
Very nice interview. Yet, there's one little error I need to point out:
"Something I didn’t realize is that John O’Hurley actually did the show back in 1986 as part of a special soap opera edition. He said, “I was doing a show, Men of ABC Daytime VS Women of ABC Daytime. I don’t remember much of the game but all I remember is watching [the host] and remembering, “This is a great gig,” and 20 years later I got it.”"
Family Feud was canceled in 1985 and didn't come back until 1988. My guess is that he appeared on one of the show's many specials around 1984. Correct me if I'm wrong (and if possible, direct me to a Youtube clip link).
I would argue that John O'Hurley is the best Feud host ever…better than Dawson, because he knows that show isn't all about him. He's more polished than the late Mr. Combs. Louie just blew. Karn looked like he had fun as host, but just wasn't very smooth at it. O'Hurley is the total package…sophistication with the proper touch of self-depricating humor. He rarely pokes fun at a contestant, and when he does, its not mean-spitited.
Best. Feud. Host. Ever.
While I'm partial to Ray Combs as host of the Feud (may he rest in peace), I have to say, Mr. O'Hurley is definitely making the Feud his own. It'll be interesting to see how he handles the Bullseye Round this fall.
It was called "Guys and Dolls Week" if memory serves me correctly, and was done at the end of the run.
John is genuinely having fun, and he just gets better and better as host. Thanks for the interview and story, Alex. Yeah, I love Seinfeld too, but I am not obsessed with it as you are. :p
I, along with everyone else cannot wait to play the "Feud" again on September 7th. Dare I say, we may some six-figure winning families in regular competition?!
John O'Hurley is a class act and he's by far the best host FF has ever had. One wonders what may have been had he been chosen as Bob Barker's replacement on TPIR. Too bad we'll never know. I've often thought he'd make a fine candidate to take over on "Jeopardy!" when Alex Trebek eventually decides to retire. (And let's be honest – that day WILL come no matter how loathe we are to admit it.) He could easily channel Art Fleming's dignity and jovial charm, which is what made the original NBC version such a joy to watch.
I agree that John O'Hurley is better than Richard Karn and Louie Anderson, and I didn't care much for Ray Combs as the host (although he was better than the others at times), Richard Dawson will always BE the "Feud" for me. As for the show being all about 'him', he damn sure wasn't as pompous as Bob Barker was towards the last days of "TPIR", and he never got sued by the STAFF of the show because of his ego. Yeah, Richard D. was kind of an a-hole at times on "Match Game" and "Feud", but he more than made up for it on his last episode of "Feud" in the summer of 1985. What did Barker do? He made "TPIR" into a "This Is Your Life Bob Barker" 'freak show' – all that was missing was the clowns! He didn't thank anyone for the success of the show, and he called the classic models 'disgusting' to boot, while Richard acknowledged that he didn't always get along with producer Howard Felscher, but he still respected him. Richard also made a great tribute to Mark Goodson at the GSN Game Show Awards this year – what did Barker do? He once again mocked the former "TPIR" models by saying in a spoof that they 'got their jobs' by sleeping with him. What an a-hole! To top that off, he acts like a baby and says he won't go to the awards unless Betty White won't be there, and she is beloved my classic TV and game show fans alike! Besides the "Feud" was tailored to Richard Dawson by Mark Goodson in the process, and if it wasn't for Richard Dawson, "Feud" fans like you wouldn't be enjoying John O'Hurley today!
To DENo1MatchGameFan: Well said. Richard Dawson popularity on Match Game was mostly due to his hosting duties on Family Feud, and vice versa. Family Feud wouldn’t have been Family Feud if Goodson went with Geoff Edwards instead and Richard Dawson would’ve still been on MG.
To insaneben: You’re right. Family Feud was cancelled on June 14, 1985. And often times they have men of ABC Daytime vs. women of ABC Daytime and since O’ Hurley was on 2 ABC soap operas (The Edge of Night and General Hospital), it has to be then.
To Alex Davis: Great interview. I’m looking forward to the new season on 9/7.
What "tailoring" did Goodson do?
If I recall correctly, Dawson was not the original choice as host for Family Feud…Jack Narz was. Narz was coming off of Concentration and Now You See It, both for G-T, and did all of the run-throughs for Feud. But Dickie had a hosting deal with Goodson-Todman and he decided to go for the Feud… which made a certain amount of sense, since Feud is considered to be a spin-off of Match Game's Super Match. But I remember thinking at a British host looked a bit out of place on a show with a rural American look and feel.
Actually, Geoff Edwards was given first opportunity at "Feud". He turned it down because the name sounded like "The Neighbors" and having a deal pending with Bob Stewart (which became "Shoot For The Stars").
And Ray Combs was the best host, hands-down. John is mostly grating and just a bit robotic.
My apologies – I respect John O'Hurley, but…I don't know – he's not Dawson/Combs, but he isn't Ty Treadway either. He's very good as host, but still rubs me the wrong way at times.
I never heard that about Geoff Edwards and Feud. Interesting. He would have done a good job with it, I think.
To Myke25: You think that’s interesting, Joe Namath was considered for the CBS version but turned it down because of conflict of interest (he was doing NFL sideline reporting for NBC at the time). Would I think he would’ve done a good job hosting? Not for me to say, but probably not. Dolly Parton was considered as the first host of the current version but was passed over,
To Myke25: You think that’s interesting, Joe Namath was considered for the CBS version but turned it down because of conflict of interest (he was doing NFL sideline reporting for NBC at the time). Would I think he would’ve done a good job hosting? Not for me to say, but probably not. Dolly Parton was considered as the first host of the current version but was passed over,
I heard Howard Felsher say Goodson wouldn't even think of trying Dawson for the CBS version and he(Felsher) wanted Joe Namath to host more than anyone else and they signed him after several runthroughs. Goodson wasn't exactly comfortable with Namath and was set to begin a new search until he heard about a 31 year old comedian warming up studio audiences named Ray Combs.
I heard Howard Felsher say Goodson wouldn't even think of trying Dawson for the CBS version and he(Felsher) wanted Joe Namath to host more than anyone else and they signed him after several runthroughs. Goodson wasn't exactly comfortable with Namath and was set to begin a new search until he heard about a 31 year old comedian warming up studio audiences named Ray Combs.
Well, we know Broadway Joe would have carried on the tradition of kissing the ladies!
I knew about Dolly. She likely would have done a great job as host…and could have taken the show to Dollywood once or twice a year!
I never heard or read anything but speculation about Jack Narz or Geoff Edwards given an opportunity to host Family Feud. I heard Howard Felsher say Richard Dawson was given the first shot to host because, Dawson wanted to be more than just a player on Match Game, he wanted to host a game show.
I never really liked Ray Combs as host of the Feud. He was too cutesy, and every time he said something he deemed to be funny, he preened and said it in that "Hey look at me, get ready to laugh at THIS!" tone. To me, Combs is the Jay Leno of Family Feud/game show hosts: a nice guy, a hard-worker, but a man who's comedy is a tad too contrived and whose demeanor is too phony (though I'll give you that Combs was way more genuine than Leno)
My list:
Richard Dawson
John O'Hurley
Ray Combs
Richard Karn
Louie Anderson
Pretty much Dawson had worn out his welcome with Goodson when FF left the air in '85 due to off-camera incidents. Combs did a good job considering he managed to make the FF his own without imitating Dawson. I always thought Bill Rafferty would've been a good host for FF, since he hosted Blockbusters and Card Sharks for Goodson. What could have been . . .
I have to give the nod to O'Hurley for being the second best host of Feud. He's not jumping at the buzzer anymore. I still think Dawson was the best host.
Thanks for your interest in the Feud, Doug. We appreciate all the input!
And thanks for reaching out and asking fans for input. This is a minor nitpick, but tell me they bring back the name backdrops during this coming season (early videos show they "open")
I also think the 1994 remix of the classic Feud theme is a good idea, it's a good compromise between old and new. Though I appreciate the nod(s) to the past you've given us since John joined the show.
…show they ARE open. Sorry!
And at least Dawson mellowed out by the time Feud '94 arrived and in retirement, having a family of his own. Aside from the "transgressions" you named, remember that Barker had an adverse effect on the TPIR DVD set…as he disallowed pretty much anything from the late-70s, '80s, and '90s in order to, as most accounts go, bury the former models he fell out with. Plus he wouldn't allow any Tom Kennedy or Dennis James episodes at all (granted, we all want to see classic Barker first and foremost, and Bill Cullen showed us where it all began, but you get the feeling that he doesn't want to imply anyone else hosted "his" TPIR before his retirement). And it was supposedly him who stopped the announcers from appearing on camera, no?
All that said, I like him and Dawson as a performer.
Yep, it's the good old "performer vs. person" debate. Which I admit I fall victim to (can't listen to a Phil Spector song the same way, same with the Supremes given the Diana horror stories, and don't get the Chris Benoit debate in wrestling started again!!!)
I still think that Richard Dawson was the best host of "Feud". No one embodied charm, wit, and a bit of snarkiness like Dickie Dawson. O'Hurley is charming but I don't find him very witty. I won't even mention Louie Anderson or Ray Combs.
I think O'Hurley's best work is still the 2000 revival of "To Tell The Truth". He was absolutely the perfect moderator for a panel that was very often unhinged and madcap. I wish that series was still in production but I have recorded episodes.
A couple of comments to other posts:
I think Ray Combs was okay, but that high-pitched voice is hard to listen to. He's squeaky; too great a change from Dawson's deeper tones.
It would have been interesting seeing Bill Rafferty host the Feud. Rafferty is a bit of an amusing smart-a** himself (being from Queens, NY) and had hosting experience in the later version of NBC's "Blockbusters", CBS's "Card Sharks" (arguably his best gig) and Group W's syndicated "Every Second Counts" (the earliest hosting job I can recall he had). Like Dawson, though, his sort of blunt delivery and more northeastern sensibilities might have turned off some viewers.
Quote: "I did a test show for "The Price is Right" but "Family Feud" is my favorite show. I like the survey end of this more than a show about prices. It wasn’t my style." Oh, well, then fuck you, O'Hurley. All the priceisright.com bloggers are still hoping you would have made a fine host, but Drew Carey is still as terrific as he can be.
By the way, Alex Davis, you need to update the graphics for the days displayed when a comment was originally made. I'm tired of all the "79 weeks agos" or the "148 weeks agos" or even the "3,234 weeks agos". Haven't you seen or heard of the phrases "months ago" or "years ago"?
I guess this is another show that will lose a lot of viewers (my family for one) along with a lot of others……Once the media finds a show that all people like they find a way to do away with it. What a big loss………Soon there will be nothing good to watch at all. I would just like to know why Pat Sayjac isn’t being replaced. He is surely a reason why a lot of people have quit watching the Wheel. He should have been replaced a few years ago. His actions speak for themselves………But again why write the public has nothing to say about any of this….Steve Harvey….GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHY DID JOHN O’HURLEY LEAVE FAMILY FEUD
it’s not the same anymore….I for one have lost interest.
What woman did not like to look at this gorgeous , intelligent,
person everyday ?