Behind the Buzzer: Interview with “Family Game Night”‘s Todd Newton
This is another installment of our new “Behind the Buzzer” series, where our correspondent Marty Lublin talks to the biggest names in the genre and visits the sets of some of your favorite shows. Today, Marty talks to Todd Newton of The Hub’s Family Game Night, which debuts a new season on September 2nd, 2011. Todd discusses his career as a game show host, his favorite memories, his Emmy nomination, and what to expect with the new season.
Marty Lublin: I had a chance to talk with Emmy nominated television host Todd Newton as he was in the middle of taping 30 shows for season two of the Hub’s Family Game Night.
As a game show host, Todd has awarded contestants over 28 million dollars on shows such as the current hit Family Game Night, Whammy, Hollywood Showdown, Game Show Marathon, Instant Millionaire and The Price is Right Live!
Marty: Let’s talk about your career as a Game Show Host?
Todd Newton: When I started out hosting game shows in 1999 for a show called
Hollywood Showdown. I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do with my career so I sought out the best mentor that I could find…and it was Bob Barker… and the first thing Bob told me was enjoy every single moment you can with the contestants.
Marty: Talk about those moments with the contestants…
Todd Newton: I said a million times in a million different interviews my favorite thing about being a game show host is sharing that moment with contestant or contestants is when they win a large sum of money. If I’m on the stage the moment they win, I’m just thrilled to be there!
Marty: What moments stand out?
Todd Newton: I’m always a fan of getting picked up and swung around. I can always tell when that is going to happen. I can always see that moment in the father’s eye when they win $15,000 – $20,000 dollars and it’s that look that says two things…First of all, I’m so happy we won that trip to Mexico and second, Todd Newton’s going airborne.
To see that look in their eyes it’s genuine it’s true the most authentic form of television. Those are my favorite moments.
Marty: What do you love about Game Shows?
Todd Newton: I truly believe that game shows are the most spectacular genre of television. They have been around forever and I believe they will be around forever because people love rooting and cheering for other people and playing along at home.
Marty: Talk about your Daytime Emmy Nomination this year?
Todd Newton: To get recognized by the academy was an absolute thrill. I was influence by the Bob Barkers, the Pat Sajaks, the Alex Trebeks…these are guys I watched growing up, watching game shows with my grandmother back in my hometown of St. Louis. They are the guys who I think do it better than anyone.
To be there with Alex and Pat and have the opportunity in person to thank them for the influence was a big special moment for me. I pulled both of them aside and told them listen I’m a nominee and I wouldn’t be here if you guys haven’t done what you did to get this Lifetime Achievement Award.
That was a big thrill for me, now I can always say I was an Emmy nominee.
Marty: Tell us about the new season of Family Game Night?
Todd Newton: This season on Family Game Night we have kids that are absolutely enthused to be here and dying to play their favorite games. We have parents who are thrilled to be here sharing those moments.
The crew is coming together like a fine athletic team and we are just rocking and rolling having a blast. This show is packed with moments that matter. For the first time in a long time there is a show on air with families competing together. It’s appointment television. It’s something we can all watch on Friday nights.
It is a great show.
If the boneheads at GSN had anything remotely resembling a clue, they would have done something like this years ago.
I hope it’s on for years to come.
so do I I hope it lasts longer than Bob Boden’s babies at GSN did. His babies had fell victim to the change from Game Show Network to GSN.
I love Operation: Sam Dunk! Bob Boden must have thought up this game playing with the old Price is Right ‘Super Ball!’ prop he has in his garage.
I didn’t know he had Super Ball at his home!!!!! That should definitely be placed in the Smithsonian along with Bob’s corded microphone!!!!!
I met Todd at Price is Right Live! & I found him to be the same in person as he is on TV wich is cool.
Great interview. It’s good to know Todd grew up with and respect the classic hosts. And what better mentor to have than Bob Barker. Hosts like Todd are a dying breed because more and more comedians are taking over on game shows (the same can be said for Burton Richardson and announcers) and you can thank Deal or No Deal for that.
After watching the first episode of the new season(and watching most of last season’s episodes), I have to say The Hub has got it right. Family Game Night is definitely a great show, and hopefully it will be on for quite a while.
Maybe after The Hub gets into a programming rhythym(sp?) and after the channel is around for a couple years, they can start thinking about acquiring some older game shows(maybe Scrabble or Classic Concentration; hey, one can dream can’t he?).
Although, I do have a couple non-Hasbro games(or shows) that the Hub could consider reviving, partly because the basic show premises are perfect for families and kids. I think The Hub should consider reviving Jackpot, Bumper Stumpers(the old USA Network original show) and maybe Chain Reaction.
Those shows would be perfect as kids shows, or family shows, and they would all be perfect for The Hub.
Great idea Adam, ”The Hub” can be a new place for ”game shows”, f**k ”GSN” and its parent company, ”Sony”, they damaged the classic goodness of game shows and their ”credit crunchers”, ”GSN” is now in a ”bad place in a bad time” now, thank goodness ”The Hub” has the game player in them!!