26Sep2007
Interview: Bob Goen
I attempt to praise That’s the Question, GSN’s highly addictive quiz show, every chance I get at BuzzerBlog. Naturally I jumped on the opportunity to interview host Bob Goen. If you aren’t aware, he’s hosted other hit shows such as Wheel of Fortune and Entertainment Tonight. In the interview he discusses how he calms viewers, his dream hosting job, and how to bring excitement into cheap shows such as his edition of Wheel of Fortune and his current show. THE INTERVIEW CAN BE LISTENED TO BY CLICKING HERE.
And I do apologize for the few “uhs”, as I try to cut those out. This was done early in the morning so my brain was still thawing.
What a great oppertunity indeed! Fantastic interview. Big ups to Goen for agreeing to do it. Nice to know he’s one of us… one of us… one of us.
Great interview. Bob rocks.
Great job!
Alex — Excellent interview. Gee, and to think I’d been thinking Pat Kiernan for next Jeopardy! host. You cannot beat Bob’s experience and love of the genre. I was thrilled to see him back on TTQ (much improved, though some spiced-up game elements would be interesting to break up the main game).
BTW Alex, did Bob mention his mentor who gave him such good advice? (the “dinner party’” reference)
You know, I really wanted to ask him but the interview started going a different way and I kinda spaced out. When I interview, I don’t have more than 3-5 questions written down. I do improv, so I try to do interviews the same way; I feel they are more personable. However, this one ended up biting me at the end, and when I was done editing it I really wished I would have asked him. Really sorry. If I can find out, I will.
Well done Alex! Think you can mind slipping me Bob’s number some time? I’d love to spend 20 minutes talking with him about game shows and *ahem* certain past jobs he’s had… ;)
He was a fantastic host on Wheel (he was the only thing preventing the CBS version from dropping out after about 6 months, IMHO), and he’s had a great start on TTQ. The game is much improved, and I see very much of the “WOF Bob” in the “TTQ Bob.” It brings back some fond memories watching him at work.
Talking about his mentor, his line that his mentor gave about hosting games should be like hosting a “dinner party” sounds wayyy too familiar. I’ve heard that somewhere before, and I think it might’ve come from Dick Clark. Given how much Bob was also praising Dick very highly later in the interview, he’s my guess for being the “mystery mentor.” I could be wrong, I could be right, I dunno, but there’s my guess.
Hopefully you can do some more interviews like this in the future. I’ve love to see a Woolery interview, if it can be managed. It just occurred me, it’s amazing how many WOF hosts are now working for GSN. I think I know what Pat might be up to after retiring from Wheel… lol