Entertainment & Arts

Friendly ghost or Pope?: Varieties of reality TV hosts

The 'Eerie Zen of the Friendly Ghost' Host Practitioners: "Survivor's" Jeff Probst, "American Idol's" Ryan Seacrest, "Don't Forget the Lyrics'" Wayne Brady The new kid: "The Moment of Truth's" Mark Walberg The style: We know their names, we know their faces, but just who are these guys? They may be integrally attached to their massive prime-time network shows, but the day after they air, chances are we'll be talking about anything but the host. They're safe, non-threatening and completely evaporate with the coming of first light. The Ghost Host often moves silently from show to show, leaving nothing but the faintest hint of an impression. So Jeff Probst occasionally contributes "Survivor" related clues on "Jeopardy" and Ryan Seacrest appears on E! News and unless you are a relative, their appearances are as notable as clouds on a moonless night.

The ‘Eerie Zen of the Friendly Ghost’ Host

Practitioners: “Survivor’s” Jeff Probst, “American Idol’s” Ryan Seacrest, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics’” Wayne Brady

The new kid: “The Moment of Truth’s” Mark Walberg

The style: We know their names, we know their faces, but just who are these guys? They may be integrally attached to their massive prime-time network shows, but the day after they air, chances are we’ll be talking about anything but the host. They’re safe, non-threatening and completely evaporate with the coming of first light. The Ghost Host often moves silently from show to show, leaving nothing but the faintest hint of an impression. So Jeff Probst occasionally contributes “Survivor” related clues on “Jeopardy” and Ryan Seacrest appears on E! News and unless you are a relative, their appearances are as notable as clouds on a moonless night.  (Joe Viles / AP)

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Janice Dickinson

The ‘Drill Sergeant Immersion’

Practitioners: “Hell’s Kitchen’s” Gordon Ramsay, “Celebrity Apprentice’s” Donald Trump

The new kid: “The Janice Dickinson Model Agency’s” Janice Dickinson

Style: Remember R. Lee Ermey in “Full Metal Jacket”? Just like that, except instead of preparing soldiers for war, the screaming here is just about aggrandizing the ego of the host. This hosting method is tricky -- it can turn off just as many viewers as it electrifies -- so its use is doled out sparingly. The last host to adapt the “Immersion” was former model Janice Dickinson, whose Oxygen Network reality show began three years ago.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Hulk Hogan

‘Hosting as Performance Art’

Past practitioners: “Iron Chef’s” Takeshi Kaga, “Double Dare’s” Marc Summers

The new kid: “American Gladiator’s” Hulk Hogan

The style: The dramatic host takes pride in his/her hosting. This is not about seeming casual, or relaxed, or normal. This is about high energy. High theater. Drama! Think Takeshi Kaga’s insane bell pepper crunch at the opening of each “Iron Chef” competition or Hulk Hogan’s insane clothes/voice/energy throughout each episode of “American Gladiator.” These hosts aren’t around just to keep the show going, they’re giving it an extra sparkle.  (Peter Kramer / Associated Press)

Mario Lopez

The ‘I Know Him From Somewhere’ Host

Past practitioners: “The Pussy Cat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Dolls’” Mark McGrath, “The Singing Bee’s” Joey Fatone

The new kid: “America’s Best Dance Crew’s” Mario Lopez

The style: This particular brand of host had a celebrity life pre-hosting, which subsequently dried up. Faced with the daunting possibility of being permanently forgotten (and going broke) they have now resurfaced as hosts of random shows, some of which they are thematically equipped to host, some of which they are not. The public sees them as vaguely familiar friends from the past—maybe they don’t remember their names or how they know them.  (Chris Polk / Associated Press)

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