George Gray (game show host)
Encyclopedia
George Gray is an American game show host, announcer
, and a comedian
.
, Gray attended high school in Tucson, Arizona
and graduated from the University of Arizona. After working as a sketch and stand-up comedian, Gray's first television hosting gig was for the Fox Movie Channel
doing a show called FXM Friday Nights. He then appeared as co-host of the long running series Movies For Guys Who Like Movies on TBS
.
, on GSN
in the late 1990s. He also hosted the first season of the American version of Junkyard Wars, which was nominated for a prime time Emmy.
Gray was chosen in 2001 by NBC Enterprises to host the daily, syndicated American version of the game show Weakest Link, which aired from 2002–2003. TV critic Steve Rogers likened Gray's hosting style to the demeanor of a "class clown", in contrast to the "severe schoolmarm" attitude of original Weakest Link host Anne Robinson
.
After hosting the reality series Todd TV on FX and the GSN special National Lampoon
's Greek Games, in late 2004, Gray went on to become the co-host of NBC
's $25 Million Dollar Hoax
, and the host of ESPN
's reality sports competition I'd Do Anything
. Beginning in 2006, he hosted the HGTV show What's With That House? (a.k.a. That House) as well as HGTV's Manland and the building competition Summer Showdown.
on April 18, 2011, succeeding Rich Fields
.
Announcer
An announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
, and a comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
.
Early life and career
Born in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Gray attended high school in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
and graduated from the University of Arizona. After working as a sketch and stand-up comedian, Gray's first television hosting gig was for the Fox Movie Channel
Fox Movie Channel
The Fox Movie Channel is a channel which shows movies uncut and commercial-free.-Overview:Movie content consists mainly of selections from 20th Century Fox's library of releases through the 1990s and movies produced exclusively for television. Widescreen versions are shown whenever available....
doing a show called FXM Friday Nights. He then appeared as co-host of the long running series Movies For Guys Who Like Movies on TBS
TBS (TV channel)
TBS , stylized in the logo as tbs, is an American cable television channel owned by Time Warner that shows a variety of programming, with a focus on comedy. TBS was originally known as WTCG, a UHF terrestrial television station that broadcast from Atlanta, Georgia, during the late 1970s...
.
Hosting career
Gray's first in-studio show was Extreme Gong, an updated version of The Gong ShowThe Gong Show
The Gong Show is an amateur talent contest franchised by Sony Pictures Television to many countries. It was broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976 through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976–1980 and 1988–1989. The show was produced by Chuck Barris, who also served...
, on GSN
Game Show Network
The Game Show Network is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite channel dedicated to game shows and casino game shows. The channel was launched on December 1, 1994. Its current slogan is "The World Needs More Winners"...
in the late 1990s. He also hosted the first season of the American version of Junkyard Wars, which was nominated for a prime time Emmy.
Gray was chosen in 2001 by NBC Enterprises to host the daily, syndicated American version of the game show Weakest Link, which aired from 2002–2003. TV critic Steve Rogers likened Gray's hosting style to the demeanor of a "class clown", in contrast to the "severe schoolmarm" attitude of original Weakest Link host Anne Robinson
Anne Robinson
Anne Josephine Robinson is an English journalist and television presenter, known for her assertive views and acerbic style of presenting. She was one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series, Watchdog, from 1993 to 2001 before returning in 2009...
.
After hosting the reality series Todd TV on FX and the GSN special National Lampoon
National Lampoon Inc
National Lampoon, Incorporated is a company formed in 2002 in order to use the brand name "National Lampoon" in comedy and entertainment. In the words of its prospectus, the role of the company is to "develop, produce, provide creative services and distribute National Lampoon branded comedic...
's Greek Games, in late 2004, Gray went on to become the co-host of NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's $25 Million Dollar Hoax
$25 Million Dollar Hoax
$25 Million Dollar Hoax is an unscripted television series that was originally shown on American network NBC in November 2004. It is based on a United Kingdom show titled The Million Pound Hoax, broadcast on Sky One earlier that year....
, and the host of ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's reality sports competition I'd Do Anything
I'd Do Anything (TV series)
I'd Do Anything is an ESPN reality show hosted by George Gray. The basic plot of the show is that it involves three players trying to win a dream sports reality for a friend.The series was broadcast Tuesdays on ESPN in 2004, then Monday nights on ESPN2....
. Beginning in 2006, he hosted the HGTV show What's With That House? (a.k.a. That House) as well as HGTV's Manland and the building competition Summer Showdown.
The Price Is Right
After previously appearing with a group of rotating announcers, Gray officially became the fourth permanent announcer on The Price Is RightThe Price Is Right (U.S. game show)
The Price Is Right is an American game show which was created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. Contestants compete to identify the pricing of merchandise to win cash and prizes. The show is well-known for its signature line of "Come on down!" when the announcer directs newly selected contestants to...
on April 18, 2011, succeeding Rich Fields
Rich Fields
Richard Wayne "Rich" Fields is an American broadcaster, spokesman, announcer and meteorologist, best known for being the announcer of the American version of The Price Is Right from 2004–2010....
.