Team Seacrest or Team Cannon? We Rank Our Favorite Talent Show Hosts
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A reality talent show is not the same without a dynamic host. Each host sets the tone for the series. Terry Crews, Carson Daly, Ryan Seacrest, and Nick Cannon all have unique hosting styles and vibes. We ranked our favorite talent show hosts and want to know your thoughts!
In order to be the host of a popular talent show, it is essential that the host has personality. Thankfully, there is no shortage of that here. Some hosts play a more integral role in the show (hello Nick as a contestant on The Masked Singer), while others fade to the background leaving the contestants as the main focus. Each host has their own style that makes each show completely different.
1. Ryan Seacrest ‘American Idol’
The top spot for me goes to Ryan Seacrest. He has played an important role as host of American Idol since its inception in 2002. Many say it was the show that propelled him to success.
Seacrest started out as a co-host alongside comedian Brian Dunkleman in 2002. The following year, he skyrocketed to superstardom when Idol named him as the host. When you think of Idol now, you almost always associate it with Ryan Seacrest. No matter how many judges are changed and moved around, one thing always stays the same: Ryan Seacrest.
Despite the brief pause of the show in 2016 on FOX, Seacrest was brought back to host when it returned on ABC.
Seacrest is also the co-host of Live with Kelly and Ryan, and hosts programs on multiple other media platforms including American Top 40 and On Air with Ryan Seacrest.
His voice and charisma are one of a kind: this is Ryan Seacrest and he is American Idol!
2. Terry Crews ‘America’s Got Talent’
Next on the list: Terry Crews! America’s Got Talent returns June 1 on NBC and the show continues its comedic tone with Crews as host. Crews joined the team in 2019, following his involvement in AGT: The Champions and brought a new feel to the show.
Unlike the other hosts on this list, Crews does not have much experience hosting. What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in artistic integrity. He hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in September 2014, replacing Cedric the Entertainer, but only hosted for one year, before he left in 2015 due to scheduling conflicts.
I feel like Crews has a way of bringing the audience into the acts. He finds ways to bring himself into the show as more than just a host. He is also a fan and viewers, who has opinions like the rest of us. One example being his Voices of the City Golden Buzzer moment on AGT.
Crews brings his background as an actor and bodybuilder into his work. Viewers may spot him ripping his shirt off everyone once in a while.
While Crews brings his comedic talents to the show, he is not the first comedian/actor to host the show. Nick Cannon hosted the show from season four to season eleven. To this day, there is some debate over who is the better host of the two. I’ll keep you posted on my thoughts.
3. Nick Cannon ‘The Masked Singer’
Cannon may have been a long-standing host of AGT, but he now brings his funny personality and kind demeanor to The Masked Singer. I would say he plays a more central role in the show than other hosts. Cannon makes it a point to bond with contestants on the show and make them feel comfortable on set. He may crack a joke or two, but it is all in good fun.
Cannon makes it feel like I’m watching a concert. It is lively, energetic, and entertaining. Cannon has brought so much success to The Masked Singer and found creative ways to keep the show interesting for viewers. On April 28, he hosted the first ever Masked Singer Awards show called The Masky’s. It’s a new awards show where The Masked Singer contestants were awarded for their performances this season.
At one point, Cannon got in on the action and even was unmasked to be a wildcard contestant known as The Bulldog following a break from the show due to Covid-19. He gave fans of the show a killer performance. Talk about dedication to the job.
4. Carson Daly ‘The Voice’
Sorry to Carson Daly fans, but he’s last on my list. Who can forget Daly from his days of hosting the music show TRL on MTV? Alongside his role as co-host of NBC News’ TODAY, Daly is the current host and producer of The Voice. Daly has been host of the show since 2011.
Over the past ten years, The Voice has received nine consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and won in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Unlike the other hosts on this list, Carson Daly tends to fade to the background and lets the music do the talking. On The Voice it really is about the contestants’ voice.
To me, Daly does his job in the way that there aren’t any distracting effects or extra attention. He makes it a point to bring it back to the coaches and contestants.
Who’s Your Favorite Talent Show Host?
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