My complex formula of selecting these is based on one criteria: I like them. So yeah this is purely opinionated (and my opinion is of course supreme).
In no particular order, here are three of the most awesome people on TV.
Steve Harvey
Now I've never really been a big fan of Steve Harvey's stand-up comedy, but I did like his old WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show. Additionally, I've never seen his self-titled talk show that currently airs in syndication on various networks. However, these shows are not why I chose Steve Harvey. Mr. Harvey is currently the host of Family Feud, and with him it's just about the greatest game show ever. For real.
As fun as Family Feud is to watch and play along with, Steve Harvey elevates the show to a great level with his reactions to contestant answers. His stunned facial expressions at the ridiculous answers are hilarious and make the show. He also is not afraid to crack jokes with the contestants and sometimes make fun of them, which adds another element of funniness to this show.
And I'm not the only one who thinks he's doing such an awesome job. Apparently Family Feud has been on the steady decline until 2010 when Harvey took over as host. Ever since then the show has seen an increase in ratings and earlier this year it continued its surge and surpassed Jeopardy!
His style of humor, expressions and reactions make Family Feud one of my favorite shows. You should be watching this revamped game show.
Jon Taffer
Jon Taffer is the host of Spike TV's Bar Rescue. Taffer uses knowledge he gained from a long career in the bar and restaurant industry to help turn around failing bars. While most of these makeover/rescue shows are unwatchable for me, Bar Rescue is must watch TV because of Jon Taffer.
Sure, it's nice to see businesses get a second chance and a fresh start, but to be honest I just watch to see how angry Jon Taffer will get this week. Taffer may have an abundance of knowledge and experience (and he'll surely remind you of it if you get out of line) but his true skill is rage. He is always right to get angry in those situations, but the level of anger he reaches in proportion to the amount of time it takes him to reach it is amazing. Seriously, he is second only to Nicolas Cage in the category of freaking out and flying off the handle. And that is what makes him and the show so awesome.
In every episode you're sure to hear Taffer dish out curse words, insults, and my personal favorite "SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN!" Honestly, if I'm ever fired from a job, I want Jon Taffer to fire me.
You should watch Spike TV's Bar Rescue for the food, and drinks. But mainly you should watch to experience the Wrath of Taffer.
Chris Hardwick
Over the last year and a half or so I have become familiar with Chris Hardwick. This is primarily due to G4tv's zombie programming of reruns. Chris Hardwick was the host of G4's Web Soup, a show consisting of Hardwick presenting various web videos in a couple different categories. As funny and stupid as the videos are, what really sells it is Hardwick's humorous introductions and comments. Honestly, I can't stop watching it, and I've probably seen each episode several times.
Hardwick currently hosts AMC's Talking Dead, a recap of Walking Dead episodes, and also hosted Talking Bad, a similar show dedicated to AMC's Breaking Bad. He is also a member of the comedic music duo Hard 'n Phirm (with Mike Phirman). I was aware of the group because of the song "Pi" (and my severe addiction to YTMND pages) but had no idea who Chris Hardwick was and therefore didn't know he was in it. Upon learning that he was I was greatly delighted. Check out the awesome Pi song below, and try keeping it out of your head next time you're doing math.
Go ahead. Try.
I will probably watch anything this guy is on and hope to see more of him in the future. He's a pretty awesome dude, has an awesome nerd culture website and his book is part of the reason why I decided to start this blog.
Watch @Midnight on Comedy Central, Monday-Thursday at 12am ET.
Hope you liked it!
JTH
