Talking with Richard

Game Show, that interactive semi-spoof of our little genre, has set up shop in Calgary. It must have played everywhere else at one time or another.

Topping the cast in the frozen North is Richard Karn. You might call him a natural for the role from his days on Family Feud. Karn more or less rescued the syndie after Louie Anderson had looked as uninterested in the show as possible for three long years.

After four seasons with Richard, Feud's producers brought in John O'Hurley, who was a hot commodity after his Dancing With the Stars turn. But Karn Feud survives on GSN and still collects decent numbers.

Richard gave an interview to a Calgary critic, where he played his usual likable Everyman self. He chatted about his adventures in the business, especially as good ol' Al on Home Improvement. Karn has a refreshingly modest ego, and is perfectly willing to admit his limitations. There's a reason he's done all those infomercials. Most viewers find him easy to take.

Nowadays Steve Harvey is all the rage for cranking Feud's ratings. But I always liked Karn's much less camera-hogging, face-contorting style on the show. Hope he enjoys his stay in Canada.