Randy Richard

GSN's retro night on Friday, and my recent post on Steve Harvey's Family Feud, reminded me of the host who started it all. Yes, the kissing bandit himself, Richard Dawson.

As some of his co-workers notoriously did, I have a love-hate relationship with the unforgettable (for better or worse) Richard. The YouTube clip which provided the screenshot illustrates the issue in just a few queasy minutes.

In the clip Richard indulges in a little mutual back-and-lower rubbing with an attractive female contestant as he reveals the answers in the bonus round. Now it all seems harmless enough, though Herman Cain might not think so any more. But there's still a creepy ambiance to the whole clip that puts me off.

Am I being too prudish? Oh, probably. It's not like the contestant made a scene or even seemed to mind, though she finally planted her hand firmly on Dawson's to end the shenanigans. But Richard always had to push the envelope. When he worked at it, he was a terrific host: charming, witty, lightning fast with a quip. But at his worst he was, to be blunt, kind of a jerk.

No Feud host since Dawson has dared try his liplocks with female contestants. Even Dawson himself didn't attempt it when he returned, unsuccessfully, for the 1994-95 season. But his Playboy Club persona never seemed quite comfortable. And lordy, he was easily bored. As Family Feud and Match Game went on, he visibly and audibly lost interest.

Still, at his best, he was the best.