Where Are They Now? The 5 Legendary Nominees For The 45th Daytime Emmy Outstanding Game Show Host Award

The 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, held in 2018, marked a pivotal moment for the world of daytime television, especially the beloved game show category. This particular year saw a gathering of five true titans of television, whose careers collectively span over a century of hosting. The battle for the Outstanding Game Show Host trophy was a legendary showdown, pitting the new guard against the established icons.

Fast forward to today, , and the careers of these five nominees have taken dramatically different, and in some cases, truly historic turns. From a host's emotional retirement after four decades to a major high-profile exit and the solemn passing of a television legend, the landscape of game show hosting has been completely reshaped since these nominations were announced. Here is a deep dive into the five legendary nominees and where their careers stand now.

The 45th Daytime Emmy Outstanding Game Show Host Nominees (2018)

The 2018 nominations for Outstanding Game Show Host recognized five individuals who defined the genre with their charisma, wit, and longevity. The winner was Wayne Brady, securing the award for his work on the popular CBS revival of Let's Make a Deal. The full list of nominees is a who's who of American television:

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

• Wayne Brady, Let's Make a Deal (Winner)
• Chris Harrison, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
• Steve Harvey, Family Feud
• Pat Sajak, Wheel of Fortune
• Alex Trebek, Jeopardy!

Wayne Brady: The Multi-Talented Winner’s Post-Emmy Triumph

Winning the Outstanding Game Show Host award at the 45th Daytime Emmys for Let's Make a Deal was a major career highlight for Wayne Brady, solidifying his status as a versatile entertainer. However, the 2018 win was merely a launchpad for even greater successes in the years that followed.

From Daytime Host to Masked Singer Champion

Beyond his daily hosting duties, Brady proved his vocal and performance prowess by competing on and winning Season 2 of the mega-hit reality competition, The Masked Singer, in 2019.

Performing as "The Fox," his victory was a powerful reminder of his multifaceted talents, which extend far beyond improv and game shows. This win led to renewed interest in his musical career and further cemented his entertainment brand.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

A Return to the Stage and New Ventures

Since his Emmy win, Brady has continued to be a staple on television, including his longtime role on the improvisational comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? He has also remained active in musical theater, having previously starred as Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of Hamilton and on Broadway in Kinky Boots. His continued presence on both game shows and primetime television demonstrates remarkable topical authority and endurance in a competitive industry.

Pat Sajak and Alex Trebek: The End of an Era

Two of the nominated hosts represent the very foundation of the modern game show format, and their careers have seen the most significant, emotional changes since the 2018 ceremony. Both Pat Sajak and Alex Trebek were nominated for their decades-long roles on Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, respectively.

Alex Trebek: A Legacy That Endures

Alex Trebek, nominated for his iconic role on Jeopardy!, passed away in November 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His death marked the end of a 36-year run on the show, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of intelligence, integrity, and grace.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

The transition to a new host for Jeopardy! was a major television event, with a series of guest hosts eventually leading to the appointment of former champion Ken Jennings and actress Mayim Bialik, who both initially shared the role. Trebek’s presence remains a powerful influence on the show and the game show genre as a whole.

Pat Sajak: The Final Spin

Pat Sajak’s career has followed a similarly historic trajectory. In June 2023, Sajak announced his retirement from Wheel of Fortune, a show he had hosted for 41 seasons. This news sent shockwaves through the television world, marking the conclusion of one of the longest careers in game show history.

His final season culminated in a series of emotional farewells. Sajak’s successor was quickly announced as Ryan Seacrest, signaling a major generational shift for the beloved program. Sajak’s retirement, announced years after his 2018 nomination, is a testament to his incredible staying power.

Chris Harrison and Steve Harvey: Career Shifts and Continued Dominance

The remaining two nominees, Chris Harrison and Steve Harvey, have also seen significant developments in their careers since the 45th Daytime Emmys, with one experiencing a dramatic departure and the other expanding his media empire.

Chris Harrison: The Bachelor Exit and New Beginnings

Chris Harrison was nominated in 2018 for his work on the syndicated version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? However, the biggest news of his post-Emmy career centered on his other massive franchise: The Bachelor.

In 2021, Harrison made a high-profile exit from The Bachelor franchise, a show he had hosted for nearly two decades, following a controversy related to racial issues within the show. His departure was one of the most talked-about events in reality television.

Since then, Harrison has relocated to Texas and has announced a return to television. He has partnered with Dr. Phil McGraw’s new network, Merit Street Media, to host and create a new reality dating series, proving that his hosting career is far from over.

Steve Harvey: Expanding the Feud and Digital Presence

Steve Harvey, nominated for his high-energy hosting of Family Feud, has only seen his career grow since 2018. Harvey has successfully maintained his role as the host of both the daytime Family Feud and the primetime Celebrity Family Feud, continuing to dominate the ratings in the game show landscape.

His business ventures have expanded significantly as well. In 2020, he launched a new digital talk show, Steve on Watch, further diversifying his content across streaming platforms. Furthermore, Harvey took the Family Feud franchise international, successfully launching an African version of the show, demonstrating the global reach of his brand. His consistent presence across multiple platforms highlights his powerful topical authority in the media world.

The Evolving Landscape of Game Show Hosting

The 45th Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Game Show Host serve as a fascinating time capsule. The five nominees—Wayne Brady, Chris Harrison, Steve Harvey, Pat Sajak, and Alex Trebek—represented the best of the genre at the time. Yet, in the years since, the industry has undergone a massive transformation.

The passing of Alex Trebek and the retirement of Pat Sajak have closed two monumental chapters in television history, while the high-stakes career moves of Wayne Brady and Chris Harrison, alongside the consistent dominance of Steve Harvey, showcase the competitive and ever-changing nature of the entertainment world. These five hosts, forever linked by their 2018 nominations, continue to shape the legacy and future of the game show category.