History Main / GuestHost

->''"Welcome to '''Series/TheDailyShow with Jon Stewart'''. Ironically enough, I'm Stephen Colbert."''

** In the Creator/JamesCorden era, all-time favorite guest Creator/JeffGoldblum served as the host of the December 12, 2019 episode (Corden was busy promoting ''Film/{{Cats}}'' and the ''Series/GavinAndStacey'' Christmas special), complete with an elaborate opening musical number about being this trope, a monologue that included a TakeThat at Carpool Karaoke (actually his second after that July's "Drop the Mic" rap battle with Corden) '''and''' an EnforcedPlug for his Disney+ show ''Series/TheWorldAccordingToJeffGoldblum'', and the "Animals Riding Animals" game being changed to "Animals Riding Jeff Goldblum". He and his jazz band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra also served as the musical guests.

** In the Creator/JamesCorden era, all-time favorite guest Creator/JeffGoldblum served as the host of the December 12, 2019 episode (Corden was busy promoting ''Film/{{Cats}}'' and the ''Series/GavinAndStacey'' Christmas special), complete with an elaborate opening musical number about being this trope, a monologue that included a TakeThat at Carpool Karaoke (actually his second after that July's "Drop the Mic" rap battle with Corden) '''and''' an EnforcedPlug for his Disney+ show ''Series/TheWorldAccordingToJeffGoldblum'', and the "Animals Riding Animals" game being changed to "Animals Riding Goldblum". He and his jazz band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra also served as the musical guests.

* Sister show ''Radio/AmericanCountryCountdown'' went through this several times. Original host Don Bowman had several substitutes when he was unavailable, including producer Bob Kingsley, who later got [[AscendedExtra promoted to permanent host]] from 1978 to 2005. Every now and then, Bob would take a week off and usually have his place taken by a DJ at a major country radio station. When Kingsley left to start his own show, ''Radio/BobKingsleysCountryTop40'', there was a three-week rotation of guest hosts on ''ACC'' before [[Music/BrooksAndDunn Kix Brooks]] was officially established.

** The original version (1956-63 on NBC, 1963-65 on ABC) had guest hosts fill in for Bill Cullen when he took ill or went on vacation — Creator/MervGriffin, Arlene Francis, and Don Pardo all held the role during the NBC era, while Johnny Gilbert, Jack Clark(who also filled in for Bill Cullen in the NBC era), and Robert Q. Lewis all held the reins during the ABC era. Notably, Lewis' turn as host actually had Bill as that day's celebrity bidder (an element introduced when ''Price'' changed networks).

** The original version (1956-63 on NBC, 1963-65 on ABC) had guest hosts fill in for Bill Cullen when he took ill or went on vacation — Creator/MervGriffin, Arlene Francis, and Don Pardo all held the role during the NBC era, while Johnny Gilbert, Jack Clark, and Robert Q. Lewis all held the reins during the ABC era. Notably, Lewis' turn as host actually had Bill as that day's celebrity bidder (an element introduced when ''Price'' changed networks).

** During the 1986-89 era, guest hosts included regular panelists Jm J. Bullock and Joan Rivers, along with announcer/regular panelist Shadoe Stevens. Most of these were due to regular host John Davidson being unavailable, but a couple different games had Joan Rivers and Series/{{ALF}} (yes, really!) hosting while Davidson sat in a square. When Stevens filled in, '''Creator/HowardStern''' took his place.

* In the first episode of ''WestenAnimation/TheSimpsons'' featuring the news, regular anchor Kent Brockman is on vacation and Scott Christian is filling in.

* The NBC talk show ''Later'' had a long string of guest hosts after the departure of Greg Kinnear in 1996; ''Friday Night'' host Rita Sever was the most prominent mainly because she was already there. Cynthia Garrett became permanent host on January 31, 2000, but NBC did little to promote the show and it ended in January 2001. For a year it became ''Later Presents {{SCTV}}'', a slot for reruns of the 1980s sketch comedy show, before ''Last Call with Carson Daly'' replaced it.

* Sister show ''Radio/AmericanCountryCountdown'' often did the same under the hosting of Bob Kingsley (who held the role from 1978-2005). When Kingsley left to start his own show, ''Radio/BobKingsleysCountryTop40'', there was a three-week rotation of guest hosts on ''ACC'' before [[Music/BrooksAndDunn Kix Brooks]] took over.
* Over at ''Country Top 40'', Bob occasionally handed the mic over to a singer. Jeffrey Steele did a week each in 2008 and '09, and Jack Ingram did another week in 2008. A Connecticut DJ named Lance Tidwell filled in for Bob in late 2012.
* With his increasing age and a serious bout of pneumonia late in his career, Radio/PaulHarvey sometimes handed the mic over to someone else when he was unable to do the show. The most frequent guest host was his son, Paul Harvey Jr., but several other ABC radio personnel sometimes filled in, as did former senator Fred Thompson. Two of the regular substitutes, Gil Gross and Doug Limerick, took over on the show's format following Harvey's death, but it was canceled only two weeks later and replaced with ''The Huckabee Report''.

*** Oddly, a then-retired Gene Wood did some post-production announcing work on reruns in Summer 1998.

** For AprilFoolsDay 2014, Drew Carey (who succeeded Barker as host) did a flip-flop with Craig Ferguson. Drew hosted ''The Late Late Show'' with George Gray as announcer and the models as sidekicks, while Craig Ferguson hosted ''Price'' with Shadoe Stevens announcing, and Secratariat and Geoff Peterson as "models".

* The syndicated talk show ''Live! (with Regis and Kathie Lee/Regis and Kelly/Kelly and Michael)'' had guest hosts replace each co-host as they left: first, a rotation after Kathie Lee Gifford left in 2000 until Kelly Ripa took her place, then a second after Regis Philbin left in 2011, and a third after his replacement, Michael Strahan, left in 2016.

** This would later happen with TVTrash as well

** The Bergeron version also had guest ''announcers'' during the two Game Show Hosts weeks in 2002 and 2003. The first had [[Series/ThePriceIsRight Rod Roddy]], and the second had Shadoe Stevens (who announced the first couple seasons of the Bergeron version as well) return one last time. Respectively, Rod and Shadoe were taking over for Jeffrey Tambor and John Moschitta. Henry Winkler (yes, [[Series/HappyDays Fonzie]]) also filled in for Tambor on a few occasions.

** When ''Price'' returned in 1972, there were two versions: the daytime series then hosted by Bob Barker, and a nighttime version hosted by Dennis James (until 1977, then also hosted by Barker until its demise in 1980). James hosted the daytime episodes of December 24-27, 1974 because Bob had the flu on the taping date, the only time to date that daytime ''Price'' has had a guest host.

* One episode of ''RealTimeWithBillMaher'' featured SethMacFarlane hosting the webcasted Overtime segment in place of Bill; before this, Bill had never had a guest host on ''Real Time'' '''at all.'''

** Same thing with their announcers. The main announcers are Charlie O'Donnell (1975-80, 1989-2010), Jack Clark (1980-88), M.G. Kelly (1988-89), and Jim Thornton (2011-). Charlie, Johnny Gilbert, and Don Morrow all filled in for Jack at various points (including Spring and Summer 1988, shortly before and after Clark's death), and Don Pardo did two weeks taped at Radio City Music Hall during M.G.'s tenure.

** ''Wheel'' also had a guest ''director'' for some weeks in Season 31. Longtime director Mark Corwin died after directing only two weeks of episodes, so ''Jeopardy!'' director Kevin [=McCarthy=] handled that season's road shows taped in Las Vegas, while associate director Bob Cisneros and technical director Robert Ennis filled in until the former was promoted to full-time director. Ennis also filled in again briefly in 2014 while Cisneros was having neck surgery, and ultimately became promoted himself later in 2015.

** During the 1986-89 era, guest hosts included regular squares Jm J. Bullock, Joan Rivers, and announcer/bottom center square Shadoe Stevens. Most of these were due to regular host John Davidson being unavailable, but a couple different games had Joan Rivers and Series/{{ALF}} (yes, really!) hosting while Davidson sat in a square. When Stevens filled in, '''Creator/HowardStern''' took his place.
** During the Tom Bergeron-hosted revival (1998-2004), Rosie O'Donnell hosted one round with Tom sitting in her square. Later on, during a Game Show Hosts week, original ''Squares'' host Peter Marshall returned to guest host one episode while Bergeron sat on the panel.
** The Bergeron version also had guest ''announcers'' during the two Game Show Hosts weeks (2002 and 2003). The first had [[Series/ThePriceIsRight Rod Roddy]], and the second had Shadoe Stevens (who announced the first couple seasons of the Bergeron version as well) return one last time. Respectively, Rod and Shadoe were taking over for Jeffrey Tambor and John Moschitta. Henry Winkler (yes, [[Series/HappyDays Fonzie]]) also filled in for Tambor on a few occasions.

** Dennis James filled in for Monty Hall on the original version, and Geoff Edwards filled in on ''The All-New Let's Make a Deal'', the 1984-86 incarnation.

** Going the other way, the 1990s version (originally hosted by Bob Hilton) had Monty take over as "guest host" in October 1990. Hall felt that the show was failing due to poor reception of Hilton as host, planning to audition various candidates on-air and pick a permanent replacement. However, NBC just opted to can the show in January 1991 — and bring ''WheelOfFortune'' back over from CBS to replace it.

** For the ABC era, [[Series/LetsMakeADeal Monty Hall]] hosted a few weeks (one of which had Allen playing against his wife, Creator/BettyWhite). In 1975, Betty herself hosted a week.

** When ''Price'' returned in 1972, there were two versions: the daytime series then hosted by Bob Barker, and a nighttime version hosted by Dennis James (until 1977, then Barker until its demise in 1980). James hosted the daytime episodes of December 24-27, 1974 because Bob had the flu on December 2, the only time to date that daytime ''Price'' has had a guest host.

* ''Series/HaveIGotNewsForYou'' started out with Angus Deayton who, [[RoleEndingMisdemeanor after damaging news stories about himself]], left the show after the second episode of Series 24. They started replacing him with guest hosts, which was deemed so popular that it became a regular element of the show.

* Due to the in-story disappearance of central character Linkara, ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'' featured either his then-girlfriend IronLiz or several of his recurring characters (all played by Linkara himself) guest hosting his VideoReviewShow.

* The animated series ''WesternAnimation/TalesFromTheCryptKeeper'' was occasionally hijacked by ECComics' other narrators, the Vault-Keeper from ''The Vault of Horror'' and the Old Witch from ''The Haunt of Fear''.

** During the 1986-89 era, guest hosts included regular squares Jm J. Bullock, Joan Rivers, and announcer/bottom center square Shadoe Stevens. Most of these were due to regular host John Davidson being unavailable, but a couple different games had Joan Rivers and Series/{{ALF}} (yes, really!) hosting while Davidson sat in a square. When Stevens filled in, '''Creator/HowardStern''' took Shadoe's usual role.

* Similarly, ''Series/NeverMindTheBuzzcocks'' used guest hosts for Series 18 (after Mark Lamarr left the show) until Simon Amstell took over the helm at the start of Series 19. From there Bill Bailey, one of the team captains, left the show with guest team captains filling the gap until finding a permanent one with [[TheMightyBoosh Noel Fielding]]. This stable period ended once Amstell left the show following Series 22, leaving the programme with guest hosts once more.

** During the 1986-89 era, guest hosts included regular squares Jm J. Bullock, Joan Rivers, and announcer Shadoe Stevens. Most of these were due to regular host John Davidson being unavailable, but a couple different games had Joan Rivers and Series/{{ALF}} (yes, really!) hosting while Davidson sat in a square. When Stevens filled in, '''HowardStern''' took Shadoe's usual role of announcer/bottom center square.
** During the Tom Bergeron-hosted revival (1998-2004), Rosie O'Donnell hosted one round. Later on, during a Game Show Hosts week, original ''Squares'' host Peter Marshall returned to guest host one episode while Bergeron sat on the panel.
** The Bergeron version also had guest ''announcers'' during the two Game Show Hosts weeks (2002 and 2003). The first had [[Series/ThePriceIsRight Rod Roddy]], and the second had Shadoe Stevens (who announced the first couple seasons of the Bergeron version as well) return one last time. Respectively, Rod and Shadoe were taking over for Jeffrey Tambor and John Moschitta.

** For the ABC era, Monty Hall hosted a few weeks (one of which had Allen playing against his wife, Creator/BettyWhite). In 1975, Betty herself hosted a week.

** When ''Price'' returned in 1972, there were two versions: the daytime series then hosted by Bob Barker, and a nighttime version hosted by Dennis James (until 1977, then Barker until its demise in 1980). James hosted the daytime episodes of December 24-27, 1974 because Bob had the flu on December 2, a measure that had never been done before and hasn't been done since.
** ''Price'' also had rotations of guest announcers. After Johnny Olson died, the guests were Rod Roddy, Gene Wood, Bob Hilton, and Rich Jeffries, with Rod eventually getting the job. Rod's declining health between 2001 and 2003 also led to several fill-ins by Burton Richardson (who previously did the 1994 syndicated version) and Randy West, plus one week by Paul Boland.

* Creator/AlexTrebek guest-hosted a week of ''Series/WheelOfFortune'' on daytime in 1980 and another episode in 1985, filling in for Chuck Woolery on the former and Pat Sajak on the latter.
** On AprilFoolsDay 1997, Trebek hosted ''Wheel'' with Pat and LovelyAssistant Vanna White playing for charity and Pat's wife, Lesly, in Vanna's usual role and ''Jeopardy!'' announcer Johnny Gilbert co-announcing with Charlie O'Donnell. Pat also hosted that day's ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' - which, notably, was otherwise a normal game (with most fans agreeing he acquitted himself very well).
** Similarly, Summer Bartholomew and Cynthia Washington both filled in for original hostess Susan Stafford in 1979 and 1980, both times due to her being injured. Arte Johnson also held this role for one day in 1980, likely to plug his NBC show ''Knockout''. After Susan left in 1982, Summer, Vicki [=McCarty=], and Vanna White alternated as guest letter-turners until Vanna got the nod. Susan returned for one week in 1986 so Vanna could recover after her boyfriend was killed in a plane crash. In January 1991, Tricia Gist filled in for two weeks to accommodate for Vanna's wedding, and returned two months later due to Vanna having a bad cold.

** When Charlie returned, he missed two weeks in late 1995, for which Gilbert again filled in. After Charlie's death, several announcers rotated (Johnny Gilbert, Rich Fields, Lora Cain, Joe Cipriano, John Cramer, and Jim Thornton) until Jim Thornton was chosen as his successor.
** ''Wheel'' also had a guest ''director'' for some weeks in Season 31. Director Mark Corwin died after directing only two weeks of episodes. In his place, ''Jeopardy!'' director Kevin [=McCarthy=] directed a set of episodes taped on location in Las Vegas, while associate director Bob Cisneros and technical director Robert Ennis filled in for a few weeks until Cisneros was promoted to full-time director. Ennis also filled in again briefly in 2014, while Cisneros was having neck surgery, and ultimately became promoted himself later in 2015.

[[folder:Late-Night Talk Shows]]

* In an attempt to boost its sagging ratings, producers of CBS's ''ThePatSajakShow'' decided to make several changes in February 1990. The biggest change was having a guest host on Fridays. This didn't save the show, and it was cancelled two months later, on April 10. The kicker? Sajak was ''out of the country'' when CBS brought down the axe. ''The entire final week of his show consisted of guest hosts.'' He NeverGotToSayGoodbye.

* The animated series ''TalesFromTheCryptKeeper'', based on ''TalesFromTheCrypt'', was occasionally hijacked by ECComics' other narrators, the Vault-Keeper from ''The Vault of Horror'' and the Old Witch from ''The Haunt of Fear''.

* ''The Late Show with Creator/DavidLetterman'' went to guest hosts while Dave had heart surgery in 2000, and again when he was ill with shingles in 2003. When he was recovering from heart surgery, almost all of the guest hosts refused to sit in his chair. Letterman still makes use of guest hosts because he is ill or cannot make a scheduled taping for other reasons.

* ''Series/FamilyFeud'' had two episodes, both during the original Richard Dawson version (1976-85), where one round was hosted by a guest. One game opened to Sammy Davis, Jr. hosting the first question, and a later game had contestant coordinator Caryn Lucas host one question since Dawson had just injured his ribs in a car accident and needed some time to adjust a slipping brace.

** During the 1986-89 era, guest hosts included regular squares Jm J. Bullock, Joan Rivers, and announcer Shadoe Stevens. Most of these were due to regular host John Davidson being unavailable, but a couple different games had Joan Rivers and ALF (yes, really!) hosting while Davidson sat in a square. When Stevens filled in, '''HowardStern''' took Shadoe's usual role of announcer/bottom center square.

* Jim Peck filled in for Jack Barry several times on ''Series/TheJokersWild''. When Barry died and the show was handed over to Bill Cullen, Peck got to return for a couple more guest hosting stints when Cullen was unavailable.
* This also happened twice in the long life of ''Series/LetsMakeADeal'':
** Dennis James filled in for Monty Hall on the original version, and Geoff Edwards filled in on the 1984-86 version.
** Announcer Dean Goss hosted two deals during the 1985-86 season because Hall (who was also executive producer) wanted to pass the torch should the show be renewed for a third season. [[WhatCouldHaveBeen It wasn't.]]

** During the original 1960s version, Jack Clark filled in on a few occasions.
** For the ABC era, Monty Hall hosted a few weeks (one of which had Allen playing against his wife Creator/BettyWhite). In 1975, Betty herself hosted a week.

** Following Rich's departure in 2010, another rotation occurred: JD Roberto, Jeff Davis, Brad Sherwood, David H. Lawrence XVII, Steve White, and [[TheWeakestLink George Gray]], who was chosen as Rich's successor.

* In 1974, Gene Rayburn guest hosted ''{{Tattletales}}'' for a week as regular host Bert Convy played the game with his wife, Anne. Gene actually hosted the ''Tattletales'' prototype in 1973, which was originally called ''Celebrity Match Mates'' (Convy would get the job after Gene landed the ''MatchGame'' revival).

** On AprilFoolsDay 1997, Trebek hosted ''Wheel'' with Pat and LovelyAssistant Vanna White playing for charity and Pat's wife, Lesly, in Vanna's usual role. Pat also hosted that day's ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' - which, notably, was otherwise a normal game (with most fans agreeing he acquitted himself very well).

** When Charlie returned, he missed only two weeks in 1995, for which Gilbert again filled in. After Charlie's death, several announcers rotated (Johnny Gilbert, Rich Fields, Lora Cain, Joe Cipriano, John Cramer, and Jim Thornton) until Jim Thornton was chosen as his successor.

* With his increasing age and a serious bout of pneumonia late in his career, PaulHarvey sometimes handed the mic over to someone else when he was unable to do the show. The most frequent guest host was his son, Paul Harvey Jr., but several other ABC radio personnel sometimes filled in, as did Fred Thompson.
* ''CMT Country Countdown USA'' uses a variant of this trope. Each show is hosted by Lon Helton (formerly the editor of the now-defunct ''Radio & Records'' magazine) and a different country music singer every week.