Guy Smiley is a fictional character from the long-running children's television program Sesame Street. He is a charismatic and enthusiastic game show host who first appeared on the show in 1972. Guy Smiley is known for his flashy attire, including brightly colored suits, ties, and shoes. His name is a play on the term "guy who is always smiling," reflecting his upbeat and enthusiastic personality.
In addition to his game show hosting, Guy Smiley has also made appearances on Sesame Street in a variety of other roles, including as a reporter and a spokesperson for various products. He is a fan favorite among Sesame Street viewers of all ages and has been parodied and referenced in other popular media over the years.
Some of the game shows that Guy Smiley has hosted on Sesame Street include "The Eating Game," "Beat the Time," "What's My Part?," and "Here is Your Life." He is known for his enthusiastic and over-the-top hosting style, often making exaggerated gestures and facial expressions. Overall, Guy Smiley is a beloved character on Sesame Street and has become an iconic figure in children's television.
Guy Smiley's First Appearance
Guy Smiley's first appearance on Sesame Street was in 1972, in the second season of the show. He appeared as the host of a game show called "Beat the Time," in which contestants had to complete a task before a large clock ran out of time. In his first appearance, Guy Smiley was played by Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets and one of the original performers on Sesame Street.
Which Game Shows Has Guy Smiley Hosted?
Guy Smiley has presented a variety of game shows and other programs on Sesame Street over the years. Here are some of the shows he has hosted:
- "Beat the Time" - This was Guy Smiley's first game show on Sesame Street. In the show, contestants had to complete a task before a large clock ran out of time.
- "The Triangle is Right" - This game show was a parody of "The Price is Right." In the show, Guy Smiley would present a series of triangular objects and contestants had to guess the price of each item.
- "Here is Your Life" - This show was a parody of "This is Your Life." In the show, Guy Smiley would surprise a Sesame Street character and present them with a "life story" that was usually exaggerated and comical.
- "What's My Part?" - This game show was a parody of "What's My Line?" In the show, Guy Smiley would present a Sesame Street character and a panel of other characters had to guess what the character's job or purpose was.
- "The Remembering Game" - This game show was designed to test the memory skills of the contestants. Guy Smiley would present a series of objects and then ask the contestants to remember which objects he had shown them.
- "Alphabet Chat" - In this show, Guy Smiley would interview a letter of the alphabet and learn more about its personality and characteristics.
- "The Waiting Game" - This show was a parody of "The Dating Game." In the show, Guy Smiley would present a contestant with three objects and the contestant had to guess which object they would be waiting for.
- "The Sesame Street Pet Show" - This show was a special episode of Sesame Street in which Guy Smiley hosted a pet show, featuring different animals brought in by the Sesame Street residents.
- "The Word on the Street" - This show was a regular segment on Sesame Street that Guy Smiley hosted, where he would introduce a vocabulary word and its definition to young viewers.
- "The Sesame Street Game Show Marathon" - In this special episode of Sesame Street, Guy Smiley hosted a marathon of different game shows, including "The Triangle is Right," "What's My Part?," and "The Remembering Game."
- "Elmo's World: Games" - In this segment of the popular Sesame Street spin-off "Elmo's World," Guy Smiley makes a guest appearance as the host of a game show about games.
- "Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration" - In this special program celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street, Guy Smiley makes an appearance as the host of a game show that tests the knowledge of Sesame Street characters about the history of the show.
Guy Smiley's Personality
Guy Smiley is always impeccably dressed in a sharp suit and tie, and his hair is perfectly coiffed. He speaks in a booming voice and is often seen flashing his pearly white teeth as he smiles broadly.
Guy Smiley is also known for his sometimes over-the-top personality, frequently using exaggerated expressions and gestures as he interacts with contestants and the audience. He has a knack for putting his guests at ease and making them feel comfortable, even if they are nervous or unsure.
Despite his larger-than-life personality, Guy Smiley is also known for his genuine kindness and concern for others. He often goes out of his way to help contestants and ensure that everyone has a good time on his shows. He has a quick wit and a great sense of humor, and his infectious laughter and positive attitude have made him a beloved character on Sesame Street.
Guy Smiley's Performers
Guy Smiley has been performed by several puppeteers on Sesame Street over the years. Here is a list of performers who have played the character:
- Jim Henson (1972-1990)
- Richard Hunt (1977-1991)
- Martin P. Robinson (1980s-1990s)
- Jerry Nelson (1972-2001)
- Joey Mazzarino (2002-present)
- Matt Vogel (2008-present)
Facts About Guy Smiley
Here are some facts about him:
- His character is based on real-life game show hosts, such as Bob Barker and Monty Hall.
- In the Sesame Street parody of "The Hunger Games," Guy Smiley played the role of Caesar Flickerman, the flamboyant host of the Hunger Games broadcasts.
- In the Sesame Street special "Elmo Saves Christmas," Guy Smiley played the role of Santa Claus.
- Guy Smiley is one of the few Sesame Street characters who has never had his own segment or recurring skit. Instead, he is primarily known for his hosting duties.
- In the episode "Elmo's World: Games," Guy Smiley revealed that his favorite game is chess.
- Guy Smiley has also appeared in various international versions of Sesame Street, including versions in Spain, Germany, and Australia.
- In addition to hosting game shows, Guy Smiley has also made appearances on other Sesame Street segments, such as "Monsterpiece Theater" and "The Letter of the Day."
- Guy Smiley is known for his enthusiastic and upbeat personality, often using catchphrases like "You're our next contestant!" and "Let's give a big hand to our winner!"
- The character's name is a play on words, with "Guy" referring to his male gender and "Smiley" referencing his cheerful demeanor.
What does Guy Smiley Say?
"You're our next contestant!" - This is Guy Smiley's signature catchphrase, which he uses to introduce contestants on his game shows.
"Let's give a big hand to our winner!" - When a contestant wins a game, Guy Smiley often leads the audience in a round of applause to celebrate their victory.
"We'll be right back after these messages!" - This is a common phrase that Guy Smiley uses to indicate that the show will be going to a commercial break.
"And now, for our next question..." - Guy Smiley uses this phrase to introduce the next question or challenge on his game shows.
"That's correct! You've won..." - When a contestant gives a correct answer on one of his game shows, Guy Smiley congratulates them and tells them what they've won.
"Time's up! Let's see how you did." - This phrase is often used when contestants are racing against the clock to complete a challenge on one of Guy Smiley's game shows.
"And the grand prize is..." - Guy Smiley uses this phrase to build excitement and anticipation as he reveals the top prize on one of his game shows.
"Thanks for playing, everybody!" - This is Guy Smiley's way of thanking the contestants and audience for participating in his game shows.
"Isn't this exciting?" - Guy Smiley often asks this question to get the audience pumped up and engaged in the game show.
"This is Guy Smiley saying goodbye until next time!" - When a game show or segment is over, Guy Smiley bids farewell to the audience and promises to return soon with more fun and excitement.
Guy Smiley in Popular Culture
- Family Guy - Guy Smiley was parodied on the popular animated series Family Guy. In the episode "Death Is a Bitch," the character is shown as a sleazy game show host who cheats his contestants out of their winnings.
- Robot Chicken - Guy Smiley has also been parodied on the stop-motion animated series Robot Chicken. In one sketch, he is depicted as a drug addict who tries to host a game show while high on cocaine.
- The Simpsons - In the episode "The Old Man and the Lisa," Guy Smiley makes a cameo appearance as a game show host on a television in the background of a scene.
- Mad Men - In the episode "The Rejected," which takes place in the 1960s, a character mentions watching Guy Smiley on television.
- The Muppets - While not technically part of popular culture, Guy Smiley has made appearances in various Muppet productions, including the films The Muppets Take Manhattan and The Muppets.
- Saturday Night Live - In a sketch on the long-running sketch comedy show, Guy Smiley is parodied as a host of a game show called "Celebrity Jeopardy!"
- South Park - In the episode "Night of the Living Homeless," a character is shown watching an episode of Sesame Street featuring Guy Smiley on television.
- The Office - In the episode "Branch Wars," a character mentions watching a game show hosted by Guy Smiley on television.
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon - In a sketch on the late-night talk show, Jimmy Fallon portrays Guy Smiley in a parody of the game show "Family Feud."
- CollegeHumor - In a sketch on the comedy website, Guy Smiley is parodied as the host of a game show called "Jeopardy for Dummies."
- The Eric Andre Show - Guy Smiley was parodied in a skit on the surreal talk show, The Eric Andre Show. In the sketch, the character is portrayed as a twisted and sadistic game show host who torments his contestants with bizarre challenges and torture devices.
- Bob's Burgers - In the episode "Pig Trouble in Little Tina," a character mentions watching a game show hosted by Guy Smiley on television.
- The Big Bang Theory - In the episode "The Spaghetti Catalyst," a character mentions watching a game show hosted by Guy Smiley on television.
- The Simpsons Movie - In the opening scene of the film, a billboard featuring Guy Smiley can be seen in the background.
- Family Feud - In a 2019 episode of the game show, the host Steve Harvey dressed up as Guy Smiley for a Halloween-themed episode.
Guy Smiley Through the Years
Guy Smiley is a beloved character on Sesame Street, and has been a fixture of the show for many years. Here is a breakdown of Guy Smiley's character development over the years:
Creation and Early Years - Guy Smiley was created in the 1970s, during the early years of Sesame Street. He was originally designed as a parody of the slick, over-the-top game show hosts of the era.
Classic Era - During the 1970s and 1980s, Guy Smiley was a frequent presence on Sesame Street. He hosted a number of game shows, including "The Mr. and Mrs. Game," "What's My Part?," and "Beat the Time."
Reduced Appearances - During the 1990s and 2000s, Guy Smiley's appearances on Sesame Street became less frequent. He still occasionally hosted game shows, but was mostly relegated to cameo appearances and background roles.
Revival - In 2017, Guy Smiley was given a bit of a revival on Sesame Street. He hosted a new game show called "The Big Prize Question," which featured a new format and updated graphics.
Spin-Offs - In addition to his appearances on Sesame Street, Guy Smiley has also appeared in a number of spin-off productions over the years. These include the television specials "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street" and "Elmo's Christmas Countdown," as well as the film "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland."
Guy Smiley's Likes and Dislikes
Likes:
- Hosting game shows and being in front of the camera
- Being in control and calling the shots
- Being the center of attention
- Interacting with contestants and audience members
- Making people laugh and having fun
- Wearing fancy suits and having a polished appearance
Dislikes:
- Losing control of a situation or a game show
- Being upstaged or outshone by another character
- Making mistakes or being embarrassed in front of others
- Boring or uninteresting contestants or game show formats
- Being ignored or forgotten by fans or viewers
Guy Smiley's Possible Favorite Songs
We can speculate on some songs that Guy might enjoy based on his personality and the era in which he was created:
"The Love Boat" theme song - Guy Smiley's over-the-top personality and love of game shows would likely make him a fan of the cheesy, upbeat theme song from this popular 70s and 80s television series.
"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor - This disco classic is a fun and catchy anthem of empowerment, which seems like it would be right up Guy Smiley's alley.
"Super Freak" by Rick James - The funky and outrageous style of this song would appeal to Guy Smiley's love of flash and over-the-top entertainment.
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey - This classic rock anthem is all about pursuing your dreams and never giving up, which seems like it would be in line with Guy Smiley's optimistic and ambitious personality.
"The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin - As a character who loves to entertain and be in the spotlight, Guy Smiley would likely appreciate this classic ragtime piano tune, which has been used in many films and television shows as a theme for show business and entertainment.