My Top 10 Reality Show Hosts

There are many reality shows these days. And, the host is an important part of making these shows palatable. Here are my picks for the top 10

10. Julie Chen - My number ten spot is really a guilty pleasure. I am not sure why I enjoy her so much. So many people make fun of her and what she does on her show.

But, I think that there is something quite charming about the Chenbot. Maybe it's because we can count on her to state what is happening the same way each time. Or maybe it's because she doesn't take herself too seriously and lets us in on the joke. Whatever the reason, Big Brother really would not be the same without Julie Chen.

9. Ryan Seacrest - There is something very reminiscent of a used car salesman about Ryan Seacrest. But, you have to hand it to him, he was everywhere for a while. You couldn't watch the television or listen to the radio without hearing his dulcet tones.

American Idol certainly has a place in reality show history. And, he helped place it there. And, when I ask my friends, Ryan is certainly incredibly popular. For bringing American Idol to the forefront of couch potato fame, I am putting him in my top ten.

8. Tyra Banks - A lot of people make fun of Ms. Banks. But, I like her. She definitely has a sense of humor and does not take herself to seriously. Between the Tyra Banks talk show and Americas Next Top Model, Tyra has given the everyday woman some hope that maybe she can reach heights unthought of before.

I think they bring some interesting competitions onto the show and she interacts really well with the contestants. Tyra seems to really care about the models and she certainly shares a wealth of knowledge about modeling during the show.

7. Stan Lee - Okay, maybe it's the geek in me. But, I loved the show Who Wants to Be a Superhero? As a role-player, I knew many people who would enter a show like this.

I found the contests really fun and Stan Lee really seemed as if he was enjoying himself. You can tell it was important to him and he brought a lot of charisma to his role as host. He brought out the kid in all of us, and we all wanted to raise our hand and say "I do!" when he asked Who Wants to Be a Superhero?

6. Donald Trump - As a person, I don't have a lot of respect for him. He is very seedy and sometimes downright nasty. But as host of The Apprentice, it is this trait that makes us love to watch the boardroom.

He seems to have a good sense of humor during the show and nobody ever wants to argue with the Donald. He brings a lot of humor into the show and we tune in every week to see who gets to hear those two little words... "You're Fired!"

5. Tom Bergeron - Sometimes, you just like the disarming charmer who flubs his lines, or whose adlibs don't always work out perfectly. And that is what Tom Bergeron offers. Whether trading quips on the Hollywood Squares, laughing at the filmed antics on America's Funniest Videos, or cheering on the contestants on Dancing with the Stars, Tom Bergeron can always bring a smile to even the grumpiest of faces.

And, it's nice to see a show where the nice guy does NOT finish last.

4. Robert Irvine - I love the idea of beating impossible odds. In Dinner: Impossible Robert and his crew do just that. He is gruff and gets flustered easily and that is part of the joy ride.

It is wonderful watching him try to put it all together to accomplish his task. For a short time, Michael Symon took over but the show did not hold my interest without Robert Irvine. He makes the show work and that is why he made it onto my list.

3. Jeff Probst- Survivor is one of the most liked reality show around. And, it started the whole chain reaction of such shows that followed. Jeff Probst is a big reason behind that popularity. He seems a part of the show, and doesn't go easy on the contestants. When people talk about good reality show hosts, his name will definitely be on the list. "The Tribe has spoken."

2. Alton Brown - Food is a weakness. I love to cook it and I love to eat it. Apparently, I also like to watch shows about it. And my favorite of all these food experts is Alton Brown.

Whether he is hosting Iron Chef America, where tongue is lodged firmly in cheek, or Good Eats, where he dryly shows us the science behind a great meal, Alton Brown is one of the most entertaining and helpful of hosts.

More than any other food expert, Alton addresses people like me. Nothing he shows us is too fancy or hard to make. He makes it understandable. What is even more important, he makes us want to cook and try new and different things. Even my husband is willing to cook me some Good Eats. For that alone he deserves his spot on my list.

1. Cat Deeley - Cat Deeley is not only my favorite host right now, but So You Think You Can Dance (or SYTYCD) is my favorite reality show. Who doesn't root for people trying to aspire to their dream?

Many people dislike Cat. I don't know why. She is beautiful, charming, and she obviously has great affection for the contestants. Unlike other hosts who ask the same questions like a recording, Cat seems to actually have conversations with them. She is also a bit kooky. And, I think that is one of the biggest reasons I like her.

Cat Deeley is not afraid to look silly. And, she goes into every situation with a ton of energy and does not back out. So You Think You Can Dance is a great show and I think that Cat Deeley can Host. Don't you?