Where Are They Now? The Hosts of Nickelodeon's Competition Shows

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The '80s was the era of cable television's rise: after decades of a few networks and that grizzled UHF channel, cable transformed into that expensive cornucopia of entertainment we love and often loathe today. No channel better captures the spirit of that transition period than Nickelodeon.

Before Nick arrived on the scene, the only TV time dedicated to entertaining children was that glorious block of Saturday morning cartoons. While the Nickelodeon lineup initially featured off-kilter Canadian and British kids fare, it quickly began developing its own programming as it grew in popularity.

Nickelodeon's insane game shows are perfect example of how the cable channel emerged as a T.V. game-changer. Unlike the retro-feeling, passive game shows offered by the networks, Nick's were action-packed, goofy and beloved by children and adults alike. 

Surely you've been wondering what has become of the hosts of your favorite shows, but you needn't wonder anymore! Let's take a look at some at some of Nick's hosts of then and now. 

Then: Marc Summers, Double Dare

Image via Nickelodeon

Television personality Marc Summers hosted the beloved Nickelodeon classic game show Double Dare from 1986-93. He also pulled double duty for the network as host of What Would You Do? from 1991-93. 

Now: Marc Summers

Image via Comcast

Today, Summers is still in the hosting game; only now, you'll see him on the more grown up Food Network and History Channel, rather than Nickelodeon.

He also owns his own production company, which has offices in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. 

In August 2012 Summers was seriously injured in a car accident; his head collided with an illegal partition in a Philadelphia taxi cab, causing extensive damage that required equally extensive surgery. Summers said of the accident that he was lucky to have avoided brain damage. 

Then: Summer Sanders, Figure It out

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Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders hosted Figure it Out during its original run from 1997-2000. Apparently they had a "strictly '80s" wardrobe policy. 

Now: Summer Sanders

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Today, Summer Sanders does the occasional reporting for NBC Sports, usually during the Olympics. And apparently she hangs with First Lady Michelle Obama, too. 

Summers appeared in the third season of the Donald Trump train wreck Celebrity Apprentice, and in 2012, she competed on the Food Network's Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. 

Then: Lew Schneider, Make the Grade

Image via Nickelodeon

Lew Schneider hosted the brain game Make the Grade for the first two of its three seasons. The show aired on Nickelodeon from 1989 through 1991. 

Now: Lew Schneider

Image via Wikipedia

Today, Lew Schneider is doing just swell. He made the transition from stand-up comedy to comedy writer in the early '90s and has two Emmy Awards on his mantle for his work on Everybody Loves Raymond. 

More recently, Schneider has written for American Dad!, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and he currently writes for the TNT show Men of a Certain Age. 

Then: Vivianne Collins, You're On!

Image via Nickelodeon

Vivianne Collins co-hosted the hidden camera game show You're On! which aired on Nickelodeon from 1998-99. 

She also hosted U-Pick Friday LIVE and Robot Wars for Nickelodeon. 

Now: Vivianne Collins

Image via HGTV Canada

Vivianne Collins has worked steadily on television since her stint with Nickelodeon and currently works for HGTV Canada. Collins is a scout location for the new show Live Here, Buy This!

Then: Michael Carrington, Think Fast!

Image via Nickelodeon

Michael Carrington hosted the first two seasons of Nickelodeon's Think Fast! The show aired from 1989-91, and kids would compete for as much as $100 per round. 

Now: Michael Carrington

Image via IMDB

Michael Carrington has worked steadily since his stint with Nickelodeon in the early '90s but stays behind-the-scenes for the most part. He was the supervising producer of The Jamie Foxx Show and That's So Raven. 

More recently, Carrington has been a writer for the television shows Let's Stay Together and The First Family, which is in pre-production right now. 

Then: Skip Lackey, Think Fast!

Image via Nickelodeon

Skip Lackey was brought in to replace Michael Carrington for the third and final season of Think Fast! in 1991.

Now: Skip Lackey

Image via evolutionunlimited.com

Today, Skip Lackey is working behind the camera as the CEO of Evolution Unlimited Inc., a company that specializes in "personal transformation."

His education at the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College makes him a natural fit as a life coach.

Lackey also claims he can heal the sick through positive thought—especially pregnant ladies. 

Then: Annette Chavez, Wild and Crazy Kids

Image via Nickelodeon

Annette Chavez was one of the co-hosts of Wild and Crazy Kids, which aired from 1990-92. She appeared on the first of the three seasons but was eventually replaced. 

Now: Annette M. Lesure

Image via IMDB

Today, Annette Chavez (now Annette M. Lesure) is working relatively regularly as an actress.

She had a regular role on the ABC series What About Brian, which aired from 2006-07. More recently, Lesure appeared in the television movie Annie Claus is Coming to Town in 2011 and had guest spots on House and CSI in 2010. 

Then: Donnie Jeffcoat, Wild and Crazy Kids

Image via Nickelodeon

Donnie Jeffcoat was one of the co-hosts of Wild and Crazy Kids, which aired from 1990-92. He appeared on all three seasons of the show. 

Now: Donnie Jeffcoat

Image via Coy Koehler

After his hosting stint, Donnie Jeffcoat went on to have regular roles on The Wonder Years, 7th Heaven and  One Life to Live, where he starred from 1997-2001. 

Today, he's still working as an actor and has guest starred on Desperate Housewives, CSI:NY and Bones in recent years. 

Then: Jessica Gaynes, Wild and Crazy Kids

Image via Nickelodeon

Jessica Gaynes was one of the co-hosts of Wild and Crazy Kids, which aired from 1990-92. She was brought in for the second and third seasons to replace Annette Chavez. 

Now: Jessica Gaynes

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Today, Jessica Gaynes is pretty much out of the television and film business but is involved with various theatrical projects.

She also speaks passionately about child labor issues. Gaynes participated in a panel discussion with her former co-hosts in 2012. 

Then: Omar Gooding, Wild and Crazy Kids

Image via Nickelodeon

Omar Gooding was one of the co-hosts of Wild and Crazy Kids, which aired from 1990-92. He appeared on all three seasons of the show. 

Now: Omar Gooding

Image courtesy of Molly Brinton via IMDB

Today, Omar Gooding, the younger brother of actor Cuba "Show me the money!" Gooding, Jr., is working regularly as an actor and is a rapper who goes by the name Big O.

Gooding has appeared on Grey's Anatomy in recent years and had regular roles on Miami Medical and Playmakers. 

In 2012, he appeared in six episodes of the television series Family Time and starred in a holiday movie that you should look for this December called Christmas in Compton—sounds like a can't-miss. 

Then: Wesley Eure, Finders Keepers

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Wesley Eure was the original host of Nickelodeon's Finders Keepers, which aired from 1987-88. He was replaced by Larry Toffer on a syndicated version of the show that was picked up following its cancellation. 

Now: Wesley Eure

Image via wesleyeure.com

Wesley Eure's acting career was pretty successful in the '70s and '80s, with long stints on Land of the Lost and the soap opera Days of Our Lives.

Today, Eure is an author who has written several children's books and still makes appearances stemming from his role on Land of the Lost. He came out as gay in 2009. 

Then: Mike O'Malley, Nickelodeon Guts

Image via Nickelodeon

Mike O'Malley appeared as the host of Nickelodeon Guts from 1992-96. The show was similar in nature to American Gladiators, minus the gladiators: kids would compete in various events in the Extreme Arena and then face off in the Aggro Crag. 

Now: Mike O'Malley

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Mike O'Malley sure didn't have much trouble finding acting work after his hosting stint. He appeared in movies like Deep Impact, 28 Days and Pushing Tin, before landing a six-year gig co-starring on Yes, Dear from 2000-06. 

Today, O'Malley is recognized by a whole new generation of Gleeks, having spent the last three years in a supporting role on Glee! He has three movies coming out by early 2013: R.I.P.D., Prodigy Bully and 3 Geezers!

Then: Moira "Mo" Quirk, Nickelodeon Guts

Image via Nickelodeon

Moira "Mo" Quirk appeared as the co-host/referee on Nickelodeon Guts from 1992-96.

Now: Moira Quirk

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Like her former co-host Mike O'Malley, Moira Quirk has been working very regularly since her time on Nickelodeon. She has done voice work for a number of video games and animated movies and has had guest starring roles on several television series. 

Most recently, she did two episodes of Dirty Work in 2012, a web series about an after-hours cleaning crew that specializes in crime scenes. It was actually nominated for an Emmy.

She's also on Twitter and could use some more followers. 

 

You know who else is on Twitter? Me. So follow us both! Follow @blamberr