Press Your Luck has had a new host for every revival of the trivia game show. The show first premiered on September 19, 1983 on CBS and ran for three seasons with Peter Tomarken before it was canceled. The first revival of the show came in 2002, titled Whammy! The All-New Press Your Luck which only lasted for two seasons and was hosted by Todd Newton. In 2019, it was announced that Elizabeth Banks would be hosting another revival of the game show, which is the longest stretch of the series in its history, playing during ABC’s summer game show lineup.
In Press Your Luck, three contestants compete by answering trivia questions, which earn them spins on a rectangular board divided into spaces. Hidden within each space is either a cash amount, a mystery prize, or other surprises. Also hidden within a few spaces is the show’s mascot “Whammy”. On a contestant’s turn, a light randomly flashes around the spaces and whatever square it’s on when a player hits their buzzer is what they receive. Landing on a “Whammy” erases all the player’s winnings and hitting it four times means “Game Over”. Luck-based, eye-catching, and hosted by talented presenters, Press Your Luck is a wholesome, enjoyable game show.
Todd Newton (2002-2003)
A capable but short-lived host.
Todd Newton was attached to Press Your Luck for its first revival, Whammy! The All-New Press Your Luck. The name of the series is a bit of a misnomer as it was more or less the same game show as the original with only a few minor tweaks, such as the Big Bank mechanic which totaled up the contestants’ losses after a “Whammy” and pooled them for one big pot that could be won. Newton is an acolyte of Bob Barker and said in an interview with the Tribune Chronicle,
While Newton didn’t have a long run on the show, he did have the natural ability to connect with the contestants, despite the hosting gig being so early in his career. It’s clear he managed to take some lessons from the legendary Barker.
Peter Tomarken (1983-1986)
The original and classic host of the 1983 series.
Press Your Luck was Peter Tomarken’s second game show hosting role after NBC’s Hit Man, and he lasted for all three seasons of the series’ original run. Smart, generous, and great with guests, Tomarken was a consummate host. He may be most notable, however, for hosting during the Michael Larson incident. Larson came on the show in 1984 as a dedicated fan. He had taped the show and on repeated viewings discovered that the “random” pattern of lights flashing on the game board was not random at all.
By memorizing the sequence, Larson earned $110,237 in cash and prizes. After an investigation, CBS determined Larson had not cheated and had simply used memorization to succeed (via Dayton Daily News). Tomarken handled the whole situation well and showcased his talent for keeping composure in unexpected circumstances. Tragically, Tomarken passed away in 2006 when he crashed his single-engine aircraft in Santa Monica.
Elizabeth Banks (2019-Present)
The actress and director who helped revive the classic series.
Some may be surprised that Elizabeth Banks hosts a game show, but she is actually the longest-running host of Press Your Luck in the show’s history. Banks was announced to host in 2019 (via The Wrap). Much better known for her Emmy-nominated acting in shows like 30 Rock and directing credits for Pitch Perfect 2 and Cocaine Bear, Banks has proven she can lend her natural charm and humor to just about anything. Her ability to quickly develop a rapport with contestants and give a quick response is reminiscent of Drew Carey on The Price is Right.
