TVSquad

Since the reality television boom isn't going to end anytime soon, this could be a lucrative career path for the up-and-coming toddler who likes to ham it up with a microphone. After all, in this time of economic woes, what could be a better goal than glam, glitz, red carpets, and Emmy awards?

The reality show genre encompasses the gamut from talent contests to living in the jungle to living in a house with insufferable drones and drama queens and beyond. As a result, the hosts for these shows are going to be a varied lot, as well. Who are these people? How did they get where they are? And, more importantly ... what do I think of them? Read on.

1. Jeff Probst
Survivor is now in its 18th season and still going strong. Now, that's only nine years, as there are two seasons per year. All along we've had our Jeff Probst and those delicious dimples. Born in Kansas, he's definitely not in Kansas anymore!

I think Jeff's hosting style has dramatically changed from the first season to present. In the beginning, he literally hosted. Nowadays, he seems to be running a lot of things rather than simply hosting. I'm not so sure that's a good thing. He plants seeds of derision in Tribal Council with his Probst-ing questions. He's also very quick to call out folks in the middle of challenges. I can't wonder if the outcome of some of the events aren't skewed by his increased involvement.

Yes, I realize that Jeff is probably the most experienced Survivor of them all. But he's also the only reality show host who became involved with a contestant from the show -- his three-year relationship with Julie Berry from Survivor: Vanuatu recently ended. What's to say that he's not going to try to alter the reality of the reality show? In watching recent interviews with him, he seems taken with Coach this season. Uh-oh.

2. Ryan Seacrest
Since I brought up the cheese, what better time than now to bring up Ryan Seacrest, the host of American Idol? Mind you, there's nothing wrong with cheese. I think a lot of the reality genre thrives on a diet of cheese. The lactose-intolerant crowd might groan, but Ryan's a pro at what he does.

He's taken over the media world, from hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards Show in 2007 to hosting Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve ... along with becoming an executive producer of the show. He's also all over E! and too many other venues to mention.

So, we're talking cheese, but I think we're also talking a very smart businessman at heart. I have trouble thinking seriously of Ryan when I see him hosting various gigs or trading insults with Simon Cowell. But with so much involvement all over the television and radio mediums, this guy has to be shrewd. He seems to have lined himself up as not only the successor for the New Year's Eve gig, but he's also rumored to be the successor for Larry King on CNN. Yikes! He's like ChickenMan ... he's everywhere, he's everywhere!

In all seriousness, I'll put on my best Randy Jackson impersonation and tell Ryan, "Yo-yo dude, check it out, check it out, you got the it factor! A bit pitchy, but you're gonna be a star!"

3. Julie Chen
It's time to do a turnaround to visit the other end of the spectrum! Julie Chen hosts the U.S. version of Big Brother. Unlike the others, she comes from a supposedly serious journalistic news background. She's been a news reporter and network news anchor at WCBS2 (NYC), in addition to her network anchor position on The CBS Early Show.

Not only does Julie come from an entirely different background going into the reality hosting gig, but she's also obviously not as passionate or involved as many of the other hosts. Maybe it's because she's separated from the hamsters in the house -- they only see her on a video monitor. Nah, I think she's just not as into the gig as many of the other hosts are.

Nonetheless, having the ChenBot on the show is a key part of its entertainment factor with me. From critiquing her fashions and hairdos to anticipating flubs, she's priceless! Even the ChenBot moniker came about due to her robotic hosting ways including her predictable "but first" lead-ins.

4. Mario Lopez
Before you dismiss Mario as minor league, keep in mind that he's hosting two shows in the reality genre. He was a competitor on Dancing With the Stars and has worked his own magic into hosting gigs on both MTV and Animal Planet.

His career really took off on Saved by the Bell, the 1989-1993 series on which he played the character A.C. Slater. He's been on various shows, soaps, and television movies, and has had some Broadway success, too.

And now he's a hot host dude. He recently finished the third season of Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew on MTV. Like Idol, it's more of a talent contest than a grappling physical and/or mental competition scenario. He's perfect for it. He can dance and he's down with all the dance jargon. He's a bit squeaky-clean when compared to the street element of a lot of the dancers. I can forgive him him for that, though.

I've also been catching him as the host on Pet Star (Animal Planet). I guess that would be classified somewhere in the reality show genre due to the vast definition of included show types. Pet Star alone wouldn't make Mario the media mogul he's becoming, but it won't hurt anything either. He's playing himself up to several different audiences. I think he's going to be around for a long time to come.

5. Tom Bergeron
A bit of a more mature host for perhaps a more mature audience. I'm not sure of the demographics for Dancing With the Stars, but it surely attracts the older demographic, unlike some of the other shows. Tom comes more from the school of traditional game host than most reality hosts.

I first recall his work when he took over the hosting duties on Hollywood Squares back in 1998. He seemed perfect for the game show circuit -- less intense than Alex Trebek, not as goofy as Chuck Woolery.

In 2001, Tom took over the reins as the host of America's Funniest Home Videos, following the groundwork of Bob Saget and some other hosts. I guess they had too much of a full house and needed new blood. (Get it? I couldn't resist!)

But the big reality pay dirt is the DWTS hosting gig. Like American Idol, this seems to be a show which has taken the airwaves by storm. Who's sitting pretty and doesn't have to break a sweat learning a new dance routine? Why, Tom Bergeron, of course. The man has latched onto two highly successful cash cows.

6. Phil Keoghan
I saved the one I personally admire the most for the last here. Phil, a native of New Zealand, has been the host of the Emmy-winning show The Amazing Race since it started 14 seasons ago.

Phil almost died when he was a teen, and since then, he's been living his dreams and making them reality. His book and his NOW show, No Opportunity Wasted, is all about living your wildest dreams. It's a bit like a bucket list. Phil himself has taken part in many adventures, and he invites folks to do the same. His exuberance over it all is contagious! Phil recently kicked off his Ride Across America stint with proceeds going to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Then there's his Amazing Race gig which keeps him winning those Emmys. No one, absolutely no one, can do a one-eyebrow hitch like Phil! Similar to Jeff Probst, Phil is really connected with the show. He has to follow the route of the racers, even though he needn't do the tasks. But unlike Probst, Phil comes across as more sincere and compassionate with the contestants. While he likes to make them nervous with his serious face, Phil always seems to be sad as he Philiminates yet another team.

So, there are the six I've chosen. I could have included Donald Trump, but his hair scares me.