The Picard ManeuverLife is a mystery
GhysteLooking at classic game shows, several hosts used these. Searching “game show microphone” actually brings up a variety of examples.
It makes a lot of sense when you realize that they need to capture the sound of contestants and they are also moving around a lot. There’s no way to use fixed mics all the time. Obviously not everyone is provided with a wearable microphone.
And the shorter the microphone is, the more the host has to exert himself by holding his arm up near contestant faces.
A long lightweight microphone is the perfect solution.
Good point. Actually, forget close-up shots. They’re out of the way even for wide angles. It probably even helps to see the people who are wearing silly outfits.
Well, Let’s Make a Deal outfits are sillier, but, at least when I used to watch The Price is Right, which was admittedly many decades ago, audience members often wore loud colors and silly shirts and that sort of thing.
Looking at some more recent pictures, it looks like it’s still pretty common for audience members to wear custom printed t-shirts with silly things on them. It’s certainly not as silly as it used to be, though.