Hosts and THE HUNGER GAMES

No game show is complete without the esteemed host and The Hunger Games are no different with Stanley Tucci’s role as host Caesar Flickerman. This ringmaster round-up will feature some of the greatest showman’s in film, from Richard Dawson in The Running Man to Jim Broadbent in Moulin Rouge and Michael C. Hall in Gamer. So, let’s take a look back at some of these fantastic men in action!

Stanley Tucci in THE HUNGER GAMES

Tucci brings color (literally… check out that hair!) to the eccentric character of Caesar Flickerman in THE HUNGER GAMES. Flickerman is the host of the games, as well as a show where he interviews the contenders. He seems sympathetic and encouraging to those about to fight for their lives, but he also does not seem to phased when they are killed during the games. Still, he helps the contestants out with their interviews, and always seems to spin things back around to the positive… despite the fact that they are facing a grim fate. Tucci does a remarkable job of playing a charismatic host that seems to lack real emotions.

Richard Dawson in THE RUNNING MAN

Dawson channels a version of his game show hosting self with his character of Damon Killian. Killian was the host of the highest rated television show in 2017 “The Running Man”. Much like in THE HUNGER GAMES, Killian watches as he sends men into a world that the game can manipulate, all while he moderates the life or death action. That’s just what it is too… the player fights for his/her life.

The goal of Killian’s show was simple… To keep people glued to their tv’s so they don’t pay attention to the dwindling society around them. It’s easy for them to control the action in the “show” too, because all of the runners are marked for tracking. This makes hunting them down extremely easy. To Dawson Killian, the idea of hunting humans is not an issue. He has no ethics or moral compass. Richard Dawson did an incredible job at playing the eccentric, evil host.

Jim Broadbent in MOULIN ROUGE

Jim Broadbent gets to show off his hosting skills in a bit of a different way. Since there weren’t game shows back then, Broadbent gets to show off his skills as Harold Zidler,  host of a live show where the girls are offering up skin and dancing for their audience. Much like in THE HUNGER GAMES, our host is not concerned with the health and safety of his entertainers. His shining star Satine (Nicole Kidman) is dying, but that doesn’t phase Zidler. Rather than trying to fix her, or letting her rest, he pushes her out on stage every night for his own benefit. Broadbent’s performance is energetic and twisted… which makes it even more fun to watch!

 Michael C. Hall in GAMER

Michael C. Hall plays Ken Castle. He isn’t necessarily the host of a game. Instead, he invented it. Castle invented a new technology that takes gaming to an all new level. He developed a technology that allows the player to control another human being. The second of his developed games, “Slayers”, lets the gamer control prison inmates in a third person shooting match. Any player sentenced to death row that wins 30 matches gains his/her freedom. The reason that I have included Castle is because, like the other hosts, he has a lack of concern for human life. To him, it’s all about the game. His twisted goal is to entertain the world and gain power. Human life means nothing. Hall always plays a villain with great ease.

What do you think? Who are some of your favorite evil hosts?

Directed by Academy Award^® nominee Gary Ross (Seabiscuit), The Hunger Games, starring Academy Award^® nominee Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone), features an ensemble cast that includes Golden Globe^® winner Donald Sutherland (Citizen X), Academy Award^® nominee Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Academy Award^® nominee Woody Harrelson (The People vs. Larry Flynt), Lenny Kravitz (Precious) and Emmy^® nominee Elizabeth Banks (TV’s “30 Rock”). The film also stars some of the industry’s brightest up and coming actors such as Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right) and Liam Hemsworth (The Expendables 2).

The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy of books published by Scholastic that has already become a literary phenomenon with over 36.5 million copies in circulation.  Set in the future, one male and one female from each of the twelve districts of the nation is forced to participate in the annual competition called The Hunger Games, which is broadcast live throughout the country for the entertainment of the Capitol’s wealthy residents. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) volunteers in her younger sister’s place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy when she’s pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives.  If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

To experience The Hunger Games online, please visit:

Official Website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie

Official Twitter Page: @TheHungerGames  #HungerGamesDVD

THE HUNGER GAMES is out now on 2-disc DVD (plus digital copy), 2-disc Blu-Ray (plus digital copy), VOD and digital download