The Controversial Kissing Habit of Family Feud's First Host

👄Richard Dawson, the first host of Family Feud, kissed female contestants on the show as a way to calm their nerves and for luck.

👍Despite some viewers finding it gross, the majority of viewers and contestants approved of Dawson's kissing habit on the show.

👏The show took precautions to prevent the spread of diseases and regularly tested contestants for herpes.

📺Family Feud, with Richard Dawson as the host, became the top daytime TV show in the United States between 1976 and 1985.

💋Dawson kissed approximately 20,000 women during his career as the host of Family Feud.

Why did Richard Dawson kiss the female contestants on Family Feud?

—Dawson claimed he kissed them for luck and to calm their nerves.

How did viewers and contestants feel about Dawson's kissing habit?

—The majority of viewers and contestants approved of Dawson's kissing habit on the show.

Did the show take any precautions to prevent the spread of diseases?

—Yes, the show regularly tested contestants for herpes to minimize the risk of infection.

Did Dawson's kissing habit affect the popularity of Family Feud?

—No, Family Feud with Richard Dawson as the host became the top daytime TV show in the United States.

How many women did Richard Dawson kiss during his career?

—Dawson estimated that he kissed around 20,000 women during his career as the host of Family Feud.

00:00Family Feud, everyone's favorite show about predicting survey results, first aired in 1976 with Richard Dawson as the host.

00:56Dawson gained notoriety for kissing female contestants on the show, claiming it was for luck and to calm their nerves.

06:19Despite some viewers finding it gross, the majority of viewers and contestants approved of Dawson's kissing habit.

17:43The show took precautions to prevent the spread of diseases and regularly tested contestants for herpes.

30:00Family Feud with Richard Dawson as the host became the top daytime TV show in the United States.