William G. Stewart

Stewart's original Fifteen to One is a good choice when too much chat gets between you and the questions. His economical delivery suits a format built around elimination, nomination and a demanding final, with little need for theatrical suspense. The warmth is quieter than in a personality-led entertainment show: he treats taking the quiz seriously as perfectly normal. Look to his 1988-2003 run for a reminder that an absorbing contest can come from clarity and pace.