Let me just preface this by saying…Blaine's career path mirrors my career aspirations…which is probably why I love this entry so much.
Blaine O'Donnell
Blaine O'Donnell (born November 7, 1951) is the Cinnabar Island Gym Leader and a world-renowned game show host. He currently hosts Poké Quiz Attack 25 and Poké Family Feud on WPBN (World Pokémon Broadcasting Network).
Early Life
O'Donnell was born on Cinnabar Island to a family of broadcasters. His mother was a radio actress, starring in productions such as The Invisible Trainer and The Lost World. His father, Charlie O'Donnell (no relation to the late announcer of Wheel of Fortune in the United States), was a station manager for Cinnabar's first radio station in the '40s.
In a 2006 interview with Johto Radio's Places and People!, O'Donnell said he knew he wanted to be a broadcaster when his mom took him to work one day and let him sit backstage, watching the productions.
"Every aspect of the production interested me—how the actors prepared, how the crew operated, everything. I loved it, and wished my mom would take me to more shows before I turned ten."
O'Donnell's father, however, sent him on his Pokémon journey when his son turned ten to build his character.
"I think he kind of bribed me, in retrospect," O'Donnell said. "He said, 'Broadcasters need to know what to do when something goes completely wrong, just like Pokémon trainers do. Besides, your Pokémon will be your friends for life. You can turn to them whenever no one else will listen to you.' So that's why I went."
O'Donnell has never specified which of his Pokémon was his first, though he has recounted his story about being inspired to train Fire-type Pokémon. He was trapped in a freezing mountain range, but was guided out by a Moltres.
In the interview, he recalls his great escape. "I think I had just given up on my luck. I was a young, cocky kid at the time…I don't know why I did it, looking back, I was a fool, but I was stuck in the middle of a blizzard in the mountains. I was freezing. I started losing all feeling in my arms, my legs…and then all of a sudden my face feels warm again. Next thing I know, I see this big, flaming bird in front of me—I had no idea what it was at the time, but I didn't care, because all feeling returned to my limbs. I later found out that it was a Moltres that returned me to Cinnabar. So in part, I give my life to fire Pokémon because one gave my life back to me."
In Show Business
O'Donnell's first on-air hosting job was in 1981, when Kanto network executives were impressed with his tape he made while at the TV station at Johto University in Goldenrod City. He hosted the quiz show PokéblockBusters!, which lasted for five years on KBN (Kanto Broadcasting Network).
Shortly afterward, in 1987 he was tapped to host an import of the hit Japanese quiz show Panel Quiz Attack 25, which was adapted into Poké Quiz Attack 25 for WPBN. The show, now in its 25th season, is the longest-running quiz show ever to air anywhere in the Pokémon world.
"It's one of my favorite shows to do," he recalled in the interview. "I can't quite put my finger on why it's lasted for so long, but I love doing it because we really get some bright people on the show. And it's an exciting format. I love it."
The tables were turned on him for one show in 2005, where he took the red podium against Pryce Howard (blue), Clair Lee (green), and Whitney di Marco (white). Elite Four Champion Lance Chevalier hosted, while Fuchsia City Leader Janine Shimizu served as question reader. O'Donnell handily won the match, winning ¥102,000 for his charity.
The other show he's become well-known for, Poké Family Feud, premiered in 1994, with O'Donnell taking over the helm from DJ Mary in 2002 after she decided to accept the position as head of programming at Goldenrod Radio Tower.
He was tapped to host the weekly show Who Wants to be a Pokémillionaire? in 2004 in cooperation with Johto Radio's Lucky Number Show. He stepped down in 2009, when DJ Ben took his place the following season.
It was announced in 2011 that he will also host a new version of 1 vs. 100, to premiere in September.
Shows Hosted
PokéblockBusters! (1981-1986)
Poké Quiz Attack 25 (1987-present)
Poké Family Feud (1994-present)—Host since 2002
Who Wants to be a Pokémillionaire? (2004-2009)—Weekly show
1 vs. 100 (future show)—premieres September 2011
As Gym Leader
O'Donnell opened a Gym in Cinnabar Island in 1996. After Sabrina LaFay stripped the Fighting Dojo of its Gym status that year, O'Donnell opened his own to bring Kanto's number of Gyms back up to eight.
O'Donnell's Gym is unique in that it requires challengers to answer trivia questions to reach him, instead of facing lieutenant trainers along the way. He said he did this "to encourage trainers to think about another side of Pokémon training. It's one thing to know how to battle, but if you know bits of minutiae here and there, they could help you in battle tremendously."
In 2000, Cinnabar Island's volcano erupted, wiping out his Gym in the process. (This was predicted for a few weeks leading up to the eruption—the residents of the island were evacuated to nearby Pallet Town prior to and following the eruption.) O'Donnell relocated to a small cave in the Seafoam Islands, where he battles trainers alone. He has announced plans to re-open a Gym on Cinnabar, though as of today nothing has ever come of that.
O'Donnell's team typically consists of Magmar, Arcanine, Rapidash, Ninetales, and Rhydon. On occasion, he has also used a Magcargo and Flareon.
His career Gym record, as of January 15, 2011, is 211-188-15. This does not include his appearances in special tournaments or battles against other Gym Leaders.
Accomplishments
O'Donnell has won eight Bulbawards for Outstanding Game Show Host for Poké Family Feud (three times), Poké Quiz Attack 25 (four times), and for Who Wants to be a Pokémillionaire?. He has won the most Bulbawards out of any game show host in Pokémon television.
Now in his 30th year as a major television personality, O'Donnell will be inducted into the Pokémon Broadcasters' Hall of Fame in March.
O'Donnell will be a writer for the new upcoming series of Poké Jeopardy! that will debut in September 2011. A host has not yet been named, although O'Donnell has stated that he will not host this new show. Fans have speculated that former Pewter City Leader Brock Slate will host, although neither the network nor Slate himself has said anything about the new show.
