Phil Moore

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Phillip "Shaq" Moore (born August 16, 1961 in Orlando, Florida) is an American actor and comedian best known as the host of the Nickelodeon game show Nick Arcade.

In 1992, Moore debuted as the host of Nick Arcade. Moore hosted or appeared on many other Nickelodeon shows, including hosting the short-lived hidden camera show You're On!, regular appearances as a panelist on Figure It Out, and a guest spot on the first episode of All That. Phil was also a former host of Aqua Kids.

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[edit] "Nick Arcade Era"

As host of Nick Arcade, Moore frequently let his comedic talents shine, with impromptu humor in many forms:

Physical outbursts going to and from commercial breaks
Ad libbed lyrics to accompany the show's instrumental theme song
Witty responses to contestants' professed hobbies and interests
Hyperactivity to alert contestants their time to write had expired

In his tenure, Moore also built a solid repertoire of catchphrases. In addition to the "Four P's" (Points, Puzzles, Pop Quizzes and Prizes) which formed the backbone of Arcade, he is beloved for the trademark, "I'm going to have to take Mikey straight to the goal." The declaration made its way into nearly every episode, as the show's format made it extremely difficult for contestants to reach the end themselves.

Some have criticized Moore's style as formulaic or canned; however, he gained significant appeal with young audiences in the early 1990s, some of whom continue to enjoy Arcade reruns on Nickelodeon Games and Sports for Kids. Analysis of his performance draws inevitable parallels with Kirk Fogg, host of Nickelodeon's Legends of the Hidden Temple (1993-1995). However, while Fogg took on the role of a paternal guide, donning jeans and a cargo vest, Moore's casual style and playful demeanor rendered him a more friendly presence, more in line with the adrenaline-filled cheers of GUTS host Mike O'Malley.