There is no other way to say this. Peter Pankey is doing a really terrible job as Cheaters host. He’s making people yearn for the days of Tommy Habeeb. The issue isn’t Pankey’s style which is good, even if it is a departure from his predecessors. On the other hand, his behavior towards clients on the show is problematic.
Here’s the thing, I’m a fan of Peter Gunz and Lord Tariq. Now, I know Gunz/Pankey has done stuff outside of the music game, such as starring on Love & Hip Hop: New York, but dude has never really hosted a TV show before. However, the issue isn’t a lack of experience as his on-camera presence is excellent.
To understand why Peter Pankey is doing an awful job as Cheaters host, it is important to look at those who held the role before him. We mentioned Habeeb who was just kind of there guiding things along.
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Cheaters took off when Joey Greco assumed hosting duties. The show’s OG was unbelievably smarmy and had an uncanny ability to instigate without being over-the-top. It was an artform to see him operate during confrontations.
He was replaced by the late Clark Gable III who was underrated as Cheaters host. Gable did a few things really well. For starters, he always seemed to isolate one person so the other two could confront each other. Secondly, he was a master at asking loaded questions to the cheater that made them feel guilty as hell.
No one is asking Pankey to do the same thing as those who came before him. But his act on Cheaters is painful to watch.
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This is why Peter Pankey is doing a really terrible job as Cheaters host
Peter Pankey is doing a really terrible job as Cheaters host because he acts inappropriately when dealing with people. And not just the suspects, his actions towards clients are wildly unacceptable.
On one occasion, he got into a skirmish with a client when showing them footage of their girlfrieng having an affair. How is that even possible? But this isn’t all. There was a second instance where he came to near blows with another male client. You shouldn’t be fighting the people you are trying to help.
His behavior towards female clients is just as bad. Pankey is always hitting on them and touching these women. He’ll then neglect them during the confrontation. It’s as if he’s trying to rush through the entire D.E.N.N.I.S. system before the episode ends.
Look, Cheaters isn’t the time or place to pick up vulnerable women. Nor is it appropriate to act confrontationally towards the men you are supposed to be helping. Pankey must understand this in order to be the host Cheaters needs.
