[bjcoop]

in terms of television and other programs, I’ve always seen “host” no matter what the gender is. I’ve never seen “your hostESS, Dana Perino or hosTESS Laura Ingraham. It’s different than something like the restaurant industry

[Dr. Sivana]

From the Washington Post: Dinah Shore, 76, the singer, actress and television hostess who was known for her cheery optimism and southern charm, died yesterday at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif. She had cancer.

From Variety: Virginia Graham, popular hostess of TV talkshows in the 1950s to 1970s that are considered forerunners to today’s daytime television, died Tuesday of complications from a heart attack in New York. She was 86.

[Dr. Sivana]

Oh, and one more about someone a little more current:

From CBS News: Hostess Oprah Winfrey arrives at the Legends Ball, an award ceremony honoring women who paved the way in arts, entertainment and civil rights, May 14, 2005, in Santa Barbara, Calif.

From Fandango: Though primarily recognized as a talk show hostess, Winfrey also produces and occasionally acts in television movies and feature films.

(Similar hits in the New York Post, IMDB, Hindustan Times and others, omitting "hostess with the mostest" referencesas not being serious)