<show's logo appears on-screen>
Dean's voiceover: Tonight, on "Inside the 'NetHosts Studio"...
<montage of photos and clips of Doug Morris and his shows>
Dean's voiceover: He is one of the most popular and successful 'NetHosts in the "industry." His hit shows, "'Net Bumper Stumpers" and the "'Net Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour," are regarded as some of the best games ever produced. His work as the announcer on "'Net Price is Right" adds to the show's popularity. What does he think of his successful career, and what are his secrets? What is the future of the RockTrax Studio? Find out as we talk to...Doug Morris...tonight on "Inside the 'NetHosts Studio."
<title sequence with a video montage of many 'NetGames>
<Dean and Doug sit in director's chairs facing each other>
<studio backdrop: video monitors and large photographs featuring Doug's career>
Dean: Good evening, I'm Dean Scungio, and thank you for joining us for another episode of "Inside the 'NetHosts Studio." Tonight, we talk to a man who has been very successful in the field of 'Net Games. He has hosted numerous shows over his career, and many of them have been quite popular. He also has a very long resume. He is currently the host of "'Net Bumper Stumpers," a co-host of the "'Net Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" with Ryan Morris, the announcer on "'Net Price is Right," and the head of RockTrax Studios. He is Doug Morris. <shot of Doug> Thank you very much for coming, Doug.
Doug: Thank you for having me.
Dean: Why don't you start off by telling us a little more about yourself?
Doug: I'm from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I'm presently not married. In other words, I'm one of south Mississippi's most eligible bachelors. I'm a broadcaster by trade. I serve as producer for the morning news/talk show on WDAM-TV, the NBC affiliate for the section of south Mississippi known as "the Pine Belt". Some famous natives of the area include Brett Favre, who played his college ball at Southern Miss; Wesley Eure, a frequent guest of "Password Plus" who hosted Nickelodeon's "Finder's Keepers"; and the late Ray Walston, starring in "My Favorite Martian" and "Picket Fences". I'm
also the host of "Rock 104's RockTrax", a radio show of classic rock by request which recently celebrated its sixth anniversary.
Dean: So you're a TV producer *and* a radio DJ? Which job do you prefer?
Doug: Well, I love both jobs equally. At both places, I'm working for people who know what they're doing and trust my record.
Dean: As we know, you are a big game show fan, and you've created many 'NetGames. Have you incorporated any games into the RockTrax radio program?
Doug: Mainly trivia quizzes. We play "RockTrax Trivia" at least twice per show. Simple idea, I read the question and four possible answers. The first listener to call with the right answer wins a "RockTrax" t-shirt. The only other game-show-ish contest we've tried was the ill-fated "RockTrax Match Game". True, "Match Game" reruns are among Game Show Network's most popular offerings. But, throughout our 18-county service area, only a handful of systems carry GSN. Making matters worse, we've never had a local CBS affiliate until 1987. Viewers had to hope the wind was blowing right to see the CBS stations from Jackson or New Orleans. So, with this area being a one-horse town in terms of TV, the NBC station I work for, the only "Match Games" the viewing public in the Pine Belt can associate with were the pedestrian '60s version and "The Match Game - Hollywood Squares Hour".
Dean: Hmm. Let's start at the beginning. How did you get started with 'NetGames?
Doug: I "came on down" to Net Price is Right as a player. Never got out of contestants' row -- but was really impressed with the production. The NPiR companion website was just in its infancy when I started playing. I had seen NPiR posts on alt.tv.game-shows in my college days. Thing was I could only view the posts and not respond. (Why? Don't ask.) After college and I got my own e-mail account, I got to play.
Dean: What impressed you about Jay's game?
Doug: How Jay liked to mix the classic with the "new" version Doug Davidson hosted.
Dean: I'll have to ask him about that. How did you get to be the announcer for his show?
Doug: With my radio show's website address in my signature file anytime I e-mailed him -- or just about anyone else for that matter -- Jay saw my site and made note of my radio career. As Jay looked to add some ear candy to the eye candy already on the NPiR site, he held closed door auditions for the position of announcer. I got the audition and the rest is history.
Dean: What do you remember from that audition? Were there any other applicants?
Doug: There were a couple of others. The audition was simply to read a description of a prize already offered within that particular episode. I think it was a new car.
Dean: So you were playing as a contestant for quite a while. Why did you want to become a host?
Doug: Hosting a net game serves as my escape from reality and fulfills a fantasy of hosting a real game show. This may be the closest I ever get to hosting a real game show -- but I'm content with this. Between that and the radio show, it serves as therapy.
Dean: Therapy? I can understand how it can be an escape from everyday life. You can just act out those dreams of hosting a real show. What was your first attempt at hosting a game?
Doug: Huh boy, an ill-fated net version of "The Joker's Wild". Ill-fated mainly because Alan Mitsugi was already hosting Net Joker's Wild. I was a neophyte at the time and, obviously, didn't know better.
Dean: Yes. Most new hosts are unaware of the "gentlemen's agreement" to not do someone else's game, unless you ask.
Doug: Speaking of which, an excellent example of how this "gentlemen's
agreement" can work out is with NJW. John Fenner's hosting "Devil!: The All New Net Joker's Wild." But, before launching it, he went to Alan first just to see if it was OK. Alan allowed it.
Dean: Speaking of games, let's start talking about perhaps your most popular one, 'Net Bumper Stumpers. Why did you choose to adapt that particular game show?
Doug: I enjoyed playing along. I'm usually good at puzzle solving game shows and "Bumper Stumpers" had a bit of a rebus mentality with each plate.
Dean: Yes, I really liked the show as well. Please tell us some things about the game.
Doug: Net Bumper Stumpers takes a few elements of the original series and makes a whole new game out of it. Each round leading up to a shootout stumper includes two plates. Each member of a three-player team has to pick which of the two plates ("left or right") relates closer to the clue given. Then, the player may attempt to solve the plate. Each correct decision earns a point and cyber-cash. Most points pays more cyber-cash. The two highest scoring teams after Round 6 move on to the shootout round, which plays sort of like the original series' super stumper. Winning team plays the bonus game which plays much like the first season bonus game of the original series.
Dean: I'm sure that a lot of work goes into NBS. What do you do to prepare for a game?
Doug: For Net Bumper Stumpers, I sort of take a page from Merv Griffin. He related the story of eating at the dinner table when someone else said, "Pass the salt." His reaction was something to the effect of, "Oooooo, that makes a great puzzle." He'd then whip out a pen and notepad, write down "PASS THE SALT" and soon enough, it becomes a puzzle. So, a good bit of the bumper stumpers I use come from everyday conversation or something I read in the paper.
Dean: So inspiration strikes at any time, huh? Can you give me an example?
Doug: Well for one inspiration, we had a heart surgeon visit our morning show. One of the topics: how to avoid the hardening of the arteries. Arteries...ooooohh...good puzzle. So, the word "arteries" became "RTREE" and it ended up in an NBS episode.
Dean: That's a good one. Now, one of the most popular parts of NBS is the "NBS 500," the series of audience games. How did you come up with that idea?
Doug: They were, more or less, a way to keep the audience interested in NBS. The main game, from qualifying through the endgame, could last up to two months. So, for those interested in playing a game, we've offered the NBS 500.
Dean: They certainly are fun, especially with the variety of mini-games you created. Now, out of NBS came a spin-off called "Rock & Roll 'Net Bumper Stumpers," hosted by John Fenner. How did that come about?
Doug: I basically planted the idea in John's head. :) We were in an AOLIM chat, talking about his successful spinoff "Rock & Roll Jackpot Who Am I?" and told him he had my blessing for an all musical version of NBS. One of the champs from the show was Randy Amasia. The game had to be placed on hold when he was hospitalized. Needless to say, the internet game show community, net games included, was stunned to hear of Randy's passing. So, because of that, R&R NBS faded away quietly.
Dean: Quite understandable. The web site has been taken down. I've spoken to your co-host, Ryan, all about the "'Net Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour." Besides hosting, what else do you contribute to that game?
Doug: For the Net Match Game - Hollywood Squares Hour, our semi-regulars who make up the top row for "Hollywood Squares" help out in writing "Match Game" questions. In turn, I help Ryan for questions on "Hollywood Squares" While the game is in "Hollywood Squares" mode, I'm getting the next episode's "Match Game" questions ready.
Dean: Let's give them credit. Who are those semi-regulars?
Doug: Chico Alexander, Jason Antoniewicz, Dana Epstein and Tom Sabbatelli.
Dean: Great guys, all of them. Now, you once hosted a popular original game called "CA$HWORD." It took parts of other established games and you came up with a solid game format. How did you come up with the idea?
Doug: Indeed, I took one part "Winning Lines", another "Password Plus", mixed well and -- BAM! -- instant net game.
Dean: IIRC, I believe "CA$HWORD" was popular, but short-lived. How come?
Doug: Sometimes, I ask myself why I gave it up after three regular games and the challenge of champions. CW was the easiest net game I've ever had to prepare for -- aside from the times I've hosted a multiplayer Net Match Game question. As to why I gave it up -- and how it lead to "THE BIG RI$K" -- I wanted to throw in a blackjack element and then call it "CA$HWORD 21". It ended up with the title "THE BIG RI$K".
Dean: I see. But then that game was also very popular, but you handed it over to Tom Sabbatelli. Why?
Doug: I ran out of puzzles for TBR -- literally. Plus, Ryan made a call for a new co-host on NMG-HSH. So, the torch had to be passed.
Dean: You created the RockTrax NetGames Studio on the Web as a home for your games, and it is a very solid presentation. Do you prefer using web pages over E-mail?
Doug: Well, since I'm the webmaster on NMG-HSH, there is a preference to the eye and ear candy associated with a net game. I think it adds to the realism and "being there" feel of a net game. The graphics I use for the stars' panel is based on the one from the original series. NBS *heavily* uses the web. The rules pretty much dictate the necessary use of a web browser.
Dean: For those who don't know why, please explain that to them.
Doug: Well, I remember a puzzle from the original series that read "0MSTL". I don't remember the clue -- but the solution was "Zero Mostel", as in the actor. The team was convinced that first character was the letter O and not the number 0. If I tried that in text-based form, the players would catch on to zeroes and O's almost immediately. So, when you view the NBS site, it's as if you're viewing one of the monitors of the board from the original series.
Dean: Smart move. That little change makes the game more challenging. How often do you work on the web pages?
Doug: Almost daily.
Dean: About how much time a day do you devote to them?
Doug: About an hour.
Dean: Only an hour a day? Wow. Now, I've been to your page before, Doug, and I noticed there once was a game associated with your radio program called "Who Wants to Win a Dollar." What was that all about?
Doug: Rock 104's morning crew had a radio contest called "Who Wants To Win A Dollar". It was played just like what you saw on the website. Five easy questions, get 'em all right to win a dollar. Only on the radio, you played for real money and could trade that dollar in for a t-shirt, concert tickets or something else worth much more than a buck.
Dean: Sounds like fun. We've talked a lot about the games themselves, but what experiences have you gained from your hosting duties?
Doug: Certainly, gaining friends and a chance to discuss game shows with fellow fans. Much like the late Randy Amasia, I thought I was the only real game show addict on this earth. I was proven wrong.
Dean: Sort of an "inner circle" of friends. Doug, you run all these games, and yet you still manage to work on your radio and TV jobs. How do you balance your real life responsibilities with your 'NetGames?
Doug: One real key to managing real life and net games is plan ahead. As I alluded to earlier, whenever I'm not hosting on NMG-HSH, I'm working on preparing future "Match Games".
My advice to anyone in the net game biz is this. If you're in the middle of hosting a game and feel you have a hit on your hands, make sure you have as much of the next game ready as possible.
Dean: Very true. What do you do during the day?
Doug: My daily routine is like this. At 2:00am -- yes, that's
oh-two-hundred-hours in military terms -- I wake up and get ready to go to work at the TV station. At 3:00am, I'm checking e-mail and wires for any overnight developments and prepare the morning newscast. After 7:00am, I'm working on the next day's morning show, contacting guests for future interviews and take care of portions of our public file. By 11:00am, it's the end of a full eight-hour day. When I arrive home, I'm eating a little lunch while checking my "home" e-mail, whether it's related to net games, the radio show, the mailing lists I subscribe to or all that spam that promptly gets 86'ed. The rest of the day, I'm napping, updating net games and seeing friends. Not necessarily in that order.
Dean: Wow! You've got a full plate, but you've got it all planned out. About how much time a day do you devote to 'NetGames? About an hour or so?
Doug: Not counting time between episodes, yeah, it's about an hour a day.
Dean: You're pretty devoted to this. What would you say to those people who might think the whole idea of 'NetGames is just pointless, stupid, geeky, a waste of time?
Doug: All work and no fun makes those critics dull people. :) Seriously, they're probably the same folks who think fans of "Star Trek" are geeky. There's at least one role-playing game related to "Star Trek" on the internet. And really, if you think about it, net games are much the same as role-playing games. At least on VBS, you're not battling with Klingons and Tribbles while being asked to name the wives of King Henry VIII.
Also, Betty White, lovingly referred to as Mrs. Password, said it best. She says game shows can keep your mind sharp. Now, was her opinion influenced by the fact she was married to Allen Ludden? Perhaps. Then again, Betty appeared on "What's My Line?" before Allen even gave her a wallet with a copy of the password inside.
Dean: You said 'NetGames are like a role-playing game. Your co-host, Ryan Morris, called them our versions of "fan fiction."
Doug: Good thought. He knows a thing or two on fan fic. He's got a site dedicated to fan-submitted original stories on "The Facts of Life.
Dean: You alluded to Betty White who mentioned that game shows keep you sharp. So 'NetGames give you the chance to test yourself and see how you perform against others?
Doug: Oh, how true.
Dean: Going back to the role-playing game analogy, some people have adapted old shows that have been off the air for quite a while. 'NetGames give you that chance to relive them.
Doug: Yes. While many of our favorite shows are either in reruns or just not in production and, therefore, out of the viewing public's eye, there comes this opportunity to recreate the winning atmosphere through net games.
Dean: So there's a sense of nostalgia and the chance to fulfill one's
fantasies as well?
Doug: Indeed.
Dean: Let me ask you, why do people play 'NetGames, and why do other people host them?
Doug: Again, I think it's the escape from reality. Plus, fans of a particular show which isn't on the air appreciate playing a net version of that game show.
For example, I've played the pilot game for the net version of "Sports On Tap". Only, Chris Wolvie's made the trivia more general and called it Trivia On Tap. Think of such transition as "ESPN's 2-Minute Drill" to 'Net U.S. Mastermind.
Anyway, getting back to "Sports On Tap", great show. I enjoyed watching it. Fun quiz, great gameplay and it was fun to follow the road to the $50,000 tournament finale. Plus, it was great to see the running gag with Tom Green, as the bartender, would come up with that kind of money. Given its two-season lifespan on ESPN -- plus the cancellation of "2-Minute Drill" -- I doubt if "Sports On Tap" will ever come back. So, we have Trivia On Tap to look to on VBS.
Dean: Unless we see it as reruns on ESPN Classic.
Doug: Ah, good point. I think they've aired "Boardwalk and Baseball's Super Bowl of Sports Trivia" -- from '86, I think.
Dean: Uh huh. What are your favorite 'NetGames, besides your own?
Doug: I *really* enjoy playing FastTalkers. Chico Alexander does a great job of combining irreverence with the quiz and puzzles. Staying with the puzzle element, I can't wait for Net Cross Wits to return. Mark Sinsabaugh's asked me for a little consultation on graphics and such as he looks to relaunch NCW real soon. Plus, I've seen the pilot for Net Smush. "Smush" is a show that's obviously low on USA's priority list -- or else why did they move it to 4:00am Eastern? The host for that show has come up with a more challenging bonus round and great game play for the net. I can't remember who hosts Net Smush, but when you see him, tell him I said hello.
;)
Dean: <laughs> I'll let him know.
Doug: Oh please do. :)
Dean: What is it like to be a contestant on those other shows?
Doug: Remember seeing Bert Convy and his then wife trying to win money for a rooting section on "TattleTales"? It's a *lot* like that. Really, it's fun stuff. Whenever I lose, it proves I'm only human.
Dean: What if you win? Do you get an ego boost?
Doug: Depends on the game. If it's a multiplayer game such as NMG or FastTalkers -- or perhaps something one of your games where you have 10 folks playing at once -- it's a sense of accomplishment. The idea of finally reaching the summit. In a game with two or three players, that's closer to an ego boost.
Dean: You been around for a while, both hosting and playing. Do you have any pet peeves about 'NetGames?
Doug: Once a game starts, some never see its end. I won't name names. But, to borrow a line from a Van Halen song, "Come on baby, finish what you started." If something's gone horribly wrong, try to gracefully note it and move on. If you sense your game won't last beyond its maiden voyage, don't just end it right there and then. Keep going and see it through to its "planned" conclusion.
Dean: Speaking of conclusions, what is in the future of the RockTrax Studio?
Doug: Well, after 3 1/2 years of Net Bumper Stumpers, I'll be ending its production. It wasn't an easy decision to arrive at. But, when you consider the original "Bumper Stumpers" series had a good 3 1/2 year run there, 3 1/2 years of NBS seemed long enough for me.
Before NBS can even start, I spend at least an hour preparing HTML for the game. In layman's terms, I'm working on pages for the NBS site between episodes. It's an hour of my week that's fading away. The radio stations I work for on a part-time basis have asked for my assistance on a local e-commerce website. I can't go into detail as yet since the site's under construction. Plus, the same stations are considering me for more personal appearances. I guess after working for them for 6 years, I'm doing something right. :)
Still, with more professional responsibility on the horizon, it was time to let NBS go -- while it's still on top. But, fear not, I'll still call contestants to come on down on NPiR and I'll still << BLANK >> it up on NMG-HSH.
Dean: So from what I understand, it's a case of "burnout" and personal responsibilities?
Doug: More responsibility than burnout. I had a great turnout for qualifying -- having to turn away three players since they were the furthest away from the "magic number". So, when it comes to ending NBS, I figure I should end it while it's still on top.
Dean: So with NBS retiring, do you have any future projects?
Doug: Yes. Coming this summer, look for Net ShowDown. It's loosely based on the short-lived game show "The Big ShowDown". I got to see the infamous "Jim Peck big fall down" episode while visiting fellow game show fans in Cleveland. The gameplay was top notch and I hope to make it into a successful net game.
Dean: Have you done anything new or different for this game? And why "Showdown"? Just because Jim Peck fell? I hope you don't trip on the first show!
Doug: LOL! Thanks. We're not installing any stairs on the set. So, no worry about me falling. The only danger is if Eddie Timanus wins the right to play the bonus game. Those who attended a certain game show convention or has read about the incident knows the reason for concern on Net ShowDown. :)
As for the "new" and "different", the payoff point will be determined in part with a pair of dice. Plus, the category board changes at the turn of every question. In other words, if you picked "Kings Named Moshushu" for 3 points, that category gets replaced after its question is played."The Big ShowDown" was one well-crafted quizzer. It's the only game I can think of where a player can block his opponents from playing by going for the big point categories and, in all likelihood, come back from last place to win. Plus, we've got some sidebar dice games a la the '87 revival of "High Rollers" in the works.
Dean: Sounds exciting. I'm really looking forward to it. We've talked about your future. What do you see in the future of the "genre"?
Doug: As the web becomes more savvy, I predict some games will update their website look accordingly. I've seen the new sets for Net Cross Wits and they look great. Over time, I'm sure some hosts will add more flash animation to their companion sites. Beyond that, who knows? But it's a great future.
Dean: Well, you've given us quite a lot to think about, Doug. You've been great. I just have a few questions left for you. These are some quick questions. Let's see...first, what is your favorite game show?
Doug: Man, that's like asking me to pick my favorite child. But, if I had to pick one, I'd go with "Password". There's a game that *really* requires brain power.
Dean: Who is your favorite game show host?
Doug: Bill Cullen. His record not only in the genre, but in broadcasting in general, speaks for itself. Besides, a guy in Holland -- who, oddly enough, hosts a radio show entitled "Rocktrax" (note the non-capital "t") -- asked me to name someone who's influenced me in my broadcast career. I picked Bill.
Dean: What is your favorite game show bonus round?
Doug: The winner's circle from the various "Pyramids". The tension, the pressure, the idea of big money on the line -- and the fact the participants don't have to risk life and limb in a chamber. :)
Dean: What is your favorite game show catch phrase?
Doug: "Come on over and face the devil!"
Dean: Interesting choice. What game shows would you like you be on as a contestant?
Doug: Well, I can't imagine "Password" being high on Fremantle's list of priorities. If "Pyramid" with Donny Osmond looks good, I'd consider that. But I figure the best chance I have at winning is "Wheel of Fortune". I'm currently on a 4-game winning streak with the PlayStation version -- playing against friends in the neighborhood and the machine itself.
Dean: What game shows would you like you be on as the host?
Doug: "The Joker's Wild" -- but only if I could throw in my two cents on who had control of the slot machine. I've always been of the opinion if you answered correctly and won the money assigned to the spin's value, you should spin again immediately. I found it unfair if at the start of the game a challenger spun a $50 "three-way split", as Bill called it, and then the champion would get a potential game-winning three jokers on his first turn.
Dean: What is your favorite game show sound effect?
Doug: The bankrupt space from "Wheel" -- especially when a dingbat's racked up tens of thousands in dinero, the puzzle's solution is obvious to all of America except that player and then he gets his just desserts with that big black space.
Dean: Yeah! What is your least favorite game show sound effect?
Doug: The time's up indicator from "The $40,000 Chain Reaction" -- what turned out to be the season-long series ender for the USA-slash-Global Television Network version. Almost sounded like a smoke alarm.
Dean: And finally, what is your favorite curse word?
Doug: Now Dean, why the (CENSORED BY DOUG) would you ask that?
Dean: <laughs> It's in my contract. Thank you very much for coming, Doug. Allow me to plug your web sites before we go. NMG-HSH can be found at http://nmghsh.cjb.net or http://www.c-gate.net/~dougm/nmghsh. The RockTrax NetGames Studio is located at http://www.dougmorris.net/games.
You've been a wonderful guest, Doug, and I hope you'll come back sometime soon.
Doug: Thank you very much.
Dean: Here is a preview of our next episode.
<show's logo appears on-screen>
Dean's voiceover: Next time on "Inside the 'Net Hosts Studio"...
<montage of photos and clips of Jay Lewis and his shows>
Dean's voiceover: He's the Bob Barker of 'NetGames. He's also a pioneer. Besides hosting the second-longest-running 'NetGame ever, "'Net Price is Right," he also manages the longest-running game ever, "'Net Match Game." Find out more about his long career, as I interview Jay Lewis...next time on "Inside the 'NetHosts Studio."
<cut back to the studio>
Dean: Thank you for joining us tonight. Until next time, I'm Dean Scungio. Good night.
<Dean and Doug chit-chat together during the credits roll>
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DISCLAIMER: Portions of this transcript were edited and/or recreated.
