<show's logo appears on-screen>
Dean's voiceover: Tonight, on "Inside the 'NetHosts Studio"...
<montage of photos and clips of Ryan Morris and his shows>
Dean's voiceover: He started out as the host of "'Net Tic*Tac*Dough." After a series of mediocre games, he finally hit the big time with another "noughts and crosses" show. Now, he's the co-host of the popular "'Net Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour." How did he help to create such a huge hit? What goes on behind the scenes? What does he think of his early 'NetGame career, and what does he see in his future? Find out tonight as we talk to...Ryan Morris...on "Inside the 'NetHosts Studio."
<title sequence with a video montage of many 'NetGames>
<Dean and Ryan sit in director's chairs facing each other>
<studio backdrop: video monitors and large photographs featuring Ryan's career>
Dean: Good evening, I'm Dean Scungio, and thank you for joining us for this premiere episode of "Inside the 'NetHosts Studio." Tonight, we meet a man who started out small, like most 'NetHosts, with a series of games that didn't quite catch the attention of the public. That is, until he teamed up with Charlie Pevey and Doug Morris and caught lightning in a bottle with a huge hit. He has been with that show since its inception. He is the host of the "Hollywood Squares" half of the "'Net Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour." Tonight, we are joined by Ryan Morris. <shot of Ryan> Nice to have you here, Ryan. Thanks for coming.
Ryan: Thank you very much for having me.
Dean: We've got quite a lot of things to talk about tonight, Ryan, but for those people out there who don't know you, please tell us something about yourself.
Ryan: I work as a cashier, and I'm a big fan of Monty Python, Facts of Life, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, plus Game Shows.
Dean: Well, I too am a fan of all of those, except for "The Facts of Life." Why do you like that show?
Ryan: I think it is a well written show, and it's a very funny show.
Dean: Okay. Now, let's start from where all stories start, at the beginning. How did you get started with 'NetGames?
Ryan: Well, it was about 5 years ago, when I stumbled across Net Games, they seemed like fun. So I started with Net Tic*Tac*Dough.
Dean: So you started out as a contestant then. Which games did you start playing in?
Ryan: Net Price is Right was the first game I saw. And then I found the GS-L and I play Net Match Game and a few others.
Dean: Ah, 'Net Price is Right and 'Net Match Game, the two veteran shows. So you discovered them and were a player at first, but then why did you want to become a host?
Ryan: I loved game shows. When I was young, I would make games and host them myself to a pretend audience. In fact, I'm ashamed to say that I destroyed several different editions of "The Price is Right" Home Game. When I got my first computer (A C64), I wanted all of the Game Show games that I could get my hands on. And when I stumbled upon Net Games, I thought this could be my chance to host a "real" Game show.
Dean: Kind of like "living a dream," huh?
Ryan: Yeah, you could say that.
Dean: Let's see...what happened with your very first project, "Net Tic*Tac*Dough"?
Ryan: I just threw my first project together. There really wasn't any real planning.
Dean: No planning at all? You didn't make a pilot episode or anything?
Ryan: Nope, the first episode was the pilot.
Dean: So it was a "jump right in" kind of thing. What was the public reaction to it?
Ryan: It was pretty good. I did a few episodes.
Dean: That was your very first time hosting. Did you learn anything from it?
Ryan: No, not really.
Dean: Okay. I want to discuss your hit show, the "'Net Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour," a little later, because I right now want to talk about some of the lesser-known games that you've created and hosted in the past. You once hosted a game called "'Net Super Match Game." Now, I remember a long time ago that I signed up to be a celebrity for someone's "Super Match Game." It was just like the TV show, but it had nine celebrities and three players, I think. Was that your game? Whatever happened to that?
Ryan: Yes, it was my game and it bombed, no one replied to my second contestant/star call.
Dean: Oh, that's not good to hear. You also hosted "Trivia Showdown." That was an adaptation of "Hollywood Showdown," right?
Ryan: No, it wasn't. In fact, it was a created when Millionaire first started I believe.
Dean: Oh, my mistake. Another show you hosted was "'Net Hot Potato 2000." If I remember correctly, it was fairly successful, but what happened to it?
Ryan: I didn't feel like hosting it any more.
Dean: So you just gave up on it. I can understand that. Now, as I've mentioned, you are the co-host of NMG-HSH. You have been with it since the very beginning. Why did you choose to create an Internet adaptation of "The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour"?
Ryan: Well, I picked The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour because it was when both shows were coming back on the air, and I always loved the theme song. The real show development started when Charley Pevey responded to my co-host request. He was the real driving force in the show, and Doug Morris made all of the graphics for the game, and Charley was in charge of the website, mainly because I only had WebTV back then.
Dean: So you created the game and started it, but Charlie took control of it. Then after Charley retired, you chose Doug as your co-host?
Ryan: No, me and Charlie worked together on the show.
Dean: Oh, so you and Charlie ran everything together, but he and Doug handled all the graphics and the web pages. I see. You were still very much a contributing force behind the game. Eventually, Charlie retired, and now you and Doug run everything. What do you do to prepare for a game?
Ryan: Not much.
Dean: Do you write all the questions yourself?
Ryan: No, we get some questions from Doug and some questions from the Trivial Pursuit handheld game.
Dean: Is Doug the only person who does all the graphics?
Ryan: Yes.
Dean: The game is played by E-mail, but you also have the excellent web page. Which do you prefer, using E-mail or the web page?
Ryan: E-mail. Graphics take a lot of time, and some times I don't have the skill that I need.
Dean: Yes, I've noticed that you use E-mail quite often. Does the web page just become a graphical transcript of the gameplay?
Ryan: Yes.
Dean: There must be a lot of time devoted to the web pages and the writing and the E-mail correspondence. How do you manage to run NMG-HSH and still keep up with your normal daily routines?
Ryan: Oh, it's pretty easy. I work at night so it's not that hard.
Dean: So you've arranged time during the day to work on the game. On average, about how long do you take each day to do the work needed?
Ryan: Maybe a half hour or less.
Dean: That's all? Wow. Now, Ryan, you've hosted NMG-HSH since it started, and you've hosted a few other shows. What experiences do you feel you have gained from hosting?
Ryan: Well, I'm sure everyone who hosts sort of feels like a family. I've only been show hosting for almost five years, but I feel like I could count on anyone here for anything.
Dean: That's great to hear, and I agree with you. Let's talk about 'NetGames in general. What would you say to those people who might think the whole idea of 'NetGames is just pointless, stupid, geeky, a waste of time?
Ryan: It is. <laughs> Well, if they think that then they are not Game Show fans. Besides, there are people out there that write fan-fictions for TV shows, movies, etc. This is just our form of fan-fiction.
Dean: Wow. That's a great analogy! I've never thought of it that way...It's an interactive version of fan fiction. Hmm. Now, why do you think people play 'NetGames? And why do you think others like us take the time to create and host them?
Ryan: The answer to both questions is they love game shows. And they play them because this could be the closest to being a contestant. And they host because this is the closest to being a host of a real game show.
Dean: So it's the thrill of being there, but without the money and the prizes and the set and the audience...
Ryan: Yeah.
Dean: Um, let's see...What are your favorite 'NetGames, besides your own?
Ryan: To tell the truth, I really don't keep track of the other Net Games.
Dean: Not at all? Do you still play any games, or do you just delete the E-mails as they come into your inbox?
Ryan: Well, I read some of the e-mails but I delete most of them.
Dean: Hmm. Do you have any pet peeves about 'NetGames?
Ryan: No.
Dean: Okay. Looking ahead, what do you see in the future of NMG-HGH?
Ryan: I hope to be doing NMG-HSH for years to come.
Dean: You see no signs of letting up at all? No cosmetic or format changes or anything?
Ryan: Well, one big change is that we are increasing the value of the SuperMatch to CY$50,000.
Dean: Wow, that sounds exciting! I can't wait for that. Remember, folks, you heard it here first! I hope you get a big winner right away. Do you have any new future projects in the works?
Ryan: Well, I've been thinking of some new games, one is a version of the classic B&W Match Game from the 60's.
Dean: Oh, that'll be interesting. Care to give us any details?
Ryan: Sure, it will be two stars and a player on a team, the rules will follow the rules of that version with a few changes. It will sort of be a blend of the 60's and 70's versions of Match Game.
Dean: I'd like to see how that comes out. You've talked about your future in 'NetGames, but what do you see in the future of the "genre"?
Ryan: As long as there are game shows, there will be Net Games.
Dean: We'll be seeing these for a loooong time, huh?
Ryan: You bet!
Dean: That's great. We're in the home stretch now, Ryan, so I just have a few quick questions for you. I hope you're ready for these. First, what is your favorite game show?
Ryan: Tic*Tac*Dough, Press Your Luck, and Super Password.
Dean: Good choices. Who is your favorite game show host?
Ryan: Bill Cullen.
Dean: Ah, the one and only. What is your favorite game show bonus round?
Ryan: Face the Dragon, Beat the Devil, and The Money Cards.
Dean: What is your favorite game show catch phrase?
Ryan: "Here is your first subject....GO!"
Dean: What game show(s) would you like you be on as a contestant?
Ryan: Tic*Tac*Dough, The Joker's Wild, and Whammy!
Dean: What game show(s) would you like you be on as the host?
Ryan: Tic*Tac*Dough.
Dean: You're somewhat devoted to that show. What is your favorite game show sound effect?
Ryan: The Extra time from Tic*Tac*Dough.
Dean: What is your least favorite game show sound effect?
Ryan: The Dragon Roar.
Dean: And finally...what is your favorite curse word?
Ryan: Dumbf$^&.
Dean: <laughs> I've never heard that variation used before! And with that, we are out of time for tonight. Thank you very much for joining us, Ryan. It was a pleasure to have you here.
Ryan: Thanks for having me.
Dean: Let me just plug your web pages before we go. You can visit Ryan's "Facts of Life Fan Fiction" site at www.folff.com. You can also go to the home page of The "'Net Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" at www.nmghsh.cjb.net.
Before we go, here is a preview of our next program.
<show's logo appears on-screen>
Dean's voiceover: Next time on "Inside the 'Net Hosts Studio"...
<montage of photos and clips of Doug Morris and his shows>
Dean's voiceover: He's the head of the RockTrax Net Games Studio, the
announcer on 'Net Price is Right, the host of 'Net Bumper Stumpers and Ryan Morris' partner on the "'Net Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour." We interview the versatile Doug Morris...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 Ryan chit-chat together during the credits roll>
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DISCLAIMER: Portions of this transcript were edited and/or recreated.RYAN'S EPISODE | DOUG'S EPISODE | JAY'S EPISODE
