Episode 20.14
April 13

Jason: I'd buy that!
Gordon: Do we get the Match Game theme added in?
Chico: Yes I did. Y'all caught Splendido on Friday?
Gordon: I did.
Chico: That was a nod to the fanboys :-)
Jason: Oh yeah it was.
Chico: Alright. It's now time for 20 Questions with our special guest, GSNLive winner of the National Game Show Host Contest and good friend of the site, Josh Yawn. Josh, you know how this works, right?
Josh: You ask a question and I answer it?
Chico: Times 20. You do know how this works. Good stuff.
Josh: Alright, I've got some music blaring now as I eat a leftover piece of cookie cake for breakfast. Let's do it to it.
Chico: K. Starting with... 1) You've been both host and contestant now... Which side do you prefer and why?
Josh: Host!! Being a contestant was stressful. Host was always the dream, contestant was never an aspiration other than "I'm in LA for a week, let's see if I can make some money." I did not.
Chico: Alrighty.
Jason: 2) When you auditioned for the GSN Live Host Search, how many of your friends/fellow game show fans did you recognize?
Josh: Zero, other than my friend Kate who came with me in Houston. She auditioned too and was quite entertaining to watch. Other than that, it was just me. I don't know too many of the game show fans other than you guys so, unless you were there, I didn't know any!
Jason: Ok.
Josh: (PS, just a tidbit, I placed 2nd in Houston, and then flew to Sacramento for the next week and took 1st)
Chico: Wow.
Gordon: So you were allowed to audition more than once?
Josh: Yeah, i was encouraged to go do it again
Chico: Just goes to show you... Tenacity.
Gordon: 3. Looking at your resume here... which is just... to say the least, massive, tell us a little about your highlights and which one job sticks out as your favorite?
Josh: Highlights...all of them!! I'm kinda selective with what I do. Even though I'm still getting established in my career, I still examine each opportunity and decide if it's something good. Working the casting on Biggest Loser is still one of the greatest memories. Working on My Family's Got GUTS was definitely a huge highlight too. But, it's all been GREAT so far. Wouldn't give up a single thing.
Chico: Really cool. So when can we see season 2 of GUTS?
Josh: Your guess is as good as mine...my producer doesn't even know
Chico: Weird. Ok, Next...4) Besides being a host, and a producer, you're also a DJ. How do you think that prepares you to be a host?
Josh: Being a DJ was the best thing for preparing me to be a host. I've done tons of weddings and events similar in terms of personal prestige for people and it forced me to learn to think on my feet, first and foremost. Hosting a wedding is a lot like hosting a live show. You have one chance, you have to keep it moving, keep it interesting, interject humor when possible and maintain a certain presence and ownership of the task at hand. I always made sure that I used DJing to develop my hosting skills. Things like vocal technique and stage presence also came along with it.
Chico: So it's helped a LOT, then.
Josh: Absolutely! It was always part of the big picture. The master plan.
Chico: Heh... Master plan... Methinks we have an evil genius in our midst :-)
Jason: 5) What do you think is the biggest mistake game show hosts make?
Josh: Biggest mistake? Not realizing they're just driving the vehicle and that the contestants are the stars. Sometimes in driving the vehicle, you have to make a "right turn" toward pushing the contestants into the spotlight, but in the end, it's about them, not you. In the case of the GSN tour, we had to make it less about the contestants and more about ourselves since that's really what we were trying to sell, but you still give the contestants their time to shine.
Jason: Gotcha.
Gordon: 6) Now a lot of people know you as a host. I know you also do music. Tell us about that and what you've done there.
Josh: Writing music has been such a blessing in my career because it's given me the chance to still work in the business rather steadily while still chasing the hosting dream, which is not so steady and hard to break into. Music has always been my background and I fell into composing professionally by accident. Well, it was certainly on purpose in the big picture but it was something I didn't expect to be doing I should say. I look up to people like Alan Thicke and Merv Griffin who write music, host, produce, etc, and do it all well. I love switching gears and doing something different and then going back to something else. I've done music for quite a few game shows and live game show productions, as well as other things. I've been very fortunate.
Gordon: What shows have you done music for?
Josh: Mostly pilots. I also did the music for the Million Dollar Vegas Game show in Las Vegas.
Gordon: Cool.
Chico: Okay. 7) You're a big fan of the kid's shows... Is there a formula for their success, or is it just something that just happens?
Josh: Keep it simple, but don't set it up to talk to the kids like they're kids. Handle the show with the same feel you would an adult game show...never dumb it down. Kids are the greatest critics in the world and they pick up on everything. They know when they're being had.
Chico: Easy to remember.
Jason: 8) Getting back to the GSN Live Host Search - what did you have to do in the audition process? And did you think you could win going in?
Josh: It starts out with an interview process that anyone can do. Of that infinite number of people who can try out there, they narrow it down to 8 or so people who move on to the semi-finals. Those 8 get to host on-stage in seven minute game with real contestants playing for real money. They tell you the format, hand you question cards, and you go do it. After those 8 have hosted, the 3 judges narrow it down to 2 people, who battle it out once more in hosting another seven minute game each. Ultimately, the judges pick a winner. In Houston, I went in with the mentality that I COULD win. I took second. In Sacramento, I went in with the mentality that I WOULD win. There was no other option. I didn't fly all the way there to take 2nd again...I had been there. So, I made sure to learn from my first experience and apply it to the second time doing it.
Jason: That's the way to do it I think.
Josh: I agree. I wish I would have taken that road of confidence the first time around.
Chico: But we eventually got there.
Gordon: As a follow up, what did you think you had that got you selected as the winner?
Josh: I really have no idea. I just went up there and did what I know how to do and I guess they liked it enough to put me in the final 2 twice.
Gordon: #9. A chance for you to become gracious. You've seen a lot of potential hosts. Give us one or 2 people that aren't well-known yet but that you think will make it in the business, based on the auditions, etc.
Josh: The guy I was up against in the finals in Sacramento, Scott, had a fantastic stage presence. He's an actor in LA and I think if he decided that hosting is what he wanted to do, he could nail it.
Chico: 10) You've seen that there's a lot of game shows on the horizon. Which one are you looking forward to and why?
Josh: I'm looking forward to seeing if this new Pyramid is going to come to fruition. I think it would do quite well in the daytime and it's about time we get another daytime network game show. Always looking forward to seeing what Feud is up to from season to season even if I'm never around to watch more than once. And, I've heard great stuff about the new Newlywed Game. That's one I've been looking forward to seeing...haven't gotten a chance to yet with the traveling for the GSN thing.
Jason: So what is the prize for winning the GSN Live Host Search entail?
Josh: 4 day trip to LA with all the trimmings to guest host for a day on GSN Live. And the Gordon Pepper 2009 swimsuit calendar. I declined that one just to not have to pay the taxes.
Jason: LOL
Gordon: You didn't like the pic with the lime green tassels?
Chico: I told him that was a bad idea!
Josh: My girlfriend talked me out of it. Monica is her name. She's amazing and so supportive
Chico: Monica, if you're reading this.... you are a smart woman. I applaud you.
Gordon: Actually, now that you bring that up...#12. As you may or may not remember, I first met you at Game Show Congress, where you got to hang out in our hotel room. Besides getting to hang out with the coolest people ever, what did you get out of the experience?
Josh: GSC was an interesting event. I just came off of doing the You Can't Do That on Television reunion in Canada and had a trip to LA planned thereafter that happened to fall in line with GSC, so I went. The luncheon was amazing with Dick Clark, Bob Barker, Betty White, etc. That experience was so worth it. Especially seeing people who are no longer with us such as Jack Narz, or have been through some things such as Dick Clark. That's what I took away from it. I admittedly didn't participate in anything else but that but it was definitely an amazing experience.
Chico: Okay, #13) Do you have any advice you want to impart for anyone looking to get into the business?
Josh: I gave a speech at my former university a few weeks ago and was asked this. I asked, "Who wants to be rich and famous?" and a slew of hands went up. I told them not to get into the business because they'd be wasting their time...the odds are against it. Only if you're truly passionate and love what you do should you embark on such a shaky path as the television world. Fortunately for me, I've been able to do the music thing to hold myself afloat, but if I didn't have that, my resume would be quite light simply because of how difficult it is to climb the ladder. So, again, do what you're passionate about. If it's something other than TV, do that. If it's TV, hold on tight...it's gonna be a bumpy ride!
Jason: Excellent advice.
Josh: Thanks :-)
Jason: #14) How did you balance being yourself as a game show host and taking elements of game show hosts you admired to win the competition?
Josh: Tough question. I'm not sure if I channeled any of my inner role models...if I did, it certainly wasn't conscious. I just tried to be myself and have fun. I didn't want to look back and think that I only won because I acted like Bob Barker or someone I wasn't.
Gordon: #15. Switching gears. It's opening week for Major League Baseball... Who you got to take it to the house this year?
Josh: I have to stand by my hometown boys and say I hope it's a good year for the Astros.
Jason: Subway Series, baby.
Chico: You're both wrong. It's going to be the Cubs in 6.
Josh: How'd you guys' March Madness brackets hold up?
Chico: Jason won.
Gordon: Barely.
Jason: Woot.
Chico: I was second.
Gordon: Fluffy should have won.
Chico: Gordon, I believe... finished last among humans.
Gordon: I had to let you guys win SOMEthing.
Jason: Sure, sure.
Josh: Hahaha
Chico: Alrighty, it's time for the Questions We Ask Everyone.
Gordon: #16. Favorite game show, past or present?
Josh: Family Feud. Timeless yet always relevant. Again though, I never get to watch it.
Chico: 17) Favorite game show host, past or present?
Josh: My dear friend Marc Summers. He's been my best friend in the business since day 1 and he's still my hero.
Gordon: 18) Let's say you want to try out for another game show as a contestant. Which one do you go for?
Josh: My mom has always wanted to take the family on Feud. If I tried out to be a contestant again, I'd probably do that. Some of the answers my family would come up with would probably land us in the next game show moments special. Wheel would be really fun too, but I think I'm ineligible to go on a Sony show. I'd also like to go on Deal and be one of those people who picks numbers based on ridiculous associations. "I'm pickin' number 14 because that's my cousin's 1st grade teacher's high school sweetheart's probation officer's badge number!"
Gordon: 19) If you could remake one show from the past, which one would it be and why?
Josh: Double Dare...it's time to do it. It's a good time to see it come back because no kid alive today even knows that a show called Double Dare ever existed. You could do it the way you know it works. I'll be hosting it.
Chico: Of course.
Jason: There you go.
Josh: Standing in a hole in the floor, of course. I'm 6 ft 6.
Chico: Yikes.
Josh: Basketball anyone?
Gordon: He's tall.
Chico: Thank you, Kenny Mayne.
Gordon: Finally, 20) It's Josh time. If you have anything you want to get off your chest that we didn't cover, now's the time to do it.
Josh: Well, first off, I want to say thank you to GSN for such a cool opportunity and such a big step for me professionally. Thanks to Gary and Alfonso for believing in me enough to suggest trying it again. Thanks to my parents for always being supportive, and also thanks to Monica for being supportive. Always remember to follow your dreams and do what you love...life is short, you only get one chance...why do something you're miserable with? See if you can get away with doing what makes you happy. Thanks to you guys, Gordon, Jason and Chico for taking the interest in wanting to talk to me about the experience...it's been a pleasure. If anyone wants to stay in touch, they can hit me up at joshyawn.com. Also, I'm behind the nostalgia website www.cmonfwank.com. It's a blast from the past for anyone who was alive in, or around the 70s-90s. Check it out and let me know what you think! It's constantly updated and it's really a lot of fun to produce. But for now, see you on GSN! It's only the beginning!!
Chico: Mad genius, I tell you.
Jason: We will be saying, we knew him when folks.
Josh: You'll still know me then too, Jason!!
Gordon: One more thing I'd like to say. Josh has not been a stranger to GSNN. He debuted on WLTI in August of 2004, and actually debuted on the show before Jason Block did.
Jason: I feel old LOL
Chico: No comment.
Josh: I feel like Alzheimers has set in.
Gordon: I'd like to say that it's been a pleasure to have known Josh during that time, and that we here at GSNN thank Josh for both the time he's given us as a correspondent and the time he's been here as a friend.
Chico: Absolutely. :-)
Jason: Right on.
Josh: On that note, I'd like to say the same thanks to you, both personally and professionally. You guys really devote a lot of time to keeping people like myself informed and involved and I for one appreciate it!!
Jason: We try.
Gordon: And Josh, you have survived 20 Questions.
Josh: WOO!
Gordon: Now we'll see if Jason can survived some percentages - after this!

(Brought to you by Saw: The Game. Will you cut off your leg to win a million dollars? What about subject yourself to a sinwing pendulum? Because in a recession. desperate times call for desperate measures...)

Jason: Oh man :)
Chico: Someone's been watching Harper's Island!
Gordon: Hey. I like that show.
Chico: I didn't say I didn't!
Gordon: Go watch it and we can discuss next week. I know your sister Quisla watched it and liked it.
Chico: I will. Back to the show, GSN leaked their plans for the next coming months. And what we're gong to do right now is assess the likelihood of certain aspects happening. It's a round of... PLAY THE PERCENTAGES!
Jason: WHOO HOO!
Gordon: Yay!
Chico: First up...

GSN Daily News... We're looking at what we do... only on TV.

Gordon: We better get a phone call. Or at least a guest spot as commentators.
Jason: Darn right.
Chico: I'll settle for a phone call. So what are the percentages of that happening?
Jason: Seriously...if you want to get people to watch...you have to get people like us...NOT established journalists. I would say about 25%
Chico: 65%. I say follow the format of your Soups and your Best Week Evers. That way I can get a taping date and a train ticket :-)
Gordon: 60%. Based on what we know about our gaming gurus. People will watch and call in. I'm concerned about who they get. If they are not well versed, they are going to get drilled. The last 2 times they tried to do this, they got...comedians, and it promptly tanked.
Jason: Oh no. Wrong approach. You have to take this as seriously as we do.
Chico: I don't know. It worked for Play It Back, right?
Gordon: As someone who represented Play it Back, I will say that interspersed with snarky, they got people like myself that not only held their own with their spiel, but who helped fill in the blanks for other celebrities. And yes, for you new people there, I was a talking head onthe Play It Back series for all 3 episodes.
Jason: Yes he was. And very good at it too.
Gordon: Thank you, kind sir.
Chico: We're looking at getting the DVDs. Okay, next?
Gordon: Next one...

Deal or No Deal and 1 Vs. 100. We'll lump them both in as the 2 shows GSN is getting as repeats.

Jason: 90% success. People like both of these shows and I think people will watch. And maybe just maybe you can have a rebirth for 1 vs. 100 on GSN.
Chico: 100%. Lump them with Millinaire and you got it made.
Gordon: 1 Vs. 100 - 85%. I only worry about the lack of episodes - but I can see GSN getting into this one and doing their own version. DOND - 70%. Lots of episodes, but I don't know if people are going to watch a series where you didn't get a millionaire until the end of the run, which included 2 artificial wins.
Chico: Well, if they watched Millionaire, then why not? I mean, after all... it's the game, stupid!
Gordon: Millionaire, you had million dollar wins interspersed with some great tv moments (see Block, Jason). You have some of that on DOND, but not enough to make it repeat worthy, in myopinion.
Chico: I think you may ahve a few moments. And of course... there are the ladies.
Gordon: Right. Nancy Christie won it during the Vieira era. So did Kevin Smith. We're waiting for Millionaire winner #3 in the Vieira era.
Jason: Its been a LONG time.
Chico: It'll happen... Just need to come with the right player instead of casting storylines. Okay, next up...

Bunco!

Chico: It's "like poker, we're told". We're basically watching people play it.
Gordon: 6.9%. Bunco? Of all things to watch, Bunco? Why?
Jason: This reminds me of Bingo on TV (the bad Monty Hall kind) 0%.
Chico: If they didn't do anything with three-card poker, why in the name of god's arse are they going to give a second look to this? 3%. I don't even know what the hell bunco is!
Gordon: Bunco is a game where you try to make hands by rolling dice.
Jason: People still play it.
Chico: Ah, so it's Yahtzee. I'm trying to forget that show.
Gordon: Its Yahtzee. Its 100% luck. No Skill.
Chico: Ah. Change it to 1% then. Es muy chupo.
Gordon: This is all you need to know. In 2006, a Proctor and Gamble press release said that 29 million people played Bunco, which spurred them to hold a National Bunco Championship. In 2008, they cancelled the championship.
Jason: And Bunco is an old persons game.
Chico: Okay. Next? Something youthful and exuberant, perhaps?
Gordon: What about this...

The Search for the Next Game Show Host

Chico: 92%. It's an idea whose time has come. And personally, I'm waiting for the next host-to-come-from-nowhere. And we're not talking just a one-off. Winner should do a deal with GSN. You dig?
Gordon: I dig. I don't know if this is the same show or something different. I think it will get the fan boys. 100%.
Chico: I nominate Gordon. He's got balls.
Gordon: I'll do it. Hire me.
Jason: I nominate Chico...Bald and Sexy rules.
Gordon: Hire both of us.
Jason: Hire all three of us.
Chico: I'm willing to work scale, just so I can say I had the experience.
Jason: I'll take scale
Chico: Okay... next up...

"Star Treatment". Play the game, win a makeover.

Chico: Umm... what?
Jason: No thanks 10% chance of succeeding.
Chico: Generous. I'll go 5%.
Gordon: I'm going to go higher on this one. People in this economy like to win things that you can't normally afford in this economy. The game play has me concerned, but I think this could be a sleeper, if the game works, 30%.
Chico: Depends on what the game is. I just don't see the appeal.
Gordon: If you want to attract the female demographic, this is the sort of show that will do it.
Chico: Sad, but true. Okay, one more?
Gordon: Last one...

'The Money List'. A take off of FOX's The Rich List

Chico: Ummm. I say 13 weeks and out. 42%
Jason: I will take that by 2/3rds down...14%
Gordon: I'll cut it by another 2/3rds. 5%. It lasted ONE episode on FOX.
Chico: Yeah, but cable's a different animal here.
Jason: If the show still sucks, it's going to suck anywhere.
Chico: One word... Starface. Lasted an entire run. Not one episode was remotely watchable.
Jason: Yeah...Danny, good luck on that wrestling match next week.
Gordon: GSN isn't going to yank a show in mid-progress. That being said, I don't see how it survives this run.
Chico: Not a chance. Okay, that's a break. We'll be back with the Speed Round!

(Brought to you by Eggs of Love. 20 Buxom Christian Women line up for a Long Term Relationship with The Easter Bunny. Paris brings with her...Matzah? No, that's a bad Paris!)

Chico: NICE!
Jason: Oh man.
Chico: We're gonna get letters. =p
Jason: I didn't know she was Jewish?
Gordon: I'm guessing based on her videos that she's got a little Jew in her :)
Chico: BAD GORDON!
Jason: Oh man. NOW we are going to get letters LOL
Chico: NO HOME GAME!
Gordon: No home game?
Chico: IN THE CORNER, NOW!
Gordon: I'm guessing I'm not going to get a home game from Chico for Easter.
Chico: PUT YOUR HEAD ON THE DESK, PUT YOU BIG HEAD DOWN ON THE DESK. Heh. Okay, not much time left. Let's go to the Speed Round. First question: is there any way Anoop survives this week on American Idol?
Gordon: Assuming no one does the theme from Gigli, no.
Chico: Gross.
Jason: I see we have an upset and Matt goes home.
Chico: Is there any way Brendan survives this week?
Jason: Nope.
Gordon: I think Brendan wins immunity, which could cause a major disturbance in the force.
Chico: Alrighty, Lord Vader. Is there any way that Hell's Kitchen opens for business next week?
Gordon: Hell's Kitchen will open. I think that we still have cooking issues though. We always enjoy humorous mail from you guys. What do we have this week?
Chico: We're going to hurry with this mail here. First is from Paul Reese.

Jason: 1. Editing 2. Editing and 3...it wasn't that bad.
Gordon: I agree with Jason on this. The editing really made Carnie look worse than what she was. I do agree that it would be fun to have more of the bonus round - or maybe a different one, but you can only do so much in a 22-23 minute show.
Chico: You already know how I feel.
Gordon: I do think that Carnie will get better - or at least I hope the editing is better.
Chico: It's ... it's weird. I know it'll get better. It has to. There's a history here. Okay, time for one more letter.
Gordon: We'll get part 2 of Paul's letter next week, but right now, here's Stat-Boy
Chico: Stat Boy! Hit me!

Jason: Flushing Roggin. Too fake, too Hollywood.
Chico: I'm pushing. He's obviously been trained for something. I'll give him a fair chance.
Gordon: Flush. Why don't you bring in the only good thing about the show with original host Eamonn Holmes?
Chico: I dunno. Seemed a little too smarmy for my liking.
Gordon: He'd be better than Roggin. I don't think Roggin is a bad host. He's good on GSN Live. I just don't think that this is his element.
Jason: Not for this game, no.
Chico: Looks like we'll see in June. Meanwhile, we'd like to see more of you next week. Tell them what to do, G.
Gordon: If you want to send us email, do it at wlti@gameshownewsnet.com, or go to MySpace, Facebook, or YouTube
Chico: Next week, it's the return of Chico's Heroes vs. Gordon's Legion of Doom. It's WLTI: Good vs. Evil 2.
Gordon: And If it was anything like last time, we're in for a treat.
Jason: Alright!
Gordon: Special thanks to Jason Block for joining us today.
Jason: Always a pleasure
Chico: And a VERY special thanks to Josh Yawn for hanging out as well.
Gordon: So for the group, this is Gordon, wishing you all a pleasant Game Over. And Spread the love!
Jason: Amen!