It’s fun to watch Game Show Network shows, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to work on them? I did, so I went right to the source: Bryan Scott, the Vice-President of Current Programming at Game Show Network!
Bryan is an Emmy Award-winning producer and writer who has created and executive produced a wide variety of hit series, specials and pilots. He’s been at Game Show Network since 2017, bringing beloved shows like America Says with John Michael Higgins, People Puzzler with Leah Remini, and more into your living room every day!
I spoke with Bryan at Game Show Network headquarters in Santa Monica, California! The following are highlights of our conversation, edited and condensed for space and clarity.
GAME SHOW INSIDER: What do you do at Game Show Network?
BRYAN SCOTT: Myself and my team, we produce all the original programming for Game Show Network.
Sounds like a fun job!
It’s a great job. Because, at the end of the day, it’s nothing but games!
Game shows honor and acknowledge their past better than almost any other TV genre. Do the Game Show Network originals reflect that?
I think so. The earliest game shows were fun, challenging games that were easy for players at home to observe and play along with. Our original programming is really just about playing the game and having fun. That’s where their roots are.
How do you determine what gets on the channel?
There are a lot of different genres of game play: word games, survey, fill-in-the-blank, trivia, multiple-choice. In development, we look at what we have on the air and we look at what we need. And we always go back to basics: can the audience at home play along and enjoy it as much as the contestants on stage.
So, it’s not weird that I yell out answers at my TV?
Not at all! That’s exactly what we want you to do.
Do viewers tell you what they want to see? And do you listen?
Yes. We have a strong, core group of Game Show Network viewers that our research department checks in with regularly to find out what they’re watching on the network and what they’d like to see. We keep those ideas in mind as we develop new shows.
Game Show Network originals differ in content, but they have a consistent tone and structure. Is that intentional?
Absolutely. We want our shows to be fun, but we want everyone to have a good time whether they’ve won or lost. We call it “light tension.” We want people to be on the edge of their seats, but we don’t want it to be life or death.
What draws a viewer: a funny, witty host or game play?
I think it’s a combination of both. Some shows naturally lend themselves to humor. Other shows lend themselves to an intense concentration on game play.
I’ve noticed that Game Show Network hosts don’t distract from the game with lots of jokes. Is that intentional?
The star of the show is the game play and the contestants. A host should never overshadow any of that. A host is a host: “Welcome to the game show, let me make you comfortable, let me set you up to succeed.” Our hosts have a natural good sense of humor, but they understand it’s not about them.
Sometimes I watch Game Show Network all day long. Are there other people who do that?
Absolutely! We want to be the channel you have on in the background as you do your household chores, look after your kids. Everything is segmented, so you can dip in and out. There’s a question or game play every few seconds. If you miss one, you can pick up the next. You don’t necessarily have to watch the show from start to finish to enjoy playing the game. So, Game Show Network is a perfect channel to have on all the time.
Do you have a favorite show?
That’s like picking a favorite child! Usually, the favorite is the one we’re creating and producing at that exact moment. When I watch them on air, I love all our shows.
Wait. You watch Game Show Network at home after working there all day? That’s dedication!
It’s nice to watch the shows at home after some time has passed. The work element is out of it and I completely enjoy the shows for what they are: fun game shows.
If you could say something to the viewers, what would it be?
Thanks for watching! Thanks for telling us what you like, because we want to make the shows that are going to entertain you and give you the most pleasure. Continue to be vocal, make comments on social media, write in, let us know what you like and don’t like, and we’ll make a game show just for you.
And continue yelling at the screen at home.
Absolutely! That’s the best part of it.
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