Patrick Patterson lives near Grand Rapids, Michigan and has a sense of humor that could make him a great television personality.

First I want to thank you for agreeing to the interview, it is a great honor to be able to interview you!

I'm honored that you're interested in my experience and thoughts. I consider myself very lucky to have found a passion early in life that I've been able to pursue into a career. I still treasure the information and advice I received from those people who were helpful in my pursuit; I hope that something I say will have value to someone else.

What sparked your interest in game shows? We know that not only do you announce game shows but you're also very "game show literate" what sparked this interest?

My mother is a very intelligent and educated woman who has yet to meet a crossword puzzle she couldn't zip through; as a high school teacher she loved to stimulate inquisitiveness among her students. While it wasn't always fun to come home from a day at school to a mother who was also a full-time teacher, it certainly introduced me to games like Scrabble at an early age, and it meant that the TV was often tuned to quiz and game shows when she was home.

I'm not sure exactly what school holiday it was when I took the New York subway into midtown Manhattan and wandered into NBC's Rockefeller Center studios for the first time to watch one of those shows tape, but it was a day that left a lasting impression. I thought the huge studio 8H with all the equipment was cool, but the magic really started when this funny, exciting and energetic man bounded onto the stage. He danced, laughed, ran up and down the aisles, and within a minute the entire audience was electrified!

Johnny Olson made me feel like I was part of a big family that was having an incredible party. I was only about 12 years old, but everyone in the audience seemed to be having the same kind of fun. When the two or three episodes of "Snap Judgment" were finished taping, I didn't want to leave!

I returned again and again, and always though that being part of a TV audience was more fun than playing sports or hanging with friends; it was certainly more fun than doing homework or cleaning my room! As a kid, I saw just about every game and talk show that originated from New York during the early 1970s. And when the initial novelty of simply watching the games themselves started to wear off, I always found new interest in watching and learning what I could about the different productions. I would make it a point to sit at the far left or right edge of the audience so that I could watch what the various production people and technicians were doing. I was especially fascinated by the way Johnny O. and the other announcers could do two jobs simultaneously by reading prize plugs while still leading the audience applause.

Johnny was very generous in answering my questions, and he then sparked a whole new fascination by giving me a chance to participate in his warm-up whenever he would spot me in the audience on my regular visits. Being on the stage was a tremendous adrenaline rush, and Johnny knew I loved being part of the action. Later, he recommended that the producers use me as a contestant on "What's My Line?" in 1971. After that, I was hooked for life!

Have you always wanted to be an announcer or was this something that just happened one day?

I knew I loved television, but didn't know exactly if or how I could ever be a part of that world. Johnny Olson told me how he and most of his peers had started in radio, and that stayed in my mind. Within months of starting college and finding the campus radio station, I managed to get my first commercial disc-jockey job. During the next few years I had built an impressive little resume working afternoons and evenings at a number of suburban New York stations while taking morning classes. Upon graduation I was able to pursue a radio career that eventually brought me across the country.

When I ended up working in radio in Los Angeles, I realized that much of TV had also moved west. I took advantage of the opportunity to appear on more game shows as a contestant. I think having watched so many tapings as a kid helped me feel comfortable in the studio environment during the competition; I ended up winning on so many shows in just a few short years that it's almost embarrassing to list them.

I'd never known there was a big chunk of the business dedicated to developing new shows until producers whose shows I had appeared on called me to be a contestant and later a host in their run-throughs. Eventually I reunited with Johnny Olson who encouraged me to nurture those opportunities and relationships. Although I submitted writing samples, my radio experience had obviously best prepared me to be an announcer.

Not only have you announced game shows but you've played in them, what were those experiences like and what was the first game show you appeared in as a contestant?

My first appearance was on an episode of "What's My Line?" that was running short. I was plucked out of the audience and put on the show in a matter of minutes; Soupy Sales guessed my line as a disc-jockey. Interestingly, on my last trip to New York I had dinner with Soupy; of course he had no recollection of that day. But I'll never forget it as the first of many contestant appearances on shows and pilots.

I really enjoyed all the contestant experiences, but naturally my favorites were the shows on which I won the most! Those included a three episode championship on "Press Your Luck", and another three day run on "All Star Blitz". "Hit Man" and "To Tell The Truth" were also great fun. But even the shows where I left with tons of Rice-A-Roni and mountains of Goobers and Raisinettes instead of cash or a car were wonderful experiences. They served as opportunities for me to learn more about how television works, and to meet some of the great pros in the industry who later hired me for pilots; some ultimately became friends. I owe tremendous thanks to the people who took a chance by giving me the early opportunities, among them are Jake Tauber, Art Alisi, Charlie Colarusso, David Greenfield, Ray Horl, Michael Hill, Steve Radosh, Richard Reid, Syd Vinnedge and Jay Wolpert.

Have you ever hosted or wanted to host a game show or game show pilot?

The closest I came was hosting a show in development for CBS. "Chain Game" was produced by Syd Vinnedge in the 1980s; I still have a crude half-hour tape of Charlie O'Donnell introducing me as I go on to host a sample episode for the CBS brass. While I was an adequate host, the experience gave me a lot of newfound respect for the guys who really excel at that skill. It also helped me to understand how I can be most valuable as a supporting player to the hosts that I work with. I think I'm happier and more comfortable handling the announcer duties. I get more than enough center-stage time doing the audience warm-up!

Are you planning on any future projects besides the ones you currently have?

1999 and 2000 have been incredible years for me; I've really seen my childhood dreams come true. The great people at Game Show Network, Sande Stewart and Phil Gurin have all treated me like family working on their successful "Hollywood Showdown" and "All New 3's a Crowd". In 2000 I also worked on NBC's revival of "Twenty One", became the announcer for the long-running "Supermarket Sweep", and starting narrating CourtTV's show "Hollywood and Crime". Most recently I was involved with the new "Card Sharks" pilot, and the sales presentation for Sony's new "Pyramid" revival. I've never felt happier or more blessed.

My future plans? How about another season or two of "Hollywood Showdown" and "All New 3's a Crowd"! It's amazing, but my passion for this work hasn't decreased. I really love working as a member of the teams that produce these shows.

People will kill me if I don't ask this question but what do you know about the Hollywood Squares episodes that have turned up recently?

Probably no more than you do. Just through word of mouth I've heard that a great number of that show's episodes have been located in one of the many L.A. area's film/tape vaults.

I think it's sad that so many of the great shows from the past have been lost to time, carelessness or budgetary considerations. That's why I was among the earliest members of the Museum of Television and Radio when it first opened in New York, and am active in a wonderful group called the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters. As I read of the new contributions made to the UCLA Film and Television archives every year, I really believe that the tide has turned in terms of respect for our television legacy. You gotta love GSN for continuing to broadcast some awesome classic shows as part of their special programming.

What is it like working on game shows, with people like Todd Newton and David Ruprecht?

It's like playing shortstop for the Yankees!

It's wonderful to be a member of a team of professionals who each have their own unique, specific talent. A group of very bright and fun people come together with skills as diverse as engineering, art design, computer programming and hair styling. We all understand how our little piece of the puzzle fits into the total picture, but the creative spark and the people skills of the producer make it all gel. There's a great sense of respect, friendship and camaraderie, but there are also high expectations for everyone to perform their piece of the magic skillfully.

The host could be considered to be like the football quarterback or orchestra leader; by officiating over the gameplay, he or she sets the pace and mood. The job requires tremendous concentration, yet needs to appear effortless. When the host is making it work, the entire team is all smiles!

Both Todd and David are great at their jobs, and have become good friends. I see them both, as well as their families, even when we're on hiatus between seasons, and we exchange e-mails a couple of times a week. From Wink Martindale and Chuck Woolery to Todd Newton and David Ruprecht, I've been very lucky to work with some very gifted people.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to get into the game show profession, or even just the television profession?

Because I asked this question myself of the people I sought advice from, I've done a great deal of thinking in formulating the most helpful answer that I can. If you have real passion for a career in game shows, unfortunately there's no school that will completely prepare you. You have to create your own course of study, then combine your knowledge and enthusiasm with perseverance and luck.

No matter what specific area of production you're most interested in, I think it's valuable to learn all that you can about the entire business. That would include traditional courses as well as your own reading. The stray piece of TV history that you might mention in a job interview could help demonstrate the range of your knowledge and dedication.

Go to tapings, watch how a show comes together, ask questions when you can, and become familiar with the process. I think it's important to be willing to serve an apprenticeship; it's the best way to learn. For a first hands-on experience, consider working in cable access at your local cable company.

Remember, while the work can sometimes appear to be simple to a viewer, the ability to perform expertly, consistently, precisely, over and over again, under pressure and on demand is what's needed. Even if the task is as basic as fact-checking a question, turning a playing card, totaling a score or reading an advertiser's plug or prize description, the predictable proficiency that's needed comes only with experience. I would suggest finding any way possible to watch, learn, and be involved; make the effort to develop mentoring relationships whenever possible.

If you work towards your goals with optimism, and your dreams are vivid enough, they CAN come true!

Again thank you for allowing me this interview, and I (with all the people at the Game Show Network Message Board) wish you the best of luck with and of your future jobs.

Thank you Pat. I'm happy to answer any questions I can, even when there are no prizes or dramatic lighting! I'm glad to meet someone else who also loves game shows. Good luck achieving your goals and dreams; I'll see you on GSN!

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