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Host
Ahmet Zappa (son of the late rock singer Frank Zappa)
Announcer
Masasa Moyo
Broadcast
WebRIOT
WebRIOT Alt 1
WebRIOT Alt 2
MTV: 1999
Packagers
First Television, Inc.
MTV
Spiderdance

"Get ready for WebRIOT! Tune in, log on to mtv.com and play game. To compete live on (celebrity) WebRIOT!"

WebRIOT was a short-lived music video-based quiz show.

Premise[]

Four college-age contestants competed in each episode.

The First Two Rounds[]

These rounds consisted of the contestants answering multiple-choice music trivia questions while accompanying music videos played. After the question was read, four choices appeared, and wrong answers were eliminated until only the correct answer remained. Contestants could lock in their choice at any time, though faster choices scored more points. Choosing an incorrect answer deducted points from a player's score; an eliminated incorrect answer, however, cost more. After each round, the player with the lowest score to that point was eliminated from the game.

Scoring[]

In Round 1, the value of the question started at 250 points, and doubled to 500 points in Round 2.

Final Round: Speed Round[]

The remaining two players competed in two minutes of questions, usually centered around recognizing an artist or a video frame that had been manipulated in a way. The first one to lock-in an answer was the only one effected. A right answer added 1,000 points, while a wrong answer deducted 500 points. When time expired, the player with the highest score was the winner and received a prize (usually a trip).

Production Notes[]

The show was notable for its use of interaction with home viewers via the Internet. By downloading the webRIOT software that was developed by Spiderdance, users could compete with the studio contestants and chat with other online players. The first 25,000 online users to go online before each weekday's 5:00 PM EST showing (there was a separate 5:00 PM PST showing for the west coast) were allowed to play. Viewers watched the show on television for the questions and submitted their answers through their computers. Home viewers were allowed to play along during the first two rounds. The top ten players had their screen names shown on television and were eligible to win prizes and/or be invited to play as a contestant on the show.

The show's set and presentation was made to fit in with its theme of interactivity. The studio contestants were suspended in chairs, as well as being acknowledged only by their screen names, while Zappa only appeared to them via a video wall.

Music[]

Element (Opening theme)
Eban Schletter

End-of-Show Disclaimer[]

"The online player of the day's participation in the show was post-taped".

Press Photos[]

Full Episode[]

Full Episode

Links[]

Official Website (via Internet Archive)
Official website for its online interactive game courtesy of Spiderdance
Tracy Fullerton who's responsible for the interactive version of WebRiot

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