The Game Master
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Hey, Trey, meet Conan and Sona. Hi there. Hey, Trey, how you doing? Good. How are you doing? I'm great. You sound like kind of a cool DJ. He's got a good voice, doesn't he? Yeah, he does. Yeah, thank you. I do a little bit of voiceover here and there. Yeah, you also have kind of a swagger to your voice, like, hey, which I like. Yeah, yeah, thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that. I've heard it a few times before. Yeah, yeah. Well, I envy anyone that you call to order a pizza. Must be nice.

I used to deliver pizzas. Can I hear you ordering a pizza right now? Pretend I just picked up. Domino's, hello. Hi there. I'd like a medium pepperoni. Nicely done. Nicely done. That pizza will be free, sir. Well, I'll take it. I'll take it. Slightly pervy, which we'll get into that later. But Trey, where are you calling from? Where are you right now?

I'm in Los Angeles, California. Okay. You're probably not too far from us. Yeah. Like North Culver City, probably. Very nice. Is that, is there a, is that either a, oh, that's a cat. Okay, good. Oh, yeah. I thought, it's so funny. I thought a ninja was creeping up on you because I just saw this

this sort of dark figure undulating in the background on the floor. And it looked like kind of shoulders. And then suddenly it leapt up and I saw it was a cat. Instead of an animal, you just thought it was a ninja? Nine times out of 10, it is a ninja. Nine times out of 10, I refer to her as a demon. So that makes sense. You know, she's just a shadow. Trey, you live in Los Angeles, probably not too far from us. And you seem like a nice fellow. You've got fantastic pipes on you. Tell me what you do for a living.

So yeah, I studied acting and film studies in school for a few years, and then I moved out to Los Angeles, and more so I've been working as a game master at an escape room. Oh, okay.

Wait a minute. So do you invent the games in the escape room? Is that what you do? Are you the one that writes out the stories and figure out what the theme is and all that? Not necessarily. I've worked at a couple different escape rooms. I worked at one place for a year, and the current place I work at, I more so am just a game master. So I deliver the rules, I get the people in the room, and then I'm kind of the voice on the intercom, the person helping them, the person keeping the story maintained. Very good.

Okay, tell me what are the themes of the games in this game room that you work? The one I work at, there's one called Secrets of the Pharaoh, which is like going back in time to ancient Egypt, and there's actual sand inside of the room. There's another one called Murder in London, where you're going back to 1899, solving a Jack the Ripper-style murder. Very cool. Yeah, and there's one called The Demented Doctor, which is just...

crazy doctor goes on killing spree. Oh, I thought it was just an escape room where you're filling out forms. Your insurance keeps getting denied. Yeah.

You're like, no, I have to fill all of this out? I filled this out. No, we need to fill it out again. I think that sounds fascinating. I live in an escape room. Did you know that? It's called a marriage. Hello. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. Listen. Everyone loves your wife. Yeah. Oh, she's terrific. But I'm, you know, I must escape. Listen, that was a very funny joke in 1952.

Were you born then? Oh, no. Long before I was born. It's the K-24. Trey, would you just stop muttering? Your job is not to mutter here. No, I don't know why I am.

I don't know why I am doing that. I've done escape rooms. I did them with my kids when they were younger, and they loved them. And then I did one with Jordan Schlansky, who's someone who I shoot remotes with. Yeah. And we shot an escape room remote that was kind of a private eye. And I got very frustrated very quickly. I hate reading through papers and trying to figure out what's relevant, what's not relevant.

I just kept wanting clues. Do most people want clues or do most people not want clues? You know, it's kind of complicated. Like, I'm a lot better at running escape rooms than I am at playing them. And when they have you start, you have to try all the rooms. But if you don't have friends available to try the rooms with you, you just have to do the rooms by yourself. And it's impossible. So...

You know, I had to learn the hard way. And then later running other people's rooms, you notice that there's different dynamics. Like men are more prideful.

And they don't want to ask for hints. Especially on like a first date, you know? The dude is like, this is going to be fun. And then they end up ruining the relationship before it could ever start. So can you watch all of this unfold? Are there cameras? Yeah, yeah. It's interesting, you know? Like at an old escape room. What's some of the weirdest stuff you've seen happen in an escape room? Yeah, exactly. This guy...

and his wife were a bit liquored up, I guess. And he was like, "I hope you guys aren't watching the whole time, 'cause my wife is all over me." - Oh. - And I was like, "Oh, yeah, we're watching the whole time." - Did they do anything? - Did they escape? - No, no, they didn't do anything. They didn't do anything. - Oh, okay. Did they escape? That's what you're wondering? - Yeah, something tells me they didn't escape. Something tells me they spent very little time, yeah. Hey, look what's in this typewriter.

Hey, I'm trying to fuck you! Well, I know! We'll get to that! But it says here, "Look out for Algernon." Who do you think Algernon is?

In due time. We'll get there. Why are they talking like that? Why are they in their 20s? It's like a 1920s escape room. It's like a detective story. They're in character. Hey, you. Take your pants off. Let's do the nasty. Hold on. We'll get to that. Married one. Married one? This file here says Algernon's missing. So there is something about Algernon. It says the key is in the onion.

Is that sex talk? Oh my God. So, okay. Well, that sounds like a really, I mean, I think it sounds like fun. It sounds like you'd, you'd, and also,

You are getting to use some of your performance chops, you know? Yeah, yeah, exactly. I think sometimes you seem like a young person. I think sometimes when you're in the business, it's kind of good to be sort of show business adjacent. If you're not in show business yet or you're not acting yet, these things can actually be kind of helpful. You know, you pay the rent and you also get to take part in fiction and play a role, which I think is fantastic.

fun exactly exactly and I also you know I also have a small production company and we make like short films and commercials and podcasts and stuff like that we just raised $6,000 to make a short film that we're going to be shooting in May

And, uh, and yeah, and we also play D and D every week. So, you know, I'm always trying to use my creativity. Who, who, when you say we, who is we? Yeah. So I have a, I have like a team of three other guys, uh,

And then me. It's my production company, Smoking Bandit Productions. Nice plug. You worked it in. I like it. Thank you. They're also my close friends. Who are they? Let's hear their names. Seamus Curley, Anzen Kennedy, and Kyle Gill. That is one kooky law firm. I love it. I know. Exactly. These are not real people. And you guys played Dungeons and Dragons or as – Absolutely. Absolutely.

David Hopping likes to refer to it D&D. Yeah, a lot of people do. Please, it seems to be your own nickname for it. Hear that? That's what cooked when you order juicy beef sounds like. The steaming hug of two slices of melted cheese, the crunch of tangy pickles and sliced onions, all topped with a toasted sesame seed bun. That's the sound of a quarter pounder with cheese. First Beef at participating U.S. McDonald's. Excludes Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories.

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Terms apply. Learn how to get more out of your experiences at American express.com slash with Amex. Um, so you guys play, you guys play D and D and what's your role when you play dungeons and dragons? What, what do you, which role do you take on? Uh, the role that I take on my character is a three foot tall frog humanoid named, uh, uh,

No, he's a grung, so he's like a frog. Oh, I'm sorry. Okay, I should have seen that coming. Of course, he's a grung who's a frog, right? Who's a frog. He's a frog, not a frog. I thought he was a frog, but his name is Grung? It's a frog whose name is Grung. What?

You misheard it. He's a frog humanoid. A frog. Oh, yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. That's totally on me. The species is called a grung. You said frog. Of course. Yes. The character's name is Skrillonius Stump. Yes. Yes. See, this is what I was driving at. I think I was right. He's a frog humanoid. Humanoid. Humanoid. Oh, my God. One from Massachusetts. He's a humanoid. We need to call the hospital. And he's a throng, yes? Yes.

And he's a grog. Yeah. And his name is Skrillonius Stump. Yes. Skrillonius Jubjub. And nothing's been right. But he lives. No, no, no. Let's just get it right. He's a frog. He's half human. His name is Bling. Oh, you're so close. He's a grog and he lives in Trubjub. His name's Philonius Stumpleton.

I've been following everything and you know what this is it's really good that I'm taking notes. I wrote everything down Your page is blank. Your name is Bloop. Yep. And your roommates are Shard, Gyg, and Sebdor. And you have a production company called Dibbly Dibbly Doo. You just made a 90 minute film called Guam Guam Habba Dede.

He's agreeing with everything. His yes and skills are incredible. I've got to update my resume. I want to hang with you guys. First of all, I like the idea of hanging with your crew. I think you'd fit in with my crew.

you think there's it's three irishmen in me so and and what is your uh nationality so to speak i'm like italian slovanian oh cool it's always good to be a mix i think yeah right yeah pure irish is just madness there's nothing out there yeah nothing wait you would want him to play d d with you and your friends after what you just heard him do i don't know about d and d let's not no no no no but to hang out oh to hang

Yeah, we all put on our leather jackets and we walk around. And then, you know, whatever. If no one makes way for us on the sidewalk, we shove them around a little bit. He said yes. So don't keep going. Listen to him. He'd be like, hey, get out of our way. Scooch on over. That's what tough guys say, Trey. Scooch on over. Hey, scooch on over.

Or I'll sick my frog humanoid on you. Hobbity-dobbity-day. A notorious gang of three guys and Conan O'Brien have been seen wandering around... Look out for them. They're wearing matching leather jackets and they're warning people to scooch on over. They're very polite. They're very polite. When threatened, they'll run away and claim they'll be back with their frog humanoid friend. Man, this is a...

Isn't Trey a lot of fun? He is. This is fun. I liked him since I saw the Step Brothers poster on your wall. The Spider-Man? Yeah. Oh, yeah. I got it all. The whole wall is covered. You just can't see it all. Yep. You sure got it all. Wait, that's a different cat behind you now.

- Oh yeah, that's the other one. - And it's attacking the poster for her. - She hates the Stepbrothers poster. She takes it down at least once a day. The rest she leaves up. - Okay. - That's the way. - Oh, there's an arm! - Hands just came. - Someone just took it! - Someone just stole your cat and you don't even care. - That was Seamus. - Oh, Seamus!

My God, Seamus does exist. I was certain that Seamus was... You thought he made him up? Well, when someone asks me who was with you, I always go, Seamus Curley. Yep. It's my go-to fake name. Yep. It's my go-to fake name, too. Actually, my lover. Well, who's going to co-sign this loan? Seamus Heaney. Or Seamus... What is it? Seamus Curley? Seamus Heaney's a famous Irish poet. Yeah. I don't know. I...

A lot of gin at breakfast. Hey, Trey, I like you. I like the cut of your jib. You're a very funny guy and I think good things are in store for you. I really do. Oh, thank you. I don't know if you have, do you have a question for me possibly? That's okay, David. I'll do it if you don't want to. Yeah, I was going to jump in. That's okay, sure. Hey, Trey, do you have a question for,

on it. There you go. Nice job, David. Thanks. Well, you know, I've been noticing you pop up in more like acting roles, like in the Weird Al Yankovic movie and in the Please Don't Destroy movie. I was wondering, like, do you have any interest in like pursuing more acting and characters and stuff in film? I don't. I'm not interested in pursuing it because I kind of love what I do. But if the right...

When the Please Don't Destroy guys contacted me, I'm a huge fan of theirs, and I was flattered. And then when I saw that the role was just yelling at them, I said, oh, this is fantastic, because that's my favorite thing to do. And so that was a yes. And of course, when Weird Al calls, you just say yes, because it's Weird Al. So yeah, when things like that come along and it feels like the right fit,

I'm happy to do it, but it's not something where I've said, get the word out there, you know. And I think there are plenty of really good actors out there that I don't think that my efforts are necessarily required. So if the right thing comes along, I'll do it.

Well, you're always a delightful presence when you come across my screen. I'm always happy to see you pop up and things. Oh, that's so nice, Trey. Thank you. Personally, there's always a role in anything I do for you. Oh, really? Seriously. Thank you for all the inspiration you've given me. Maybe a little cameo or something? Yeah, man, absolutely. I have a role in mind for you currently.

How much time commitment are we talking about? I could give you like 11 minutes. Oh boy. Probably that much. That much max.

You know what? I'm actually not kidding. We'll get your information. And if there's something I could do quickly to show up in one of your movies, I would do it just for the sheer what the fuckery of it all. Awesome. Awesome. Yeah, I would love that. Now, we haven't talked price yet. Yeah, yeah. That's when it gets there. $800,000 a minute. Oh. Ooh. Ooh. I'm going to have to get a loan, but I think we can make this work. Don't worry. I know who's going to co-sign it.

I know you're a co-signer. She's going to be Seamus Curley. No, no, no. Please, please, please. It'll be my pleasure to do it for nothing. You have an audio record of that. Oh, perfect. I can use it in court.

Oh, we're gonna end up in court. Oh yeah. You're gonna edit it out of the episode. You know what's funny? I'll do this thing for you and I'll be so bad. It'll be an 11 minute film and you've got Conan O'Brien and you will cut me out of it. Like it just didn't work in the final edit. Yeah, no one bought you as a comic, as an aging comic. What?

Hey, Trey, really nice talking to you. You're a cool person. And maybe, yeah, maybe we'll be working together. That's great. I would love nothing more. All right. My best to your roommates, even though they're clearly make-believe. And maybe I'll talk to you soon. Take care. Sounds good. Bye. Thank you very much. Bye now, guys. Nice to meet you all. Nice to meet you, too.

Take it away, Jimmy.

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