Hey there! I’m Ryan Lagod, and my buddy here is Craig Tovey. You might recognize us from our fun show, “Story Time with Ryan and Craig.” We used to read awesome books together and share them with you on YouTube. But did you know I was also in a fifth-grade play called “Dr. Vincent, the Founder of Youth”? I played the doctor in the afternoon, while my friend, who could sing way better, took the night show. But enough about that!
You might be wondering why we haven’t posted new videos in a while. Well, a lot has happened! First, there was a pandemic that made it hard for us to record. Plus, Craig and I have different jobs, families, and schedules. For example, when Craig is getting his daughter ready, my son is still in his pajamas! We also live on opposite sides of Los Angeles, which means it takes about 45 minutes to meet up, even when traffic is good.
We have some news that might be a bit sad: we won’t be making new episodes of “Story Time with Ryan and Craig” for now. It was a tough decision, but with our busy lives, it seemed like the right thing to do. When we started “Story Time,” we just wanted to read books for fun and maybe even turn it into a TV show. We never imagined it would become so popular!
Thanks to you, we now have 50,000 subscribers on YouTube, and our videos have been watched millions of times. You’ve sent us books, drawings, and fan mail, which we absolutely love. Your support has been amazing, and we are so grateful for it. We never thought we could have such an impact, and it’s all because of you.
Even though we can’t make new episodes right now, we’re not disappearing! Our website, ryanandcraig.com, and our YouTube channel will still be there with 208 episodes for you to enjoy anytime. Fun fact: Did you know we have more episodes than “Reading Rainbow”? That’s pretty cool!
We know it can be tough when things change, but remember, there’s always a new adventure waiting. Ryan and Craig are still great friends, and we’ll keep checking our emails and Instagram. Who knows, we might even post some updates now and then!
Thank you so much for being part of “Story Time with Ryan and Craig.” Your support has made our lives better, and we can’t thank you enough for being our fans and friends. This journey has been incredible, and we appreciate every one of you.
And hey, if you know anyone in Hollywood who wants to make a show for Netflix or Hulu, let them know we’re interested in turning “Story Time” into a TV show!
Imagine you are Ryan or Craig for a day! Choose your favorite book and create a short video of yourself reading it aloud. Pay attention to your expression and voice modulation to make it engaging. Share your video with the class and discuss what you enjoyed about the process.
Write a letter to Ryan and Craig expressing what you enjoyed most about their show. Include any favorite episodes or moments and how their storytelling has inspired you. Share your letter with a classmate and discuss the impact of fan support on creators.
In groups, plan a virtual meet-up for Ryan and Craig fans. Decide on activities, such as a group reading session or a discussion about favorite episodes. Present your plan to the class and discuss how virtual communities can keep fans connected.
Research different storytelling techniques used in videos and books. Create a presentation or poster showcasing these techniques and how Ryan and Craig might have used them in their videos. Share your findings with the class and discuss how these techniques enhance storytelling.
Work in groups to create a pitch for a TV show based on “Story Time with Ryan and Craig.” Include ideas for episodes, target audience, and how it could be adapted for television. Present your pitch to the class and discuss the challenges and opportunities of turning a YouTube series into a TV show.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey, I’m Ryan Lagod, and I’m Craig Tovey. You might know us from “Story Time with Ryan and Craig.” You may have also seen my fifth-grade play, “Dr. Vincent, the Founder of Youth.” I played Dr. in the afternoon matinee, while my friend, who was a much better singer, got the night performance.
There’s no way that many of you know us from that play, as a lot of you weren’t born yet! But you probably remember us from “Story Time with Ryan and Craig.” We know you might be wondering where we’ve been; we haven’t posted in a while—some would say 12 months!
First and foremost, there was a pandemic that disrupted our recording schedule. Additionally, Ryan and I have two different schedules, two different jobs, and two different families with kids who are not on the same schedule either. When Craig gets his daughter dressed, my son is still in his pajamas!
As a matter of fact, we don’t live close at all. I live on one side of Los Angeles, and Craig lives on the other. In an ideal situation, where traffic is smooth, we are about 45 minutes apart, which makes getting together quite challenging.
Now, we have some unfortunate news to share: we will no longer be recording new episodes of “Story Time with Ryan and Craig” for the foreseeable future. We are on a long hiatus, possibly a permanent one. This was a difficult decision for us, but with our schedules, it felt like the right choice.
When we started “Story Time,” we never expected it to last as long as it did. Originally, we just wanted to make some videos of us reading books to share with friends and family, and maybe even see if there was interest in creating a TV show where two guys read children’s books. The response has been incredible, and we owe that to you.
We now have 50,000 subscribers on our YouTube channel, and our videos have received millions of views. You’ve sent us books, drawings, and fan mail, which still blows our minds. Your support has made “Story Time” last as long as it did. We never realized the impact we could have, and we are so thankful for that opportunity.
The only reason we’re stopping now is that we literally can’t get together to create new episodes. We’ve been trying to make this video for quite some time now. We planned to release it on January 7th, but here we are in March!
However, we’re not leaving you empty-handed. Our website, ryanandcraig.com, and “Story Time with Ryan and Craig” on YouTube are not going away. We have 208 episodes available for you to watch whenever you want.
Fun fact: Did you know there are only 155 episodes of “Reading Rainbow”? That means we’ve read more books on our show than LeVar Burton has!
We understand that it can be difficult when a chapter closes, and it can be frustrating or sad. But we want to remind you that there’s always another chapter ahead. We don’t know what that will bring for us or for you, but just know that Ryan and Craig are still buddies. We’ll still be reading emails at our email address and checking our Instagram. We might even post updates occasionally.
Thank you so much for watching “Story Time with Ryan and Craig.” Your support has changed our lives for the better, and we cannot thank you enough for being our fans and friends. This has been an amazing journey for us, and we appreciate you all.
And you know what, Ryan? If any of you know anyone in Hollywood or the entertainment industry who wants to develop a show on Netflix or Hulu, we’re open to making “Story Time” a show!
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Feel free to let me know if you need any further modifications!
Story – A narrative or account of events, either real or fictional, that is designed to entertain or inform. – The story of the young wizard captivated audiences around the world.
Time – A period during which events occur in a narrative or performance, often crucial to the plot’s development. – The play was set in a time when knights and dragons roamed the land.
Books – Written or printed works consisting of pages bound together, often used as sources of stories and information. – Many classic books have been adapted into successful stage plays.
Episodes – Individual parts of a larger narrative, often used in television or radio series to tell a story in segments. – Each episode of the series revealed more about the mysterious island.
Support – Assistance or encouragement given to someone, often crucial in the performing arts for actors and crew. – The actor received great support from the director and fellow cast members.
Friends – People with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, often playing key roles in stories and performances. – In the play, the friends embarked on a journey to find the lost treasure.
Adventure – An exciting or unusual experience, often a central theme in stories and performances. – The adventure began when the protagonist discovered a hidden map in the attic.
Videos – Recordings of moving visual images, often used to capture performances or tell stories. – The director used videos of past performances to help the actors improve their scenes.
Play – A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage. – The school decided to perform a play based on a popular novel.
Hollywood – A district in Los Angeles known as the center of the American film industry, often associated with movies and celebrities. – Many aspiring actors dream of making it big in Hollywood.
