My nostalgia vote goes to Carrie Gouskos. It's too bad she doesn't visit more.

Danny or Mary would be my choice, but they are doing their own thing. I trust Jeff and the gang to hire someone chill.

Bernie Sanders

Stone Cold Steve Austin.

People who are saying the new member HAS to be female are completely missing the point of gender equality. Completely.

Me.

A woman would be nice.

I have probably written this before, but still: M. Kessler and/or D. Snider.
Kessler is a fun dude and Snider has been in some of the best GB videos. FMV, Flight Club, random old PC games and what not.

Since we're all nominating people that have a snowball's chance in Hell of getting hired (mostly because none of them need a job), fuck it, I nominate goddamn Snoop Dogg. Why not?

Can they hire a clone of Vinny?

Mary Kish or someone unknown like Austin. Always liked Mary's Gamespot content and she seemed to work well in the GB videos she's been in.

Suspect it'll be someone new.

A new face, all of the GB family are nice and all but I know what they're about. I would love to meet someone new and fresh. Austin was a complete unknown to me and quickly became of my favorite dudes.

I mean, if we're talking fantasy here, I'll shoot out some ideas. Here's my pie in the sky, top 5.

1. Justin Davis - IGN

Sure, there are more flamboyant IGNers like Brian Altano (Whom I love) and Max Scoville (Whom I love on the Comedy Button but not so much in other things), but Justin always comes off as a very smart and witty guy, who knows a lot about the industry and is pretty funny, but in a way that isn't "try-hard" like some of the other guys. I think his laid back personality would mesh well with Brad, and him and Jeff could have some pretty deep retro game discussions. He's also a father and could bring a different perspective to the crew. Only worry is that he might be a little too laid back, but I think in an upbeat environment he would thrive. I think he's a pretty high-up guy over there, so it would probably take a lot to coax him away, but hey this is a fantasy draft.

2. Adam Sessler - Formerly of X-Play, Rev3Games, TheoryHead

Sure, he's still got some stuff going on, but he's not the name that he once was. A move back into the mainstream gaming industry for an established site built on persona, would surely create a lot of buzz and bring some excitement. He's a smart guy, who can be a bit cynical at times, but definitely has a goofy dan-esque side. Listen to his guest episodes on the Comedy Button if you don't believe me. I would love to see him on UPF and on the Bombcast even if his time was delegated solely to those purposes. Friend of the site, friend of the guys, so this isn't completely unrealistic either.

3. Matthew Patrick - "MatPat" from GameTheory

Here's a wildcard. Jeff has mentioned multiple times that they need someone with video experience, and is known for their personality. A popular Twitch or YouTuber could easily fill this spot. And the GameTheory channel has recently added a new guy to the cast, taking a lot of the workload off of MatPat. I was going back and forth between MatPat and Markiplier, but ultimately MatPat seems far more knowledgeable about games in general and seems much more of the type to fit in and mesh with a bunch of guys in the gaming industry. He's young, only 30, and could bring a fresh attitude that some of the other older people on this list might not. It may even create a partnership between Giant Bomb and the GameTheory channel which would just be fantastic. Plus the dude is crazy smart.

4. Morgan Webb - Formerly of X-Play

Who would see this coming? Morgan used to be one of the faces of the gaming industry and since has scarcely been seen. Jeff has been on X-play before so they already are acquainted with each other and she would bring a fresh perspective to the crew. Plus, the return of Morgan Webb would surely make some buzz around the internet and bring traffic to the site.

5. Greg Miller - KindaFunny, formerly of IGN

Ok, before you snicker, this obviously would never happen. This is just a dream pick. Aside from Jeff, Greg is likely the most well known and established gaming journalist alive at the moment, and his larger than life persona should easily fill the void left by Dan. He's a friend of the site, friend of the guys, rival of Dr. TrackSuit, and another seat for the PowerBombcast. This is a dream pairing in almost every way. So, why isn't it higher on the list? Well, I honestly think Greg might be TOO charismatic, and he could clash with Jeff at times. I'm not sure how they would mesh in the long term.

Honorable Mentions

Markiplier- YouTube Personality

I don't think he would be a full time fit at giant bomb, more of just like an "Indie Trending" section of the site where he shows off new weird indie or horror games. Plus, Giant Bomb has basically zero affection for the horror genre aside from Jason, so I'd love someone who is right in the middle of the scene. His voice is perfect for podcasting and he may overtake Brad as the sultriest voice. He seems to be a smart guy with some cool outlook at the industry. Another one that would never happen, but just a fun thought.

Kevin Perreira - G4, Attack of the Show, various shows and sites

This dude has a ton of shit going on and is always busy, but I love this idea. Jeff hosted AOTS for a week, so hey, at least a connection is there. The guy is always a fascinating watch, seems to really love games, and is no stranger to the industry.

Canadian Dan

My absolute fantasy picks would probably be someone from GiantBomb UK aka VideoGamer.com. So many great personalities came from that site - off the top of my head, Matt Lees, Chris Bratt, Jim Trinca and Simon Miller are all wonderful.

Will Smith is gonna need a job when that sweet, sweet, VC money fails to come through.

I voted Mary Kish. I would like them to hire a female.

Call Zobek

PLEASE NOTE: THE ABOVE VIDEO CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS - Only in the sense that Paul's descriptions are spoilers.

Once again, I will reiterate that Paul Ryckert is the #1 pick!

You know who I would like? Bob Mackey. Ex-1up, ex-USGamer, long time co-host of Retronauts. He's a funny guy, who knows his stuff, and would bring with him an interest in a lot of games that the current crew doesn't cover (ie. JRPGs and the like).

I really don't think Mary will fit mostly because her core strength seems to be in video production of which the West office has two people already. And if she is on screen it seems like she's more interested in more mainstream production. Not trying to discount the hard work that all the Giant Bomb people put in but I feel like GameSpot tries to have higher production values than Giant Bomb. I still like that minimalist approach with GB and I think it fits their image more. But that's just my two cents.

Danny O'Dweyer is not going to give up what he has going on.

A lot of these other people I think have themselves established in stuff they want to be doing enough to not jump ship onto Giant Bomb. I'd rather them find some up-and-comer and let them do their thing. Some of those people might be like that on that list but I just don't recognize all the names.

Tupac or 2pac. Don't mind which.

Aoife Wilson from Eurogamer.

I heard that Dann Rickert from Gamebomb.ru recently relocated and is looking for a job.

"Woooow, Bob Mackey!"

Y'know, he'd be a good pick. He's got that kinda sardonic snark that fits well with Brad or Jeff, but like you mentioned he's got a passion for a segment of the gaming spectrum not covered on the site much. Plus, he and Jason would likely bond over their love of weird Japanese games.

However, given the options above, I chose Mary. I don't think she'd make the move, but she's my favorite on that list.

Another suggestion: one of the Brothers McElroy.

She's funny on camera and a very solid writer.

ME!

Barack Obama, I hear he's looking for work nowadays

Charles Barkley

My fantasy draft pick is with Carrie Gouskos, my more attainable fantasy draft pick is Gita Jackson, she's funny on podcasts and I like her point of view on stuff.

why is ron fulches not on this list!!!!!!

@nycalexdunk: Because this is a list from 3 years ago when Dan moved from the West to the East and Ron wasn't at friend of the site status.

@jesus_phish: No kidding, i just realized that as I posted this. How ever I do feel like Ron would be a hysterical addition.

@nycalexdunk: It's kind of funny that this post has come back up, not just here but screencapped on Twitter, right after Jeff specifically asked people to stop fantasy booking.

Xavier Woods. If wrestling wants Dan, then we should get a wrester. An eye for an eye, I say.

Alternatively, they could just do the late-era At the Movies thing and have a rotating set of "guests" who pop in on a periodic basis.

Didn't Jeff just specifically ask that people don't do this kind of speculation in the Mario party chat the other day? (screenshot from reddit)

I totally get the appeal of speculating. It's fun, I do it too in private with friends. But I think we should respect the wishes of the staff. If it helps them get who they think is best, it helps us as fans too

The site's old enough and we've seen enough new hires now over the years, that I have full confidence they'll get somebody good next time they make a hire.

We have locked this topic to be in line with Jeff's wishes. Furthermore, speculation and fantasy booking ultimately leads to disappointment and resentment if/when your pick is not the new hire.

Please respect the crew's ability to pick a good fit and be welcoming when a new hire is announced.

The sadness and excitement that ensures whenever Giant Bomb has an opening is to a certain extent understandable. Regardless, the staff have repeatedly expressed that any sort of "fantasy booking," which admittedly was not the original purpose of this thread, about potential staff members is both awkward and not appreciated. Please keep this in mind in all future discussion threads.