Reality producer extraordinaire Mark Burnett has another show in the works. Shark Tank, a reality contest show for entrepreneurs, will be an American version of Dragon’s Den, which is the British version of a Japanese series. I have low expectations for Shark — Dragon’s Den is unbelievably dull, and my appetite for business-oriented entertainment is at an all-time low.
Burnett, once reality’s golden boy, has sort of lost his Midas touch: Jingles, a competitive jingle-writing series, never made it to air; My Dad is Better than Your Dad met an inglorious end, On the Lot, Pirate Master, Amne$ia…well, you smell what I’m cooking, yes?That said, I like a reality contest series, so I’m going to help you out, Mark Burnett, and offer some vague suggestions based on my wish list:
- Something about veterinarians or zoologists First, pets have never been hotter, nor has the world’s appetite for things that are adorable. Zooborns is…oh, the best website ever, and I fondly recall the Jeff Corwin–hosted series King of the Jungle. It’s time for something along those lines, Mark Burnett! Perhaps conservation-minded zoologists compete for a gig at a panda sanctuary?
- Something about graphic designers I didn’t care that much about fashion before Project Runway, but now I can spot a sloppy hem a light year away. The Internet already has a huge nerdboner for graphic design, so a show that includes competitive kerning is a sure bet.
- Something about on-camera anchoring/hosting/interviewing… The career paths for former reality-show contestants seem to converge at what the British call "presenters." At first that bugged me, but now I totally love it. Let’s cut out the part where contestants pretend they want a different gig — model, singer, businessperson — and go right to a Who Wants to be a Talking Head or a Pundit or Whatever. Contestants have to be an expert in something (or at least a good faker), telegenic, and eager to be famous.
Okay, PopWatchers, what’s on your TV wish list? What would you like to see Mark Burnett turn into a glitzy contest? Or maybe you think Shark Tank is going to be decent? (Check out the clip below of the UK version Dragon’s Den, though, and tell me everything on that show doesn’t take 10 times too long.)
Hey, I like Dragon’s Den! Anyway, I think Mark Burnett just got lucky. Throw enough shows on TV, something’s bound to stick. I’m sure the US version will stink.
What’s on my list? ANYTHING but another ridiculous and useless reality show! Give me a show that makes me think like “Lost” or that is intelligent and fun like “House.” The world doesn’t need another brain-draining reality show clogging up the airwaves!
I actually enjoy the Canadian version of the Dragon’s Den. It’s certainly better than the slow as molasses British clip here. The show is an amalgam of the audition rounds of Idol and a “do you know your market capitalization” CNBC show. I think it could be a major hit in the states.
Teachers -I have a feeling if people really saw what they had to deal with everyday, they might change their opinions – or at least I hoped they would. You’d have to pixelate the kid’s faces.
I hate to say it, but I’m kind of intrigued by the new Discovery channel show– I think it’s called pitchmen. Crazy, shouty people competing for the chance to sell people crap at 2 am? Sign me up!
I find Dragon’s Den–the BBC version–utterly transfixing and can’t wait to see an American version although I do fear they will abandon the intriguing business/economic nuances for in-your-face hijinks.
Burnett’s responsible for “the Contender”. The reality show has survived three network changes and four seasons worth of abysmal ratings.
Here are my reality show ideas:
Scooter shop (A&E)- Follows the daily lives of several mechanics at DC’s Vespa shop. The show would have special episodes about scooter clubs, an episode on the year East Coast CORSA “mini-cannonbal run” race, east coast rallies, and of course, video of badazz custom 1960s Vespas.
That’s Good Stuff (Bravo)- This Top Chef spin off follows the lives of Spike Mendelsohn and his family at their restaurant.
Frat House (Fox)- follows the adventures of a fraternity at a party school.
So I married a Porn Star (HBO)-this series follows a couple, and one of them does porn.
Are you really going to wear that? (Style)- Like “what not to wear”, but in more cities than just NYC.
Get High Legally (G4)- Tommy Chong finds ways to catch a mean buzz without breaking the law. Smoking Banana peels anyone?
I had the same idea about a graphic design competition show! (I had the same “nerdboner.”) I’d also like to see a competition among songwriters. That “top band” show was all cover songs!
Good god ZooBorns is cute…
I’ve found out a while back about Zooborns via Twitter – ZB is a wonderful site! I keep sending people to it for “aw………..” photos
http://www.cmykamerica.com/
there is supposed to be a graphic designer show in the works actually.
I would like to see the Amazing Race, but instead of pre-existing couples, pair up 2 strangers who don’t know each other and let them race!
I like watching the Shark Tank, I hope more marketing experts exert efforts like this to help people with great ideas like the Shark Tank TV Show (http://www.SharkTankTVShow.com) that provide financial assistance and expert’s advice to small entrepreneurs, which is great for the economy.