American Inventor
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American Inventor | |
---|---|
Genre | Reality show game show |
Running time | 60 minutes (except for a 2 hour premiere) |
Creator(s) | Peter Jones |
Producer(s) | Peter Jones Simon Cowell, Liz Bronstein Siobhan Greene Nigel Hall Cecile Frot-Coutaz |
Starring | Matt Gallant, host Ed Evangelista Mary Lou Quinlan Doug Hall Peter Jones |
Country of origin | USA |
Original channel | ABC |
Original run | March 16, 2006–Present |
No. of episodes | 9 (season 1) |
Official website | |
IMDb profile | |
TV.com summary |
American Inventor is a reality television series based on a search for America's best inventor. It was conceived by UK entrepreneur Peter Jones and produced by Jones alongside Simon Cowell and the producers of American Idol. Airing on ABC, it premiered on March 16, 2006. Janusz Liberkowski, with his invention the Anecia Safety Capsule, was declared the first season's winner in a live episode May 18, 2006.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
[edit] Premise
Twelve inventors and their products are chosen from a pool of hundreds by four judges. The 12 semi-finalists are broken down into four groups of three, with each episode focusing on a different group of three. Each of the three semi-finalists in each group receives $50,000 to improve their inventions and compete to become one of the four finalists. In the show's live finale, the four finalists present a 30-second commercial advertisement for their product, with the home audience voting by phone for the winner. The winner receives $1,000,000 worth of business support, entrepreneurial counsel, physical resources, and prize money.
On the season finale, it was announced that the show will return for a second season. Prospective contestants can sign up online to audition.
[edit] Time slot
American Inventor debuted March 16, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Each subsequent Thursday, it aired at 9 p.m. until the season finale May 18, 2006. American Inventor aired on ABC and on CH in Canada.
[edit] Controversy
The makers of the program were accused of modeling American Inventor on a similar program called Million Dollar Idea [1] [2].
[edit] Finalists
- Francisco Patino (Double Traction Bike)
- Erik Thompson (Receiver's Training Pole)
- Ed Hall (Word Ace)
- Janusz Liberkowski (Spherical Safety Seat) (winner)
[edit] Credits
Hosted by Matt Gallant, American Inventor is produced by Simon Cowell's Syco Television LLC and FremantleMedia North America, Inc in association with Peter Jones TV. The executive producers are Simon Cowell, Liz Bronstein, Siobhan Greene, Nigel Hall and Cecile Frot-Coutaz. Co-executive producer is Daniel Soiseth. The show's panel of judges are Peter Jones, Ed Evangelista, Mary Lou Quinlan and Doug Hall.
[edit] See also
- Dragons' Den A similar program that originated in Japan.
- The New Inventors An Australian program shown on the ABC.
- America's Got Talent A show also produced by Simon Cowell shown on NBC.