TV Review: American Inventor - Pimp My Pride
Published March 18, 2006
5. The bit when at-odds-with-everyone inventor and judge Doug Hall (yep, looked him up too) turned down that really adorable kid who invented the doggie-car-air-conditioner, then had one of those nauseatingly condescending 'encouraging adult' conversations with him later on. I'm sure the kid wanted to punch him, because I certainly did. Ref. #1 above, re: knowing your audience — methinks that the show lost a chunk of viewers at this point. (Simple rule of reality TV: don't crap on engaging kids, or dogs. Never crap on both.)
6. How we were told not once, but several times, that Doug Hall was responsible for approximately 18 inventions in the average American home. Ever hear what they were? No, me neither. Wanting to know would be intellectually curious, and we can't have that in a show like this.
7. Excruciatingly bad incidental music.
8. The ubiquitous British judge wasn't the mean one! Way to destabilise us!
9. Constant hyperbole about the Great American Dream was undercut by the fact that real, honest creativity frequently lost out to marketable, televisually appealing, producer-approved inventions and inventors. An olive pit bowl? C'mon, guys...
10. Here's another handy tip! If your show is all about invention and creativity, how about using a format that isn't EXACTLY LIKE EVERY OTHER REALITY SHOW ON TELEVISION. With all those supposedly brilliant minds on board, could no one come up with a new way to run the competition? To package the show? To reel in viewers? It doesn't say much for an ENTIRE FRIGGIN' SERIES ABOUT INNOVATION when you can't get past the MOST TIRED FORMAT in all of TV. Hmm. Feel free to take that on board, American Inventor. I haven't patented the observation yet, but you just might get some use out of it.
- TV Review: American Inventor - Pimp My Pride
- Published: March 18, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Culture: Society, Video: Reality TV, Video: Television
- Writer: teletart
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Comments on this articleComments
I agree completely. The whole emotional angle of this show was TERRIBLE. My god, that female judge must have broken down 10 times. Look, if someone was dumb enough to sell their house to appear on a reality show, they get what they deserve. There was nowhere near enough footage of the inventions or the usual human stupidity that makes these shows entertaining.
This is a beautiful article. We'd love to publish it in our magazine. I somehow knew the show would be a bust.... It's a shame as inventors deserve a form or recognition. It's further a shame that American Inventor took the position to simply provide a forum to embarrass inventors.
The producers of this show have hit a new low in trying to get an audience that will watch this feeble attempt to get ratings and have a hit series.
The show was not entertaining, educational or even
remotely similar to what they have been advertising. It was mostly embarrassing for every one involved.
They didn't even bother to qualifiy any of the inventions to see if they had already been patented. By doing a simple 10 minute computer search - for the ideas they accepted to go on to the next level, they could have qualified ideas that can be patented.
Every one of the accepted ideas have already been marketed at one time or another (maybe with some slight differences).
The panel of judges would be a fine addition to help any of the good ideas and inventors that made it to the next level, but the show needs qualified people to judge the actual inventions if they are to have a chance to get to market.
The show concept itself is a wonderful idea and with the world growth of intellectual property its' time has come.
I am a successful inventor,patent holder and patent author and I know how tough it is to get a product to market. This show could be a great venue for new inventors and it could have a huge loyal audience with spin off shows. It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to make the proper changes to make this a hit show (for everybody).
The judges put through to the next round a one-hit wonder singing duo, whom discovered the spittoon makes a great device for disposing of pits. What else needs to be said about this show?
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