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August 16, 2005

Inventors Join Reality TV

A new reality series premieres in about a month on USA. Made in the USA claims to be "television's newest and most ingenious reality program where America's unknown inventors and entrepreneurs get their shot at fame and fortune... and a chance to win a lucrative one-year contract with the TV Shopping network HSN." To me, it looks like American Idol for inventors. From the clip on the website, I can't wait to see the first episode on September 14.

Interestingly, ABC has also anounced a similar reality program, "The Million Dollar Idea." The ABC program was  conceived by Simon Cowell (of American Idol), along with an entrepreneur named Peter Jones. However, there is a dispute surrounding the show.

Both programs seemed similar to a program I remember learning about some time ago. Unfortunately, the program was not available in Oklahoma City at the time. However, I learned today that the program is now nation-wide. The name? "Million Dollar Idea."

Apparently, the folks at the original Million Dollar Idea program are displeased by the Simon Cowell version. For more on this, check out this website, which is sponsored by the original program. For more about the dispute, see Martin Schwimmer's Million Dollar Idea Submission - Gold Mine For Ironists.

Of course, none of these ideas should be confused with Oprah's Next Potential Millionaire Idea, which I discussed in my post Do You Have a Million Dollar Idea?

Anyway, for some reality TV about inventing, set your TiVo to record "Made in the USA," and "Million Idea." Two searches will return four programs that will certainly entertain you.

Posted by Melody Wirz at 12:21 PM.
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