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'American Inventor': And the winner is...
Ah, the results show. Where else can we experience the joy of wading through 60 minutes of mindless filler, just for the privilege of witnessing something we had already guessed anyway. Who didn't see the American Inventor result coming? Would it have killed them to announce at the beginning, if only so we could avoid the spectacle of The Black Cougar coming back, or the Top Ten Crazies, or the montage of great ideas that didn't get chosen? Feh.
Spoilers ahead, but you know that.
Let's get this out of the way first: Greg Chavez's Guardian Angel wins the whole shebang. It's the sort of project that makes instant sense when you first describe it, but, upon reflection, it gets a little murky. Yes, water will extinguish a burning tree, but if the fire was caused by an electrical short in one of the lights, dousing that live wire with water would cause bigger problems, right?
But Greg had a product with a compelling story and a feel-good factor -- it can save lives! (Maybe.) How is a spiffy bra or a remote control car going to compete with that?
So it's hardly a surprise that Greg won. Hey, I'm happy for the guy, I'm happy for his family, but I'm not surprised. I don't think it was the best product in the competition (or even the best product in the final three), but good job, Greg. Presumably, with a million bucks to play with, you really couldn't give a toss what I think of your product.
So with that out of the way, what else is there to talk about? I've got to pad out this post, just like the producers padded out the results show. Maybe I can try to make you cry? Or make the judges cry? Or focus in on someone who might be crying? Or play clips of people talking about how utterly awesome in every way the inventors were, in the hopes of causing the inventors, the judges, the audience, and the camera people to cry? Think that's a good way to use my time? Because lord knows the producers did. So many stirring tributes, so much cheesy inspirational music, so much schmaltz. And sure, yes, I teared up, but I cry at Hallmark commercials, and I sure as hell wasn't happy about it. I like my tears to be earned, not bludgeoned out of me.
Or maybe we can talk about the other inventions that didn't make the cut? Did anyone else find the montage of inventors with seriously cool, potentially life-changing inventions whooping and hollering and celebrating their ascension to the regional finals ironic and maybe just a little mean? Hey, that was a great idea! Look at how happy they were! They didn't show their happiness being snatched away, their hopes crushed because the idea wasn't marketable or sexy or whatever. But that's show biz, right?
And then there's the parade of crazy, the top ten "most memorable" inventors. Just call it a freak show and be done with it, ok? Or better yet, don't do it at all.
Finally, the top three inventors got to sit through commercials for companies in their industry, who then offered them the answer to their dreams - sort of. Because if you listened closely, Spin Master (the Toronto-based toymakers) and Maidenform (the bra folks, and was I the only one who thought Sarah Blakely looked like she wanted to chew through her own tongue as she watched the Maidenform woman tout her company?) didn't actually say they'd make the product. Spin Master agreed to fly Ricky DeRennaux to Toronto for a week "to try to help you achieve that dream of seeing HT Racers in every toy store in America." Maidenform (after what seemed like hours of flackery) said they wanted to let Elaine Cato "explore the possibility of bringing your backless bra to the market." There's no commitment there. Yes, it's a great opportunity, but it's not a done deal, something Elaine didn't quite seem to grasp: "Maidenform has made me an offer." Did that happen behind the Chavez family scrum? Because I didn't hear Maidenform make any kind of commitment.
First Alert seemed to come closest to making a deal: "We offer you the opportunity to work with our designers, our engineers and marketing professionals to help take this amazing product to market." Does that mean they'll actually produce Guardian Angel? Who knows. If they do, let's hope they add a chemical fire suppressant to the system, not just water.
And that's how it ends. The final three inventors were all quite classy -- Ricky was thrilled to have someone interested in his product, Elaine made a point of congratulating Greg for winning, and Greg talked up both Ricky and Elaine. There was no pouting, no second guessing, no "it should have been me," which is a nice change from some reality shows. The show might have been needlessly manipulative and cheesy, but the final three inventors seemed to be good people. Congratulations to them all.
I, of course, am much less classy. I'm happy for Greg and his family (and I'm damn glad he changed from active firefighting gear to his dress uniform), but I don't think it was the best product of the final three, for the reasons I mentioned above. I'd have picked Elaine's bra. I don't think the six semifinalists and the three finalists had the best product either -- I would have picked the building blocks, the deaf interpretation system, and the maneuverable lawn mower as my final three. I still don't quite understand what Pat Croce was doing as a judge -- seriously, what has he ever invented? -- and I never need to hear Peter Jones again. George Foreman needed to actually stand up when people gave Ricky a standing ovation -- did he not like the product, the guy, or does he object to standing ovations on principle? Sarah Blakely needed to throw something at the camera people who kept focusing on her tearing up at the touching moments. And I need a break from reality schmaltz. Lucky me -- now I get one.
Do you think the best product won? What would your top three, and your winning product, be?
I didn't see the final show but of the final three I liked the bra. I think the Guardian Angel is big and unnecessary with today's lighting technology. Instead of providing for a automatic sprinkler system, why not get lights that don't, um, break?
The dude's cars seemed kinda dumb, honestly. In fact, most of the final 6 seemed kinda dumb. The 'claw'? Is that seriously the best MIT has to offer? A saran wrap holder? A Mr. Freakin tea maker?! Where do they find these people!! Of the six, the bra seemed the most practical, and it seemed like the women that wore it really liked it.
Bruce | Aug 1, 2007 10:31:19 PM | #HT RACERS rock! It is innovative and fun and I can't wait to buy one!
And if it takes a Canadian company to recognize the best American Inventor so be it!
Sometimes those Canucks get it right! Like South Park!
Like HT Racers! Right on!
I just checked to see who won. I had to stop watching it because Pat Croce was so annoying. As a fellow Philadelphian, he's embarrassing! What does HE know! I totally agree with you with they should have picked the deaf kid's invention as one of the finalists.
Well written blog!
I knew the "Guardian Angel" was going to win, but I was really hoping that the HT Racers would surprise everyone. I would definitely buy them.
The backless Bra? There are similar bras already on the market - it's not an original idea. I don't think it should have been in the top 3.
Maggie | Aug 2, 2007 8:04:30 AM | #Did anyone catch the Mythbusters Christmas special where they did the same experiment on a Christmas tree? If I remember correctly, they dried out the tree and put on a brand new set of lights and ran them non-stop. The lights never got hot enough to ignite the tree. The also tried to create a typical short to start and fire and had no luck. I think they ended up rigging the plug and doing something so extreme to cause a fire. Long story short, I don't think the Guardian Angel is going to be needed for more than "piece of mind".
Also, water is not the safest way to extinguish an electrical fire. I'm surprised that him being a fire fighter wouldn't know that. He should have designed the system to be a type C discharge.
Nonetheless he seemed like a super nice guy who genuinely cared and that makes it somewhat satisfying.
I agree that other inventions were better than what made the top 6, but we knew Guardian Angel would win. As for the other 6 - wow. I kept forgetting about the tea thing, is the appearance of Saran Wrap really that big of a deal in American homes? The Claw was ridiculous. HT Racers was a good idea and I liked that he changed it so that you didn't have to have a computer. The bras seemed like a great idea and if I wore back-less shirts, it might be worth grabbing one. And yes, I too noticed Ms Spanx trying to hold her composure during the Maidenform speech.
Is everyone forgetting the light-weight wheel chair? I personally think that it was a great idea. I have a feeling it didn't have the customer base that Guardian Angel did/does. I feel that is why good ideas get shot down sometimes.
Andrea | Aug 2, 2007 11:26:26 AM | #This had to be the most boring finale ever in a reality show. Just give us the freaking winner. I like Greg's invention and if it can be tested on a larger scale, then it should be in the marketplace.
Hans | Aug 2, 2007 2:47:45 PM | #WHAT was the deal with that outfit the Maidenform lady was wearing? Some sort of pregnancy muumuu? It sure doesn't speak well to Maidenform's fashion acumen!
Bill | Aug 2, 2007 7:37:40 PM | #First let me say to you Maggie, obviously you are not a large busted girl. There are no comfortable backless bras out there that have good support for the busty girl. I myself am looking forward to seeing this bra on the market.
And I also new that the Guardian Angel was going to win as soon as they announced the final 3. Who is not going to vote for the product that supposedly can save lives.
In this day and age if the swiveling lawn mower had been a push mower instead of a power mower is may have gone farther in the contest.
The HT Racer is a great idea but I beleive they are aiming it at the wrong demographic. I think it should be aimed at the 18 plus market, they are the ones that would have been buying it if only to design the cars on the computor. I can see a hugh off shoot market in the precut paper alone.
darrpub | Aug 2, 2007 8:44:48 PM | #Great post & overview. Greg's my older brother and we're all really happy for his accomplishment. And thankful for all who supported him! If you missed the episode, you can check out key segments here: http://northstarthinktank.typepad.com/northstar_thinktank/2007/08/our-brother-gre.html
Jeff Chavez | Aug 2, 2007 9:30:36 PM | #I think that one judge that is from europe he is a total asshole.
Lily | Aug 3, 2007 4:45:11 PM | #I too can't wait for the bra to come on the market. The only other bra that I have found really comfortable was the bioform and that is no longer being made, more the shame. Of course the Guardian Angel was going to win. The saran wrap keeper don't they know there is already a stainless steel holder already on the market we have one in our kitchen so there was nothing new in that idea. The light weight wheel chair and the deaf translator should have been in the top six. This was a great blog very impressed.
Ronnie | Aug 4, 2007 4:34:45 PM | #YES! I am glad someone FINALLY puts attention to this. I was just in the process of making a video and posting it on youtube when I found this. Nice work! I posted as many comments I could about this on youtube videos relating to American Inventor or Mythbusters.
| Aug 5, 2007 8:04:48 AM | #I personally think The Claw was a great idea and really practical for people who enjoy the outdoors. I can see an item like this being sold at all household & sporting goods stores and selling well. I think Greg Chavez was motivated for the right reasons and a decent person, but don't think the Guardian Angel is a necessary household item.
I think the producers should make a "where are they now" show in a few months to see if any of the items presented in the auditions were picked up or how the Guardian Angel/Backless Bra/HT Racers are doing on the market.
A follow up show would be good. Last year's winner, with the infant seat, was canned by Evenflo. They spent lots of $$ testing and couldn't get a product to pass federal regulations. People need to see the reality of how some of these "great" ideas aren't so great after all.
Pateria | Aug 6, 2007 2:14:15 PM | #Has Elaine Cato's backless bra gone to market yet? If so, where can we buy it! Maidenform obviously didn't follow through, because there is nothing on their website about it.
Charla Rodgers | Sep 21, 2007 11:40:08 AM | #i think the bra shouldve won . as a woman with handicapped hands this is a bra i couldve put on myself with no help from others . so this product has another use and is helpful for women besides being backless it is easy to put on even if you had crippled hands and it is amazing in looks besides
Jeanne | Oct 17, 2007 5:24:57 AM | #I hate to say it folks, but ABC really screwed up a good potential show. Inventors need only once to show their wares in front of a national audience. If I were the producer, I would have had a live audience on set with a host that helped things along. Sorta like when Johnnie Carson would have done on THE TONIGHT SHOW and on occation they would do something like this. The oooohs and aaaahs or howling laughter from the audience would have made this show a 'must see' every time it aired. If companies were watching and wanted more information about the invention, they could contact the network. This also means that more inventors could show their stuff on each show and not put the TV viewers to sleep with the same boring people every week. The American Inventor concept is good but how they put the show on was horrible! Somebody could easily fix this and turn this show into a household word! Yeah, I could fix this show myself if I had the power and network backing and i'd make a ton of money for the network too.
Steve | Dec 14, 2007 10:53:23 AM | #I just had to follow up with more American Inventor comments. As per my first posting, I feel that the show would continue to travel around the country and give many inventors oppertunity to be seen on TV. The live audiences would be the locals too. All inventors do is show up for a prescreening prior to going on stage and they have 3 minutes max to make their pitch. The prescreening would weed out any people with an invention that would not be suitable for the audience to see such as something with sexual content. I even thought of the perfect host too. Remember who hosted 'Junk Yard Wars' when it was introduced years ago ? He's British and his name is Doug LLewellen and I just get these good vibes that he would be the perfect host for the show. I can only imagine Doug breaking out in laughter when trying to keep a straight face when being shown some of the wacky ideas in front of him. I'm sure he would face many surprises. The American Inventor is a winner people. Just get the right people in place to run it and a network will make a killing in sponsor revenues because they will all want commercial time on Americas hottest show !!!!!
Steve | Dec 14, 2007 11:48:34 AM | #radiosymmetrical unproctored geoponic thoracopagus homoeomerae messe unfroward elinvar
Imagine the Beatles
http://aislingsoftware.com
Dude I love this show so much I can't stop watching it! It nevers gets old!thx for making this show ]=)
south park maniac | Mar 2, 2008 2:04:14 PM | #Dude I love this show so much I can't stop watching it! It nevers gets old!thx for making this show ]=)
south park maniac | Mar 2, 2008 2:04:21 PM | #CONGRADUALTION ELAINE! don't feel bad about not winning that million dollards. Your product will bring in hunderds of millions. so keep your head up, surround your self with so good people. because, you have just made a better life for you and your beautiful daughters.HOPE TO SEE YOU ON OPHRA SOON.
vanessa austin | Apr 11, 2008 1:11:14 PM | #CONGRADUALTION ELAINE! don't feel bad about not winning that million dollards. Your product will bring in hunderds of millions. so keep your head up, surround your self with so good people. because, you have just made a better life for you and your beautiful daughters.HOPE TO SEE YOU ON OPHRA SOON.
vanessa austin | Apr 11, 2008 1:11:18 PM | #
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