ABC Picks Up “Dragon’s Den” Remake Titled “Shark Tank”
ABC has picked up a new show from Mark Burnett and Sony Pictures called Shark Tank, which is a remake of the UK show Dragon’s Den. It’s the first collaboration between ABC and Burnett. The show sees people pitching their business ideas to five extremely rich tycoons. The people pitching must convince the sharks to fund their idea for the amount of money they request or they go home with nothing. “People are looking to be entrepreneurs to get ahead, yet there’s no way anybody can go into a bank right now and get a loan,” Burnett said. “For these entrepreneurs, these sharks are their last stop.” Seven episodes were picked up, and it looks like it’ll air next season.
Dragon’s Den originated in Japan and has been airing in England for a few years. It can currently be seen on BBC America so take a look when you get a chance and see what you think. I’ve tried watching it and I just find myself bored to death. I like the low-key, tense, intimate atmosphere. However, it all just boils down to watching people beg for money repeatedly, over and over. Networks are looking for low cost programming because of the current economic climate so this definitely fits the bill, but I just don’t think this is going to strike a chord with viewers. Or maybe I’m horribly wrong. Won’t be the first time. It’s not bad at all, I just find it a bit boring.
We can hear anything about Millionaire‘s return any day, though…
it might be a success, It’s been a hit here in Canada, they’ve done 3 seasons (i think) so far and they are casting right now for a 4th one. the beauty of the show is they often have people come on the show with real DUDS of business ideas, like a re-useable “pizza pack” for pizza delivery places or one contestant was trying to market Hash brownies, needless to say it bombed (and she was probably arrested after the show). and you get a lot of good ideas as well.
Only thing is dragon’s den airs in an early evening time slot here, that would work but if ABC puts in in primetime (say opposite DOND) it’ll bomb.
Indeed. It’s a minor channel hit here in the UK – probably wouldn’t do all that well on a mainstram channel, but picks up a sizable audience for the channel its on.
The entertainment’s in the ideas rather than the negotiation, really.
It is an entertaining show to watch. The BBC version though is pretty low key, and thats a refreshing change for me. I suspect with Burnett at the helm, we’re going to see an intense score kinda like the Apprentice boardroom music, and other over the top theatrics.
Brig is right in that the charm of the show comes from the ideas. A lot of them have a lot of heart and charm behind them. The negotiations only really get interesting, when an executive is interested, but not necessarily in the deal that is on the table.
I’ve seen episodes where the executives offer the money, but demand a higher percentage of ownership, befuddling some of the pitchers, and that is also pretty good television.
It could be a cute little show, but I just don’t know where its supposed to fit in Prime Time.
This sounds to me like a reworking of American Inventor, except without most of the suck. I can’t tell whether or not it’s suck-free yet, though.
Well, it also depends on who they get to be the dragons, excuse me, sharks. According to Wikipedia, they have two sharks casted, and they are Canadian Dragons Robert Herjavik and Kevin O’leary. I hope for the best for this show, but to be honest, i’m not expecting much. It won’t live up to it’s Canadian and British counterparts and hopefully, Burnett won’t get some clueless putz to do voiceovers for it.
I’ve watched the last two seasons of the BBC version and absolutely love it. Definitely, the best part are the inventions, although the show would be just as dull if the ‘sharks’ weren’t entertaining in their own right. I just hope they leave the show intact and don’t screw w/it too much – I mean it’s been on for 6 seasons in the UK, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Comparisons to American Inventor aren’t unfair, especially as Peter Jones has been a dragon since the first show, although Dragons Den is a few years older.
The original Japanese show was called Money Tiger, so you could almost fill a zoo themed channel with various versions from around the world.
With the Millionaire Revival that I hope ABC does, i actually found this fan trailer. Now the video looks like that that person will do an online one, I don’t really know. Just it’s really well put together. Click my name and the video will come up.