…or Why History/Discovery Channel should give me a job to develop TV shows.
Anyone interested in Vegas Weddings?
In June 2010, I hosted a podcast with two friends entitled “Ridiculous Things.”
On this podcast we sat around drinking beer (or at least I was) and kicked around the idea of pitching show ideas to cable channels. It couldn’t be that hard right? Pawn Stars, Ice Road Truckers, Deadliest Catch and Swamp Loggers all made it on TV, so why couldn’t we think of other professions and businesses that people would tune in to watch?
If you listen at the 8:00 minute mark, you’ll hear our conversation about specific show ideas
(Side note: if you listen at the 27:50 mark you can listen to other uses for the Vuvuzela):
These are my show ideas from the podcast.
Three of these ideas have actually become TV shows:
1) Carnies
A show based around the idea of a traveling circus or carnival workers. You’d get the back stories of all the people that entertain on a nightly basis and travel city to city. If you were following the circus, what would it be like to perform as a trapeze artist, a fire breather and sword swallower, a lion tamer? If you were following a carnival, what would it be like to operate rides, guess peoples’ weight, or man the world’s smallest horse booth?
An idea similar to this aired on CBS called “Circus” in November 2010.
2. Undertakers
Inspired by the HBO series “Six Feet Under,” this series would focus on a family operated funeral home as people come to bury their loved ones. From the initial arrangements, to the wake, to the actual funeral service, you get to see what it’s like to deal with death and grief on a daily basis.
3. Taxidermy Stars
Two points of interest here: 1) at what point in your life do you say, “hey I think I want to stuff things and do it for a living” and 2) is there a limit on anything these guys would stuff? Random side note: I once saw a taxidermy shop next to a Chinese restaurant.
Mounted in Alaska debuted on April 7, 2011
4. Brewmasters
A host travels to different local breweries and beer festivals to discover unique brews. Think “No Reservations” or “Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives” but with alcohol. The host would explore the brewing processes and unique flavors of beers across the world. I’m still upset that I never got to host this show.
Brew Masters debuted on Discovery Channel on November 21, 2010.
5. Vegas Weddings
I have to make this show before another network poaches it. Behind the scenes at a wedding chapel in Las Vegas. Get the stories of people who decide to tie the knot in the city that never sleeps. What could be better than a show with an Elvis preacher? Viva Las Vegas!
Here’s my resume History and Discovery Channel. Three of my ideas have become TV shows and two have potential. I’ll gladly produce and write “Undertakers” or “Vegas Weddings” as compensation for the finders fee that I should charge you for Brew Masters and Mounted in Alaska, aka “Taxidermy Stars.” Or, I could create and star in a show called “The Creator” in which I drink beer and come up with more TV show ideas for your networks.
