American Inventor, Episode 12: Is It American Inventor or American Gladiator?

ABC wants us to think that this is a live studio audience. Well, the people are real, and so it would appear is the cash piled up on a silver tray ready and waiting to be claimed by the winner of American Inventor. First on the stage is finalist Erik Thompson and he’s a hard act to follow. The guy has so much energy and charisma that his mentor Ed is caught up in the excitement. The judge says that Erik’s invention is truly original whereas other ideas are adaptations on products that have already been around.

Then it’s off to DDB Wordwide, the ad agency making Erik’s spot for The Catch. The first pitch is a caveman’s stooped reach and the evolution of the device. Erik nixes this anthropological approach for the “great hands” concept. Then the search is on for actors who can portray athletes, and apparently in Hollywood, jocks are few and far between. The ever-resourceful Erik suggests football players who are found at a nearby junior college. The Cougars look the part, but actors they are not. Erik’s discouragement is summed up, “actors are not athletes, and athletes are not actors.”

Back to the studio where the ad is shown to the judges, and while the Cougars are not going to win any Oscars, they’re pretty darn good. The ad makes sense up to a point. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, one of the players gets a special effects fake hand that not only proves confusing, but is downright weird. Mary Lou is diplomatic and says the invention is better than the commercial. Doug just doesn’t get it, and Peter says the detachable hand is a lost message. The judge says he’d vote for Erik, but not the ad.

Mary Lou then sings the praises of her inventor Francisco Patino. She was taken by surprise when people said, “Oh, you have the kid with the bike.” Mary Lou springs to Francisco’s defense saying he’s the one with a cooler, more fun and safer bike, and is a man who cracked the $20 billion global bike industry. Furthermore, she claims that he stands for the future.

Francisco then has his shot with the ad agency that pitches a too-young storyboard aimed at middle schoolers, but then offers a more interesting mutation concept. The teen goes with the special effects idea and makes it clear he wants it to be filmed in an ominous place. A night-time shot is too expensive, but the inventor asserts himself with the director, “Listen to me, I want it dark and mysterious.” There’s drama on the set as the shoot runs long, the city permit expires, and filmmakers are blocking traffic so the cops are on the scene.

Despite the setbacks, the commercial is ready to preview for the judges. Doug thinks it’s too much Hollywood dream and not enough about the bike. Peter likes the Terminator feel and the virtual display of the bike’s features. Ed brings up a point of confusion, and we can see why he earns big bucks making ads, because he’s right.

Next Peter speaks up for his inventor Ed, and once again says that Word Ace has the potential to be in every home in America. After Ed’s re-stating the aim to bring friends and families together and the board game’s ability to increase literacy, there’s a light moment between Matt Gallant and the inventor. The host asks the finalist, “How does it feel, Ed?” The answer, “You wish you knew.”

Then it’s off to the ad agency where there are two concepts, both of which Ed turns down. The inventor goes straight to the production company with his own idea and jokes about serving as copy writer, art director, and producer. The shoot is nerve-wracking as the inventor changes the script at the last minute. We feel for the adolescent actress who’s thrown this curve ball, and things get tense on the set.

Back before the studio audience, Ed again bests the host who asks to see, “your commercial.” Ed makes it very clear that this is a collaborative effort and as such, it is OUR commercial. The judges are collectively wowed and so are we in the audience. This is, so far, the night’s winning TV spot. Ed says it engages and even encourages viewers to participate. Mary Lou adds, “You nailed it: benefit, target, and sale.” Doug and Peter agree the spot is outstanding, and the Brit says, “You made America want to buy Word Ace.”

Doug introduces his inventor among the final four, Janusz, whose innovation, he says, “genuinely has the potential to save lives.” The judge’s advice as to how to construct the ad: “Why should I care, What’s in it for me, and Does it work?”

Janusz’ visit to the ad agency results in a veto of their concepts, so he proceeds with his own idea. The inventor wants to show a rollover accident, an open door, and a safe baby inside. Next is the audition for the perfect toddler, and we get to see numerous potential infant stars. Janusz chooses the happiest tot in the try-outs, but on set, the baby is frightened and overwhelmed, and is naturally crying her head off. Then the weather turns nasty, and the thunder and lightning isn’t helping the baby feel any safer.

As we’re wondering if Janusz ever got his shot of a happy baby, we’re back in the studio as the inventor invites us to see his ad asking, “Open your heart, this is for you.” The commercial is very effective, except as Ed points out, we never get to see the seat rotate or even swing, but the baby is smiling. Peter says the ad is great, but he has reservations about the prototype. Mary Lou and Doug are impressed, and then Mr. Know-it-all makes a startling admission. He confesses that, as a result of his improper installation of a car seat, his daughter Kristin went flying after an impact accident. He says Janusz’ ad captured the moment and delivered the benefit.

Then it’s time for the inventors to make their appeals directly to the public who will choose the million dollar winner from among the final four. Erik reminds everybody that he represents the blue collar worker, the single mom, and the middle class couple. His appeal is direct, “I need you.” Francisco once again cites his passion and drive and asks, “Vote for me, please.” Ed Hall reprises his promise to bring together friends and families with Word Ace and Janusz reminds voters that children’s lives are gifts everyday, and asks that the audience help him make the invention happen.

Spoiler alert: last week a Chicago Tribune columnist wrote about an invention very similar to Janusz’ spherical safety seat. Called the Child Safety Egg, it has been patented in both the U.S. and Europe and is currently being tested by the University of Michigan Transportation Safety Institute. According to a product officer for Inventor in an interview on National Public Radio, all the ideas, in order to be featured on the show, must be patented. So in fairness to Janusz, his invention must be significantly different in order for it to have also been granted a government green light. However, the description of the two gyro-inspired inventions sound remarkably similar as the Safety Egg also has the child also suspended in a swiveling shell. Hope ABC’s legal department has done its homework on Janusz’ Anecia as it would be very embarrassing for everybody concerned if it turned out to be an identical development to the Child Safety Egg.

Mary Hart is a college professor and newspaper columnist enamored of the popular culture context of Reality TV. Feedback: mhart12@mscd.edu.

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