American Inventor 2, Episode 6: Grilled to Perfection

Welcome back to American Inventor! Last week, the judges saw thousands of inventions in Houston and Miami, and found some great ideas and finalists. They continue that tonight in Houston and Miami. The judges have chosen our four finalists from Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Tonight, the search ends, as the judges will pick our final two winners (one from Houston and one from Tampa) to join and compete with the four other finalists for the million-dollar prize and the title of American Inventor.

We start off in Tampa tonight. Thousands of inventors are hoping that they are the ones to have that one great idea that will make them a finalist. But they must first impress our judges, George Foreman, Sara Blakely, Pat Croce, and Peter Jones.

First up is Rose Feller, who says her invention will reduce stress in America. She plays some music, which she calls the Love Test, and sings off-key along with it. That’s it. That’s her invention. Music to sing to. The judges tell her they think she has the wrong show, that this is American Inventor. “No” is the unanimous vote.

Next up is Shirley Blount, with yet another toilet type thingee. Her invention is called the Smarty Potty for children. Basically, lights and music come on when the child goes potty and then flushes. “No” from Peter and Pat. ‘Nuff said.

Honestly, I really have to give credit to our judges for not completely losing it at some of these people and their ideas.

We are now in Houston, and up first is Kevin Gilg. His invention is the electric fingernail tool. It looks like a saw and its function is to file your fingernails. The machine is so loud as he demonstrates that Peter has to shout at him multiple times to get his attention and to turn it off.

Peter calls it overkill, and I agree. I don’t much enjoy filing my fingernails either, but I’d rather file them normally in a less noisy atmosphere. It’s a unanimous “no.”

Finally, something good. Very good, in fact. Retired police officer Marcus “Sandy” Wall is up next with his Wallbanger, a long metal contraption. The Wallbanger is put onto a door handle and blows doors off their hinges immediately. With his invention, there is no need for police to use the big door hammer thingee that they normally use to get into wherever a crime is being committed. Compared to the Wallbanger, it really does take too long to bust down the door, and is more dangerous for the police officers, because it gives whoever is holed up a chance to shoot at the door and kill or injure an officer. Sandy has seen this happen to officers too many times.

It’s a “yes.” Peter was the only one to vote “no.” He doesn’t think the market is big enough for it. I totally disagree! If the NYPD were to purchase these for their officers, the LAPD and the CPD and all the other police departments out there would have to do the same to keep up and to avoid having to pay hazard pay to their officers, because the departments with the Wallbanger would be safer departments to work for. I love it and Pat agrees with me; he’s all gung-ho for the Wallbanger.

Bill Guess is up next with his invention called the Au Pointe. It’s like a steak toaster, with a thermometer. (Oh, I actually see a “no” from George for the first time, hehe.) Peter wants to test it to medium rare. Bill says medium rare will take ten minutes, so they wait. 16 minutes pass. The judges remain patient. Then 24 minutes elapse. The judges all go on break. 35 minutes now. What the... ? The judges come back from break and Peter makes Bill take it out so he can see; they don’t want to wait anymore. Peter tries it, loves it, and says that the steak is perfect. But it’s still a “no” because it takes too long.

We are now back in Tampa. George and Denise Tucker are up first, and they are tired of tea not being brewed properly and being too hot, causing tea to taste bitter and astringent. Their invention is the EZT4U Tea Brewer for existing coffeemakers. They have a unique coffeemaker basket, where you put straight tea into a special little place of its own, then brew it through the coffeemaker. It fits every type and brand of basket coffeemakers, which gives them a huge market! It’s a unanimous “yes.”

Up next is Bobby Lee Frissett with his 54-Square Cake Cutter. It cuts sheet cakes into perfectly portion-controlled squares. Peter and Pat give it a “no” because they don’t see a big market for this. Again, I totally disagree! I have worked in the restaurant business for many years, and I believe every restaurant, institution, and catering company (to name just a few) would all want one of these, and they would benefit hugely from it. Oh, well.

We are now back in Houston. Up first is deaf Christopher Khanoyan, and he has his mom with him to interpret sign language for him. His invention is called the Voice Inside, and it is made to help deaf people. It is a portable device used for the deaf person to be able to have normal conversations without an interpreter. The deaf person can type out what he/she wants to say, and the hearing person he/she is talking to can talk normally, and the device will pick up his/her words and display them on the screen for the deaf person to see.

Only Pat votes “no,” because he says it needs a lot more development. But it is a “yes!” Sara tears up. It was quite an emotional demonstration and discussion afterwards between Chris, his mom, and the judges. He wants to be able to be independent, and wants other deaf people to have the chance to be able to have normal conversations with people. I even teared up, and I wasn’t expecting that. I don’t cry during American Inventor! I stare at handsome Peter and I laugh at crazy people along with the judges! I mean, that’s just how it is!

Now, the judges debate who to choose for the two finalists. They debate on these Houston finalists: Joe and Mike Miller with their Wrap Away dispenser (who appeared on last week’s show), Christoper Khanoyan with his Voice Inside, and Marcus “Sandy” Wall with his Wallbanger.

Then they debate on these Tampa finalists: George and Denise Tucker with their EZT4U, and two from last week: Carlos Reid with his Building Blocks and Furney Eubanks with his Easy Mower.

The judges make their decisions, and it’s time to announce the winners. Nick, our host, again gathers friends and family of the winners for when they receive the great news.

The Tampa winners are Denise and George Tucker and their EZT4U! Nick presents them with a check for $50,000. Everyone is excited and happy.

The Houston winners are Joe and Mike Miller and their Wrap Away dispenser! Nick happily presents them with a check for $50,000. Everyone is thrilled and begins chanting, “Wrap Away! Wrap Away!”

Next week, George and Denise, along with Joe and Mike, will join the winners from Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco! In a two-hour episode they will all compete for the million-dollar prize and the title of American Inventor! The judges will pick the top three inventors, then America will vote for the winner. Thank you for reading, and I hope you will join me and tune in to American Inventor next Wednesday!

Tania spends her time creatively writing about Lost, one of her favorite TV shows. She has a yellow Lab named Mojo, and she spends a lot of time training and playing with him. Her outlook on life is, "You won't get anywhere if you don't at least TRY." You can email her directly at tanianicole101@gmail.com.

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