American Inventor 2, Finale: The Bra, the Cars, or the Angel?

Welcome back to American Inventor and its exciting, fun, and tear-jerking season finale!

America voted the winner of our top three finalists after last week’s episode, and now we get to find out which inventor won the million dollars!

Our finalists are Ricky DeRennaux and HT Racers, Elaine Cato and the Annette Six-In-One Bra, and Greg Chavez with his Guardian Angel fire suppression system.

The judges sit in the front row of the live audience, as do the families of the finalists.

Our host, Nick, introduces the finalists, and the crowd applauds loudly. He then introduces the judges, one by one. There is loud applause. Pat and George are very excited for our finalists, and proud. Sara is nervous and excited for them, and Peter says they are all absolute living proof that the American dream is still very much alive. Again, loud applause from the audience.

Nick starts with Greg, to take us all back through his personal American Inventor journey on video. They show Greg enter the judging room for the first time in his full fire-fighter regalia. We see and hear Greg talk about his wife, and how supportive she is and how much he loves her. He says that he is so happy to be able to look back and know that he has accomplished something great in his life, along with his wonderful family. The audience applauds at the end of the video. Greg tears up. Nick asks him how he is feeling right now and he says there are no words for today, he is so amazed.

Nick then tells us that one of the three finalists will be eliminated from the competition very shortly, but first, Elaine is next to go through her personal American Inventor journey on video. She says that you have to go after your dreams, they won't come to you. Elaine was so excited to be a Chicago finalist, and she says just to be able to have gotten this far is amazing. Elaine talks about her daughters and we see her talking to them, and they say they love her. Elaine tears up from the video, and Nick asks her how she is feeling. Elaine replies that she is so blessed and happy to see her daughters. She says this is a very exciting time, and she doesn't know what it will bring, but it is the time of her life.

Next we see Ricky DeRennaux's journey through American Inventor. We see him say that people are calling this a “once in a lifetime chance,” but he disagrees. He says that it's so much more than that, as not everyone will have this chance in their lifetime. Pat tells him that he was never very good in school, that he had trouble sitting still, and that he had never had a teacher like Ricky. Ricky tears up about that and says, "that was pretty cool." He talks about his family and how they are the top, but this experience is close to the top. Ricky tells us and the audience, "You gotta make a difference in a kid's life, because they are the future."

During the commercial break, there is an ad for the "George Foreman G-5" which is more than just a grill, it makes waffles, too! As George loved to say through the season, I want one of those for my house.

Nick welcomes us back with a video of a recap of the whole season, some of the "yes"es, some of the "no"s, and the interaction between the judges and some of the inventors.

It is now time for the first elimination. Nick gives us the news, and it is Ricky DeRennaux, who takes it very well. Nick shows Ricky a video that his family and friends made for him – it is very emotional! Sara tears up, and of course Ricky does, and there is much applause. He thanks the judges and says it's been a ride.

Nick tells him that his journey on American Inventor may be over, but his dream is not. He introduces Benjamin Dermer from Spin Master. Benjamin tells Ricky that they love his product and want to help him get it on the market, and they are flying him to Canada to work with their marketing teams, side by side, to help get his HT Racers out on the store shelves!

Ricky is very happy and tells his students and family, "Never give up, work hard, and you can do it." Sara tells him he is a winner in so many ways. Nick then announces Ricky and Benjamin again, and the audience applauds loudly.

Now it is down to Greg and Elaine, and one of them is about to win one million dollars and the title of American Inventor! Who will it be? Nick says we will find out after the commercial break. Nooo! This is hard for me, probably everyone else, too, as I want both Greg and Elaine to win. But at the end of the day, I am still rooting for my original choice, which is Greg. But I like Elaine, too. This is hard to watch, and very emotional. I've had tears through the whole show.

OK, we are now back from the commercial break. Nick shows us a video of the judges’ "10 most memorable" inventors. Number 10 is Fingertunes, nine is the fire escape suit, eight is the Love Test, seven is the Sober Key, six is the Doublechin Buster, five is the wheel hubcaps (remember, the guy who wouldn't leave and they needed to call security?), four is the balloon ear plugs, three is the helmet made out of foam that Peter called “the scarecrow safety helmet” – oh my God that one was unbelievable. Number two is the guy with the wacky copper mask. And, of course, number one was Silvio DiSalvatore and Black Cougar. That was hilarious.

Everyone is laughing loudly as they show Silvio bashing Pat and his team, and Pat is laughing so hard his face is red. Yeah, like he cares what this guy says about him and a whole city and their basketball team.

Nick pulls a surprise on the judges and lets us all know that Silvio is actually here tonight. Oh, jeez, here we go. Peter puts his head in his hand, and there is no reaction from Pat, as he is still laughing. Out comes Silvio and Black Cougar guy. The audience loves it! Oh, boy, I thought we were done with this guy forever. He gets the audience somewhat cheering, "Black Cougar! Black Cougar!" Silvio says that he has gotten thousands of emails after his stint on the show. Nick asks him if he has anything to say to Pat since he is sitting right there. "NO" is Silvio's quite abrupt response. Everyone laughs, Pat is loving this. Nick asks Pat if he has anything to say to Silvio. He does. He tells Silvio that he has five million Philadelphians looking for his address. Ha! Silvio tells Sara that Black Cougar is wearing Spanx. Nick announces them again, and they leave the stage.

Nick then asks who will win the million dollars. "Will it be Elaine Cato? Or will it be Greg Chavez? Find out, coming up next!" Ahhh, this is so suspenseful!

Nick welcomes us back with Greg and Elaine on stage. He has two special surprises for both of them. For Greg, Tom Russo from First Alert is introduced and tells Greg that First Alert wants to help him get Guardian Angel on the market to save many lives! Greg looks so happy and surprised. Nick asks him how he is feeling, and Greg replies that he was hoping for First Alert. He's amazed that all of this is happening.

For Elaine, Nick introduces Norah Alberto from Maidenform, who comes out on stage to greet Elaine and tell her that everyone at Maidenform was very impressed with her drive and commitment throughout the show and her product. She tells Elaine that Maidenform wants to market her product and put it on the store shelves. Nick asks Elaine how she is feeling. Elaine says it's fabulous and fascinating and she doesn't know what else to say. She thanks Norah, and Nick announces Tom Russo and Norah Alberto once again as they leave the stage.