My Brush with Reality Television

Posted on August 06, 2010

In 2005 -- I went to Los Angeles and pitched an idea to two producers of reality tv series; my show was called "Second Chance". The idea was simple; a charity  or enterprise that helps a community is in trouble;  a call is made to a group of business exec-angels; we all come together to use our talents and connections to save the charity and help the organization. Business men and woman rally for a cause -- we give back; we help communities. We are good :-). Not bad.  CAA was my support agency -- a former exec -- Michael Camacho set up the meetings. I learned a lot. "The Apprentice  meets Touched by an Angel".  That was my pitch.  I have heard that a new show is about to debut -- called "Second Chance" -- I will have to check it out. I hope it is a good show. I wouldn't mind if it is a rip off. Everyone we pitched -- including Mark Burnett liked the idea -- issue was they wanted me to be on the show as the host; I was employed by AOL; and I couldn't move to Los Angeles; and I thought I would look goofy on television. I didn't have an ego -- I just wanted to help create a good news TV show that spotlighted business men and woman in a positive light. Mark wanted me to open the show in a white suit as the host  -- too funny :-). He also told me that the one issue around my idea was that there wasn't an evil character; that viewers loved to hate someone on the tube; we needed a "bad actor" on the show -- as a main character. The idea didn't go anywhere -- although after seeing the Real Housewives of DC; I wish I had followed through; too many evil doers --too much fluff -- not enough positive use of pixels and time to do good; why oh why? Think Google -- "do no evil". In 2007 -- I was approached  to  be on the show "Shark Tank"; as one of the judges; I passed -- with respect. I like the show too. Today's reality television is burning a hole in my head; "The Real Housewives  of DC"   is bad TV and not real life; we need to re-purpose television to do good; it needs a "Second Chance".