Calling All Inventors

Get out your post-it notes and napkins - if you have an invention, we have a show for you...

It's the second season of American Inventor. Last year, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this show and actually cleared my schedule for an hour. Although I had originally tuned in to watch friends pitch and unfortunately get eliminated from the show - I began to enjoy the creativity of ALL of the inventors.

The show (Simon Cowell's version of American Idol for inventors) will again feature a panel of judges, good ideas and tons of inspiration. Only, this year is a little different. Last season's judges are being replaced by boxing champion George "Grill Master" Foreman, Sarah Blakley (Inventor of the amazing Spanx pantyhose), Pat Croce (Entrepreneur and former owner of the 76'ers), and the always cordial Peter Jones (Executive Producer and British Entrepreneur).

Simon Says:
"We found I think its own identity this year. It is like the thinking person's American Idol," said Cowell. "I mean it's not a bunch of singers trying to be famous, these are people who have given up thousands and thousands of dollars -- sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars -- all in the hope that this show is going to rescue them. So it's both funny and sad... sometimes actually quite tragic. But it's a brilliantly made show this time around and I'm quite proud of it."

What's The Big Idea?
At the end of the day, I am really interested in watching in the hope that I will see the inventions or ideas that will change the world; not necessarily save it (By change I mean, make life easier) - where are those inventions?

Again back to last season, there were plenty of inventions in sports, children's toys, shoveling snow, car covers, and ultimately the winning inventor had an idea for a baby car seat. Yes, these are all wonderful ideas...

However, I would like be privy to gadgets that will make phone calls for me, drive my car while I read the morning paper, make my espresso just right, attend meetings for me, make dinner, you get the idea...I like to think of the future as doing less work, not more. Inventors are you listening? Give me something I CAN USE!

Let The Re-Invention Begin
In true Idol style, the first six episodes of the reality competition series will take place on the road, with a finalist from each of the six audition cities chosen each week. American Inventor's seventh episode will be a special two-hour broadcast that focuses on the six finalists as they construct their prototypes and deliver them to the judges, who will then determine three finalists.

Just as last season, viewers at home will then pick their favorite invention, with the winner receiving $1 million dollars and the opportunity to market their product worldwide.

The season premieres on Wednesday, June 6 at 9PM ET/PT