From TBS and the producers of Shark Tank, Survivor and The Apprentice, comes America’s next reality-competition show, America's Greatest Makers. United Artists Media Group have reached the finale of their search for the perfect contestant who will be able to create the next big wearable or smart-connected device using Intel software. Judged by Carol Roth, Brian Krzanich and Kevin Pereira each episode has followed the contestants facing the panel of judges, which also features a special guest star judge each week (which had included the likes of The Big Bang Theory's Mayim Bialik). During the season the successful contestants had entered the next stage of the competition, as they were given the opportunity to be mentored by Intel engineers to make their ideas a reality. Tonight is the finale of the show, the winner will be chosen, and rewarded with a million-dollar prize.
Kevin Pereira a media personality, game show host and judge on the show talks exclusively to TVmaze about everything America’s Greatest Makers – discussing what it is like being a judge on the show, what he would expect from contestants in a second season, what he thought of the season winner and his best advice for aspiring inventors. Read the Q&A below to discover what he had to say:
Why did you want to get involved in the series?
The word-cloud of my life includes hacking, hosting, making, pitching, selling, judging, Intel and Mark Burnett; when I first heard of the show, it was as if someone unhinged my brain, stirred everything inside with a large wooden spoon and offered to serve it up on TV-screens. I simply had to be a part of it!
Have you enjoyed your move to becoming a TV judge?
Admittedly, it took me a little while to figure out what exactly I was supposed to be doing on the show, and how I could best support the contestants and home audience. Once I settled in, it became a dream role. I love providing feedback, asking provocative questions and I still can’t believe I got to play an integral part in changing the lives of a few inspiring makers.
Was the season what you expected when you first signed up for the show?
I had very few expectations when I signed up for the show. From the digital series, I knew what type of products to expect, but outside of that there was surprisingly little discussion as to what our roles would be as judges for this competition; we all sort of nestled in naturally over time. I will say I wasn’t expecting to lose sleep over any of the process and I definitely had a restless night or three, mulling over the makers we sent through, or sent home.
If a second season was commissioned, what will you be expecting from the next set of contestants?
If season two happens, a year will have passed, meaning the core technology will be exponentially more powerful and expectations will be even higher. A fresh set of makers will have the benefit of having seen so many teams and ideas, but also have the burden of out-innovating them; so I would hope to see applications of the Intel technology in wild and unexpected areas.
Would you like to see anything done differently if a new season is commissioned?
Personally, I’d like to spend some time with the teams while they’re hacking away. So many times we heard of teams sweating and iterating away behind closed doors, it would be fascinating to be a fly on the wall as the clock is ticking and 3D printers and printing...
What was the best invention for you of this season?
I loved the weight-sensing promise of a workout glove. I love fitness, but hate the tracking portions, so a device that can intelligently automate the process is intriguing.
What is it like to be offering your opinion on the inventions?
It’s bizarre, honestly. I never want to slight anyone who is making, I’m a huge supporter of creativity in almost any capacity; but it’s technically my job to prod and poke holes at time. Outside of that, it’s an honour to have a say in the creative process, and to have my feedback incorporated be these incredible inventors.
How did you get along with the other judges?
Aside from a few cuts and scrapes, we all got along fine. Day one was weird, when we all leg-wrestled to establish dominance, but Brian one fair and square. I think he does more squats than he lets on. Dude fights hard. I felt like Leo vs the Revenant bear.
Do you have a favourite guest judge?
Shaq’s appearance required a special set piece to be built to accommodate his hulking presence, and that brought me endless amounts of joy. I also love that footage exists in this world where I’m the same height as him as the camera pans by us all… But I’m a huge Mike Rowe fan. I was giddy, in fact. I think he’s a phenomenal host, has an incredibly warm presence and asked very intelligent questions of our inventors. It was a privilege to share the stage with him.
Why is this season's finalist the winner of the show? What is it about their invention(s) which has appealed the most?
There was a lengthy debate about who should win, based off of what criteria. In the end, I think we went for something that had a clear path to production, intelligently integrated the Intel technology and solved a problem experienced by the widest possible audience.
What will be next for the winner of the show? What are you hoping they will gain from the show?
I hope they use the exposure and funds to fully develop and launch their product. I think this show will put them in front of a lot of people, and not only serve as a great commercial for the product itself, but for the passionate team behind it. They’re “regular", hard-working folks, a team you want to support and get behind, we believe they are America’s Greatest Makers.
Do you have any advice for aspiring inventors?
Embrace the fail. Do it. Fail often, and spectacularly. For every overnight success, there’s often a lifetime of missteps. It’s all valuable experience that will ultimately set you up for the biggest wins. So start making, whatever it is, and don’t let the fear of failure get in the way. You will fail at times. That’s part of the process. Embrace it, learn from it and dare to make again.
America's Greatest Makers season finale airs tonight on TBS at 21:00.
Written by Matthew on May 24, 2016
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